Carry on...
The Tale of the Tape
The results are in: Graduation - 957k, Curtis - 691k.So KanYeezy busts Fiddy's ass - outselling Mr. "I got shot 9 times" by nearly 300 thousand albums.
No shocker here at The Quotable.
Billed as the underdog going into this much over-hyped match-up, Kanye West snatched Hip Hop's album sales crown by a wide margin. But was Mr. West ever really the underdog?
According to My Cousin Sha; "No."
And he's right.
Although both MCs remain two of the most commercially viable artists in today's slumping Rap industry, 'Ye and 50 were at opposite ends of the bell curve once momentum is factored into the equation.
Fiddy dropped the gauntlet on the industry with Get Rich Or Die Tryin', selling over 10 million albums domestically. His follow-up Lp, The Massacre, moved over 5 million units, but was panned by critics and fans alike. Since then, his once platinum G-Unit label mates (Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, et cetera, et cetera) have received luke warm responses from critics with their sophomore albums (Rotten Apple and Buck the World, respectively) and have struggled to go Gold (500,000 units). G-Unit isn't poppin' like it was in 2004-05. Plus, with rumored dissension in the clique (5-0 allegedly cut all funding for his label mates citing an overall lack of hustle from his crew[1]) and the recent recession in the music industry as a whole, its clear the tide changed. 50 Cent's stock price was on the decline, and for the first time since GRODT dropped - Curtis has had to deal with calamity.
The exact opposite can be said for Kanye.Since his 2004 debut, 'Ye has solidified his fan base by going left of the commercial mainstream and found success in the process. The College Dropout didn't break any sales records, but certainly left a mark on The Culture with its soulful beats and diverse subject matter. Tracks like "Jesus Walks" and "All Falls Down" were hits because they tapped into the common man psyche - discussing self-consciousness and ones relationship with God). His sophomore set, Late Registration, provided more of the same type diversity, but with improved delivery and production. The cocky Kanye West even enlisted help from Jon Brion (Fiona Apple's producer) and Adam Levine (Maroon 5 front man) along with several of Hip Hop's notables (Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Paul Wall, Nas) helping expand his fan base. Moreover, his G.O.O.D. Music record label released platinum selling albums by Common and John Legend which furthered his momentum going into Graduation's release. 'Ye's stock price continued to rise because he continued to put out G.O.O.D music.
Momentum was clearly on Kanye's side going into to D-Day 9/11 and in the end he delivered a better product (see reviews for Graduation and Curtis). So it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone that 'Ye massacred Fiddy this week. Along with being a better artist, Mr. West was simply in a better position leading into the much ballyhooed release date. But as the smoke clears and the dust settles, do you want to know who the BIG winner really is in the end?
Universal Music Group[2].
Corporate America wins again.
[1] Yeah...I can't find the link right now, but I promise you I read that on one of these Hip Hop sites somewhere. Just trust me on this one. 'preciate.
[2] Universal Group is the parent company for both Def Jam and Interscope - the record labels Kanye West and 50 Cent are signed to, respectively. How you like 'dem apples?
Carry On...
Carry On...
The Quotable Reviews: Curtis
"You can hate this / but face it / BIG and 2Pac just ain't around" - 50 Cent: Fire; CurtisWhen it comes to this rap shit, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has 2 defaults: love songs[1] and gun music.
All wrapped in club beats.
Since erupting on the scene with his colossal debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), Curtis Jackson has become more Industry than Emcee. Sure, he's sold over 21 million records world wide (not to be discounted by any means), and his now infamous, one-man dismantling of Ja-Rule's rap career is forever ingrained in Hip Hop history - but his uncanny business acumen is what is most impressive about the Jamaica, Queens native. 50 Cent's name and G-Unit brand have expanded from 9s, beats and rhymes to books, movies, clothes, video games, and Vitamin Water (straight up, Formula 50 is The Company Man's favorite flavor. Pause. No brokeback). Fiddy's successfully wanksta'd his way off the block and onto Wall Street. He's the rare individual who sees the forest and the trees. He's a businessman and a Business, Man.
But is 50 Cent still an artist?
