Tony Yayo delivers stale goods

G-Unit member Tony Yayo's long-awaited debut, "Thoughts of a Predicate Felon," shows once again that the Shady/Aftermath record team will keep putting out similar albums from each G-Unit alum until the general public finds a new "top dog" to throw their money at.

Although the lyrics and beats of "Thoughts of a Predicate Felon" are quite catchy, the overall feel of Yayo's album seems dreadfully similar to previous G-Unit albums such as 50 Cent's "Get Rich or Die Tryin" and Young Buck's "Straight Outta Cashville."

The problem isn't in Yayo's delivery, because his lyrical flow is more original than 50 Cent's, but it's the fact that every G-Unit album follows a recipe.

There are songs that supposedly help maintain his "street cred," such as "Homicide" and "Live by the Gun," songs about his female fans like "Pimpin," and songs that are just self-supporting like "Love My Style."

Even though much of the album is a rehash of previous G-Unit albums, Yayo still manages to maintain interest with an album that is very well produced, has many cameos from G-Unit associates, and contains the pop-culture references that have become a trademark of Yayo's lyrics.

The album was produced by G-Unit head 50 Cent and Sha Money XL, the latter a longtime G-Unit collaborator known for his work on the underground G-Unit radio albums.

The album features many top rappers such as Jagged Edge, Joe, Eminem, Obie Trice, Spider Loc and of course, the whole G-Unit crew led by 50 Cent.

The album is highlighted by Yayo's signature references to such things as Tackleberry from the 80's film series "Police Academy" and the more recent "Pok?(c)mon" children's cartoon.

"My gat is ready, my mac is ready/ I gotta three-five blow 'em like Tackleberry/ I'll poke you man I'm Riker's Island Pok?(c)mon / I got C.O.'s bringin' me Filet Mignon," he raps on "Eastside Westside."

Other than the enticing beats and creative references to pop culture, there is not much personality or charisma on Tony Yayo's "Thoughts of a Predicate Felon."

It proves that much of the innovation and appeal that put 50 Cent and G-Unit on the map was left, never to return, in their earlier underground albums such as DJ Green Lantern's Invasion albums.