Throwback Review: Phonte- Charity Starts At Home A 95%

Well 7 years after Phonte from Little Brother dropped his debut album “Charity Starts At Home” I knew with the Little Brother past, Foreign Exchange chops that this dude album was gonna be dope. But I didn’t know how central this album would be in my life until I listened to it on a consistent basis. I was going through a very tough time in my life. I was jobless seeking employment, was in a nip and tuck, cat and mouse relationship, was very depressed, alcohol at a record pace. I kept a bottle of gin under my seat and all of that shit. But this shit dropped. Also Take Care was one of those albums. But Take Care don’t have shit on this bad muthafucka right here. But without further ado let’s get into it for shits and giggles.

 
“Dance in the Reign” (featuring Sy Smith)

This is just that introduction where Phonte delivers a dope ass long verse it’s like going on stage and you portraying your thoughts out loud. Just Phonte finally introducing himself to the world as a solo artist minus 9th and Rapper Big Pooh. Although 9th contributes to a few songs. This song was a real great song. Just jewels in this song.

 

 

“The Good Fight”

This opener though Phonte uses the Chris Rock quote from Never Scared: “Look in the mirror and say fuck you, fuck your hopes, fuck your dreams, now let’s make this bitch happy.” I was literally living that shit. SMH. He was talking about working in the work force. And working for your worth is just as tough. “Everybody work at a job that they don’t like.” It’s like he is working hard for his family and he is already under-compensated. People around him think since he has a family he’s all peachy keen when it’s a real struggle. It’s really a fight.

 
“Everything Is Falling Down” (featuring Jeanne Jolly)

As soon as those keys and drums by Khrysis dropped boy. The shit gives me the feels. Although Phonte is mostly talking about MC’s on this song. I felt like the track was talking to me differently. Man I used to have so many drinking sessions to this record. “Pushing me to the brink, a stagger in my footsteps and I don’t even drink, there’s something on my mind dog and I can’t even think. It feels like Everything Is Falling Down”. That’s exactly how I felt at that time. Then “Why rage against the machine when you can just unplug it.” I felt like a machine was pushing me but it was tough to unplug. But this is easily my favorite song on this album.

 

 

 

“Not Here Anymore” (featuring Elzhi)

This another song that gives me goosebumps this was a good ass one two punch. This hook is beautiful. “Right where I thought I’d be, It’s another part of me, And the world’s so sad to see, That I’m not here anymore.” I really felt like I was not here anymore at the time. But Phonte and Elzhi murder this shit. I love the execution of the 3 verses. 9th wonder did it again.

 

 
“Eternally” (featuring Median)

This track was another 9th beat. Median and Te was snapping in this hoe. Just real ass rap every bar hits on here on this super sampled 9th Wonder production. The skit at the end is a set up for the next song. Affion Crockett does the outro. About temptation and commitment. And about wanting to fuck somebody else even when you happily in a relationship or married.

 

 
“Sendin’ My Love”

Just the story of a married or taken man trying to fight temptation of other women. Also just a man simply fighting himself and fighting off peer pressure. Some married niggas just need time alone to chill. This song kinda described my off and on relationship at the time just the tough/good/humor side. Where I was trying to get away by hollering at other women but it wasn’t going well and couldn’t shake the evils of the woman. However, Phonte on this song finds himself flirting with other girls after he gets into it with his wife. At the end of the song Phonte talks himself out of staying out the rest of the night. “Martin Luther King ain’t die for niggas to be tricking off on hoes.”

 

 

 
“Ball and Chain”

As Phonte taps into the Foreign Exchange side. This song right here boy. I tell you man I was with a woman like this. And Phonte details how this woman was his healing and his injury. “She licks my wounds and cuts me deep” them was Marvin Gaye caliber lines. It’s just the up and down inconsistencies of the relationship. You want to leave but you can’t leave. You hate this bitch but you love her to death. And this was like the whole story of the situation I was in on this song.

 

 

 
“To Be Yours”

This is the song I listened to when that person made me feel the happiest. But Phonte is pretty much wooing a woman as the producer Zo! lays down the keys as Phonte’s FE side is put on full display and it’s just him declaring to a woman that he’s gonna be hers.