Hate it or Love it, Get Rich or Die Tryin', for all its gun-blazing bravado was one of the most artistic, angst injected, balls-to-the-wall albums since the birth of Gangsta Rap. It earnestly embodied the spirit of the hustler and made you wanna get on some ass at the same time. It was classic. It is a Classic - a perfect storm of sound, energy, and timing.
An impossible height to surpass.
50's 2005 follow-up Lp, The Massacre, underwhelmed critics but still proved to be a commercial success (to the tune of 11 million records sold worldwide). Once again using beef to fuel public interest (this time going to war with one of his own G-Unit soldiers, The Game), The Massacre showcased Fiddy falling back on the familiar (love songs[1] and gun music) while still expanding his reach as an Emcee (tracks like "In My Hood" and "Gatman and Robin" proved that 5-0 had more than one delivery in his arsenal, and "Baltimore Love Thing" (where he tells a the story of a sordid love affair between the drug and the drug addict all from the perspective of a bag of heroin) is arguably the most creative song he's ever released). The album definitely contained more good than garbage - but compared to GRODT, The Massacre was suspect. And a significant step down sonically.
Since then the music industry has fallen in the isher and even the most notable Hip Hop artists are having trouble moving units (for example, Atlanta rapper T.I. was the only the artist to go platinum through much of 2006, only to be joined by Jay-Z in November of the same year - a fact unthinkable during Hip Hop's boom of the late 90s to early 00s). Fickle rap fans aren't turning out in droves to cop the latest rap releases like they used to. Is Hip Hop's buying public famished or fatigued? Patiently waiting or worn out from the same played-out sound? Let Fiddy tell it, and they're all waiting for his third studio release, Curtis. What does he have to feed the masses? Lets take a listen.
"The old-timers told me 'slow dow.' / They shoulda known now / I wont hesitate to make shit hot." - 50 Cent: "Movin' On Up"; Curtis
Sonically and content wise, Curtis has 2 defaults: love songs[1] and gun music. The first 3 tracks on the album ("My Gun Go Off", "Man Down", and "I'll Still Kill") find the same gun-blazing bravado we've grown accustomed to from 50 over the past 4 years. The DJ Khalil produced "I'll Still Kill" is by far the freshest of the three from a production standpoint and Akon makes a notable return to his "Locked Up" days, croonin' "Fiddy don't make me ride on these n***** / cause I will kill, dip, and hide on these n*****." From there the album hits its groove with the undeniable, Audio Two sampled "I Get Money" and the head-knockin', Dr. Dre produced "Come & Go." Fiddy's lyrically at his best on the latter track spittin' "the drama I'm wit it. / I get biz, you get it? / I beez on that shit-it. / I'll splitcho wig-ig. / Thats why a n**** bit it. / I said I didn't do it. / Witnesses said I did it" while ridin' the beat to perfection.
"Lets get it poppin' shawty / we can switch positions. / From the couch to the counters in my kitchen." - 50 Cent: "Ayo Technology"; Curtis
From there its straight to the love songs. The Justin Timberlake assisted "Ayo Technology" boasts another addictive Timbaland beat (in my best Mugatu voice: Timbaland is so hot right now) and the corniest hook of the season "Ayo, I'm tired of usin' technology. / Why don't you come sit on top of me?[2]" Ghetto-pass-accredited-white-boy-number-2 Robin Thicke shows up on the smooth, 21 Questions-esque "Follow My Lead". Produced by The Bizness (who?), this track is the next song to be released, further appeasing 50's buying fan base.
The softest part of the album follows with the the base heavy yet lyrically deficient "Movin' on Up," the under performing "Straight to the Bank", and the audience-disrespecting, AKA: "Magic Stick" meets "Candy Shop" re-tread "Amusement Park." "Straight to the Bank" and "Amusement Park" are only significant because of their inability to create a buzz when initially released earlier this year - the first 50 Cent releases to prove to be commercial failures (foreshadowing?). The disappointment continues, surprisingly, on the Eminem assisted "Peep Show" - another stale, club love song. The staggered, bouncing beat keeps this track listenable, but even Marshall Mathers sounds stale - rhyming "I shouldnt have to tell you shawty you should know / I hope you're really getting into my creep show. / And let me shit on your chest and if some pee comes out / just guzzle it down. Just guzzle it down." I mean, I'm a HUGE Em fan, but he sounds like he's aiming more for shock value rather than significance.
