Tag: Curren$y

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Reviews

Curren$y – The Stoned Immaculate album review

The prolific New Orleans rapper and former 504 Boy makes no secret of his passion for money. Between his nom de plume and his 79 minute-long album, The Stoned Immaculate, Curren$y informs active listeners about the depth and nuance of his pursuit of wealth, set to a variety of beats by a slew of quality producers (Pharrell, Daz Dillinger, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Monsta Beatz et al.)

The first track and lead single, “What It Look Like (feat. Wale)”, is one of the strongest. The album starts with a rippling harp, ostensibly sampled from the 1970’s style game show Curtis Mayfield is currently hosting in Music Heaven. Beat and orchestration kicks in for good as Curren$y proceeds to answer any and all questions you may have had about the Jet Life. The same sentiment applies to the record’s second single, “Jet Life (feat. Big K.R.I.T. and Wiz Khalifa)”. No surprises here.

On the heavy third track, “Armoire (feat. Young Roddy & Trademark)”, a bizarrely enchanting chord progression blares over a tilted rhythm’s pound and scatter, showcasing Curren$y’s slow flow perfectly. In the hook Curren$y says, “’cuz this rap shit’s just my hustle baby, we paper chasin”, a premise upon which the entire album rests. The phrase “paper chasin’” and its variants appear on several songs, serving perhaps as a point of emphasis that Curren$y wants the money. He wants to live in a jet. “I like nice shit and I know how to get it,” he boasts on “Showroom”. The Stoned Immaculate in the veritable nutshell.

The result is a collection of pleasantly constructed grooves, chill-outs, Wiz Khalifa guest spots and an auto-tuned Pharrell. Good things for sure. There is nothing wrong with wanting “Fast Cars and Faster Women” and the many other things a talented 31 year-old rapper and his friends can dream of acquiring soon. If Curren$y can make more solid records like The Stoned Immaculate, he will probably be able to satisfy many of his expensive curiosities.

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Reviews

The Alchemist and Curren$y – Covert Coup review

Shante Scott Franklin, better know as Curren$y, has been making a name for himself in the rap game. Having worked with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Raekwon and Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y is definitely an artist worth knowing about, and his latest album, Covert Coup, shows why that is.

 I must say, not being too familiar with Curren$y I did not know what to expect. After listening through Covert Coup though, I now see why he has gained the attention that he has.

To begin with, production by Alan Daniel Maman, better known as The Alchemist, makes this album that much better. Each track is ear-candy as The Alchemist utilizes unconventional samples that range from soul, to breakbeat. Add in Curren$y’s smooth flow, and you have a combination that is absolutely enjoyable. The album may bring to mind Madvillain’s Madvillainy, with its short tracks, a sound unfriendly to commercial radio and a blending of great production and rhymes.

“BBS” starts off with soulful bass lines, piano and guitar, while Curren$y reflects on life in the rap game. The haunting, melancholic production is great as it helps propel Curren$y’s rhymes into the listener’s ears.

“The Type” is a combination of reverberated synths, spacey sounds and percussion hits. Prodigy, of Mobb Deep fame, is an added treat to an already enjoyable track.

“Patty-cake, patty-cake, I’m baked my man,” begins “Life Instructions.” The Alchemist really shows off on this track; the bass and guitar lines are infectious. “I’m kinda high,” rhymes Curren$y on “Smoke Break.” The groovy, almost psychedelic sounding “Smoke Break” fits well with Curren$y’s slow-paced, yet sporadic rhymes.

“Scottie Pippen” stands out because of guest rapper Freddie Gibbs. Doing double-time rhymes, Freddie Gibbs’ style stands in complete contrast to Curren$y’s, but both styles work together very well.

“The toxic air that I’m breathing would leave a average man weakened,” rhymes Curren$y on “Ventilation.” Rapping about his weed-smoking, Curren$y’s rhymes just flow over The Alchemist’s spacey production.

