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"Duets: The Final Chapter." Bad Boy. 22 tracks.

Grade: C+

Here is a partial list of living guest artists who appear on late rapper Biggie Smalls' new "Duets" record: Jay-Z, Eminem, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, the Game, Nelly, Nas, T.I., Missy Elliott and R. Kelly. Thanks to studio magic, deceased artists contribute, too, including Bob Marley and Biggie's onetime rival, 2Pac (who, on this record, sounds nothing like the man in his prime).

These all-stars contribute lyrics alongside Biggie's posthumously recycled rhymes, and some of the results are surprisingly good if you can overlook the sordidness of the whole idea. Yes, it's exciting to hear Biggie rap with the benefit of contemporary production, and his singular voice still sounds fresh. But aside from the Missy track, in which she and Biggie appear to trade rhymes, "Duets" has the disembodied feel you'd expect when the principal artist is deceased.

— Nick Marino

Also out today: "29" by prolific indie rocker Ryan Adams; "Unpredictable" by actor Jamie Foxx and "Baby Makin' Music" from the Isley Brothers.