There are a few more tracks left on Curtis (Young Buck and Tony Yayo show up here and there...and that chick from The PussyCat Dolls sings the hook on "Fire" - where I'm sure the video will be better than the actual song) but by this point in the album they all sound the same (with the exception of "All of Me" featuring Mary J. Blige; easily the best song on the Lp. Too bad its buried in the album's anus). And at 17 tracks in length, Curtis is entirely too long for its lack of diversity. Gun song. Gun song. Gun song. Gun song. Love song. Love song. Love song. Gun song. Its repetitive and severely lacking replay value. Curtis doesn't sound hungry on Curtis. He doesn't sound like he's having fun (which is probably why he looks so stressed on the album cover. Gone are the days of bullet-proof 50 standing tall "like he's got an "S" on his chest"). And unfortunately he doesn't have much left to say. At best, Curtis is a passable Lp loaded with generic love songs and gun music. At worst? At worst its the last grasp for commercial viability from a soon-to-be fallen album sales titan[3], and theres nothing any of his enlisted pop-star guest appearances (Akon, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, that chick from The Pussycat Dolls, Eminem) can do to save him[4].
Man Down.
Rating: QQ
[1] Love songs = songs for the ladies. Club-ready beat optional.
[2] Really? Your tired of usin' technology? Why don't you come give me a lap dance? Word? Good thing Golden Boy Timberlake is singing that part or it would've never made it out the studio.
[3] Just watch Kanye West outsell him when tomorrow's week 1 sales report is released.
[4] I'm just glad I didn't buy this album.
Carry on...
The Quotable Reviews: Graduation
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"This is my dissertation. / Homie this shit is basic. / Welcome to Graduation. Good Morning" - Kanye West: "Good Morning"; GraduationKanye West is the most arrogant, most big-headed, most self-righteous, most self-confident, most creative, most hard-working Emcee in mainstream hip-hop today.
Word.
The brash producer slash rapper has etched a lasting impression on The Culture as whole not only through his music, but through his outspokenness. Never one to hold his tongue[1], Kanye has received (justifiable?) criticism for everything from throwing public fits after not winning awards, to ranting on Hip-Hop's homophobia over public airwaves, and most notably for stating "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a nationally televised fund-raiser for Hurricane Katrina victims. Homie speaks from his soul and no matter how you feel about him...you definitely know where he stands. You have to respect that.
You also have to respect that, hate him or love, he's created some of Hip Hop's best music since his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout. The gifted artist has sold over 7 million albums worldwide with largely positive content (an anomaly considering rap radio is dominated by pimps, and hoes, and needles, and guns, and drug filled subject matter) ranging from self-consciousness ("All Falls Down"), to spirituality ("Jesus Walks"), to reaching for your dreams ("Touch The Sky"). On his first Lp (The College Dropout) he proved he truly is an MC and not just another producer-turned-rapper dropping a compilation album. On his sophomore set, Late Registration, 'Ye proved his success wasn't a fluke - that he's an impactful MC who can sell records while still growing as an artist.
Thats 2 for 2 people.
Round 3 brings perhaps his biggest challenge yet. Not only does the polarizing Emcee face unparalleled criticism should Graduation suck. But this time around he will box it out with the raining champion (of album sales. Only. Period.) 50 Cent; who's' dropping his highly anticipated third studio album, Curtis, on the same day (September 11, 2007). Billed as the Showdown for Hip Hop's throne (peep the cover of Rollingstone's September issue below), Kanye has much at stake (though not as much as Fiddy). Is Graduation up to the bout? Lets listen.
Word.
The brash producer slash rapper has etched a lasting impression on The Culture as whole not only through his music, but through his outspokenness. Never one to hold his tongue[1], Kanye has received (justifiable?) criticism for everything from throwing public fits after not winning awards, to ranting on Hip-Hop's homophobia over public airwaves, and most notably for stating "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a nationally televised fund-raiser for Hurricane Katrina victims. Homie speaks from his soul and no matter how you feel about him...you definitely know where he stands. You have to respect that.
