If you don't own "Born to Rap," the debut album by Columbus, Ohio underground hip hop legend Deuce One, it doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you a dumb one. Imagine the lack of foresight it would show on your part if you pass up the opportunity to buy some of the first recordings of one of the biggest acts in American history. An investment in "Born to Rap" is an investment in the future of Deuce One and yourself. Eventually the Rock and Roll hall of fame is going to be begging for an original copy of this album and will be willing to pay top dollar for it. Guess what, you might just be the one to sell it to them. But that's just one of the more cosmetic reasons to purchase this album. The biggest selling point that "Born to Rap" has to offer is that it is a well balanced hip hop experience that will remain in your CD player for weeks upon purchasing. The album is never too much of one thing. Lyrical without being preachy, catchy without being annoying, sarcastic without being condescending, funny without being immature, smart but understandable, dark but with relativity, etc. Deuce One is one of just a handful of new artists who seem to be able to offer new perspectives on mainstream issues. But concepts and lyrics aside, this album has a lot to offer musically as well. With production by Deuce One and New York beat maker Sylence, "Born to Rap" offers a unique blend of Midwest teeth gnashers, east coast head nodders, and commercial ear grabbers co-existing, overlapping, and stamped with each producer's own unique style. These beats create a perfect background for Deuce One's smooth yet emphatic flow. The vocals on the album are dynamic and delivered with a lot of personality and character. This gives the album a lot more life than artists who elect to sleepwalk through verses or simply yell at the listener for sixty-some minutes. In summary, this album would be a great addition to your collection because it is something well put together and something different. Not different in a way that means you have to be on hallucinogenic drugs and wearing a tin foil hat to appreciate it. But different in that it's not an echo of what every other commercial artist is doing.