Sweat (2004) Sweat works its way through all the hallmarks we've come to expect from Nelly records: the electro-syncopated beats, the droolingly witty rhymes ("Sex in the… Nelly Hip-Hop/Rap
Music Review

Sweat (2004)

Nelly
Reviewed by David Browne | Sep 17, 2004
Nelly | PRINCE CHARMING Reliable party jams? No Sweat
Image credit: Nelly: Kwaku Alston/Corbis Outline
PRINCE CHARMING Reliable party jams? No Sweat
EW's GRADE
B-

Details Release Date: Sep 14, 2004; Lead Performance: Nelly; Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap

Sweat works its way through all the hallmarks we've come to expect from Nelly records: the electro-syncopated beats, the droolingly witty rhymes (''Sex in the city, sex in the country/Sex in the zoo, right behind the monkeys''), and enough references to his financial portfolio to make you think you're hearing a singing CEO. Buffeted by a sample of Curtis Mayfield's ''Superfly,'' Nelly and Christina Aguilera slurp each other up in ''Tilt Ya Head Back,'' and he dabbles in synthreggae (''River Don't Runn'') and bombast (''Heart of a Champion,'' surely a future sports-show anthem). The album inevitably deteriorates into generic boasts via guest rappers, and the single ''Flap Your Wings'' is a lame retread of Nelly past.

Originally posted Sep 17, 2004 Published in issue #784 Sep 17, 2004 Order article reprints