Diddy gets dirty south with 8 Ball and MJG

It's a tough sell. The first words you hear on 8 Ball & MJG's new album, Living Legends, isn't from either of the two Memphis rappers, but from P. Diddy. \nP. Diddy? \nYes, 8 Ball & MJG have moved onto Bad Boy South, the same label Ludacris dissed in favor of Def Jam South (hence the lines on Back for the First Time: "Almost signed with Puff Puff but I think I'll pass …"). \nSo can Diddy, who executive produced Living Legends make an authentic record like 8 Ball & MJG have done together and solo for the past decade? \nNot bad, Diddy. Not bad. \nLudacris, 112, Twista, Shannon Jones and Diddy himself are featured, which is more of an all-star cast than 8 Ball & MJG have ever gotten on a previous record. This is no coincidence. The result is a record much smoother than their previous hardcore dread-knockers, including several hot R&B songs ("Trying to Get at You," "Memphis City Blues" and "Confessions").\nBut the highlight of Living Legends comes early with "Straight Cadillac Pimpin'," which takes an old southern spiritual hymn and turns it into a bona fide club banger. Frankly, it's worth the price of the CD itself.