On Cold as Ice, Charli Baltimore proves that she has more to talk about than the rumored relationship she supposedly had with the late great Notorious B.I.G. While she is already known for her "expensive taste" and "pretty face," Charli demands respect for her lyrical skills, although she does use her feminine charm to first capture listeners' attention. On her debut album, the Philly native lays complex rhymes over both hardcore and crossover beats to make for a well-balanced debut. Charli's strongest moments are on songs like "Have It All," where she reveals her true self, Tiffany Lane, by professing her own life stories and troubles. Here, Charli comes across as sincere and emotional. The radio-friendly tracks, like the Teddy Riley-produced "Feel It" and the Noreaga and Cam'ron collaboration "NBC," allow Charli to compete in the same ring as female heavyweights like Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown. And of course, Charli has to show her street side to gain hip-hop credibility on songs like "Thorough Bitches," where she joins forces with some of the hardest female rappers out there (Da Brat, Lady of Rage, Gangsta Boo).
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