You also have to respect that, hate him or love, he's created some of Hip Hop's best music since his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout. The gifted artist has sold over 7 million albums worldwide with largely positive content (an anomaly considering rap radio is dominated by pimps, and hoes, and needles, and guns, and drug filled subject matter) ranging from self-consciousness ("All Falls Down"), to spirituality ("Jesus Walks"), to reaching for your dreams ("Touch The Sky"). On his first Lp (The College Dropout) he proved he truly is an MC and not just another producer-turned-rapper dropping a compilation album. On his sophomore set, Late Registration, 'Ye proved his success wasn't a fluke - that he's an impactful MC who can sell records while still growing as an artist.
Thats 2 for 2 people.
Round 3 brings perhaps his biggest challenge yet. Not only does the polarizing Emcee face unparalleled criticism should Graduation suck. But this time around he will box it out with the raining champion (of album sales. Only. Period.) 50 Cent; who's' dropping his highly anticipated third studio album, Curtis, on the same day (September 11, 2007). Billed as the Showdown for Hip Hop's throne (peep the cover of Rollingstone's September issue below), Kanye has much at stake (though not as much as Fiddy). Is Graduation up to the bout? Lets listen.
Cue the Michael Buffer entry...
"Good Morning. On this day we become legendary, / everything we dreamed of. / I'm like the fly Malcom X, buy any jeans necessary." - Kanye West; "Good Morning"; Graduation
Graduation kicks in perfectly with the bass-heavy, subdued, Kanye West produced , "Good Morning" where its apparent immediately that 'Ye has lyrically stepped up his game. This is how you're suppose to start the potentially defining album of your career(Common...take note). "Good Morning. Look at the Valedictorian. / Scared of the future while I hop in the Delorian. / Scared to face the world, complacent, career student. / Some people graduate but be still stupid." (this track has that quiet-before-the-storm vibe...like its the buildup to something anthemic; something epic). "Champion" feels like the proto-typical Kanye track, infectious hook and melody with a chopped-in, sped-up soul sample. Inspirational in nature, fun, short and to the point, this is a great song too. The Daft Punk sampled, Timbaland assisted "Stronger" feels like one of those classic 80's songs that will lodge itself in your dome forever. Here 'Ye drops one of the illest lines of his career: "You know long I been on ya. / Since Prince was on Apollonia. / Since OJ had Isotoners. Don't act like I never told ya." That line is up there with his Michael Jackson line from "Slow Jamz." Fresh.
Mr. West showcases his slow flow on the soulful, laid-back "I Wonder" and then seamlessly transitions into the soon-to-be hottest song of the fall, "Good Life". This upbeat, party cut is unquestionably Graduation's standout track (he even coyly borrows an old 50 Cent line at the end of each verse. Coincidence?). Lyrically dope, infectious beat, and T-Pain fits perfectly. It doesn't get much better than this, people! From there, 'Ye gets introspective on the DJ Toomp produced, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" spittin' "How he move in a room full of Nos? / How he stay faithful in a room full of hoes?" Lil Wayne grabs the mic on "Barry Bonds," an ill cypher track that hits right at the right time on the album. Heads will appreciate this one, despite Lil' Weezy's lazy guest appearance (I hope he laid his verse without hearing Kanye's first. 'Ye dominated the self-proclaimed "Greatest-Rapper-Alive." Hands down). "Drunk and Hot Girls" is the album's riskiest song. Using a melodic flow that comes 50-Cent close to singing the lyrics, 'Ye enlists Mos Def for back up vocals on this woozy cut about the "bullshit we go through just to mess with these Drunk and Hot girls." I'm not sure if the replay value is there and maybe its a bit ahead of its time...but hey, its funny so at least its entertaining.
Graduation kicks in perfectly with the bass-heavy, subdued, Kanye West produced , "Good Morning" where its apparent immediately that 'Ye has lyrically stepped up his game. This is how you're suppose to start the potentially defining album of your career(Common...take note). "Good Morning. Look at the Valedictorian. / Scared of the future while I hop in the Delorian. / Scared to face the world, complacent, career student. / Some people graduate but be still stupid." (this track has that quiet-before-the-storm vibe...like its the buildup to something anthemic; something epic). "Champion" feels like the proto-typical Kanye track, infectious hook and melody with a chopped-in, sped-up soul sample. Inspirational in nature, fun, short and to the point, this is a great song too. The Daft Punk sampled, Timbaland assisted "Stronger" feels like one of those classic 80's songs that will lodge itself in your dome forever. Here 'Ye drops one of the illest lines of his career: "You know long I been on ya. / Since Prince was on Apollonia. / Since OJ had Isotoners. Don't act like I never told ya." That line is up there with his Michael Jackson line from "Slow Jamz." Fresh.
