These days, very few rap CDs are truly revolutionary and cutting-edge the way that
KRS-One,
Public Enemy,
Ice-T,
De La Soul, and
N.W.A. were revolutionary and cutting-edge back in the '80s and early '90s. But there are still plenty of rap CDs that are great for pure entertainment value, and
Poe Little Rich Girl is a good example.
Jacki-O isn't innovative by 2000s standards; her basic recipe -- a combination of Dirty South beats and
Lil' Kim's crude, in-your-face, ghetto-fabulous sexuality -- doesn't point hip-hop in any new directions. Anyone who has spent a lot of time listening to
Lil' Kim,
Khia,
Gangsta Boo, and
Trina will hear
Poe Little Rich Girl and think, "Been there, done that." But if this album is derivative, it is enjoyably derivative.
Jacki-O's sleek R&B-drenched grooves are infectious, and for those who aren't offended by X-rated, sexually explicit lyrics, the Miami resident is undeniably entertaining. Another thing
Poe Little Rich Girl has going for it is the consistency factor. In contrast to all the wildly uneven rap CDs that are loaded with filler,
Poe Little Rich Girl manages to keep the creative momentum going from start to finish. It should be noted that although this October 2004 release is
Jacki-O's first official album for TVT, a mixtape titled The Official Bootleg was circulated in the early part of 2004. That decent if mildly uneven disc is strictly for hardcore fans;
Poe Little Rich Girl is definitely more focused. Is
Poe Little Rich Girl a five-star masterpiece that will revolutionize hip-hop? No. Is it a noteworthy, well-executed example of entertainment for the sake of entertainment? Absolutely. [This is the "clean" version of this release.] ~ Alex Henderson