At a time when many rap artists seem to be abandoning regional rap styles in favor of the pursuit of a national sound, Lil O has created a quintessential Texas rap record with Grind Hard, Pray Harder. O’s no stranger to Houston rap fans (he even has a Greatest Hits CD), but this new album consists of 14 solid tracks, with an all-star cast of guests, including Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Devin tha Dude and Big K.R.I.T. Outstanding tracks include the UGK-sounding “Baulin in da City”, the current hot single “I’m What Dat Iz”, the sunny “Fresh Up Out the Cleaners” and the driving, street-hard “Betcha Can’t Do It”. Lil O’s Grind Hard, Pray Harder is a beautifully-produced piece of Houston rap, a throwback to the sound that made Houston famous.