8/30 smoothly lands as an album worthy of year end conversation.
Like a preboarding announcement, Curren$y summarily addresses Freddie Gibbs’ recent jab before continuing the boarding of flight 8/30, the New Orleans rapper’s latest offering of his Andretti series. On “Rich Uncle Intro”, he dispassionately responds “Told me start a chevy/But I brought the Rolls out/Used to be homies tried to include me in his roll out/Woke up to animosity I ain’t even know ‘bout/Turned some Office reruns on then I zoned out…” The concentrated flow captures calm before preparing for takeoff on “Combination”, the subsequent track, where the underground slugger ominously references rap’s coveted fictional mafia don, Michael Corleone’s solemn decision to off his brother, Fredo. Certainly, it’s enticing to read Freddie as the antagonist into various bars and double entendres, however, this album doesn’t need such a villain. Yet it’s on “Combination” where he unlocks Spitta mode. Popping off like a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Spitta flows into crisp vintage cadence, echoing the “Airbone Aquarium” like rhyme scheme. Thus, the striped captain establishes an experience that convincingly doubles as an entry into the esteemed Pilot Talk canon.
Though Ski Beatz isn’t handling production, scoring the caper are frequent fliers. Harry Fraud, Flu, Sledgren, Kino Beats, and 808 Mafia, among others, provide stunning open sky backdrops for Curren$y to go autopilot. Aboard 8/30 is Wiz Khalifa, who, fully reclined in a lay flat seat, cooly slides into “Blog Air”, aptly named for the nostalgic digital era in which the two buddies slept on each other’s couches, paving their respective runways to successful careers. On the “Kush Klouds” remix, Curren$y has no issue bigging up Atlanta’s Killer Mike. Such deference doesn’t mean Curren$y is incapable of holding his own, rather it’s giving props where they are owed, a refreshing honest moment in hip hop. Notably on board is Houston indie hustler and Jet Life alum, LE$, and Philadelphia’s Freeway. After deplaning the party continues with Fendi P (formerly Corner Boy P) punching in and New York’s The Musalini arriving on bonus cut and player’s ball epilogue, “All Star Weekend”. Despite the features, a whimsical Spitta has tight control of flight 8/30 – emceeing the ordeal with witty skits, further framing the album into a cohesive cinematic tale.
AUDIO DOPE
While casual fans are keen to label Curren$y as stoner rap, they ultimately miss deep cut references, vivid imagery, and some game. On a rap level he can do the lifestyle lane with the best of the mainstream or underground. His intimate knowledge of rare cars’ interior details can only be evidenced by, either, obsessively perusing owner’s manuals, or owning the car. For Spitta, it’s both, as he apologizes to Rick Ross for missing his annual, by invitation only car show. Yet the “Jay Leno of the N.O.” doesn’t brake there, he’s “polo’d to the laces at the Saratoga Races” – an if you know, you know affair, evoking snapshots of serious “Lo Life”/”Lo Head” gear and high stakes betting.
Beneath the cool exterior remains messaging consistent throughout Curren$y’s catalog. Staying authentic, on code, keeping one’s eyes peeled for the potential double cross, and always, avoiding unnecessary chatter is a mission statement antithetical to mainstream values. In a climate where “bigger names” confront cultural appropriation allegations; leaked private conversations; and question marks regarding the art form’s future creativity with its provenance showing increased traces to artificial intelligence, the Jet Life mantra is refreshing. Whether the inspiration for the energy behind 8/30 emanates from the Gibbs quip, reveling in framing his first gold plaque (“The Count”), or simply, enjoying the fruits of his labor, Spitta reminds us that one can get their own without knocking the next person. In fact, it’s cool to share game and raise up your peers, with hip hop’s now elder statesman demonstrating you can both break bread and make bread, with your homies. That’s real jet business.
W$W
W$W Library 