Search - Various Artists :: Bad Boy's 10th Anniversary: The Hits

A Sham, Even With the Bonus DVD.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 03/31/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"You have to give Sean Combs credit for his bottomless ambition and determination to succeed, for without which, he wouldn't be the skilled businessman he currently is. A one-man-institution, he's made more than music: he's created a lifestyle and an attitude that everyone can easily identify. But his skills and market value as a producer are questionable at the least. (He did, to his credit, produce Mary J. Blige's 1994 classic "My Life") He's no longer the sought-after hitmaker he was back in 1997. Oh, sure, he's had a few moderate success including 2002's "This is the Remix" and 2003's soundtrack to "Bad Boys II," but you get the feeling that P.Diddy is running out of musical ideas and repeating the same formula over and over again. This CD, which celebrates ten years of hits at the Bad Boy label, could have been a great collection and a qualified guilty pleasure of bubblegum hip hop pop. Instead, it's a botched effort that looks more like a cash-in than a greatest hits album. For one, the tracklisting is frustratingly incomplete. Yes, Biggie Smalls is represented here in 8 of the 14 tracks, but it also skips Faith Evans, who is only represented as a guest on the Biggie tribute "I'll Be Missing You." Any of her singles from her last three albums would have fit in with the rest of the CD nicely. As for 112, their strongest single was, in my opinion, the excellent "Peaches and Cream," but you won't find that joint on here, either. I would have gladly taken that song in place of anything by the annoying Ma$e, whose "Feel So Good" single makes an appearance. And what about the Lox, anyone? Considering that this is the label's SECOND greatest hits album, "Bad Boy 10th Anniversary: the Hits" looks cheap, tacky and halfassed. Yes, it does come with a bonus DVD of some of the videos, but since this is a MUSIC review, that doesn't really count. All in all, a missed opportunity."

Incomplete

The Groove | 03/17/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

""10 years from now we'll still be on top/yo I thought I told you that we won't stop" (Mo Money Mo Problems)It's been 10 years and Bad Boy is still in the game, although I'd dispute the claim that they're still on top. Sean "Puffy" Combs formed a label roster that helmed some of the most talented acts of the '90s. While I agree with most of the tracks on this album, I feel that the others weren't necessary ("Victory 2004", "Whoa!", "P. Diddy Outro"). Faith Evans only appears once ("I'll Be Missing You" with Puff Daddy & 112), and she had a handful of hits under Bad Boy, as did Total and 112 - all of whom should've had the bulk of this Hits album.This is what happens when you are the CEO/producer/artist on your own label...you want to be on every song and on every video. P. Diddy was hardly the best act on Bad Boy - that honour goes to the Notorious B.I.G. - yet his name is on almost every song. It's not a bad compilation of Bad Boy's hits, but it's not a great one by any means. The Video DVD makes you buying this a little more worthwhile.Next time P. Diddy, give us a more accurate Bad Boy Greatest Hits album."

Bad Boy's 10th Anniversary: The Hits

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 03/10/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Can't say I am impressed at all by "Bad Boy's 10th Anniversary: The Hits" (2004). Sure there are some memorable tracks here (Big Poppa, Whoa, I'll Be Missing You) but what relation do 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks have to a Bad Boy Anniversary album. What happened to Bad Boy's recent talent: Black Rob, G.Dep etc. These are the artists that deserve more albums, not wack acts like Loon and Da Band. In the end I guess its all about making money, this release being a fine example. P. Diddy chose to release it March 9th, which is also the day the late great Notorious was killed. A few Biggie tracks are on this release, but there not much of a real representation of his best work in my opinion. The Hits? hell no. This reviewer is going to calm down and listen to "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death" the two greatest releases Bad Boy ever made. Then I might hit up on some of Black Rob's "Life Story" and even Shyne's self titled album (yeah the guy P. Diddy left in prison) and remember what Bad Boy Records used to be."