Mr. West showcases his slow flow on the soulful, laid-back "I Wonder" and then seamlessly transitions into the soon-to-be hottest song of the fall, "Good Life". This upbeat, party cut is unquestionably Graduation's standout track (he even coyly borrows an old 50 Cent line at the end of each verse. Coincidence?). Lyrically dope, infectious beat, and T-Pain fits perfectly. It doesn't get much better than this, people! From there, 'Ye gets introspective on the DJ Toomp produced, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" spittin' "How he move in a room full of Nos? / How he stay faithful in a room full of hoes?" Lil Wayne grabs the mic on "Barry Bonds," an ill cypher track that hits right at the right time on the album. Heads will appreciate this one, despite Lil' Weezy's lazy guest appearance (I hope he laid his verse without hearing Kanye's first. 'Ye dominated the self-proclaimed "Greatest-Rapper-Alive." Hands down). "Drunk and Hot Girls" is the album's riskiest song. Using a melodic flow that comes 50-Cent close to singing the lyrics, 'Ye enlists Mos Def for back up vocals on this woozy cut about the "bullshit we go through just to mess with these Drunk and Hot girls." I'm not sure if the replay value is there and maybe its a bit ahead of its time...but hey, its funny so at least its entertaining.
"Flashing Lights" sounds like something borrowed from Timbaland's play book with a beat reminiscent of those on Justin Timberlake's Future Sex / Love Sounds or Nelly Furtado's Loose. More witty storytelling here. "Everything I Am" is another introspective track that makes you wanna sit back and smoke something. "The Glory" reminds my cousin Sha of Jay-Z's "Encore" (The Black Album. Also produced by Kanye) - upbeat and celebratory in nature but with a sped up soul sample that feels like a Jackson 5 song. Coldplay's Chris Martin drops the hook on "Homecoming," an ode to Chicago that 'Ye wrote in the early 2000s that finally made it onto a studio release (finally a Chris Martin collabo that doesn't sound forced...sorry Jay, but "Beachair" was...yawn...underwhelming). Graduation wraps-up with "Big Brother" an honest anthemic salute to his boss and mentor, Jay-Z. "Big Brother saw me at the bottom of the totem. / Now I'm on top and everybodys on the scrotum." A suitable close to the album.
"People talkin' shit but when the shit hit the fan. / Now everything I'm not made me everything I am." - Kanye West: "Everything I Am"; Graduation
At 13 tracks in length, Graduation is sleak and to-the-point. No interludes, no filler cuts, and only one rapping guest appearance. Its clear he's learned from previous mistakes while continuing to push himself. Lyrically and style-wise he's leaped ahead of even his own expectations ("I can't even explain it / I surprised myself too" - Kanye West: "Barry Bonds"; Graduation) and its refreshing. Sonically, the majority album has a stadium vibe to it - like its meant to be heard in the Georgia Dome or in Giants Stadium...or in...I dunno...someplace huge. Its one of those albums that gets better the more you listen to it (2 weeks and counting...crazy replay value). Aside from a subpar bar here and there ("Damn, no way. / Translate, espanol - no way Jose"? Thats just weak in any language) and the fact that he's not the most graceful MC to pick up the mic, Graduation is the complete Lp.
"Hey Mama, they can't hate 'em. / Cause after all of the drama, K' slayed 'em." - Kanye West: "Can't Tell Me Nothing (Remix)"; Graduation
Now theres no telling which way Hip Hop's fickle buying public will lean come D-Day on 9/11 (No doubt Fiddy nation will come out in droves to pick up Curtis), and we here at The Quotable aren't in the business of making predictions. We deal in content, and creativity, and progressive Hip Hop pushing The Culture into the future. We deal in reality. And the reality is that the brash, winy, arrogant College Dropout has takin' cats to school for the third straight album[2]. FACT. "And here's another hit...Barry Bonds. We outta here baby."
