Second studio album by Puff Daddy, entirely produced by The Hitmen. Bad Boy's production team provides beats via Sean "Puffy" Combs, Mario "Yellow Man" Winans, Zach White, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, Sean, Dave "Prestige" Vanderpool, Jeffrey "J-Dub" Walker, Nashiem Myrick, Carlos "6 July" Broady, Harve "Joe Hooker" Pierre, and Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie. Lil' Kim, member of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Puff Daddy & the Family, is the album's lead guest with four appearances. The other guests are Mase (of Puff Daddy & the Family), Kelly Price, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Carl Thomas, Redman, Bizzy Bone, Mark Curry, G.Dep, Busta Rhymes, Cee Lo Green, Sauce Money, Shyne, The Notorious BIG, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Harve Pierre, Mario Winans and Hurricane G.
There's a certain lack of inspiration in putting the same title as the last Wu-Tang Clan album and choosing a bored cover, which is perfectly reflected in the music proposed by Puff Daddy without the Family. The Hitmen come up with an easy production, it's generic and lukewarm East Coast, just warmed up: there's nothing really wrong with the choice of rhythms, however, the music is never surprising, it's not memorable, there's a feeling that on these same beats and on these same samples, competent rappers would have been able to create solid cuts or hits, which never happens here.
In 74 minutes and 19 songs (4 skits), Puff Daddy proves he's not one of the best MCs out there, spitting out scant lyrics with scant style. Like for his debut, the strength lies in the guests, who are chosen with less precision than in the past: Lil' Kim, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Beanie Sigel and Nas are good/great, the others don't particularly stand out. Biggie Smalls, posthumously, gives highlight to his manager in "Real Niggas"; Jay-Z finds himself on a back and forth track that feels forced. Shyne is very lazy and weak, he seems to be trying to imitate The Notorious BIG in his verse, with a flow, interruptions and delivery style all too similar to Chris Wallace's.
Four singles are drawn, "Satisfy" is second in the Hot 100, while two of the other three songs do not rank. Released by Bad Boy and distributed by Arista, the album has a good commercial response, coming in second place on the Billboard 200 and first on the US and UK rnb charts, certified platinum and gold respectively. 3.5/10.
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