Verbs always offers a solid record, and with each release he seems to be getting better and better. 2003's Unlocked is no different in keeping that upward progression going. As with all Verbs (or Knowdaverbs) albums, there are great beats, tight lyrics, and an awesome message to be heard.

Right off the bat, the lyricist tells us to "turn the radio up" on the first track, and it's a request that's easy to oblige. On tracks like "Trippin," Pre-Paid," and "What You Rock Now," the album could be heard blocks away thumping from someone's trunk; the production is amazing across the whole album.

Grits appear on "My Neighborhood" to speak on lives and how people can change no matter how bad their past was. Grits help on two tracks wonderfully while Shonlock is featured on "Trippin" as well as "Can You Hear Me?" - both of which could easily be labeled as the best tracks on the whole of Unlocked. While Shonlock hasn't received much spotlight on his own apart from TobyMac's Diverse City band, he sounds amazing on this album and is a great addition to the already excellent release.

While the album has many party tracks, Verbs does slow it down a bit. "She's Ms. Sin" talks about sin, Satan's lies, and how easy it is for us to fall. "Love Triangle" speaks on love and relationships, and "Before and After" is an amazing song about September 10th and September 12th - the day's surrounding the infamous World Trade Center tragedy. It's an impactful track that everyone must hear.

From "chasing evil out of these borders and tell it to depart" to the slow jams with heartfelt lyrics, Verbs again puts it all on the table with this release. Verbs seems to be an underrated rapper in the Christian rap game, but he is definitely one of the best out there. Unlocked is a solid addition to any rap collection.

- Reviewed: 10/22/07, written by Kevin Hoskins