“Heavy Metal” is a fitting title for Covert coup’s last track. Heavy bass and cymbal crashes, the production is booming, and Curren$y’s delivery goes well with it. “I spit the picture so vivid because I really live it,” rhymes Curren$y over bullet shots and other explosive sounds.

Clocking in at about 28 minutes, Covert Coup is arousing and highly listenable. The album is focused, which may not seem like it due to its surreal atmosphere. Curren$y and The Alchemist make a great duo as unconventional production and dense lyricism come together to create something new and refreshing. Every song is worth listening to, although there are some that you will just constantly have on repeat.

Underneath Covert Coup’s haze are quirky lyrics and enjoyable sounds that will sneak up on you, having your finger press the replay button over and over again as you hear a new rhyme or note you had not heard before. Strong, creative and impressive, Covert Coup is more than just a 4/20 album; it stands out, pushing the boundaries of rap and taking risks that end up working. Not only that, but it’s free. So, download the tracks and just lay back, because from beginning to end Covert Coup will grab your attention, and leave you wanting more.

The Alchemist and Curren$y - Covert Coup review

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Nipsey Hussle Press Releases Tour Dates

The Smokers Club Tour West 2010. Nipsey Hu$$le, Curren$y, Smoke DZA & Dom Kennedy

The Smokers Club Tour West 2010. Nipsey Hu$$le, Curren$y, Smoke DZA & Dom Kennedy

Cinematic Music Group x Jets I’ntl & All Money in No Money out Present The Smokers Club Tour West 2010. Nipsey Hu$$le, Curren$y, Smoke DZA & Dom Kennedy along with Feind, The Pricks, Strong Arm Steady, The SlausonBoyz, Berner J.Stalin & Cornerboy P will all be coming to a city near you! Bring ya lungs with you & for all dates check Thesmokersclub.com

11/30/10 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
12/02/10 Neumos Seatlle, WA
12/03/10 Roseland Theater Portland, OR
12/08/10 The Elrey Theater Los Angeles, CA
12/10/10 Rialto Theater Tuscan, AZ
12/11/10 The Clubhouse Tempe, AZ
12/12/10 House Of Blues Las Vegas, NV

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Press Releases

CHICAGO ENTREPRENEURS FORM UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE A NEW MODEL OF RECORD MAKING First Installment Of Closed Sessions Offers New Music From Bun B, Curren$y, Kidz In The Hall, Tanya Morgan, Rhymefest, GLC, Skyzoo, Big Pooh & Emilio Rojas

CHICAGO ENTREPRENEURS FORM UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE A NEW MODEL OF RECORD MAKING First Installment Of Closed Sessions Offers New Music From Bun B, Curren$y, Kidz In The Hall, Tanya Morgan, Rhymefest, GLC, Skyzoo, Big Pooh & Emilio Rojas

To truly make a mark in the digital age, you have to be ahead of the curve and Chicago’s recently Closed Sessions label may very well be at the forefront of a new movement in the digital music age. With each of the Closed Sessions founders having years of experience in their respective fields, they combined their expertise in Audio Engineering (Mike Kolar who is chief engineer and owner of Chicago’s SoundScape Studios), Media Technology (Omar Solis) and Viral Media (DJ RTC EIC of Rubyhornet.com and also a renowned DJ who has performed and worked hand in hand with numerous labels and artists) to create a one-stop shop that caters to everything an artist requires to create compelling music.

The premise of Closed Sessions revolves around using their hometown of Chicago as a backdrop to further influence the creative process and experience. All of the sessions recorded for Closed Sessions: Vol. 1 are recorded organically with artists who were either visiting the city while on-tour, or in a few cases those who already call it home. Working with a variety of talented producers, Closed Sessions is supplied with with original and high quality production, which is then stored in the catalog at SoundScape Studios. When a participating artist comes to Chicago, they are taken to SoundScape Studios with RubyHornet.com’s full video team and the studio is equipped and catered to fit their individual needs. Once comfortable, they are able to cycle through the Closed Sessions catalog and pick the beat of their choice. Once they have chosen their beat, they are left to do what they do—make great music. Adding to the intrigue, Closed Sessions participants work with other artists and producers that they may have not previously met and may not typically work with, which creates very compelling music.

