Curren$y - Pilot Talk
Evolution has occurred since the early days of Earth. From monkeys to humans (though that is disputed), to pre-historic dinosaurs to lizards today, evolution is all around us. But for some reason, none of this intrigues me. The evolution of southern bad ass Curren$y is more appealing. While holding the title of “Spitta”, Curren$y has taken his rapping career into a different relm of ‘respect’. First he was covered by the shadows of Young Money Entertainment, now he’s finally able to shine with his Roc-A-Fella swagger and he’s debut album to the mainstream, Pilot Talk.
For one, I’m not a huge fan of seeing a lot of guest appearances on an album. However, Pilot Talk is an exception. Curren$y features the likes of Snoop Dog, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and more. With each artist representing a different side of Hip-Hop, the album really takes its own and shows where Hip-Hop/Rap should be going. And you can’t forget the production of Ski Beatz, who everyone is a fan of.
Curren$y displays different sides of his rapping abilities. Take for instance track number two, “Audio Dope II”. Spitta accompanies the elevator themed instrumental with some of that southern bad ass I was talking about. The combination of the Curren$y’s smooth, calm flow with the addition of the rasta background demonstrates his true ability as a performer. He flows that up with “King Kong”, the original single for Pilot Talk. Here, Curren$y discusses how he’s higher up in the world than King Kong...or any person for that matter. The club banger even has some lyrics for your brain to ponder. "On the ground I am like a quarterback attackin defensive line men homie who gon block em."
What Curren$y lacks in his previous works is difference int he meaning of songs. You have him and Wiz Khalfia rap about weed for a whole mixtape and it seems that is all they want to do. Do we have a problem with that? Not when the tracks are great. For instance, “The Hangover”, which features Mickey Rocks. Depending on what kind of Hip-Hop your ear likes, the is one for the record books. If there is a sound I can see Curren$y being comfortable with, it’s defiantly the laid back, burn an l sound that is illustrated throughout this track. The story behind this track is pretty much about partying and living life on the edge, which Curren$y does everyday.
We cannot forget about the other standout track off the record. “The Day”, which features Mos Def and Jay Electronica, is something for fans to get amped for. Center Edge Territory, which is the group name of the three, have five more songs that are awaiting the opportunity to our ears. Curren$y wisely invites New Orleans native Jay Elec to jump on this track and as expect, Jay Electronica steals the show on the track. While Jay Electronica has stayed quiet this year thus far, he delivers some of the most power fullest bars we’ve heard this year. “I pray my heart is DMC and Reverend Run enough / 'Cause I’ma throw my number up / I’ma throw some chicken bones and feathers on a hundred bucks / And summon up the thunder what / The voodoo man is coming, bruh / You can’t see the forest for trees / It's okay, I got my jigsaw and my lumber truck / Tell them boys that their run is up.”
Pilot Talk is concluded with two previously released tracks, “Address” and “Life Under The Scope”. Stalley lends a few bars in “Address” and with the addition of Ski Beatz on the track, it’s a track to be talked about...or at least played twice. And how about ending a great album with yet another laid back track with “Life Under The Scope”, where Spitta discusses how the life of the famous really is.
Evolution is something that will always be argued about. However, the evolution of Curren$y from being an unappreciated pothead to on top of every major blog is something that most won’t mind. Pilot Talk is a great example of how patience is always worth it in the long run. Whether your a fan of Curren$y’s weed tunes (Breakfast, Chilled Coughee, The Hangover) or the new outlook on life (The Day, King Kong), he brings something for every Hip Hop fan to listen to. After all, we still talk about monkeys turning into humans, right?
Rating: 84%
