When news broke of a collaboration album called Battle of the Sexes featuring Ludacris and label-mate Shawnna came out, the response was positive, especially when rumors speculated a riff between the two rappers. Then, in 2009, Shawnna did part ways with Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace to join T-Pain's Nappy Boy Entertainment leaving Ludacris with no other choice but to make it a solo album instead of a collaborative effort. The result is an album that is more style over subtance and leaves very little room for depth. The T-Minus-orchestrated first single "How Low" is sure to get people out to the dance floor, but it fails in comparison to past hits like "Stand Up" and "Money Maker". The second single "My Chick Bad" featuring a Freddy Krueger-inspired Nicki Minaj is not a strong single and the hook gets annoying after a few more spins. While Ludacris can still capture a listener's ears with his impressive wordplay, the album highlights only come few and far between. Standout tracks like the Ne-Yo-assisted "Tell Me A Secret" and "Sex Room" with Trey Songz are guaranteed to set the mood in the bedroom. The latter displays a Ludacris giving dirty pillow-talk to his lady: "You don't need no saddle or horse/ I'ma give you this dick to ride". Tracks like "I Know You Got A Man" featuring Flo-Rida and "Hey Ho" with Lil' Kim and Lil' Fate are just down right inexcusable. Production is provided by Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, Bangladash and others, as they build the foundation for Ludacris to spit his "Mack talk" to the ladies. The album is okay, but you only leave with the impression on what it could have been if it still had Shawnna.--- I rate this 3.5/5
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