Last Tuesday, the world jumped after months of delay and anticipation for the release J. Cole’s big debut; meanwhile, fellow Carolina native Phonte released what’s quickly become one of my favorite albums this year. Charity Starts At Home is the first solo album from Phonte after the split of Little Brother, and succeeds in proving that he’s one of the more underrated lyricists out there. He’s always had a knack for providing the unique perspective of an extremely talented artist that lacks certain rapper qualities (swag/female admiration/whatever) that guarantee commercial success. Most hip-hop artists today have an infatuation with going on about their rags-to-riches aspirations. Not to say I don’t enjoy hearing this style of rap that can motivate the laziest, but it’s refreshing to hear a point of view that’s realistic without reflecting any bitterness or hate. This goes further on other topics like critics (He said ‘Te I worry about you and the rap game/I said mofucka get a real problem;This rap shit is not the life I live/It’s a tool that I use that’s it). The only complaints from me are the love joints (“To Be Yours” & “Ball and Chain”) that slow the pace in the middle of the album but he’s just showcasing his expression I s’pose. Luckily, the rest is filled with raw bars and an effortless flow; Phonte should no longer be overlooked — this album is worth every cent of the $10. Cop it here.

$5 gas and poverty rates
Are rising much higher than your hourly rates
So if you thinking about quitting you should probably wait
Cause everybody gotta do a fuckin job that they hate
Go on live out your dreams that’s what they tellin’
Fam in my ear and they yellin’
Keep it real ‘Te and don’t ever sell out
Well how the fuck you sell out when ain’t nobody sellin
Tired of playin’ with yall
I wanna fight the good fight but it ain’t payin me dog

Check the lyrics here.

Tracklist

01. Dance in the Reign +++
02. The Good Fight
03. Everything Is Falling Down
04. Not Here Anymore
05. Eternally
06. Sendin My Love
07. Ball and Chain
08. To Be Yours
09. Gonna Be A Beautiful Night
10. We Go Off
11. The Life of Kings +++
12. Who Loves You More

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+jangbar

New drop off of 9th Wonder‘s upcoming album, The Wonder Years, which will feature Murs, Kendrick Lamar, Fashawn, Talib Kweli, Blu, Erykah Badu, Mac Miller, and more all going in on his quality production. Look out for that 9/27. These two tracks feature Phonte, who I still think is one of the more underrated lyricists out there right now. He and 9th work so well together, glad their beef is behind them. Phonte’s album Charity Starts At Home is also out 9/27.

Me and 9th Wonder two of God’s instruments, and when we get together you can call it band practice

9th Wonder ft. Phonte & DJ Flash – Band Practice Pt. I
9th Wonder ft. Phonte & Median – Band Practice Pt. II

BONUS

9th’s contribution to the Mortal Kombat 9 soundtrack that was released earlier this year:
9th Wonder – Raiden’s Theme++

Any Little Brother fans out there? Hearing Phonte and 9th Wonder on a track again is pretty dope. This is the first track released off of Phonte’s upcoming solo album, Charity Starts At Home and features Elzhi. Don’t sleep on this, I got a really good feeling about this album, which drops 9/27.

“Amazon flame/Watch 9th Re-Kindle it/Cause iPad verses with the wisdom of my innocence”

Phonte – Not Here Anymore ft. Elzhi (Prod. By 9th Wonder)