What is your gold standard for production in hip hop? Try and pick one. I pick DJ Premier. So when someone writes “this dude is the next Premo”, he gets at least a listen from me. Statik is that dude. Originally from Mass., he has worked with some East Coast greats… Styles P, Freddie Foxxx, R.E.K.S, M.O.P., Termanology, Freeway, and Action Bronson to name a few. My personal fav is on Styles P’s Master of Ceremonies “Feeling’s Gone”…..check the D-Block sample scratches. A work of art through music.
Extended Play keeps the equation the same. Sick beats, and familiar collaborators along with some new. “Bird’s Eye View” with Raekwon, Joey Bada$$ and Black Thought” was the first single out earlier this year and is one of my fav’s on this album. Gospel like choir with a simple yet head knocking beat. Black Thought spits it thorough at the end “I am the living definition of improving the groove, I use the same tools to shoot that Kubrick used”. “Pinky Ring” teams Selek with Prodigy. Got that 70’s funk feel, makes you wanna walk real smooth down the street to the beat. Prodigy with the low key yet dangerous flow “I’m a grown ass man, hit the mag at your liva” Moving on to “Funeral Sessions” w Styles P, Bun B, and Hit-Boy. Styles P is one of the illest MCs ever to me. Statik’s beats are a perfect compliment here. Bun B. of UGK another legend. These two flow effortlessly over chorus and boom bap galore. “Ride on them dudes, show ‘em you ain’t coward”.
All in all the effort is solid. However, with such a roster of ill MCs, there seems to be some lack luster spitters that should not be on the same track as the others. Almost feels like a little bit of filler. Maybe Statik is trying to shed some limelight to his buddies and I cannot be against that. However, for example, I rather have had extra bars from both the Ghost and Bun on Funeral session, if you get my drift. The beats are there, the greats are on there too. Why not have the All Stars rap the whole piece and X out the gold string?
AHH’s Ratings:
Lyricism – 7/10
Production – 9/10
Album Cohesiveness – 5/10
Replay Value – 5/10
Overall – 7/10
Personal Favorite Tracks: Bird’s Eye View Ft. Raekwon, Joey Bada$$, and Black Thought / Funeral Season Ft. Styles P., Bun B and Hit-Boy / Pinky Ring feat. Prodigy