Lil Scrappy: Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live
“The Artistry of Fighting” An Album Review By Nfared
Needless to say, Lil Scrappy has his work cut out for him. With Krunk music
riding out its final waves, Prince Scrappy has to prove his relevance beyond the
element of music he has become known for because movements, particularly in
Hip-Hop, come and go as the wind. Perhaps knowing this was part of his decision
to work with Lil Jon and join G Unit for his second album “Bred 2 Die Born 2
Live”. With Lil Jon he honors his Krunk beginnings, and with G Unit he hopes to
show he’s an artist with more than one side.

Clearly excited, he marks his return with the album’s first track “I’m Back”.
His intensity is audible with, “I’m back/hotter than a nigga in hell/know you
sick so I’m wishin you well/runnin hidin tuckin your tail…” Knowing how easy it
is to become forgettable in Hip-Hop, he tells, “When I wasn’t on TV you forgot
about me/took it upon myself to remind you bout me.” Though he has been gone, he
is clear that the grind never stopped with his infectious first single, “Money
In The Bank”. Confident, he predicts, “Ya’ll niggas watch me/rise to the top/my
shit gone sell/yo shit gone flop.” With one foot in the studio and one foot
still in the streets, he admits to the street side on “Gangsta Gangsta”. Still
in touch with how he earned his name, he speaks to his other side and to his
enemies with, “…you might get touched/cause these gangsta ass niggas don’t talk
too much.” Along with his alter ego are his humble beginnings, which he relives
on “Livin in Da Projects”. The pain
almost seems still fresh as he remembers, “Growing up on Section A/mama in the
other room cryin cause she got bills to pay.” His internal struggle continues
with “Born 2 Live”. While his purpose he is sure of; “I know I was born to live”
he feels as if he is headed in another direction; “…but in the end I was bred to
die.” In a slight response to Fantasia’s Baby Mama, Scrappy comes with “Baby
Daddy”. He is honest in all aspects, first by admitting how he has helped,
“Didn’t I give you da cars/didn’t I show you the moon/didn’t I show you the
stars.” He then becomes extremely honest, perhaps foolishly as he quips, “…and I
told you I cheated/and that’s all it takes for you to tell me to beat it?”
Perhaps some women prefer a man that’s faithful.

Needle Meter Honestly, there are not great metaphors or one-liners on this
album. No phrases that will be quoted by the next generation of Hip-Hop fans.
What is here though is a heartfelt album that tells the story of a man who is
trying to live in the present but is still in some ways haunted by has past. He
continues to make this point evident with tracks like the story telling “Police”
where he talks about the Orlando incident that left a permanent mark on his
face, and the poignant “Like Me” which lays out what it took to get him where he
is. Sure, his connection with G Unit is something of a mismatch as he is nothing
like any of the other members of this outfit. Also, the album can be violent and
offbeat at times. But “Born 2 Live, Bred 2 Die” is Scrappy’s story and he holds
nothing back in allowing his heart to reach his pen.
Three Needles














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