CunninLynguists - Strange Journey Volume One

Hip Hop Album Checklist:

   1.  Rep your city/region/state (check)

   2.  Include skits (check)

   3.  Reference a love for drinking and/or marijuana (check)

   4.  Song(s) about how much you love women (booties, boobs, etc) (check)

   5.  Song(s) about how much you love women (soul, mind, yada yada) (check)

Southern hip hop.  A term which has evolved over the years thanks in part to an influx of artists sharing their talents.  Initially, it was a lot of booty shaking, bass-heavy music ala groups such as 2 Live Crew.  Then it evolved into a more soul-embracing sound with positive lyrics about southern living with Arrested Development.  Then a little group called OutKast came and reinvented the term and launched it into national recognition along with the East and West coasts.  Today, the south is mass producing music with artists such as T.I. (great lyricist, commercial lap dog) and those who think they are the "greatest rapper alive" who are, in reality, not.  (Lil' Wayne, just because you are proficient doesn't mean you are great)  In addition, the South has also taken part in the underground hip hop scene.  Case in point:  CunninLynguists.

CunninLynguists are a southern hip hop group who have been making records since the beginning of this decade.  Earlier albums were all over the place, fairly unpolished, and playful.  Now, nearly ten years in "the game" they have found their niche sound and style.  And that, of course, is embracing their southern roots and drenching their songs in that vibe.

Strange Journey Volume One is the first of two releases the group plans on releasing in 2009.  Unlike their previous effort (2007's excellent Dirty Acres) Kno, Natti, and Deacon the Villain have taken a minor step back.  The album begins with an intro (of course) and moves into the first track "Nothing But Strangeness."   The track is a great one.  The production is tops, the lyrics are witty and funny, and has a definite nod-your-head feeling.  And you are introduced to a great rapper in Deacon the Villain (who sounds like Khujo of Goodie Mob (Soul Food is and will ever be a classic)).

As the album progresses you get locked into a similar formula production-wise.  Kno has definitely got the "southern sound" down but it would be nice if he would change is up here and there.  The album moves at the same tempo throughout (slow and lazy and I mean that in a positive way) with vocal samples used as hooks.  Along the way the group also knocks out the essentials of the hip hop album as listed above.  "KKKY" and "Georgia" rep.  Skits are included.  You get your song about weed (which is actually one of the album's best cuts in "Never Come Down").  And your songs about the ladies (the dismissable "Hypnotized" and "Die For You").  Also along the way you encounter guest appearances from Slug (Atmosphere) and Mac Lethal of the "underground" scene as well as the aforementioned Khujo.  Also joining the party are fellow Kentuckians Nappy Roots (remember them, right?) who stop by for a callabo.  

As you listen keep in mind that this is southern rap.  We southerners like stuff easy going and playful.  We don't get too uptight with too much drama.  And we like our bass consistent and thumping.  Although this album does not come highly recommended, it is worth checking out because CunninLynguists are a group that deems the attention.  

3.4/5