Perhaps Hip Hop’s most affable stoner next to Snoop Dogg, (with respect owed to a soured deal with one-time Rap mogul Dame Dash) Curren$y has risen from a mildly interesting Cash Money Records prospect to a self-made name. A highly unpredictable case of independent success, he’s become a surefire inspiration to a world of aspiring onlookers. With staunch advocates buying into an overall brand including his “Jet Life” slogan and the widely touted Pilot Talk series, Curren$y tours on the merits of consistent albums and mixtapes, a loophole allowing him to shirk the effects of piracy on record sales. Presently placing himself at the mercy of Atlantic Records, Canal Street Confidential is his second LP of 2015 and concurrently his first commercial release in years.
Usually known to take a more mellow approach in his work, Canal Street Confidential is Curren$y making a swift departure from the norm. Whether adapting with the times, experimenting outside of his comfort zone or jumping in murky waters to play industry reindeer games, Spitta risks confusing (if not altogether disappointing) his trusting audience. This year’s highly favored mumble-mouthed codeine captain Future sounds coolly lavish as usual (albeit a bit indecipherable) on “Drive By,” but the problem lies in Curren$y appearing out of place on his own body of work. Another glaring example of this flaw is the R&B banger “Bottom Of The Bottle” where fellow New Orleans natives Lil Wayne and August Alsina are most notable. Primarily working with 808 Mafia affiliate Purps, the tracks are of professional quality, yet the majority are a poor fit with the performances Curren$y is capable of delivering.
Curren$y’s attempts at switching up his poise and chill demeanor fall short, but for a small portion of Canal Street Confidential he remembers where his bread is buttered. A tandem worthy of comparison to Redman & Method Man, he and kindred spirit Wiz Khalifa join forces on the slowed up “Winning” to celebrate their shared passion for marijuana and getting ahead in life. Highlights appear towards the project’s tail end including the electric interlude length “Cruzin,” and “Superstar” where Curren$y and Ty Dolla $ign find inspiration over a funky bass line and booming drums. The trap-tinged high adrenaline “Boulders” is what works most in his favor, but unfortunately fans suffer through long spells of mediocrity before things improve.
Largely unmemorable and full of cameos that only wind up watering down Curren$y’s potential for excellence, Canal Street Confidential is a textbook case of an artist with a cult following attempting to make use of a greater budget. Possibly the result of label interference, he trades innovation for collaborations that neither guarantee new fans or manage to impress believers. While he toys with the idea of making catchy hits, it’s at the cost of damaging his well-respected track record to date. Curren$y has certainly done enough right over the years to not be written off any time soon, but he’s at his best when sticking to his guns without catering to the masses and corporate interests.
This definitely deserves more than a 3. I am been riding with Curren$y since, 30,000 ft and the Album is dope. He is still the same ol curren$Y and Bottom of the Bottle is a cool lil Jam.
Ill agree its not the Classic Spitta… but I definitely would give it more than just 3X.. Its a very VERY VERY SOLID album… Missing the old Jet Life squad on this.. But can we please get Curren$y back in the lab with Alchemist (Covert Coupe) and Big KRIT (Glasshouse)
Glasshouse2016, that got me hooked on K.R.I.T.
its interesting how growth works, people always want you to stay the same and never branch out of your comfort zone. We know spitta had to adjust to the masses on this album so its some corny shit on here at first, but after listning to it a second time it started to grow on me and I heard some real shit. this album is a solid 4
Couldn’t disagree more
Worst curren$y album mixtape or otherwise. Sad when a great artist gets lost in the mainstream
Once again, you all suck at reviewing records. This shit is dope! That shit with Fiend took me way back! Keep coming with that fire Curren$y!!!
Jesse Fairfax.. You whack as fuck. You don’t get it. Anyone hating on this album probably didn’t even listen to it. Spitta did it again yo. He always puts out that audio dope. Listen to the whole thing through a couple times, light up to it, take a nice sunday drive with it bumpin, if you don’t got a new opinion of it after that, then your opinion’s don’t mean shit. You should just go listen to the radio or pop in any of Drake’s albums.
You must be a spitta stan. I’m a fan, but this is his worst album to date in my opinion. PT3 was way harder as was Stoned Immaculate. Don’t think the reviewer needs to forcibly listen to it 10 times to see if he likes it or not.
actually stans are the ones egotistically comparing everything an artist does. fans appreciate the music and don’t make it so complex.
I think its dope! Pilot Talk Vibe and im not the biggest curren$y fan i use to be thou
Nowhere near his worst offering.
Really terrible album. Dude is so boring, even the production couldn’t save it. Only groupie ass stans would like this.
Dont you ever disrespect spitta with that bullshit you wrote. Fuck you
#jetsbitch
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Lol. I always like to listen to the songs Dx hates on. I’m not the biggest R&B fan but Wayne and Spitta go hard as fuck over Bottom of the Bottle. That Driveby is straight heat too. That last track with the KLC beat and Fiend on the track goes in too. Nice project from Curren$y
Fuck this Review
FAIR REVIEW, I’M DIGGIN’ THIS ALBUM THO.
I still feel Spitta being slept on!
Curren$y favorite rapper ut his article is accurate
I’m a big Curren$y fan but the review is spot on. Take off the rose colored glasses and accept the album for what it is people. It’s nowhere near his previous work. None of the features really do much for the album. You can’t understand anything future says, Wayne is still wack. He tried to switch things up, and it wasn’t his best work. 3/5