Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Ms. Toi is one tough woman whose confidence inundates her lyrics and approach to her music. She is a rap/hip-hop diva in the making, and is yet to make it big. However, with her traditional flow complementing her crisp, clear voice, she presents a maturity that brings realness to her lyrics. Folks may also remember Ms. Toi from her collaboration with Ice Cube for the hit single, "You Can Do It (put your back into it)." She can do it, and she does it well in her debut, That Girl.

This debut album is endowed with a very in-your-face boldness from Ms. Toi's style. Her music is nothing innovative or surprising, but it clearly demonstrates some talent and sophistication. Her beats are reminiscent of club friendly hip-hop and good street flow rather than the glitzy faux-ghetto rap; "Work A Twist" works the biting jagged flow with guest E-40. "Handclap" is a fun, catchy hip hop tune with a beat so contagious one cannot help but break out in dance. It is a track that has a chance at rocking clubs and mainstream radio. "Be Like Me" is a likeable upbeat piece filled with some guest appearances including Nelly, but the next track, "Fly Chick" is even more memorable, featuring The Transitions. A slower tempo, smooth flowing cut is "Bonnie Ride"; it has a refined lingering motif and melodic line. For some West side style, "Bangin'" provides a satisfyingly gritty melody. However there are some tracks that get somewhat annoying in its repetition of lines and chorus; the title track gets old very quickly and "When I Bust" has an overly redundant refrain that only serves to end the otherwise great album badly.

Ms. Toi is the up and coming rapstress who will provide plenty to talk about. That Girl is certainly a strong album put together by a mass of fantastic producers with lyrics written by that girl herself. Her flow and beats are infectious and fun as many of the tracks reveal, and her lyrics possess a self-confident and developed quality. Ms. Toi does not have to be a highly controversial or dirty rapstress as some of her counterparts have chosen; she has selected to display her talent with simply slammin' beats. Hopefully she can fare well in the business with her appealing beats because her album is begging to be listened and danced to. "Handclap" is too much fun to not merit a hit single.