Ever the generous rapper, Curren$y came through last night with a free 5-track EP for his (many) fans, delivered during last night’s Superbowl.
First off, that’s a rather nice artwork he’s thrown in here. Funny thing to say, but a good artwork always sets you up for a better listening session, so credit to Spitta for that one. Secondly, is Curren$y the most generous rapper in that ‘established but not mainstream’ middle ground category? Everything he releases seems to be free, and equally tends to have lots of quality. Hopefully, this is another enjoyable project from the New Orleans native. 5 tracks, all free, grab them below.
There can’t be too many rappers releasing projects as consistently as Curren$y these days, and it certainly helps that they’re generally of a good standard. He’s caught lots of hype recently with his work in collaboration with Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean, and hooks up with DJ Drama for this 14-track effort.
Most of the tracks look largely unfamiliar, which will hopefully make for a nice, fresh project, and one that will capitalise on the aforementioned buzz created. He’s one of those talents that’s been bubbling under for a while now, and it seems as though he’s extremely close to breaking that glass ceiling and stepping into mainstream acceptance: could this be the project to elevate him?
Two more from that upcoming mixtape, and I’m enjoying both. dotdotdot brings another mellow production, with heavy horns that ooze a vintage charm, and alongside live drums anchor the track superbly. The vocal filter on the raps of each artist further enhances the retro vibe, giving it that ‘old time radio’ vibe, and both the verses and hook generally blend very nicely with the easygoing production.
Proceed comes through very differently, but will likely be the majority’s favourite track from the trio thus far. A more modern, upbeat production, the synths burst into life from the off and are met by a smooth drum loop to combine into a beat that would have slid in nicely on either Wiz or Sean’s recent albums. The raps certainly suggest comfortability too, with a vigour evident in each verse that makes for refreshing listening after the raft of laidback tracks we’ve had from the triumverate. Enjoying Sean’s verse in particular (again), with a more personal touch giving it a more distinguishable quality. Both very likeable efforts, and certainly worth a listen. Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa & Big Sean-Proceed Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa & Big Sean-dotdotdot
They say good things come in threes, and over the last three days we’ve now had three tracks (click here for one, here for the other) from three talented rappers. There are always question marks when collaborative projects or ‘supergroups’ are formed (see Child Rebel Soldier), but the rate at which these guys are churning out material suggests this one may just stick and deliver the project they recently promised.
Another relaxed, lazy day sort of track from the trio, with an easygoing percussion accompanied by soft melodies that work well as part of this ‘stoner anthem’. Lyrically, the title rightfully suggests its nothing surprising or particularly unique, though it makes for easy listening and compliments should be reserved once again for Big Sean who attacks the beat with a slightly better flow than the others.
Two releases in two days from this young trio, with today’s effort coming with more information on the planned destination for the tracks: a collaborative mixtape from the trio. Very excited at that announcement, and with the quality of O.T.T.R. and now Flowers, hopes are certainly high.
Flowers boasts another laidback production, though with less of the vintage aspect of the previous track, instead offering a more traditional hip-hop flavour with hard-hitting percussion and softer samples. The result is a stronger focus on the vocal work, and whilst each rapper coming through with solid verses, Big Sean stands out here with a good verse that foregoes his more relaxed delivery for a more exaggerated vocal style. The smoothed-out hook closes this one off nicely, and this is again very solid material that will undoubtedly build expectations for the trio’s mixtape.
Three of hip-hop’s fastest rising stars come together for an interesting collaboration that doesn’t quite have a formal home yet, but is certainly worth a listen.
The track kicks off with some laidback percussion hits with a lounge music feel, and builds into a hypnotising, jazz-sampling production: there’s a heavy retro vibe coarsing through this, with real charm to be found in its evocation of a film noir vibe. The verses slide in with the production nicely, with each rapper’s relaxed, easygoing deliveries being a suitable fit for this production. In truth, I’ve partly ignored the verses on my first few listens as I’ve been thoroughly mesmerised by this production, so forgive me if I’ve been somewhat disrespectful of the raps here!
Should be a very solid listen. The Alchemist consistently serves up great beats, and being on the boards for the entire project commands attention. Curren$y certainly can get it done on the mic when he’s on form, and hopefully he’ll be on song for this EP.
I’ve caught two of the tracks from this to date (Full Metal and the Freddie Gibbs collab), both of which were very enjoyable listens with strong productions and a little more diversity from Curren$y on his raps. Hence, I’ve got high hopes for this (free) EP and would certainly recommend grabbing this below.
