Like many rap records, Keepin' It Real suffers from a lack of instruments--this makes many of the tunes indistinguishable from each other. There are some standouts here, though.
"Luv for My Thugs," a tune about life on the streets, is about friends who need to rely on each other for support that they receive from no one other than God. "Tonight" looks forward to the Second Coming.
"Mama Dearest" is a tribute to the singer's mother, thanking her for making sure he was raised properly, and keeping him safe from the temptations available to a child on the streets.
The final track, "All About You," is a departure from hip hop and is a fully fleshed-out R&B song. If the singer here ever decides to abandon rap for this genre, "All About You" indicates a potential bright future.
Keepin' It Real doesn't break any new ground, but it is nice to see a record done in this style that actually points the way to God and not the grave. Props to Priesthood for that alone.
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