 

 

 
“Gonna Be a Beautiful Night” (featuring Carlitta Durand)

Another song about the happier side of the relationship. When you got a person you can spend time with it’ll make you feel like you on top of the world. Especially if you have your shit together and the income to go with it. It’s just a song where you know it’s gonna be a great night with you and your lady. No arguments. Just jokes, flirting, and sex. Phonte and Carlitta kill this song.

 

 

 

“We Go Off” (featuring Pharoahe Monch)

This by far is the worst song on here. I was highly disappointed in not only Phonte but Pharoahe Monch. It was not anything spectacular. It isn’t necessarily a mediocre song but it isn’t either’s best work verse wise. This hook is just hot garbage. I always skipped this song. Honestly it could have been taken off this project.

 

 

 
“The Life of Kings” (featuring Evidence and Big K.R.I.T.)

Now this shit is what Te and Pharoahe was supposed to do. The original rapper to have his moms rap his verse in a video. Phonte, K.R.I.T. and Evidence body this shit. And yes once again 9th murdered this beat. This is pretty much some hip hop shit right here.

 

 

 
“Who Loves You More” (featuring Eric Roberson)

This shit is okay. Another song that doesn’t match the rest of the greatness of this album but definitely the 2nd worst song on here. But it’s just about his life and how men deal with complicated shit. And life is more than hustling, bitches and money. But I usually skip this track as well.

 

 

I felt like doing this review cause it’s one of the most underrated albums of all time. Also, one of my favorites of all-time. Due to the fact that this album spoke to me in many ways. To me, this album was about relationships, growing up, temptation and beating dark periods of your life. I related to the bars, the stories and the quotables. If you thought “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ ” had quotables, this one had just as many of them. So check this album out for your nigga I’m out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Cole- K.O.D. A 95%

Another day, another dollar, another dream. J. Cole is the epitome of top 2 rapper in the game he can be #1 to most or Kendrick can be #1 to most. I agree with either position. However, we have been waiting since November 2016 for some new Cole shit. Ever since “4 Your Eyez Only” which I called the closest thing to a current “Illmatic” besides Elzhi’s version of Illmatic, “Elmatic“. I’ve seen a lot of people took it the wrong way. But whatever, J. Cole focuses around a wide range of topics from popularity, drug addiction, money, and depression. K.O.D. as Cole said it was many acronyms: Kids on Drugs, King Overdose, and Kill Our Demons. After listening to this multiple times I kind of get it which I will explain later. Without further ado let’s do this shit.

 
“Intro”

This is some smooth ass shit. Sounds like it belongs in a Spike Lee joint. Sounds like the commercial for the K.O.D. album before you unwrap this bitch from the plastic or download it from ITunes. It’s an infomercial on how you choose to cope with life and pain.

 

 

 

“K.O.D.”

This is Cole basically in braggadocio mode. “How come you get a few features, how bout I don’t”, “Niggas ain’t worthy to be on my shit”. In my opinion Cole’s confidence is what keeps him gripping the top of the game and being able to sit on the same throne as Kendrick. He fully embraces his black side of his bi-racial identity. Unlike the likes of Logic who is a dope rapper, but lacking the same confidence of a Kendrick who addressed his own battle with self-doubt on “To Pimp A Butterfly” and it’s hard to take Logic seriously when he has yet to find his identity as an artist. However, Cole coasts through this semi-trap banger proudly and confidently and solidifies himself as one of the best MC’s in the game with this opener.

 

 

 

“Photograph”

This has a vibe to it. Like a late ass 90’s vibe. But Cole is talking about a woman who is a rare gem with quality, structure and values. He wonders if he measures up to the other niggas who come up to holla at her and we all go through this shit. When we follow a dimepiece on Insta, Snapchat, Tinder, Twitter, etc. You see photos of a bad one and wonder if you got a shot with that person if you talk. Cole realizes he has no game and the other niggas talk a good ass game but he feels he could miss after sliding into DM’s. This is like the anti of Yo Gotti’s “Down In The DM’s” but he still can’t stop staring at this girl’s photos.

