In 1993, B.G. released his first solo album on a fledgling label called Cash Money Records. Since then, he’s been through enough industry drama and rap beef to create his own soap opera. Now he’s back with Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood, his first solo release in over two years. It opens up with the track “F*** the Game Up” which details all of Gizzle’s recent industry tribulations. Rhymes like, “You know the media they had a lot of doubt in me / but the streets, man they always vouched for me” touch on his recent label movements with Koch and Atlantic Records.

“Hit the Block and Roll,” “My Wrist Game Sick” and “4 a Minute” all provide solid anthems for the streets, but while Gizzle’s street side is still alive and well, the album’s second single “My Hood” displays a thoughtful gangsta who has matured through the years. Over Mannie Fresh’s production, he proudly boasts, “It feel good to be fortunate and give back / see a old lady walking, stop and help her with her bags”. Lines like these show that even the hardest thug still has a heart.