Sheek Louch SILVERBACK GORILLA 2

No stranger to being overlooked, Sheek Louch places a distant third behind his fellow LOX members Jadakiss and Styles P when it comes to popularity, but even that crew needs some hidden gems, and Silverback Gorilla 2 is certainly one of them. Really, this could have been SG3 as 2010's Donnie G: Don Gorilla fell into the same angry "beast mode" category of the 2008 original, but when "Naw, I don't pillow talk/You can suck my dick or not" is dropped early on, it's the knuckle-dragging beast in all its glory, and returning fans wouldn't be returning if they didn't like it raw. Raw with some big-star co-signs like when Raheem DeVaughn helps turn "I'm Working" into a funky blaxploitation theme for Sheek's imaginary movie, then GOOD Music soldier Pusha T high-kicks next to the Gorilla as "Bang Bang" karate chops through the speakers thanks to a raw dancehall, maybe dubhall, beat from producer Shroom. The A$AP Mob crew is brought into the LOX world as "What's on Your Mind" with Jadakiss and A$AP Ferg falls somewhere between a posse cut and a superhero team crossover, then Wu-Tang veteran Ghostface Killah joins Sheek for "I Luv It," a more lighthearted look back at the old rap game, and with lines like "Eatin' shrimp scampi with scallions and medallions on" plus an infectious chorus, it's an easy pick. Seventeen cuts long and only a couple of them skits means this one is just shy of being overstuffed, although fans coming off a five-year wait will find it just right and, overall, a good reason to crave more. ~ David Jeffries

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop