Worldwide

As the World Turns

This San Antonio native is a sponge of influence and charisma on his solo debut As The World Turns, a Paul Simon-sampling album that finds the Kydd and League of Extraordinary G’z affiliate taking on more looks than Lupe Fiasco. Hook up “Party Music” and Worldwide’s the cock of the walk. Slow the whip and he’s smooth as a plush leather Cadillac (“On the Road”). Hit him with UGK grease (“Bout That”) and he’s cold-blooded, spitting streetwise wisdom with Pimp C gusto. Best is when he’s slightly smoked out, like when he’s doubling up a dexterous flow as fluid as Nas’ “One Mic” on “Body Language” or “Just Float” (“I’m pretty obvious/Search for my section in the club/Look for the cloudiest”), where he hooks up Curren$y stank on a dead ringer for Ski Beatz’s production.

***.5

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