Album Preview: Curren$y "Pilot Talk"
Album Preview: Curren$y "Pilot Talk"
We all need our theme music. And for stoners who roll doobies on top of their MacBooks, it's been Curren$y who's been providing it. It's been a long trek for the New Orleans emcee, originally getting down with both No Limit and Cash Money before striking out on his own in 2007. He stayed on the independent grind, dropping a string of strong mixtapes and solid stoner anthems with Wiz Khalifa. He recently partnered with Dame Dash to finally release a proper major label (Def Jam) album, Pilot Talk. Before the LP drops on July 13th, we stopped by Dame's DD172 studios for a track-by-track preview...
"Example"
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: We didn't actually hear the first track on the album, which probably was because of some of the fuckery that went down at the DD172 listening. Starting to play the album while people are still downstairs watching Curren$y perform? Check. Dame Dash high as hell and not being able to properly introduce his artist before the preview starts? Check. Starting the album off without announcing the songs? Check. A paranoid associate of Dame threatening to send goons over to writers with laptops? Fuck outta here. Especially considering your camp leaked half of the album yourself. We fuck with Spitta, but Dame takes an L for that. No shots.
"Audio Dope 2"
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex Says: The first thing that stands out is the beat. It's a repetitive, but catchy loop with heavy bass. We didn't really catch the verses too well, but it's hard to focus when there's so many hoes and so much weed smoke in the air—both in the song and at the listening. Not that we're complaining. Shit knocks regardless.
"King Kong"
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex Says: If you haven't heard this jam of a lead single yet, then you're clearly tripping (and not off of what Spitta's on). The drums are bigger than King Kong himself and Curren$y's flow and confidence is at its best: "Wannabe pilots get swatted out the sky..."
"Seat Change" f/ Snoop Dogg
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex Says: Spitta and Snoop bring that smooth shit and talk about a girl who "wants to ride with a G" but messes up her chances. It's laid back with a heavily rock-influenced sound, courtesy of guitar riffs and thumping drums. Snoop brings a whiny flow and solid verses. Not really the smokers' anthem you'd expect with these two on the track, but definitely something to cruise to.
"Breakfast"
Produced by: Mos Def
Complex says: Mos Def supplies a beat that knocks, with horns that ride throughout and a hint of a jazz swing. Don't worry though, Curren$y doesn't switch it up at all, and still talks that pilot shit, bragging about "New Orleans this morning, New York this evening" and creepin' with side chicks. The album version is updated from the song used for the video, with new ad-libs here and there from Mos.
"Roasted" f/ Trademark & Young Roddy
Produced by:
Complex says:
"Skybourne" f/ Smoke Dza & Big K.R.I.T.
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: On this smooth track, Spitta gets some help from Big K.R.I.T., whose Southern flow matches perfectly with the light flute and heavy drums. The third verse is handled by Smoke DZA, who assists Curren$y with more weed talk and lines like, "They lie, money really grows on trees." Damn, can we get a few branches off that?
"The Hangover" f/ Mikey Rocks
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: This track about partying your troubles away might be the weakest song on the album, coming close to bringing the entire mood of the album down. We can see where the title came from: you know that groggy feeling and headache you'd happily do without? Yeah, that's this song.
"The Day" f/ Mos Def & Jay Electronica
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: After Curren$y confirmed last year that he, Mos, and Jay Elec had recorded six songs together under the group name Center Edge Territory, the Internet's ears perked up. Thankfully, their first record does not disappoint. Everyone goes in and adds their own signature flow, with Jay boasting, "Tell the boys they run is up." That's real talk: if a group album really is on the horizon, it's about to be a wrap for these other dudes.
"Prioritize" (Beeper Bill) f/ Nesby Phibs
Produced by: Nesby Phibs
Complex says: Both the song and video have been out since March, but unlike those early released tracks you skip when the album drops, this never gets old. Whether it's the incredible beat, the ill hook (a line from Big Boi's verse off "Aquemini"), or the contrasting flows of these two MCs, there's no shortage or reasons to play this again...and again.
"Chilled Coughpee" f/ Devin The Dude
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: You don't have to be a genius to know what these two will rap about when they get on a track together. Devin takes the lead and delivers in his signature laid-back, sing-songy flow over a beat laced with a soulful guitar and a piano. Curren$y does his thing as well, and the track mightily fulfills its "Weed Dedicated Cut" position.
"Address" f/ Stalley
Produced by: Ski Beatz
Complex says: Another record that dropped early, "Address" could easily be seen as the best record on the album. If you've never heard of Stalley, this'll help you get familiar.
"Life Under The Scope"
Produced by: Ski Beatz & Michael Sterling Eaton
Complex says: Released in November of last year, "Life Under The Scope" still gets played 'til this very day. His weed lit and his glass chilled, Curren$y can take a puff and toast to an impressive third album.
