99 Ways to Die

Only on his second album, Master P has already learned the key to ensuring career longevity. On the title track, minimalist bass lines and spare lyrics are brought together with a plaintive lyrical hook: "Ninety-nine ways to die / Survival of the fittest / Only one way to stay alive." It's the key to post-Tupac and -Biggie gangsta success: live the dangerous lifestyle, then spend time and thought writing lyrics about the troubles encountered along the way. It's the same approach used to near perfection on "Bullets Gots No Name" (think "Trigger Gots No Heart," and you'll get the idea) and "When They Gone." True to form, though, the album's most potent force is the relentless party bounce of "1-900-MASTER-P." Dial up for delivery of Southern-fried hits. --Jon Caramanica