Sweat

UK pressing of 2004 album includes the bonus track 'Don't Stop'. Universal.

While its companion disc Suit offers Nelly at his most mature and refined, Sweat takes direct aim at the "Hot in Herre" crowd. Why not? "Hot in Herre" has reached karaoke proportions. Nelly wastes little time here in reminding everyone just how great he is on "Na-Nana-Na," where he recites an inventory of his accomplishments over a smattering of found sounds and drum breaks. The Neptunes-hemmed "Flap Your Wings" may reestablish him as the king of club rap, with its infectious "drop down and get your eagle on, girl" chant that comes with an accompanying dance. "Tilt Ya Head Back," featuring a subpar Christina Aguilera, and the dubby "River Don't Runnn" are both confounding yet genetically engineered for radio airplay. Don't hate the player, hate the game. Who else would have the nerve to re-jig the instantly recognizable John Tesh "NBA on NBC" theme ("Heart of a Champion") into a hip-hop club track? --Dalton Higgins