Each Closed Session is videotaped and photographed, giving fans a candid look into the recording habits of Hip-Hop’s top artists, well as providing them with new and high quality music from their favorite artists. The finished song and video are released virally via RubyHornet.com and reposted throughout the web by other leading music and culture websites. The songs are released individually, as well as collectively via multi-media EPs that include music, videos, photos, and stories all focusing on the Closed Sessions experience.

The majority of Closed Sessions participating artists are provided with a number of additional experiences including, but not limited to, a concert or party organized in part by RubyHornet, as well as a tour of the city in which artists are taken to various cultural hotspots introduced to Chicago’s industry players and personalities.

Since conducting the first Closed Session with New Orleans’ recording artist Curren$y, artists such as Amanda Diva, Kidz In The Hall, Tanya Morgan, U-N-I, Bun B, Donnis, Rhymefest, Skyzoo, Big Pooh, and many others have participated. The first Closed Sessions EP, presented and mixed by DJ RTC, will be released in March 2010 and will contain nine songs. The collection will be distributed digitally as a free download.

While each artist is different and their recording process differs, their individual experiences and testimonials all shed light on how Closed Sessions is poised to brand its name throughout the Urban Music world.

“Going to Chicago is always good… Seeing GLC in Chicago is even better…
Recording in Chicago with GLC and RubyHornet is guaranteed classic!” —-Bun B

“Closed Sessions made sense for me because I always felt like I wanted SoundScape Studios to be the one place that my artist friends could hang out and feel comfortable when in Chicago. DJ RTC, being my personal friend and Mixtape DJ and Mike Kolar being my engineer made my involvement very logical. Closed Sessions is creating snapshots of some of the great moments in Chicago Hip-Hop through song.” —-Naledge of Kidz In The Hall

“Closed Sessions was THAT SHIT. I got to meet and build with some really great talent and eat some good ass nachos (haha). The record turned out crazy and Chicago is a great place to be. Ruby Hornet is putting together great collaborations, bringing artists together in person the way it should be done – none of that email back and forth shit.”—Emilio Rojas

“I think rubyhornet.com has begun something great with their Closed Session series. A lot of fans want a closer look at their favorite artist and this is a way to let them in on the writing and creative process of creating music. Even the casual listener may gain a greater respect for the process as well as the artist after viewing an episode of Closed Session.” —Big Pooh of Little Brother

“Closed Sessions is like being in the club when it’s poppin’ minus all the
hatin’ ass ni***z.”—Rhymefest

Tracklisting and credits for Closed Sessions Vol. 1:

1.) Curren$y: “Rapper Weed” (Tony Baines)
2.) Truck North and Big Pooh: “Dutch Dalton” (Tony Baines)
3.) Amanda Diva: “I Can See” (Slot-A)
4.) Kidz In The Hall, Chip Tha Ripper, Mikkey Halsted, Donnis: “Fresh Academy” (Double O)
5.) Tanya Morgan: “Posted” (Tony Baines)
6.) Emilio Rojas, Scheme, Astonish: “Helluva Year” (Dario)
7.) U-N-I, Hollywood Holt, CurT@!n$: “So Cold” (Million $ Mano)
8.) Skyzoo and Rhymefest: “Crack The Code” (K-Salaaam and Beatnik)
9.) Bun B and GLC: “Happiness Before Riches” (The Weathermen)

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Categories
Videos

Smoke DZA – Marley & Me (Remix) video featuring Devin The Dude, Curren$y, Asher Roth & June Summers

Smoke DZA – Marley & Me (Remix) video featuring Devin The Dude, Curren$y, Asher Roth & June Summers

*WORLD PREMIERE*

Smoke DZA recruits fellow Marley Smokers Devin The Dude, Curren$y, Asher Roth & hookman June Summers for his Smokers anthem “Marley & Me” produced by Scoop Deville.

Directed by Creative Control.