Audio By Carbonatix
Kinda Like A Big Deal (Explici…
Clipse made their name back in 2002 with the incredibly catchy, insanely subdued “Grindin,’” a song that proved just how much inventive and smart rhyming can carry a rap/hip hop song without overblown and bloated production and some sampled, super-catchy beat (although one could argue the beat in “Grindin'” is rather catchy). That song was all about simplicity and technical rhyming/flowing skills; it was the beautiful marriage between Clipse and producers The Neptunes.
Here we are, seven years later and that partnership is still as strong as ever, and this time around, The Neptunes have taken things over, coming forth with some of their slickest production to date. It all started for Casket with the single “I’m Good,” featuring The Neptunes’ Pharrell on guest vocals. It’s as boastful as any previous Clipse song, yet the difference from Hell Hath No Fury is the decidedly more fuller and radio-friendly beat. Where Hell came from a different place — one dictated by problems with Clipse’s record label — Casket is more of a celebration for the duo, one that showcases Pusha T and Malice’s polished rhyming style.
The duo also benefits from their association with fellow Virginia Beach musicians The Neptunes, who produce 8 out of the 13 tracks on Casket. The album breezes through its early tracks — including the proven singles “Kind of Like a Big Deal” and “I’m Good,” as well as the Hell-esque “Popular Demand (Popeyes),” featuring embattled rapper Cam’ron, of “Hey Ma” fame. Things get a little sluggish with “There Was a Murder” and “Door Man,” and even though some of the lyrics are catchy, the beats don’t quite match the intensity of the album — one that has been ratcheted up thanks to The Neptunes. No where on the album is this more evident than on the radio-friendly, super-slick “All Eyes on Me.” Kerri Hilson singing the hook certainly helps things along, but as Jay-Z and Kanye have proved before, there isn’t a damn thing wrong with bringing such talent on your record.
“Counseling” helps keep the momentum going through the end of the album — showing that Clipse can find success in the rap game without such a dark, negative feel to their album. While Casket may not find as much critical success as their predecessor Hell, it is a remarkable follow-up in its own right. We want to see progression from our musicians — not the same album over and over again — and Til The Casket Drops proves just how Clipse can mature and evolve their sound.
Til The Casket Drops is out now on Re-Up/Columbia Records.
Til The Casket Drops – Clipse
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