Movie soundtracks in the last decade have taken a plunge into a pool that was once overflowing with creativity and relevance, but is now dangerously shallow with marketing and music industry upstarts.

As Hollywood shamelessly churned out another pathetic plot with poor, ethnic, inner city children being saved by a tortured but virtuous white leader, So So Def Records has shamelessly utilized the soundtrack to springboard its newest artist, Fundisha.

The album is produced by Jermaine Dupri, who has made fortunes from producing such acts as Kriss Kross, Da Brat, and Lil Bow Wow. Dupri also found time while producing this self-serving ego trip to feature himself on two songs, so listeners are blessed with his lack of lyrical skill as well as his inability to create a respectable sound for his artists.

With the exception of “Hardball,” which uses baseball terminology as the theme for the song, the issues of the film are not even addressed. “Rollin on 20?s in my SUV,” doesn?t seem to be at all related to Keanu Reeves saving the poor, troubled kids.

The one bright spot of the album is an appearance by hip-hop?s forgotten pioneers Mobb Deep. Their song “Play” paints a realistic picture of life in a ghetto, and even manages to positively spin the ending.

1 star out of four. And that?s only for Mobb Deep.