Bestsellers

BAD BOYS II: THE SOUNDTRACK Various Performers 1 week on chart Style Mostly rap, some R&B. Objectionable material All 11 rap cuts (abundant profanities, obscenities, racial epithets). Worldview "Why the devil keep on [expletive] wit me? / Why he knockin' at my door? / Why the devil keep on [expletive] wit me? / Could you tell me what he huntin' me for?" ("Why," Da Band). Overall quality Audio graffiti. JACKPOT Chingy 1 week on chart Style Low-life, self-deprecatingly goofy rap. Objectionable material Most of the 13 songs (raunch, racial epithets, profanity), all three "skits" (abundant profanity, racial epithets), the "uncut" "Right Thurr" video (frequent near-nudity). Worldview That a diligent commission of the seven deadly sins and the pursuit of happiness are one and the same. Overall quality Might be funny if Chingy stuck to mispronouncing words and misspelling song titles and left the raunch alone. DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE Beyoncé 4 weeks on chart Style Part bordello funk, part contemporary R&B. Objectionable material "Hip Hop Star" (soft-core porn, muted obscenity, casual swearing); "Naughty Girl" (lasciviousness); "Baby Boy," "Yes" (casual swearing); the cover photos (near nudity). Worldview Sometimes boldly prurient, sometimes chaste, with immodest photos giving the edge to the former; and in the bonus track ("Daddy") she comes out for filial affection. Overall quality Flava of the month-for two months running. RED DIRT ROAD Brooks and Dunn 1 week on chart Style Southern-rock fast songs, obligatorily mawkish slow songs, Southern-gospel-flavored apocalyptic hidden track. Objectionable material "Good Cowboy" (redneck leering). Worldview "I'm a country boy and I'm a rockin' roller / Like a little Crown in my Coca-Cola / Say a little prayer for all the soldiers / Fightin' for the USA" ("Good Day to Be Me"). Overall quality The fast ones tuneful, the slow ones tedious, the hidden one killer. CHAPTER II Ashanti 3 weeks on chart Style Diva-in-distress R&B. Objectionable material "Then Ya Gone," "Black Child," "Feel So Good" (muted obscenities); "Outro" (casual profanity); "Ohhh Ahhh," "I Don't Mind," the CD cover swimsuit poster (lasciviousness). Worldview "Everyday we complain about little ups and downs. / We need to be thanking the Lord that we are still around" ("Then Ya Gone"). Overall quality Beneath the "skits" and cuts featuring rappers, a sweet album yearning to breathe free.