Curren$y-New Jack City

Curren$y-New Jet City (Mixtape)/Independent-(2013)

Artist: Curren$y

Mixtape: New Jet City

Label: Independent  

Producers: Cardo, DJ Toomp, Harry Fraud, Statik Selektah, Lex Luger, others

Many artists keep their name relevant through the mixtape scene. The southern MC’s push their limits on the mixtape scene and have a very strong backing to their craft. This includes Louisiana’s emcee Curren$y making his way through from albums and mixtapes after another putting his name on the map. He comes through with his latest opus New Jet City.

            The track starts off with the Nino Brown influenced title track when Curren$y knows what he wants and explains about his city. This is where Curren$y is in his comfort zone when he paints a perfect picture on things: there’s a difference between a plan and a scheme/make sure your crew all true to the same things. The beats on the album are hard hitting with the Jadakiss assisted “Clear” one of the best tracks to keep the momentum flowing. Statik Selektah laced a perfect beat for the spitta and Jada to rhyme on. “Living for the City” and “Mary” put him on the pedestal that many hip hop listeners are looking for.

            There many drawbacks that make this mixtape somewhat wishy washy. The guest appearances and the production became a hit or miss as the mixtape flow along. It’s surprising because Curren$y has a great ear of production and knows what works. Even when Curren$y attempts to step out of his comfort zone, “Bitch Get Up”, “Purple Haze” and “These Bitches” are not motivating and stale. “Drive” featuring Young Roddy and Styles P is inconsistent with mismatch guest appearances while French Montana sounds forgettable on “These Bitches”. The album ends well with “Moe Chettah” in which he steps in up.

With a few misfires, this mixtape is not a disappointment. The best shining tracks on the album are his solo tracks with a few guest appearances. There is no question that Curren$y has the cadence and delivery which is definitely on point. However, this latest project has lost its balance and can be unfocused at times. There is hope of Curren$y as one of the emcees that will be talked about and need to be on the lookout. He will do a lot better with the next studio album so for now choose wisely with the tracks on this one.

             Strong Tracks: “New Jet City”, “Clear”, “Living for the City”, “Mary”

            Weak Tracks:  “Bitch Get Up”, “Purple Haze”, “Drive”, “These Bitches”

            Rating:out of