Apologies for my sporadic posting in recent days. I’ll be more than making up for it today, so be prepared for an onslaught in the next few hours!
I’m not familiar with J-Lie, but the other three rappers on the track are certainly well known, and all four combine nicely to deliver a very solid all-round hip-hop track. The airy synths are fantastic here, giving the track a spaced-out, relaxed feel which is embellished by thudding bass hits. Each rapper comes through with decent raps, each tackling the track with similar flows but varying lyricism. Award for best verse probably goes to Curren$y, though only just as the others certainly do their thing too. Very enjoyable piece of new school hip-hop.
Very different style of track for Wiz and Curren$y, and I’m quite glad I stumbled on this pop-hip-hop-alternative hybrid as it could be a pretty huge sound in 2011, and hence McKenzie Eddy could have quite the bright future with this eclectic track.
The track opens with haunting vocals that are supplemented superbly by simple melodies, further enhancing the dark, solitary vibe and adding some credence to the Silence title. The great thing is that the track does therefore have a ready-made ‘upscale’, with soft percussion hits added in for the Curren$y and Wiz verses, adding structure and depth to their respective contributions. Eddy’s vocals clearly don’t need this extra support though, holding the track together with an ethereal, atmospheric quality that really warrants attention. You can grab both the track and the mixtape below.
This dropped on NYE, but for various reasons we were all too incapacitated then. The fact that Curren$y released not one, but two great albums last year, I think this mixtape will be good. Click here.
1. Daze of Thunder
2. Rain Delay
3. On…
4. Trophy Case
5. Empire Monopoly
6. Frost
7. Record Deals 8. Moon & Stars (Remix)
9. Role Model
10. Paydays
11. Jets At Ya Neck
Here’s the video for a remix from one of the standout tracks from Big K.R.I.T.’s K.R.I.T. Wuz Here album. Featuring two rappers from the South who currently have a rather large buzz about them, this is one track you don’t want to miss out on.
Surprisingly a mellow one, this is a song you can just listen and chill, it especially feels to me a summer song you can just laze around to. You don’t need it to be a particular season to laze about, (especially here in the UK with there being snow everywhere you look at the moment!) so download below and enjoy.
Ever since having a begrudging appreciation for this track (like Indi, purely because of the beat though), I’d hoped a decent rapper would take the beat on. Curren$y is certainly a mile better than Waka, and finally I can listen to this production without feeling like I was at risk of getting stupider by listening to Waka.
Former Rocafella artists, Young Chris & Young Neef collaborate with current Rocafella, Curren$y – over Kid Cudi & Snoop’s track, That Tree. Grab this interesting track below.
Nice track here by Wiz and Wiz Khalifa, which is a leak from an upcoming compilation by Ski Beatz (which is taking forever to drop), called 24 Hour Karate School.
Wiz and Khalifa join Ricky Ross for the remix to his track about getting high (funnily enough). As you can see from the pic, they literally took inspiration from this in the studio whilst recording! Grab this laid back track below.
New Single which is off Curren$y’s upcoming album, Pilot Talk – due for release in a couple of weeks. As you can guess, this track is about suffering from a hangover, something most of us can relate to….
Curren$y teams up with his Center Edge Territory buddies for the latest drop from his Pilot Talk album set to hit on the 13th July.
Ski Beatz on the production for this one. Not convinced with Curren$y’s lyrics, but one thing you can be sure is that Mos Def and Jay Electronica always bring the heat! Should be an interesting supergroup once it gets into full force. Slaughterhouse competition?
Several tracks of hip hop goodness for you after the click, some well known names, some artists I’ve been championing lately and some unknowns. Click on to get the goods.
A quick one from me. Both tracks are pretty dope, and definitely worth grabbing even if you’re just a fan of one/some of the featured artists. The Statik Selektah track is especially good, considering it has a frighteningly talented line-up.
Two tracks for you below, both with some good features. If I’m honest, I’m expecting the Blockstars Remix to be a bit of a mixed bag, as some of those guys can go, whereas others aren’t so hot (original version here). I’ve got high hopes for Fat Raps though (produced by Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids) as I expect all 3 to bring something good to the table. Surprisingly, Chip and Curren$y make their first appearances on this site.
Make your own judgements, mine’s just based on the line-ups so click below and have a listen.
Recent Comments