Record Rack

*** B.G. “Checkmate,” Cash Money/Universal. While most of the Cash Money roster’s most popular songs are speedy enough to cause adrenaline rushes, the sixth album from its flagship artist resonates with an understated cool. The nasal-voiced rapper’s stories ring with authority regardless of topic, be it his lifelong affinity for firearms or the prospect of death. Producer Mannie Fresh matches B.G.’s calm tone with smoother-than-usual production.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).