 
“The Cut Off” (featuring Kill Edward)

The question about this is who the fuck is Kill Edward? It seems like it’s Cole’s voice altered and probably serves as the demon on the album who pushes these influences onto you is my guess. I mean Eminem has Slim Shady, Logic has Young Sinatra, Jay-Z has Jigga and Hova. So I guess it’s cool. Cutting off people is a bitch but it’s very necessary it seems like Cole finally pulled the girl from the “Photograph” and Cole just simply feels like he’s being used not only by her but a lot of his acquaintances. So he uses drugs, alcohol, and pills to cope with the problems.

 
“ATM”

I already know what this is about. This is about money addiction. A lot of rappers just rap about how much money they have when they in a 360 deal getting jerked. Now my question is: Is he making fun of the newer artists whose subject matter is limited or is he talking about the effects of money addiction? Now I’m going to say both.

 

 

 

“Motiv8”

This a dope ass title by the way. Cole changes his voice. Nigga this is funny as fuck. Now he is DEFINITELY making fun of the drug user rappers on here. I mean you know who they are. I think “ATM” was the prequel. Cole makes it look like he’s on molly, xannies, perks, and syrup. Sounds like in the bridge is where this theory is most evident on how retarded these niggas sound that do that type of music that is.

 

 

 

“Kevin’s Heart”

Another title is funny as hell. Kevin Hart the comedian and actor was caught cheating on multiple occasions throughout his career on his current wife and former wife. However, the pressures of fame is a bitch any millionaire got at least 2 or 3 women he entertains or gets pussy thrown at them by the pound so he’s not necessarily wrong for doing these things. Peer pressure and temptation is a muthafucka. However, J. Cole is dealing with temptation of trying to remain faithful to his woman, while other bitches continuously call him. My line on here is “If I take this cookie one day, I will do the time”, great double entendre. Cause if he hits that ass he’s gonna be in a mental jail. And Cookie on Empire did time in jail. For slow people. But anyway my favorite beat on the album and favorite song.

 

 

 

“Brackets”

A lot of rappers used Richard Pryor in their intros but the Pryor introduction is fitting because Pryor is bragging to his father that he making big money and his father doesn’t believe him stating “Joe Louis ain’t made that much money” hilarious. Cole talks about the impact of making money and the impact that it has on him, his friends, his family, etc. The music on here is very much of a real hip hop back drop.

 
“Once an Addict (Interlude)”

The first thing I thought of was Kendrick Lamar’s “Kush And Corinthians” the story isn’t similar but the tone of the song is reminiscent to that record. Cole tells a story about his Mom and how drugs and alcohol affected her. It took a toll on J. Cole and as a young man when he seen his mom zoned out on that shit and on the drank with Al Green and Marvin Gaye playing he wanted to run away and couldn’t wait to move on to college just to let the problem go away. But he realized even when he was college his mom blew up his phone high and drunk and it hurt him and he wishes he could have done more at that time, but he was focused on making something more of himself. Also serves as an introduction to a transition part of the album where drug addiction become a central character in K.O.D.

 
“Friends” (featuring Kill Edward)

J. Cole brings back the Kill Edward alter ego just as Kendrick Lamar in “To Pimp A Butterfly” did with Lucifer (named Lucy) and it seems like the evils of Lucy may have gotten to his mom but it also got to some people that J. Cole grew up and looked up to. And he takes a look to try to find where the world went wrong. Where does the blame go? “Politicians, drug commercials, influences, trap music, the fact that black people only view rapping or playing ball as the gateway to success, and a way out of the hood?” My favorite line is “Every nigga wanna be Pippen, but they only got 12 slots on the Pistons”. Cole tells them that even the feats of playing ball it’s millions who tryout for the team it’s only 12 dudes that can make it to be on the roster. A lot of children have to grow up fast especially growing up in poverty. If you looked at the show “The Chi” on Showtime perfectly describes this song.

