Def Jam: Icon Member Review for the PS3

I had never gotten into any of Def Jam's previous games and I must say I'm no longer a big rap fan so I was a bit hesitant to get this game.  But there's so few games on PS3 right now I wanted something new to play.  I'm glad I did.  I must say this is one of the most original and innovative games I've ever played.  Make no mistake, MUSIC is what this game is about and the way music is incorporated into the game is phenomenal.  The main single player mode is called "Build a Label."  You  start as just a regular street hustler and try to build yourself up to an ICON in the music biz.  And you do this by fighting you way to the top.  The storyline is often humorous and always violent.....which I like.  The actual fighting mechanics and gameplay is kind of slow and seems pretty similar to previous versions of the Def Jam games from what I know.  However there are some improvements like the right stick attacks very similar to Fight Night Round 3.  Even though the fight mechanics aren't what I would consider great and it is not the part of the game that is innovative, it is still a very addictingly fun game.  I found myself wanting to fight battle after battle in single player and in multiplayer.  The multiplayer is fun because you know the other guy is working with the same gameplay mechanics as you.  There's quite alot of different characters you can open up and choose to fight with in multiplayer.  The PS3 multiplayer I found to work very smoothly without any problems.  The one thing I noticed is that the response times of your blocking is slower online than single player which was kind of weird.  The music makes the game; along with the destructable and interactive  environments.  The fact that you can use music as a weapon is also one of the best parts of the game.  I had a ton of fun with this (and will continue to do so) solo.  But  I can see this being a perfect game for a group of friends kickin back with a few beers and competing against each other trash-talking and laughing the night away.  It would be a great time!!  I wish the Build a Label mode was deeper and longer but all in all I'm glad I got this game and I enjoyed it bunches!!!  It's not perfect but it is fun.