Troy Ave----New York City

Troy Ave-New York City--(2013)

Artist: Troy Ave  

Album: New York City

Label: Independent           

Producers: Scram Jones, Harry Fraud, AraabMuzik, John Scino, others  

The name Troy Ave sounds familiar to many. Through many blogs and websites, his name has been popping this year. The Brooklyn native has been slated on many artists’ projects and has put out countless music. One thing about Troy Ave is his confident persona which he brings behind the microphone. This is a huge plus from the Brooklyn rapper in which he shows no intimidation. Through the impressive songs on rotation, he made a promise that his new opus New York City album will be the best representation of New York City rap. Let’s see if Troy Ave puts his money where his mouth is.

            On this project, he definitely lets you know he can body any beat that comes his way. He proves that on tracks like “Classic Feel”, “Cigar Smoke” and “Divas & Dimes”. The standout posse anthem track “New York City” Troy Ave gets assist from Noreaga, Raekwon and Prodigy that gives a mental picture of what New York City is from their perspective. Troy Ave takes the head lead on this track as he takes shots on the state of NYC rappers: new discussion, New York artist wannabe southerners; now that will wake up the NYC rappers to set it up. On “Cigar Smoke” Troy Ave goes in and describes his own style in a nutshell over the Scram Jones beat of just hard kicks and snares: my style was determined by mics in the source/been fly since dollar fries with ketchup and hot sauce. The singing and the strong hand clapping kicks to the Prime and Keyz production of “Me against the World” brings up the dark eerie side of Troy Ave where he spits ferociously. What impressive on this project is Troy Ave braggadocios flow reminiscence of the late Big L that brings a great feel to the project with his own style. The storytelling lyrics are phenomenal which Troy expresses them well on “My Grind”, “Lulaby” and the story with the ladies on the smooth out somewhat rock infused track “Regretful” where he explains that he is still young and wants to have fun. The other strong track “Everything” is where Troy Ave tag teams with Pusha T and bodied the DJ Uneek production.

            New York City is a reputation resolution in its finest. If anyone can’t stand up for the reputation of New York City and restore credibility to the city, Troy Ave certainly stand up with this project. The production is on point on this 17 track opus.  If it takes Troy Ave to call out New York rappers for selling out and subliminally tell them to step their game up, so be it. For the new wave of hip hop fans, some of the songs are four minutes long and better which may cause song fatigue for them. For true heads, this will not bother them. Real hip hop fans will love this album no matter what. Only the fluff puff fans that don’t listen to substance will feel a way. This is one of the most innovative New York City albums out in a decade. Troy Ave kept his promise on this album, definitely a popping album to blast on the regular.

            Strong Tracks: “Classic Feel”, “New York City”, “Cigar Smoke”, “Viking”, “Show Me Love”, “Me Against The World”, “Everything”, “Regretful”, “Lulaby”, “My Grind”, “Mama Tears”

               Rating:out of