Blackstreet - Finally (Lil' Man/Interscope) It seems Teddy Riley has finally let Puff Daddy get to him. Riley, the creative force behind Blackstreet, may have created New Jack Swing, but it was Puffy who built upon the genre, melded into hip-hop soul and became a millionaire.
Jealousy of Sean 'Puffy' Combs is perhaps all that can explain Blackstreet's latest album Finally. Their self-titled debut and their second album Another Level, which spawned the global hit No Diggity, were both hip-hop R & B benders, taking the fusion to new heights of funkiness and soul.
Finally on the other hand is a blatant Bad Boy wannabe, replete with the same ho-hum sampling, ultra-electronic beats, contrived rap interludes and uninteresting lyrics. Although the upbeat tracks are definitely bounce-worthy, the innovation Riley is known for is lacking.
The ballads, melody-driven gushy odes, are a let-down in light of Blackstreet's stunning soul work in the past. If only Riley would worry less about commercial sensibilities and get back to making the brilliant hip-pop and soul he is capable of, now that would be something to say 'finally' to.