 
“Window Pain” (Outro)

This record is fucking great. The rapping on here is flawless and superb. You can feel every emotion with every line and feel the “Window Pain” that Cole endures on this song. But this feels like a victory lap of the album. I love this beat one of the better ones of 2018. He stares at the rain and contemplates on moments in his life. He also talks about how these rappers gang gang gang and they were never initiated in and be as reckless as can be on alcohol and pills. Another thing I caught was the Tre Styles theory: “Ricky was murdered in front of Tre and as a young man with no maturity yet his first thought was revenge. His father tried to intervene but it was too late. Tre hopped in the car with Doughboy. It didn’t hit him until he was already in the car. But he had a moment of clarity and left and realized revenge wasn’t the answer”. Cole talks to the kid in the introduction at the end of the song asking him “Why can’t the world be full of nice things.” The kid responded maturely with “God is giving people a warning and teaching lessons and God is coming back to re-do the world and make changes.” In a nutshell, life ain’t always gonna be a crystal stair and it will be a painful ride but you’ll experience joy as well as pain.

 

 

 

“1985”

This song at the J. Cole listening party was hyped up as the best song and boy were they right. This seems like a response to Lil Pump’s “Fuck J. Cole” song. Where Lil Pump had a short 16 and a 3 minute ass hook like saying “Fuck J. Cole”. J. Cole put his bars to work and probably ended the “Gucci Gang” rapper’s career. However, Lil Pump still got that bread and Cole the mature MC that he is pulls this Lil dread headed faggot to the side and gives the little bitch the work:

 

 

“I heard one of em’ diss me, I’m suprised
I ain’t trippin’, listen good to my reply
Come here lil’ man, let me talk with ya’
See if I can paint for you the larger picture
Congrats ’cause you made it out your mama’s house
I hope you make enough to buy your mom a house
I see your watch icy and your whip foreign
I got some good advice, never quit tourin’
‘Cause that’s the way we eat here in this rap game
I’m fuckin’ with your funky lil’ rap name
I hear your music and I know that rap’s changed
A bunch of folks would say that that’s a bad thing
‘Cause everything’s commercial and it’s pop now
Trap drums is the shit that’s hot now
See, I’ve been on a quest for the next wave
But never mind, that was just a segue
I must say, by your songs I’m unimpressed, hey
But I love to see a Black man get paid
And plus, you havin’ fun and I respect that
But have you ever thought about your impact?
These white kids love that you don’t give a fuck
‘Cause that’s exactly what’s expected when your skin black
They wanna see you dab, they wanna see you pop a pill
They wanna see you tatted from your face to your heels
And somewhere deep down, fuck it, I gotta keep it real
They wanna be black and think your song is how it feels
So when you turn up, you see them turnin’ up too
You hit the next city, collect your money when it’s due
You gettin’ that paper, swimmin’ in bitches, I don’t blame you
You ain’t thinkin’ ’bout the people that’s lookin’ like me and you
True, you got better shit to do
You coulda bought a crib with all that bread that you done blew
I know you think this type of revenue is never endin’
But I wanna take a minute just to tell you that ain’t true
One day, them kids that’s listening gon’ grow up
And get too old for that shit that made you blow up
Now your show’s lookin’ light cause they don’t show up
Which unfortunately means the money slow up
Now you scramblin’ and hopin’ to get hot again
But you forgot you only popped ’cause you was ridin’ trends
Now you old news and you goin’ through regrets
‘Cause you never bought that house, but you got a Benz
And a bunch of jewels and a bunch of shoes
And a bunch of fake friends, I ain’t judgin’ you
I’m just tellin’ you what’s probably gon’ happen when you rappin’
‘Bout the type of shit you rappin’ ’bout
It’s a faster route to the bottom
I wish you good luck
I’m hoping for your sake that you ain’t dumb as you look
But if it’s really true what people sayin’
And you call yourself playin’ with my name
Then I really know you fucked, trust
I’ll be around forever ’cause my skills is tip-top
To any amateur niggas that wanna get rocked
Just remember what I told you when your shit flop
In five years you gon’ be on Love & Hip-Hop, nigga”

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Nigga said he gon be on Love and Hip Hop in 5 years. That’s a bet.

 

 

Overall, when you have a project with many meanings you got to break it down. And the 3 titles J. Cole has used it looks like it’s a 3 part series and this is the soundtrack. Kids On Drugs contain: KOD, ATM, Motiv8, and 1985. King Overdose contains: Photograph, The Cut Off, , Kevin’s Heart, Brackets and climax at Once An Addict. Kill Our Demons contain Window Pain and Friends.

