I had a lot more fun with this short project than I was expecting. How from the album title to the track names to the story itself was all coming back to that one main theme of ‘The Infamous’ by Mobb Deep I thought was really creative.
That’s the thing, people assume that to make a creative record you have to be on your ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ shit go mad complex or strain your brain in the process! But nah.
Something as simple yet relatable as this can do the trick, I mean remember this is only 4 minutes long! (How much can you expect to accomplish in that time frame!) and yet Ceverely is attempting to not only pull off the impossible but make it something original AND worthwhile for a repeat and in my opinion that’s quite the tough ask!
So, two tracks produced by Tajh Malik (just the same as his other 5-track spoken word project) and on this one both tracks centre around one specific story. Long story short about a time where he was caught being ‘Shook’ because he was approached by 10 thugs who were essentially catcalling his girl and he chose to leave instead of fight and she accused him of being ‘shook’ and then on the second track the same narrative rolls over the same story continues with him even receiving a call being clowned about the situation and he gets so fed up at the allegations that he leaves and sticks her with the bill!
Now, this is an interesting example. For me personally I don’t have a fighting bone in any of my body (as much as I hate that’s the case) my body chooses the FLIGHT response each and every time and that’s for the idea of fighting ONE guy!
But 10 on 1? It’s always funny to me how cats who AREN’T THE ONE BEING TARGETED always assume you can be on some Bruce Lee, John Wick type shit in these situations and the girl having the nerve ‘oh you a shook one?’ In the words of Dr Dre BITCH PLEASE there was a whole basketball game worth of people on that street court today and ain’t no one talking ball!
It just intrigues me on so many levels the mindset behind releasing a project of this nature. Four minutes to tell one short story and let the listener form their own opinion on the matter. I’m sure there were some tough guys listening thinking they could handle the situation and some (I’d assume the majority) like me who realised the truth.
None the less it’s a compelling story with yet more examples of Ceverely’s gift of gab (and I ain’t talking Blackalicious) where he can turn a quick 240 seconds into this!
As far as the production is concerned, both tracks feel like relaxing street jazz you’d hear walking through the city past dark around certain clubs and bars. That smooth inviting jazz (not the cliché hood movie where the jazz signals the drive-bys!)
It feels fluent! Each note from the horns to the rhythmic drums and light keys on both give the opening track a nice wholesome feel!
The second track takes a turn for a more traditional hip hop influence with the combination of glistening keys, synth-style wailing chords and mesmerising drum beats! A rather minimal yet surreal instrumental that suits the environment of the story!
Once again Tajh showcases not only his quality control but his versatility on the beat station! Impressing me all over again!
Short, sweet yet original. This will take you less time to listen to this opening up a fucking Snickers bar. You have no excuse not to give this a try! I’ll be linking it below and you can tell me what you think of the situation!
https://open.spotify.com/album/1YG4twX7VdcbHEGTLSaei8?si=8v6ckPvYTCOXN0F2ncJYMw
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 