Oxnard, California rapper, singer/songwriter, producer, drummer & actor Anderson .Paak and Suitland, Maryland rapper & singer/songwriter Cordae joining forces for a new collaborative studio LP. Both of whom have already crossed paths on the widely praised singles “R.N.P (Rich N***a Problems)”& “2 10s” as well as establishing themselves individually over the years, but have finally decided to elevate their chemistry having EMPIRE Distribution & Mass Appeal Records distribute Heavy is the Crown through both artists’ own labels Apeshit Inc. & Hi Level Productions.
“58th Floor” kicks things off with the pair trading verses back-&-forth each other over a boom bap instrumental from J. Cole like they’re having a normal phone conversation whereas “Airbender” goes for a symphonic trap vibe for 88 seconds talking about running with the best or getting left behind like the rest of the losers. “I’m On” finds the pair getting boastful over a darker FNZ beat while “A Good Day” samples “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers & “It’s Like That” by Mariah Carey for a decent lead single themed around gratitude.
Meanwhile on “You’re Mine”, we have .Paak & Cordae over a funky 9th Wonder instrumental expressing their frustration regarding a woman they met at 3 who now has a child being treated poorly while “Days Go By” begins the 2nd half looking back at when they used to watch the time flying past them as kids. “Crown” treads the chipmunk soul waters thanks to Conductor Williams so both of them can talk about being musical royalty while “Days Like This” explains why the give God the praise they do.
“Karma Tax” winds down the last leg of the album explaining that having to pay inevitable the cost of predestination while “Helpless” talks about Cordae’s mom siding with an ex after a breakup & .Paak showing up to his child’s birthday party drunk. “Godfather II” wraps up Heavy is the Head with this orchestral boom bap outro Swizz Beatz cooked up spitting hardcore verses directed at anyone who wants to step up against them in a battle.
The split reception of Heavy is the Head’s announcement was understandable considering Anderson .Paak hasn’t put out a solo effort in almost 7 years, but I think those who enjoy his crossovers with Cordae will get a lot out of this full-length some have been clamoring for. I love that they got some other notable names involved with the production outside of Cole who all play their own roles in maintaining the east/west coast artists’ 1 of a kind chemistry & taking it a step further in refusing to have any guests joining them.
Score: 4/5
Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!