 

Cole said himself: “If I turn on the TV right now, it’s not going to be long before an advertisement pops up that says ‘are you feeling down? Have you been having lonely thoughts?’ And then they shove a pill in your face” the voice says of the Kids on Drugs title. The second meaning, King Overdose is representing me… the times that I was — and am —afflicted by the same methods of escape, whether it be alcohol, phone addiction, women… Lastly, Kill Our Demons represents breaking free of past trauma. That’s the end goal, to face our shit, realize we have some shit going on inside—everybody, I realized everybody family is fucked up because nobody is fucking perfect. Whether you want to or not, you’re going to fuck up your kids in some type of way, because you got fucked up in some type of way.. the plan is to fuck your kids up the least amount possible. The first response to any problem is medicate. Kill Our Demons is like, finding that shit, whether it be from traumatic childhood experiences, whether it be from a lack of attention, confidence issues, insecurities—whatever it is, we gotta be honest with ourselves. Look in the mirror or look inside and ask ourselves questions, like what’s causing me to run to this thing as an escape? And once I find the root of that, let me look it in its face an see what it really is.”

 

 

I interpret it as J. Cole observing what is currently going on in hip hop. Drugs, Alcohol, Money, Bitches, and Hoes have always been a part of hip hop and will stay being a part of hip hop. But there was also socially conscious commentary brought on by the likes of Public Enemy, KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, and even Kanye West in the early part of his career, to balance it out. However in the early days it was cool to be the drug dealer. Now the cool thing is to be the drug user. As it’s been the theme of the more popular music done by: Lil Pump, Young Thug, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, Tekashi 6ix9 and other MC’s. Cole realizes that a lot of kids especially young kids growing up in poverty hold on to the narrative that ball and rap is the only way out of the hood. Or selling enough drugs or running off the plug. Cole also mocks the drug user rappers and holds a mirror to their grill and is like, “This is your brain on drugs.” However as Cole quoted some of his life story is incorporated into it. Stories of his vices and addictions as well as his mom’s plight of fighting and surviving drug and alcohol addiction. This is J. Cole’s version of Section .80 as he takes a look at life in 2018 as being arguably the best rapper and the game and his interpretation of his life and how it intertwines into the current climate of hip hop and those still living in poverty with whom he interacts with on a regular basis.

 

Cardi B- Invasion Of Privacy B+ 88%

I know, I know I ain’t did a review in months chill the fuck out my guy or my boo I told you niggas I’d be back to deliver the goods. But I announced I was gonna fucking do a hot new review. But I had to give this lady a proper introduction. Back in 2014-2015 ish this girl named Cardi B was dropping the funniest Instagram shit ever during this time. Then also, on Love and Hip Hop season premiere she was talking about being a rapper. While DJ Self passed on Cardi for Mariah Lynn god awful rapping ass. It was the biggest fail in a minute. I knew it when she started spitting over that boom bap beat that this chick was already dripping of potential. Fast forward to Gangsta Bitch Vol. 1 where she hit and missed on a lot of songs I wasn’t convinced quite yet. But when Gangsta Bitch Vol. 2 came out I was like she ready and in the summer of 2017 she fucked the summer up with “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” her tribute to Kodak Black which he receives writing credit for and money for. And then came the fame, the grammy nods and the Migos. Once Cardi and Offset teamed up they both got better as overall rappers. Now she unleashes a spicy debut “Invasion of Privacy” I skimmed the shit last night and I just got done listening and now I’m ready to give you guys the review.

 
“Get Up 10”

This definitely gives me “Dreams And Nightmares” from a female perspective in a very New York way Cardi talks about her rise from the strip club, to Instagram, to the top of the rap game. Of course every debut gives a rags to riches story. However, Cardi gives her real point of view compared to other rappers who lie.

