Rapper Yo Gotti was locked and loaded to release his first studio album on January 10. After several album delays, and over a decade of releasing a laundry list of independent albums and mixtapes, the Tennessee MC showcases his skills in Live From the Kitchen, released by RCA Records.

Live From the Kitchen features a list of star-studded guest appearances, such as Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa and Nick Minaj, among others. The record has a modest 11- track set, and although the production cast consists of several relatively unknown artists, they deliver big in the beat department.

The album's first single, "5 Star," features Gucci Mane, Trina and Nicki Minaj with a banger of a beat produced by Hot Rod. Trina and Minaj deliver with seductive verses that compliment Gotti's hard style. Mane balances the sound with his traditional word slurring, sprinkled with "Burr!" here and there, and is a welcome feature on the track.

In the second single "We Can Get It On," Gotti explores his romantic side, which generally fails. The initial listen was followed by an acute headshake. It can be concluded that the MC should stick to his artillery of brash statements and gangster metaphors, and leave the rap love songs for those who can pull it off (see Lil' Wayne, Drake). It was an honest attempt, but one that he should ultimately avoid.

In "Red, White & Blue," Gotti drops his trademark "I am" saying throughout, which fans will quickly notice. Jadakiss brings his usual monster of a verse and Yo Gotti is equally hard. The song is pretty self-explanatory: Gotti represents the United States of America with a boastful and ignorant swagger. The track is produced by Drumma Drama and wins the favourite song honour of the album. After listening to these two together for the first time, Yo Gotti and Jadakiss are definitely a duo that rap connoisseurs like myself would greatly appreciate, as the two combine their Southern and New York styles quite nicely. Then again, one will be hard-pressed not to like a song in which Jadakiss is featured.

Honourable mentions include "Testimony," "Harder" and "Go Girl," which feature Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean and Big K.R.I.T.

The production is on point, the lyrics are vintage Yo Gotti and the overall impression is a well put together package that hardcore rap enthusiasts and Gotti fans will enjoy. Live From the Kitchen is a decent album, but it isn't blockbuster status. Gotti should stick to rapping about the trap, rather than enlightening his listeners about his love interests.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars