Avg Rating: 
3.8 ( 25 total votes )
I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t Plies just put out an album? I know, I thought the same thing. But believe it or not, I hold in my hands a copy of Plies’ latest album, Da Realist, a full nineteen tracks of nothing but the man’s signature slow southern flow. That means that after coming out of nowhere with his smash single Shawty, Plies has now released three albums in just over a year, the last one only six months ago. To put that in perspective, if you were to get pregnant while reading this … ...Read the full album review
Fans can also check out Plies's previous albums: Plies - Definition of Real | Plies - The Real Testament
DJBooth Album Review
I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t Plies just put out an album? I know, I thought the same thing. But believe it or not, I hold in my hands a copy of Plies’ latest album, Da Realist, a full nineteen tracks of nothing but the man’s signature slow southern flow.
That means that after coming out of nowhere with his smash single Shawty, Plies has now released three albums in just over a year, the last one only six months ago. To put that in perspective, if you were to get pregnant while reading this review (and I’ve heard my writing can have that effect), there’s a good chance Plies will release two more albums before you give birth. Now some members of the DJ Booth staff have theorized that Plies recorded one mega-album and has been releasing it in chunks - and that’s certainly a possibility - but I have another answer. I think Plies has stumbled upon a can’t miss formula: start by nailing down the young male demographic with gritty goon rap, get the ladies involved with some radio-friendly sexy swagger, and then repeat, repeat, repeat. Plies’ run as a mid-level rap star won’t last forever, and he’s obviously determined to get everything out of his time in the spotlight that he possibly can. I gotta say, I admire the hustle.
Plies definition of being Da Realist innately involves a casual willingness to kill, a theme he’s made the foundation of his signature goon style. (By the way, I can’t be the only one who wondered if Weezy’s “ok you’re a goon, but what’s a goon to a goblin,” line on A Milli referred to Plies). Plies makes his intentions on Da Realist clear from the start, leading off the album with the pounding Me And My Goons. On Goons a sparse beat paces in the background while he spits lines with the steady of caliber of his Glock 40, exactly what we’ve come to expect from Plies. Nearly every Plies verse sounds the same - he only rhymes the last word of every line and draws out that last word with an exaggerated drawl - but Goons proves his style works, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Even better is All Black, a minimalist cut that pulses with the slow energy of a strip club joint, while lyrically Plies is at his most raw and uncut. From the courtroom drama of Co-Defendant to the cash-oriented I Chase Paper and Plenty Money, Da Realist delivers the testosterone fueled bangers Plies’ fans can’t seem to get enough of.
It turns out that just like in real life, women can’t help but be attracted to the bad boy, and it’s Plies role as an unlikely sex symbol, not a goon, that’s made him truly successful. The latest addition to Plies’ lineage of radio jams is Put It On Ya, a track that balances his explicit lyrics with a smooth hook to typically catchy effect. It’s no Hypnotize, but it’s enough to keep his hit streak alive. The good lovin’ continues on Want It, Need It, a track that improbably takes the anti-goon production of J.R. Rotem and has Ashanti playing the role of Plies’ hook singing booty call. It’s awkward to hear Plies rap over production even Lloyd would think was soft, and to hear the classy Ashanti as the object of Plies’ “I feel your hands in my boxers” affections, but with his recent track record the smart money’s on Want It becoming a hit. Personally, I’d rather not listen to Plies rap about playing hide and seek in his underwear, but I’m far from his target demographic, and if the past year is any indication his adoring female fans should eat up Da Realist.
Here’s where I may surprise you, and myself. There are moments on Da Realist when Plies reveals himself as more than just a killing and f**king machine, and in those moments I find myself captivated by Plies. Take Family Straight, a deeply personal track that touches on his grandmother’s kidney failure and his brother’s incarceration with gripping realness, or even 2nd Chance, Plies’ searching criticism of America’s incarceration-obsessed legal system. It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve listened to a lot of Plies lately, and while he’s far from my favorite rapper, I have to admit he seems to have matured immensely in the last two years. I’m curious to see what he does next, and I’m willing to bet I won’t have to wait long.
Listen to More: Plies Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Average Member Rating: Total Ratings: 25
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Set course for Plies 4th Studio Album- April/May!
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 908 |
^Wouldn't be surprised. Gotta give him credit for his hustle, though. I actually wasn't going to check this album out for a few months, not because I dislike him, because I really don't (though I wouldn't call him exactly even Top 40 material I think), but after listening to "Family Straight" and watching the video, I'm probably going to get down to give this a listen right after Christmas.
Plies isn't a "sell-out" since he entered the game off his explicit lyrics, and people can't say he's a failure either. I guess I'll have more later. |
| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1642 |
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honestly, im not even a Plies fan, but this time around, i was surprise to know i like half his CD. i was glad to know half of it wasnt SEX. so yeah this was a pretty nice album in my opinion
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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When I heard that he was releasing his third album in a year, I thought..."Damn, this guy must want to get his point across...Sadly. Plies is far from being real. He is a gangsta rapper trying to get on the board. He acomplished that trademark a long time ago. I believe that this is Plies best album so far. WIth a TON of "could be" hits and a few serious tracks, Plies worked hard on this album. Here's to the next two years...and the next six Plies albums.