 
“Drip” (featuring Migos)

Drip is like one of them songs any rapper would love to drop a 16 to it just sounded like so much fucking fun. Like this is just another song you play at the turn up drunk as hell. Takeoff murdered this shit my nigga. One of the rare occasions where I say that. And yes, one of the rare times all 3 Migos shine with dope ass verses. Which is a weird feeling. Cardi is becoming the 4th Migo as we speak they seem like from their interviews a very tight knit bunch.

 
“Bickenhead”

Oh yeah somebody brought back my childhood with this one. Nothing beats the original Project Pat “Chickenhead” but Cardi does what most (not all) female rappers do which is either talking about they pussy or telling another bitch to don’t stop pop that pussy. But this is still a good record.

 
“Bodak Yellow”

I don’t even have to talk about how iconic this record is, B. Grammy nominated, highly celebrated. If you don’t know this song or even if your grandma don’t know it. They are hidden in a dungeon my guy.

 
“Be Careful”

This is reminiscent of one of those 2000’s Kim records you know that she was probably subbing Frank White on. Cardi shows that she’s more than a turn up stripper but a real human being which a lot of artists neglect. But yeah typical Latina attitude during a break up or getting caught cheating feeling ya know?

 
“Best Life” (featuring Chance the Rapper)

This my favorite song on this album my guy. I was shocked but then again both of these niggas were Grammy nominated and both of them have donated to charities and express a wokeness vibe. But the song Wyclef coulda been dope on the hook. Chance and Cardi tussle on here and make a really great song this should be a single in my opinion.

 

 

“I Like It” (with Bad Bunny and J Balvin)

I love the sample they use. One of the better songs of the century I should say but anyway Cardi brings out the Latina side heavy and represents the Bronx to the fullest on here. Meanwhile Bad Bunny and J Balvin two Latino acts that are superstars bring Migos like deliveries on here to try to fit the starting point of Cardi. Solid.

 

 

“Ring” (featuring Kehlani)

Cardi x Kehlani are a match made in heaven. Always said Kehlani makes that thot uplifting music and shit. And Cardi being in the lane she’s in the al a Lil Kim/Foxy Brown lane. It was perfect. This song is dope and Kehlani 9 times out of 10 will deliver a dope hook and verse. Just another one of those you don’t call me no mo songs.

 
“Money Bag”

It wouldn’t shock me if this was a single either. This is catchy as hell and the beat is bananas nearly blew my speakers on my way to work banging this song. Not the dopest record on here but it ain’t wack sauce.

 

“Bartier Cardi” (featuring 21 Savage)

I remember listening to this for the first time and it was hot. And even 21 Savage displays an improvement from pure grotesque to in between mediocre and average as he delivers a dope verse for his caliber MC. Now Cardi flaunts her relationship with Offset and demands that she deserves to reign in this hip hop game.

 
“She Bad” (with YG)

Does Mustard ever stop delivering dope beats I guess not. Cardi and YG with their blood ties combine for a great strip club anthem. I wouldn’t be surprised if AOS is gearing up right now to drop this record. And don’t let it be a video to this oh my god!

 
“Thru Your Phone”

Although this the weakest song on the album. This is also the funniest song on the album. Cardi B goes full Left Eye on here and goes through her nigga phone and puts the side hoe pics up on Instagram and embarrasses her. I would love to see a Waiting To Exhale style video for this. See her busting in the office looking for Offset ass like “I hate you!”.

 

“I Do” (featuring SZA)

All them damn SZA fans gonna be excited as hell for this one. Don’t stone me but this wasn’t as what it’s cracked up to be but still a decent song nonetheless. And it’s good to see SZA having fun instead of talking about broken clocks, self doubt, and how she trades with a nigga every weekend. But a poor choice for a closer.

 

Overall, this is a boom to be reckoned with for a debut. I didn’t expect this kind of versatility from Cardi but from her personality this matches what she is truly capable of. Now is this a classic album. Hell to the naw! Is this a dope ass album hell yeah. Cardi came into the game at the perfect time and now firmly can sit on the throne while Nicki stumbles for a comeback. Honestly it’s best that Nicki joins Cardi than try to beat her you saw what happened when she decided to go at Remy. However, whether Nicki was on top or not it wasn’t gonna stop the people’s champ Cardi from coming and making a lane for the Lil Kim type rappers.