While it occasionally suffers from clichéd songwriting and undistinguished production,
McGruff's debut album
Destined to Be is nevertheless a promising effort from the young rapper.
McGruff is a little more pop-oriented than many of his peers, as evidenced by his association with
Heavy D, but he retains a slightly gritty edge, thanks in part to cameos by the likes of
Cam'ron,
Big L and the LOX. When he can harness street-smart rhythms with slick hooks, as on the single "Before We Start," McGruffhits hard and there are just enough of these moments to make
Destined to Be a promising debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine