Personnel: Lil D, Lil Romeo, Master P, Tata, Intyana, Rich Boyz, Hercy (rap vocals).
Lil' Romeo occupies one of the most peculiar spots in the world of hip-hop. Surrounded by some of the hardest of hardcore rappers on his father Master P's legendary No Limit label, the precocious MC emerged in 2001 at the age of 11 with an innocent self-titled album. With ROMEOLAND three years later, Percy Romeo Miller, Jr. enters into his teens, and, as with any teenager, struggles with his identity.
The album is covered with Disneyland-esque imagery and opens without a hint of self-consciousness, as a gathering of fairyland creatures playfully discuss the return of Romeo. Suddenly, the scene shifts to Romeo showing off a tougher edge on the rugged "Whoodihoop." Lil' Romeo swiftly switches back to a sweet, familiar sound on "My Cinderella," which reverently refers to both Shai's "If I Ever Fall in Love" and LL Cool J's "I Need Love." Throughout the record, guided, of course, by the steady hand of Master P, Romeo continues to exhibit bits of an incipient hardcore style, but he wisely retains the youthful tenderness that endeared him to parents and children everywhere. Lil' Romeo is growing up, but not too fast, making for an entertaining album and a fascinating time capsule in ROMEOLAND.
