Yung Joc, ''Hustlenomics'' (Bad Boy South): When Atlanta rapper Yung Joc emerged from under P. Diddy's wing last year, he came across like a more affable Young Jeezy. While Yung Joc mined similar coke-slinging terrain as Jeezy on tracks such as ''Dope Boy Magic,'' Joc's good-time hits - ''It's Goin' Down'' and ''I Know You See It'' - featured catchy hooks, a Southern drawl (lazily mumbled), and his endearing casual cockiness.

His sophomore album, ''Hustlenomics,'' hews close to that formula but with fewer memorable moments. ''Coffee Shop'' with newcomer Gorilla Zoe attempts to recapture the magic of past hits, with its cutesy-sounding chorus and bold snyths. But it is underwhelming, particularly for that reason. Plus, Joc's rhymes about his own worth and his money-first worldview sound less than inspired. On the title track, he quips: ''You can call me Malcolm X/ I hustle by any means.'' How clever.

Even his rap peers who make cameos to boost Joc's profile work against him. The Game, Jim Jones and Block on the assuredly menacing ''Cut Throat'' and Bun B and Young Dro on the banger, ''I'm A G,'' all have a more resonant vocal presence than Joc's laidback flow. But Joc's connections have gotten him this far, so there's no reason to think he's going anywhere soon but up the Billboard charts.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: Over a reworked 'Stylistics sample on ''Brand New,'' Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Yung Joc sound like smooth operators indeed.

By BRETT JOHNSON For The Associated Press

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