Bubba Sparxxx –The Charm (Virgin/EMI)

HIP HOP CD Bubba Sparxxx, The Charm

So the white boy rapper from Georgia is trying to stay alive, flexin’ as much “blackness” as any white boy rapper from Georgia could, I guess. But does it work? Actually, it’s not all that bad. In fact, the music may be the best stuff he’s ever done, but one thing that is clear: Bubba has turned to another white boy rapper to “borrow” some style. Who might that be? Aesop Rock of course, only Bubba doesn’t come close to the lyrical brilliance of Aesop…he’s more like the fledgling little brother…but hey, it’s still pretty good. —Rusty