Rating: QQQQ.5
At 13 tracks in length, Graduation is sleak and to-the-point. No interludes, no filler cuts, and only one rapping guest appearance. Its clear he's learned from previous mistakes while continuing to push himself. Lyrically and style-wise he's leaped ahead of even his own expectations ("I can't even explain it / I surprised myself too" - Kanye West: "Barry Bonds"; Graduation) and its refreshing. Sonically, the majority album has a stadium vibe to it - like its meant to be heard in the Georgia Dome or in Giants Stadium...or in...I dunno...someplace huge. Its one of those albums that gets better the more you listen to it (2 weeks and counting...crazy replay value). Aside from a subpar bar here and there ("Damn, no way. / Translate, espanol - no way Jose"? Thats just weak in any language) and the fact that he's not the most graceful MC to pick up the mic, Graduation is the complete Lp.
"Hey Mama, they can't hate 'em. / Cause after all of the drama, K' slayed 'em." - Kanye West: "Can't Tell Me Nothing (Remix)"; Graduation
Now theres no telling which way Hip Hop's fickle buying public will lean come D-Day on 9/11 (No doubt Fiddy nation will come out in droves to pick up Curtis), and we here at The Quotable aren't in the business of making predictions. We deal in content, and creativity, and progressive Hip Hop pushing The Culture into the future. We deal in reality. And the reality is that the brash, winy, arrogant College Dropout has takin' cats to school for the third straight album[2]. FACT. "And here's another hit...Barry Bonds. We outta here baby."
Rating: QQQQ.5
[1] Mr. West is sure to catch more flack for his Britney bashing during the VMAs...click here to read.
[2]My cousin Sha and I tried to figure out which other rapper has dropped three straight near perfect albums at the beginning of their careers...after much debate, we landed on Ice Cube. Pretty exclusive company.
Carry On...
The Quotable Reviews: Finding Forever
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the C-O-Double-M-O-N. / Synonym for "Fresh." Truth is the emblem" - Common: "Start The Show"; Finding ForeverI can't front - as soon as the release date was announced for Common's 7th studio album, Finding Forever, The Company Man was amped.
And for good reason.
Over the past 15 years since the artist formerly known as Common Sense kicked in Hip Hop's door with his debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar?, "Chi-Town's Nas" has continued to evolve - showcasing carniverous lyricism ("Communism"), vivid storytelling ("Testify"), and a trunk load of love raps all along the way (even if you don't know Common by name, chances are you've grooved to one of his now staple "baby-I-love-you" rhymes vibin' through your factory speakers). Never one to fall victim to creative complacency, Comm always pushed the envelope to the brink of breach with each studio release. But it wasn't until 2005's, critically acclaimed Lp, BE, that Common proved (with the aid of uber-producer/emcee Kanye West) that he could in fact create a complete album. Concise, commanding, and loaded with break-neck beats, BE, was the near-perfect combination of production and proverbs (its almost as if 'Ye and Comm were trying to one-up each other the entire time - to see who would shine more - the artist or the producer. In the end it was a draw...and one helluvan album). BE was so good in fact, that in some circles Comm's name found its way into several whose-the-greatest-of-all-time? conversations. Justified or not, Common finally made it mainstream. His stock price was at an all-time high. And one more solid album could be enough to lock him in with exclusive company. Would Finding Forever be that key? Lets take a listen.
Finding Forever opens with whispy flutes, and corny keys totalling 1 minute and 17 seconds of wasted space. No rhymes. No beats. No point. (On the plus side, this in a way serves as the albums only interlude. Silver lining). The show finally starts with (appropriately) "Start the Show." Showcasing live string recordings (violas, violins, cellos...the works) over knocking drums and snare, this cut contains some of the albums coldest rhymes ("with 12 monkeys on stage its hard to see whose a gorilla. / You was better as a drug dealer. / Feel the passion of this B-Boy rationale. / Half is what you say, and half is style. Guess its time for you start cashin' out"). "The People" picks up where "The Corner" (BE) left off - funky Kanye West produced bass-line + Common's flawless delivery = (you guessed it) lead single. 'Ye carries the hook here...once again. The Lily Allen assisted "Drivin' Me Wild" is undoubtedly the album's brightest track. Comm is at his best here, spittin' three blazin' verses opining on the lure of acceptance and the extent people will go to obtain it. Storytelling at its finest. Will.I.Am makes a notable appearance on "I Want You" (production and hook by the Black Eyed Pea himself) while Common delivers more detailed relationship rhymes. 'Ye steps from behind the boards and joins Comm in the booth on "Southside" where the duo dual 8 bars at a time in an ill cypher session showcasing both Chicago lyricist head-to-head (this is what Hip Hop is all about, muttaskuttas!). Both Emcees bring the ruckus on this one ("ain't nothin' wrong with that!"). DJ premiere shows up on "The Game" adding his classic scratches over more Kanye boom-bap production. Another stand-out track.
