Curren$y is an enjoyable solo emcee, but he knows the value of finding chemistry with another act. Spitting alongside Lil Wayne after leaving No Limit helped raise the quality of his rhymes, and his How Fly 
mixtape with Wiz Khalifa was a strong foundation for both of their careers to reach new heights. Most recently, his last two solo albums, Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II, rode Ski Beatz moreso to critical acclaim and fan allegiance than Spitta. It’s not a matter of one outshining the other, but of complimentary sounds and teamwork. When Spitta has a key collaborator in the studio, he’s shown the ability to form even more of a rhythm. So for his first project on his new Warner Bros. label home, it only makes sense that he’d link up with fellow piff purveyor Alchemist to drop an entire weed-inspired mixtape on 4/20.
Covert Coup shows that Curren$y and Alchemist are nearly just as potent of a duo as Spitta has been with anyone else. Alc’s soulful, murky soundbeds serve as perfect backdrops for Curren$y’s elongated, smokey rhymes. Despite over half of the songs clocking in at less than three minutes, the work manages to maintain its rhythm with Alchemist’s cohesive production. This method also works well with Curren$y’s rigid subject matter and digressive lyrics, as one or two-verse opuses are all he needs to make his point anyway. “Double 07” and “BBS” showcase mixtape Spitta in his element with stylish deliveries and punchlines, with seat-reclining instrumentals that give his rhymes room to breathe. The ultra-subdued “Smoke Break” is self-explanatory, and “Scottie Pippens” contrasts Curren$y’s staccato flow with Freddie Gibbs’ multi-syllabic agility.
Guest appearances from long-gone rap staples also give Covert Coup extra novelty. Prodigy returns from a three-year prison bid to appear on “The Type,” and his resilient rhymes about the psyches prevalent in his NYC stomping grounds sound right at home over signature Alchemist production. Former No Limit cohort Fiend also stops by to lend his baritone mic presence and plain-stated rhymes to “Blood Sweat and Gears.”
A lack of actual songwriting on Covert Coup may upset some, because Curren$y switches topics so much that the tracks come across as simply rhymes and beats instead of full songs. Still, short track lengths and strong Alchemist production helps it all go down smoothly. Curren$y succeeds here by finding another musical comrade who highlights his strengths. Sometimes, keeping the team together is just as important as stuffing the stats on your own.
DX Consensus: “FreEP” (the second highest possible praise for a mixtape).
Listen to Curren$y & Alchemist Covert Coup
The “Must Get HiGh Too” Mixtape Of The Year!
J.E.T.S
Agreed with rating. I think Muscle Car Chronicles with be dude’s best work.
Best ALC shit in a long time.
How much longer is the Hip-Hop community going to surpport brainless rap? Anyone with half a brain can rhyme words, its takes a level of inteligence to rhyme with rhythem and reason. Currensy is just connecting random thought together with words that rhyme. He litters the track with nonsense. Just like the way Lil Wayne makes songs with now meaning, Spitta is going to ride brainless rap into the on coming train of insightful rap and probably run good rap over because we as listeners need to surpport real muscians, ie. Big K.R.I.T.
Big Krit is definitely dope. however, currensy is also a dope emcee. His flow and rhythm is on point, and he can ride the fuck out of a track. Hate all you want, Currensy’s dope though and is going to be here for awhile.
shut up, big krit fucks with the jets
I think Curresy got lyrical on this shit, not Killah Priest lyrical but for his style its lyrical and it fits perfectly with Alchemist production, WTF are you stupid comparing Curren$y to Lil LAME GTFOH wit that shit, dude murderers Lil LAME in everyway on this one, This is some 420 riding thru the hood type shit, I haven’t stopped bumping this in my ride since it came out, 5/5!!!
if u ever fuckin seen a hip hop show udd know curren$y is one of the best spittas out right now along with j cole, big krit
For a Free Album/Tape this is unbelievable, one of my top releases of 2011
a real solid tape just made me a spitta fan
FreEp > Mixtape
dopeboiii
the best mixtape i ever heard
jetss
ONE OF THE SICKEST MIXTAPES EVER!!!
This shit right here shows the world that ALC is one of Hip Hops ELITE producers (like imo better than Dre), I think its tight that he hooked up with Curren$y because his style of beats matches Curren$y’s Jazzy type a flow, dude is going in the right derection for beats bcuz ALC makes his shit sound fukin INSANE!!! hopefully Alchemist dosen’t start producing for wiz khalifa, bcuz that dudes straight wack with his gay ass laugh!!! COVERT COUP is a 5/5, my fav track is “The Type” with Prodigy.
DOPE!!! 420 Bitches!!!
hotttttt
like the beats
JETS NIGGA
Curren$y coming to my city in May, hope he does the whole Covert Coup album, entire album is fire and Alchemist kilt it as usual, I can see myself still listening to this album years from now its st8 dope!!!!
5/5
Should have been an album. But honestly yea the length sucked, but I cant really complain about it because instead of forcing something and having filler he just records what he feels and lets out.
straight hectik
this mixtape is dangerous i love it
GARBAGE!!!!
only comment here that had anything negative to say…. lemme guess… YOU, are also the only one this page that listens to good music right?
J.E.T.S – Just Enjoy This Shit you fucking square!
love this mixtape.. jets fool
This mixtape is another Curren$y Classic. Nice!!!!!
classic shit
jets foo
If you heard the hot97 freestyle then you heard pretty much this whole tape.
jets.
The way Curren$y flow’s on different kinds of beats, especially Alchemist beats, show just how talented of an emcee he is. Sure he doesn’t broaden his topics to the level of Nas, Jay-Z, Mos Def and all of the other more experienced emcees, but listen to his wordplay, his flow; it’s definitely worth a listen or four. More than I can say for Soulja Boy…now that is pathetic
ok now this is jus fucked up but ive had a shity day! woke up late for work fell in the middle of the highway and almost got ran over…anyways i wanted to say u look pathetic…but i do agree w ur lil comment so..well…did i mention bad day..(fri. 13)
this is the best ep i have heard in a long time. also the best alchemist beats in a long time. just push play and repeat!
Not even a big currensy fan but this is one of the best projects of the year
classic
so-so