Mack 10's newest release The Paper Route is jam-packed with tenacious guest appearances, a couple nice beats and the same old gangsta lingo every rapper recites.

Another West Coast rapper produces a CD that sounds just like all the others.

The Inglewood, Calif. Native discovered by Ice Cube has never been known for his lyrical talent, but instead for those around him.

Mack 10's album debut at No. 19 on the Billboard charts proves one thing: names — not content — sell the records in stores.

This CD has all the elements of gangsta rap with references to money, woman, cars and guns, but that's it — nothing original. The Hot Boys do practically the same thing, but there's one big difference.

They can rap.

The CD starts off with a funny skit about a little kids singing an X-rated spin-off of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, then it's pretty much down hill from there.

"From Tha Streetz," which currently has a video, is the same old West Coast sound that everyone loved back in the mid-'90s, but they've matured since and moved on.

The only real positive thing that can be said about this CD is that it has some good guest appearances.

The dean of pimpology, Too Short, lays down a track with that good old smooth sound that's kept him in the game for so many years. Mack 10's wife, T-Boz from TLC, is featured on the song "Tight To Def."

This song works all right, but it's a little awkward crossing hardcore gangsta rap beats with the sounds of TLC.

Xzibit appears on the song "Pop X" and once again proves why he's one the hottest up-and-coming rap artist.

This also has a catchy refrain that can get stuck in your head and it's probably the best song on the CD.

Ice Cube, one of the fathers of gangsta rap, shows up on the final track of the album, "Tha Weekend," but this song just turns out to be a weak end to a weak CD.

Techniec appears on five different songs for the album and makes a name for himself as an up-and-coming talent with tight flows and lyrical skill.

The only thing is, he might sound that way because Mack 10 sounds so bad with his wannabe Ice Cube rapping style and nonsensical lyrics.

The main problem with Mack 10 is that he tries too hard, maybe he was a thug once, but now he's rich and no one believes his act.

If Eazy-E were still alive he'd probably call Mack 10 a "pranksta, pranksta, storybook gangsta."