Truthfully Speaking marks uber-producer Dr. Dre's first foray into contemporary R&B, though his trademark beats and hip-hop bravado are no less in force here than, say, on an Xzibit record. Luckily, Shari Watson, a.k.a. Truth Hurts, can go both ways: she sings a flawless gospel, and she can get ghetto when need be.
The record's best moments meet this style clash head on, yielding a few rough gems like the Bombay-flavored "Addictive" and the R. Kelly-penned "The Truth" (let the jokes begin), whose jazz guitar lick underpins a funky bounce rhythm.
The problem here is that Watson too often lives up to her stage name; she complains about everything on her debut, from the industry ("Hollywood") to fake people ("Bullshit," pretty much the centerpiece of the record), a shtick that's beyond tired and played out — especially since the album is overloaded with typical R&B filler.
– Cleon Alert