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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plies put the watz happening on this album!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 84 |
I got to say, thats the worst album cover Ive seen in years. Anyway, I'll be back with a review after Christmas most likely.
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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VERY AVERAGE ALBUM!!! His best so far....but still very average! Kinda gettin tired of Plies...he needs a break!
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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gotta give Plies his props for capitalizing on his popularity. and i like that he kept the guests to a minimum. It's his album, so he should showcase himself. However, it's also a huge problem because his flow is just so irritating. Asking us to listen to 16 tracks of it is really too much. Then throw in some really retarded lines like "she works for me cause I pay her" and it's just going way too far. I know the ladies love him, but I can't imagine guys actually bumpin Plies. Don't get me wrong, Shawty and Bust It Baby were my jams when they came out. Which makes me wonder, what if Plies stopped tryin to go hard on half the album, and made a whole album for the ladies, some sort of r&b album with him rappin for the ladies? i think Plies is perfect for that concept. Here, there are a few tracks that are pretty decent, but ultimately forgettable.
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I mean Plies was never on e of my favorites, but this album has earned a lot of respect from me... He really is keeping it real, my top 4.
1. Family Straight 2. Put It On Ya 3. Want It, Need It 4. Second Chance |
| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 54 |
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gotta respect the goon. the man is hustlin hard and he's being smart about it too cuz after3 years, rappers really dont make it anymore. I liked the album i can tell he put more effort into it and better production than the last one. He isnt on my top 5 rappers list, but the dude is definately the one with my respect for his hard work and hustle.
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
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this album is actually not too bad. I listened to the whole album without skipping any tracks. He goes deep in a few tracks. My top picks are:
1 2nd chance 2 family straight 3 gotta be 4 want it neet it 5 street light |
| Posted on Dec 13, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1624 |
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I think a lot of people are too caught up in Plies because he's hot right now. Truth be told, this album is still very subpar and below average. I see a lot of people that say "Family Straight" is an amazing song. No, the LYRICS are amazing, the song is absolutely horrible. The production is completely unoriginal and the flow is awful.
There are a few select tracks on this album worth 3 stars and into rotation, but the rest of them are just quickly made songs to rush and get an album out. Sorry. |
| Posted on Dec 13, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1192 |
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Overall this is a pretty good album, and is easily head to bottom the best album Plies has released. The one problem with it though (for him mainly) is that i dont hear a song that will be as successful as some of his previous hits. I can see Street Light & Put It On Ya getting some radio play, but no were near as much as his previous hits. I dont see this being anywhere near as successful as his last couple of releases because of this.
3.5 - Nathan, spot on with the review, looking forward to reading your thoughts on Jamie Foxx's new album |
| Posted on Dec 14, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 26 |
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I'm fellin that goon stuff on there like all black and me and my goons. BTW I did catch that goon/goblin stuff in a milli. I smell beef cooking!!!
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| Posted on Dec 15, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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i love this album and he is so sexy
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| Posted on Dec 16, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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It'll do... I think dude is the southern Ja Rule, but I may be wrong
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| Posted on Dec 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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DIS IS A GOOD SONG HES DOIN HIS THANG
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| Posted on Dec 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
it's a great song
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| Posted on Dec 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 143 |
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Great Plies CD but not as good as the first but i still like it better than 90% of these CD's Coming out in 08
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| Posted on Dec 22, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 3 |
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Great Album, I was taken by the very 1st track in Me and My Goons. The song has got a thug feel almost a yung joc feel, but with Plies rapping, and lemme tell you Plies can RAP! And he can drop albums! Props to Plies and hope there is ALOT more to come.
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| Posted on Dec 27, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 122 |
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I wont lie i was getting tired of Plies overall but then I heard this album and I cant help but like it. He did his thing on this album. Production is crazy too.
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| Posted on Dec 31, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This album is nowhere near the real testament
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 76 |
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not better den his first 2 but good nevertheless. Plies is getting his respect from me!
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| Posted on Jan 15, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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plies did his thing on diz 1 not betta than da 1st 2 but it'll do
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| Posted on Mar 17, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this along with rick ro$$ album trilla was my fav of the year, plies flow and lyrics come out nicely and all the tracks are really good, my fav has to be put it on ya and want it need it, right up there with the real testament, plies ma dawg keep doing ya thang,
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this along with rick ro$$ album trilla was my fav of the year, plies flow and lyrics come out nicely and all the tracks are really good, my fav has to be put it on ya and want it need it, right up there with the real testament, plies ma dawg keep doing ya thang,
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 21 |
PLIES I AM BOT TO BE YOUR WIFIE AND NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP ME LOVE YOU BABIE BOI HEY I WILL DIE FOR YOU THAT IS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU AND I LOVE YOUR SONGS MABY I CAN SING MINE FOR YOU ONE DAY AND MAKE THAT$$$$$$$$$MONEY JUST LIKE YOU BABIE
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| Posted on May 01, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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coldest album
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| Posted on Mar 19, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
omg plies you are soooooo sexy come over to my house baby
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| Posted on Apr 27, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 29, 2010 |
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