Pitbull - Money is Still a Major Issue

Genre hip hop Publisher TVT Records External Links Official Website TVT Records

As per industry standard, each new artist or band must at some point release a remix or a live album for a quick cash in, prying just a little more "lucre" from their devoted fans' hands. Some of these albums do have value, say if there are stellar remixes that are only available on imports or a live album that actually gives an added layer of context.

Pitbull returns with a new take on 2004's M.I.A.M.I., a remix album where he willingly steps to the side and allows some of his buddies who helped him gain a reputation take the spotlight. In case you forgot, the gold selling M.I.A.M.I. was southern rap meets Latino beats with a splash of reggaeton throw in for good measure.

Four tracks are unreleased, perhaps giving the rabid fans a taste of what is yet to come. But Money also offers up more of the "Nuevo" rap: a combination of Latino freneticism and the heavy beats and subject matter frequently found in rap.

After you get past the cliché-ridden posturing of "Everybody Get Up," the album settles into the reggaeton vibe of "Rah Rah," which will undoubtedly make you throw your hands up like you just don't care. "Shake" and "Culo" are club wall rattling tracks with an infectious bounce. In fact, every song on Money is dance club ready, you can feel the sweat from the speakers, but it's not your normal club music...it is the aforementioned Latino influences that sets it apart from the normal drivel.

Taking the backseat on eight of the tracks may disappoint the Pitbull aficionado, and the amount of co-conspirators on the album may be dizzying, but it succeeds in giving props to those who helped him on his rise to "Gold" status (in record company terms).