Curren$y - Weekend At Burnies

Some time ago, I profiled this new up-and-comer rapper called Curren$y. His album 'Pilot Talk' came out, and I was convinced that he had "it". Whatever that it is. I'll reiterate a little bit. His name is Shante Franklin, and he was born in 1981 in New Orleans. He was signed as part of a group to Master P's No Limit label way back in 2002. He signed as a solo artist to Weezy's 'Cash Money' label back in 2004. While there, he established a fairly successful clothing line. That not being enough, he left in 2007 to to his own thing. He dropped a metric ton of mix tapes to generate some buzz. That finally paid off in 2010 when 'Pilot Talk' dropped. And that album was quite awesome. Since then, he's been nothing but incredibly busy. He dropped another album in 2010, and one in early 2011, this one came out yesterday and he has ANOTHER record due out later this year. Phew, that was a mouthful. I'll be honest and tell you guys I hadn't gotten to anything since the debut drop - but having 5 albums out in just under a year seems to be too much. The quality must be suffering right? Well, getting to this one today - I'm not sure it does. The beats are really solid. The flow and lyrics are what is going to make this guy a hit. (I'd call him a kid, but he's older than me) Arrangement wise, it's almost something that isn't out there. And I don't even know how to describe what he's doing. It sounds like 80's music meets rap meets 90's hip hop beats. That probably makes no sense, but give it a listen. I think you'll like it. I'm not sure I identify with any specific tracks, but the whole album is a fun listen.

TRACK LISTING:
1. #Jestgo
2. Still
3. She Don't Want a Man
4. One Life
5. You See It
6. Televised
7. This is the Life
8. On G's
9. Money Machine
10. What's What
11. JLC
12. Get Paid

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. She Don't Want A Man
2. #Jestgo
3. Still

FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars

Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Hey-yo! Finally something semi-exciting to write about in the rap world. I haven't gotten a new, good artist come across my headphones in a really long time. Probably since 2008 or early 2009 sometime. I was introduced to Curren$y about a week ago, and when I first saw it - I was honestly extremely skeptical. For two reasons: 1) it's been a bad time for hip hop. 2) his name is spelled with a dollar sign in it. Now, just thinking about what other artist has that right now and is popular - I won't even write her name out, why would you do that? But I have to realize that he's been making independent music for about 5 years, and had that before the unspeakable one. Plus, his name means money - so a dollar sign is more fitting in that regard. Either way, I was still concerned. Then I heard the first single 'Breakfast'. I was hooked. This guy has great flow, great background beats on most songs. It's like a totally unpoppy version of Lupe Fiasco that tells a story like Lauryn Hill. It's very compelling listening. I think you don't even have to be a rap fan to enjoy this one. It's that good. Anyway, he's from New Orleans - he signed to Master P's 'No Limit' way back in the day and was then on Weezy's Young Money roster until 2007. Just before they blew up. He dropped this record on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam and I expect big things from him in the future. Do yourself a Wednesday favor and check your Curren$y!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Example
2. Audio Dope 2
3. King Kong
4. Seat Change
5. Breakfast
6. Roasted
7. Skybourne
8. The Hangover
9. The Day
10. Prioritize
11. Chilled Coughphee
12. Address
13. Life Under The Scope

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Breakfast
2. Address
3. The Day

FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars