by Leo StanleyCheers 2 U is a promising debut from the Southern hip-hop trio Playa. The trio has been part of Da Bassment, a loose collective of producers and musicians headed by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot and Timbaland & Magoo. All of the members of Da Bassment are intent on retaining the grit and soul of classic R&B, but never lose sight of moving contemporary hip-hop into the future through unexpected samples and unpredictable songwriting. Playa don't always carry through on their ambitions on Cheers 2 U, but the failures hardly detract from the blazing success of the moments that work, and in the end, the album is a debut of enormous potential.