You’re going to need a reality check after listening to Reality Check, rapper Juvenile’s new album. While jamming to this album on my new iPod, I forgot that I wasn’t a thug rapper from New Orleans. After a very accurate introduction warning that this album may cause “a boost in energy” and “the urge to bounce”, the beats he lays down hits you like a left hook to the face, followed closely by two quick jabs and a right uppercut. “Get Ya Hustle On” is a Juvenile-type tribute to hurricane Katrina victims, but I’m not sure his advice to sell drugs to get money is the way to go. Another song, “Rodeo” is already tearing it up as a hot music video. “Around the Way” reminds me of “Jenny from the Block” by Jennifer Lopez with the way Juve is making sure we all know what he came from and how rich he is now. The same could be said about “Sets Go Up” featuring Wacko, where he lets us know that the he’ll never let the money “mess” with him. I’m still confused if it’s ok to have a “loose booty”. I guess I’ll just have to listen to “Loose Booty” a few more times. I was pumped to hear the smooth voices of Mike Jones and Paul Wall along with Skip and Wacko in “Way I Be Leanin’.” My favorite part is when Paul Wall lets us know he is “caked up like Better Crocker.” After all the songs that made me get up and bounce, I was happy to hear Brian McKnight serenading me. “Addicted” compared to the rest of the album is a calming ballad. It could be the perfect break-up song or a ballar’s theme song. I’m sur-prised at the limited popularity this album and Juvenile as an artist have had. He’s been putting out albums for over a decade now, and has seen less media hype than Romeo or Bow Wow, who probably weren’t even born when Juvenile began rapping. I don’t think any of the songs on this album will be as successful and well-received as “Slow Motion,” from his 2003 album, Juve the Great. With the success of the “Rodeo” music video, Juvenile may start tearing up the Top 40, but don’t count on it. If you historically hate any type of rap/R&B album, then you will most likely hate this album. It’s not going to bring Juvenile many new fans, but I do expect current fans to be pleased with these boppin’ new jams. Juve is fo’ sho’ reppin’ the Southern peeps with this album.