A few years removed from first aligning with Busta Rhymes’ Conglomerate Records, Syracuse MC Aaron Cook$ — now known as Stove God Cook$ — has finally released his highly anticipated debut LP, Reasonable Drought (a tongue-in-cheek nod to the classic debut Reasonable Doubt).
Upon its release, many on social media hailed the project as a definite classic. While it’s early to predict how time will treat it, it’s an upper echelon slice of Hip Hop.
While his one-time manager, Brand Nubian MC (and Vlad TV regular) Lord Jamar, may have groomed his flow along with Busta, surely neither of them could have predicted the magic that would ensue once they added two droplets of Roc Marciano into the Petri dish.
Cooks is a brilliant melting pot of brick raps, incredibly engaging cadence and melodic tone. As he croons his super catchy hooks, he fluctuates between sounding like a bizzaro Mos Def (check “Break the Pyrex”), incarcerated wave god Max B (check “Jim Boeheim”) with pops of Post Malone (check “Cocaine Cologne”) — all of course without pivoting too far outside of his own signature sound. That’s what makes this project feel like an outlier of the wave it surfs; it’s bright without being sunny and dark without pushing into a niche pocket.
The way he harmonizes his struggle, singing, “Still smelling like a brick right now” on the drum-less “Cocaine Cologne” is enough to illustrate just how different his take on the sub-genre is in comparison to his peers.
None of this matters, of course, if the bars aren’t there — and Cooks has pristine pen game. There is a curious blend of pop culture references, drug dealer-isms and this unmistakably humorous undertone. There are also these little details that add a layer of credibility to his raps.
One example is when he describes pulling up to a plug’s mansion in an Enzo Ferrari — even noting the gate code — on the song “Bread of Life.” Another is the $400,000 buried in his mother’s yard (something he references more than once).
Cooks is only half of this equation. Roc Marciano has recently found himself inserted into numerous conversations about best rapper/producer in the game — something bolstered by his latest album, Marcielago. If Reasonable Drought’s soulful, 70s tinged production doesn’t convince you that Roc is a producer worthy of as many roses as possible, then it’s unclear what else he can do.
This is the type of album that you purchase on vinyl and preorder the instrumental version without thinking twice.
The chief contextual drawback of the album is that it doesn’t necessarily break any new ground. The title, while an homage, can be traced back to JAY-Z. There are clear comparisons that can be made to Raekwon’s revered debut Only Built For Cuban Linx — and artistically, Cooks isn’t the first MC to lean heavily on drug dealing ballads.
Reasonable Drought isn’t an album poised to shift culture like Flygod, as an example. Still, the album’s execution more than positions him as a rookie on a Kobe or LeBron level. There is something so dynamic about Cooks, and this album gives enough variation to suggest that holding him in a box may be impossible. The singing on the chorus of “Gloria Blemente” for example, with its funky, chunky bass licks, is a vibe that could easily be spread across an entire LP.
As far as debuts go, this featureless serving of real-deal street Hip Hop is the type of album you’d love to just distill into liquid and hook into your bloodstream. Album of the year contender, no question.
FIRE
Str8 crack
Hot Shit!!!
I mean…ok, if you really need another guy rappin about cooking crack rock on EVERY song. Sounds like the same old same old to me, but with dope beats. I guess I’m just not as impressed by crack talk as ya’ll are.
Obviously you don’t get it, because it’s the way Cooks gets his point across on every track that makes him stand out. The metaphors are witty, the melodies are gritty and soulful and the delivery is definitely nothing like you’ve ever heard.
Project is ? from start to finish
Honestly, the crack and clothes talk got old. But i can bump it from time to time. But this album had no depth at all. Marcielago was lightweight also, when it comes to Roc.
I been listening on repeat. His metaphors are I’ll. His sound is original. I agree the coke talk does not set him apart but he does it so well it doesn’t matter. Roc is insane on the boards. Love this front to back.
I’m not at all surprise by this. When I heard Stove God Cooks on “Puff Daddy” of Roc’s album, I knew this guy was a superstar. I can’t wait till he starts getting his well deserved attention. Stove God Cooks is an absolute master with the bars, but what’s most impressive is his flow!
Stove God Cooks does not disappoint one bit; brining banger after banger. The best part about the album is that there are no features! He doesn’t really need any because he sings his own hooks (that sound amazing) and he holds his own with the bars. To add on, the project was produced by my favorite rapper of this past decade: Roc Marciano. The beats are beautiful, and blend well with one another. Roc was focused, and I can tell.
My favorite track on the album is the brilliant “Crosses” and that’s followed by “Money Puddles” and the classic street banger of the album “Break the Pyrex”.
I can easily say that there are no weak spots on the album; with every song sticking to a theme and serving a purpose. No pointless skits or throw-away tracks.
Thank you Stove God for giving me something new and amazing to listen to during these hard times in our country. Thank you Roc for showing the world that you are not to be messed with on the mic or on the boards.
This album is a 5 hands down
We need a Break The Pyrex remix Ft. Roc, Rae and Ghost
Crack. The production and word play was captivating. Great project
Authentic drug rap. Great production
Griselda is bringing back this vibe!! Love Roc’s presence, and why did Busta have so much talent underneath him ?
Str8 banger.
Fire album.
I downloaded this album based off of this review, and thank you. FIRE.
Incredible bars and dope flow and singing style, this guy truly is a star.
Been on repeat! Listen to it several times a day… This will age well.
A Classic if you’re into Hip-Hop
Can’t stop listening to this, Production on Fire ?!
This is good. Nice flow to the melody and beats, killer bars.
Fucking fire
When I first heard this I kinda dismissed it as yet another “drug rap on every song” album. I gave it another listen after seeing some of his interviews and I’m enjoying it more. I’m more connected to the art once I learn about the artist so my main question would be how true his raps are to his life. With all this drug talk I wonder if he really lived it? Also I wish he’d mention both sides of this particular lifestyle. With all that said, I do enjoy the project quite a bit and I wish Aaron much success!
Many months later still album of the year
Stove God Cooks, for me, came out of nowhere. Sure he made an appearance in Marcielargo as Cook$ but I never paid attention to it. At first, I listened to this album hoping for a Marci cameo, but from the first song, Cook$ grabbed my ear. Dude got bars for days, Marc’s production is consistently brilliant. And that’s the amazing thing about this album, it’s damn consistent. I don’t skip a song. Sounds fresh months later. Classic.
This is the Best Album to come out in a long time. 5/5