XXL's Scores

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For 380 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 68% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 26% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 Life is Good
Lowest review score: 40 Hotel California
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 260 out of 380
  2. Mixed: 120 out of 380
  3. Negative: 0 out of 380
380 music reviews
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    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    X
    X certainly proves that Chris Brown’s talent will forever shine through over whatever troubles come his way.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ludaversal
    While Ludacris’ name may miss several Best Rapper Alive lists, he never fails to deliver on each album. If Ludaversal is a reminder that he hasn’t fallen off lyrically, the game should pay attention.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Radioactive
    The album is a standout effort that introduces the full-range of his talents as an MC with crafty songwriting abilities and deft ear for a sonic palette.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kiss the Ring
    Kiss The Ring is brief and overrun with enough proven formulas and artists that the opportunity for a miss barely exists.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Quality Street Music
    By using his seasoned ear and stuffed phonebook, Dram has fed his base with what is indeed Quality Street Music.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kamikaze
    While some may feel the clap-back approach reeks of bitterness, there's no denying how skillfully Em runs through these six minutes of lyrical acrobatics. He keeps listeners more attentive than he has in quite some time with an abrasive attitude that was missing from Revival.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    We The Best Forever
    Though the content of We The Best Forever is what we've come to expect from a DJ Khaled offering-grandiose odes to the grind and getting yours-that he understands how to create those better than most is what makes a DJ Khaled track, and album, worthwhile.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Major Without a Deal
    Major Without A Deal is another step forward for Troy Ave, but it’s also another win for the birthplace of hip-hop.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Grateful
    Khaled sticks to what he knows best throughout this LP and that’s creating hits with ease. The 22 songs on Grateful aren’t anything out of the ordinary for Khaled or any of his featured guests but they remain hits nonetheless.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon
    Satellite Flight captures Cudi’s adventure back home to the moon and does it brilliantly.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Magna Carta Holy Grail
    He may be coming to grips with the fact that there are limits to what you can do at the top, as his clash with Billboard regarding his Samsung deal showed, but that doesn’t stop him--lyrically, promotionally, or otherwise--from trying to push the boundaries out a little further.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tha Carter IV
    Even with some lack of vulnerability and risk, Tha Carter IV displays the nonsensical approach that fans have grown to love. Future and previous aside, Weezy's present is bright.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This Unruly Mess I've Made
    The album isn’t necessarily a classic, or better than The Heist, but it does prove Macklemore is here to stay.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nasir
    The two music minds came up with a project that wavers between brilliant synergy and occasionally uninspired filler.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    No Love Lost
    The album probably has more features than any other Budden project, but it’s not overbearing. Also, Joe does not move away aimlessly from what he is good at and what he enjoys.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trill O.G.
    The seasoned MC isn't exactly saying goodbye to rap. However, whenever he does decide to hang it up, Trill O.G. will surely go down as a testament to why Bun B is one of the trillest to ever do it.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rolling Papers 2
    Rolling Papers 2 may not eclipse Wiz's most acclaimed work, but it is an admirable effort that shows growth in a creative evolution that gives hope that his best could still be ahead of him.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Full Speed
    Overall, Full Speed is probably Kid Ink’s best project to date. He sounds focused and he executes by pleasing his core fans with quality radio and club-friendly music.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win
    The album is a welcomed return for 50, who sounds like his hiatus didn’t affect his ability to create his signature street records.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Revival
    While Revival isn’t the defibrillator that Eminem needed to revive his dominance, the album has enough highlights to maintain decent replay value and enough lyrical miracles to keep mindful rap from totally flat lining. His pen game hasn't lost even half of a step, and he still possesses the neurotic edge that's always made him such a driving force in hip-hop.
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