"I said I got my SAG card baby. I'm an actor." - Common: "Break My Heart"; Finding Forever
Unfortunately, the second half of Finding Forever veers into mundane teritory. Don't get me wrong, Comm's content is still ever present. "Black Maybe's" discussion on the fate of the "black man, woman, and child" is a beautiful song, and definitely needed in today's Hip Hop landscape (especially from a newly-mainstream-artist...too bad you'll never hear it on the radio), and D'Angelo's rehabilitated guest appearance on "So Far To Go" mashes perfectly with (more) Common relationship rhymes. Not to mention that both Devo Springstein and Kanye West straight decimate the boards on "Misunderstood" and "Break My Heart" respectively. Its just that the whole vibe of the second half of the Lp crawls itself to sleep. The combination of heavy content (dope as it may be) and mello production back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back wears on a muttaskutta. Its like getting stuck watchin' white-church on TV (ironically enough) - you don't know whether to switch tracks, or take a nap. You can't even clean the crib when listenin' to the back half of Finding Forever. And if you're driving at night, you better pump the A/C, roll the windows down, and grab a Mountain Dew or you just might fall asleep at the wheel. FACT. All you want to do is sit. Not that thats a bad thing.
(The album is better when rocked on random, though).
Overall, Finding Forever is undoubtedly one of the best albums released in 2007. I can't deny it. Common's flawless delivery and common man sensibilities over Kanye West's stellar production is enough to appease nearly anyone with ears. And at a lean 11 tracks in length, its juuust short enough to stay fresh.
With that being said...
There are certain qualities that I've come to admire about the artist formerly known as Common Sense. Most notably - his drive to continue to grow and progress as an artist. Everytime a Common album dropped you knew it was gonna be Fresh...and a different kind of Fresh than his previous album. He always gave you something different without ever slacking lyrically (even his most eccentric album, Electric Circus, (during the Erykah-Badu-voodoo'd era of his career) was packed with dope rhymes despite the questionable soundtrack. No doubt). Com consistently pushed himself with every release - which is why a lot of heads started raising his name in whose-the-greatest-of-all-time? debates. He's been doin' it at a very high level for a very long time.
But Finding Forever sounds less fresh-and-new and more like BE-part-2...just not as good. The similarities are eyebrow-raising. "The People" sounds just like "The Corner" and was marketed in the same fashion. "Southside" is an ill cypher rhyme about Chicago. "Chi-City" is an ill cypher rhyme about Chicago. And both albums end with a poem from his father, Lonnie "Pops" Lynn (I know its a moving gesture and all, but still an overkill. Slap him somewhere in the middle of the album at least. Mix it up a bit). Ironically the beginning of the poem starts with "...well, well, well / here we are back in the studio again." I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP.
Through all its dopeness it feels like a re-tread. Its like Comm and 'Ye gathered up all of BE's leftover tracks, re-worked a few, added some guest appearances, and sold it like new. I mean...technically its still new, but its like the new generic brand. Its like the Voit version of Air Jordans. Its like Chucks without the Converse logo. You know what its trying to be... but its not official.
"I said I got my SAG card baby. I'm an actor." - Common: "Break My Heart"; Finding Forever
Comm definitely phoned-in this one. I know he has a burgeoning film career ahead of him[1] and a lifetime supply of "basics" from his GAP sponsorship, and thats great. Get your money, Jo. Theres a recession in the music industry right now anyway. But let me know now if making albums has taken a back seat to other ventures. I mean, you'll still get my $10 bucks...but next time it'll be a movie ticket.
Rating: QQQ
[1] I haven't seen Smoking Aces, but my man Denell says he "was good...almost like a convincing actor." With that kind of review I'm sure he as bright future in Hollywood)
Carry on...
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