Nick Cannon

Personnel: Nick Cannon, Biz Markie, Ying Yang Twins, Fatman Scoop (rap vocals); Mario Winans (various instruments); Donnie Lyle (guitar); Abdel Garibaldi (programming); Mary J. Blige, Joe, R. Kelly (background vocals).
Producers include: Just Blaze, R. Kelly, Tone, Poke, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
The multi-talented Nick Cannon first became known as an actor in films and TV, appearing in DRUMLINE, LOVE DON'T COST A THING, and even his own NICK CANNON SHOW. Somehow, in between acting jobs, he found the time to record a hip-hop album. Despite his camera-friendly image, Cannon clearly has aspirations to be more than just another Will Smith nice-guy rapper. Things get off to a roaring start with the in-your-face track "Get Crunk Shorty" pumping things up (with help from Ying Yang Twins). Throughout the album, Cannon takes a surprisingly hard lyrical stance, frequently proclaiming himself a "gigolo" and a "pimp." On the naggingly catchy "You," Cannon shows his musical roots by making lyrical references to the Grandmaster Flash/Furious Five classic "The Message" and De La Soul's "Me, Myself & I," but doesn't go down the socio-political road of those songs. Naturally, being a film and TV star, Cannon lined up guest-shots aplenty for his debut, including star turns by Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly, but, to his credit, these icons do not outshine him.