This is one of the better mixtapes Curren$y has released. Coming into this project I was interested in seeing if Curren$y could rap over Alan's grimy production, seeing as Spitta's last two albums consisted of jazzy Ski Beatz beats. Needless to say, Spitta hasn't lost a step. From the transition from Smokee Robinson to Pilot Talk to Pilot Talk 2 to Return To The Winner's Circle to Covert Coup, we've seen Curren$y evolve greatly as a lyricist. Lyrically, Covert Coup Curren$y is the most lyrical Curren$y I've heard - his delivery is more menacing, he's varying his flows, and his rapping as a whole as improved a great deal. Though he gets outdone by a much more seasoned lyricist in Freddie Gibbs on Scottie Pippens, Curren$y is still holding his own on tracks by himself as seen on Ventilation and Smoke Break. Though Curren$y himself doesn't make this project great, Alan The Alchemist provides some solid production throughout and is another great name on the list of outstanding producers on Curren$y's project. Although Covert Coup is only a little over 30 minutes - every minute is worthwhile. The only complaint one can make is that it's too short, which in essence isn't a bad thing. When the music is this good, it's natural to yearn for more. Jets foo. BBS: 4.5/5 The Type (feat Prodigy from Mobb Deep): 5/5 Blood Sweat And Gears: 4.25/5 Life Instructions (feat Smoke DZA): 4.75/5 Smoke Break: 3.5/5 Scottie Pippen (feat Freddie Gibbs): 4.25/5 Ventilation: 3.75/5 Double 07: 4/5 Success Is My Cologne: 4/5 Full Metal: 4.5/5 4.25/5 – ★★★★: Excellent; recommended to all fans of artist or genre.
Editor’s Note: this album was updated with a 2nd Opinion Review later in 2011. Read the 2nd Opinion review of Covert Coup here!
Rating Categories:
★★★★★: Best in show; pinnacle release from an all-time great artist.
★★★★1/2: Stellar example of genre; peak potential.
★★★★: Excellent; recommended to all fans of artist or genre.
★★★1/2: Very good; a few bland songs or minor flaws throughout.
★★★: Good; fans of the artist will find value here.
★★1/2: Average; does little to establish the artist or maintain quality.
★★: Unexceptional; a few highlights but otherwise bland.
★1/2: Weak; unrecommended for anyone but major fans of the style and/or artist.
★: Seriously flawed; very poor work but relatively listenable.
1/2: Terrible; a true embarrassment and akin to audio masochism.