*** Ahmad, “Ahmad,” Giant. At 18, this...

*** Ahmad, “Ahmad,” Giant. At 18, this South-Central rapper may seem a bit young for nostalgia pangs, but his hit single “Back in the Day”--a yearning for a simpler times--is still very convincing. It’s the best song on the gangsta-flavored rookie effort by this nimble-tongued rhyming whiz. Mostly upbeat, always insightful and sometimes very funny.

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