Tag Archives: Juelz Santana

What The Game’s Been Missing

Def Jam, Matt Semansky (CHARTattack)

When he’s at his best, Juelz Santana delivers exactly what the title of his sophomore record promises. The Harlem-bred MC tells familiar hustler tales that frequently rise above tired genre conventions due to his sense of melody and his social conscience. He’s one of the few street-life rhymers who at least occasionally suggests that street life comes with consequences beyond making money and getting laid. But on this overstuffed release, Santana is only at his best on about half the tracks. The infectious energy of “Rumble Young Man Rumble” and the minimalist brilliance of “Clockwork” are too often counterbalanced by dull clunkers like “Violence.” Still, there’s enough good stuff here to back up the hype surrounding Santana, even if he does need to learn how to trim the fat.