What’s Good everyone it’s Ryan and we back at it this time with a review of the new project from LNDN DRGS (MC Jay Worthy & Producer Sean House) & Curren$y titled Umbrella Symphony. The project consists of seven records with one feature from New Orleans own T.Y..
The project starts off with “Tears In The Rain” a instrumental track about a minute long, which is very mellow with some trippy dialogue from 1982 film “Blade Runner.” After the dialogue, the instrumental becomes very smooth and relaxing, which then leads into to track two – “Ghetto Gospel.” The second records touches on life in Los Angeles, which Jay Worthy always does an amazing job of representing. Worthy does his thing on the first verse and then the sample kicks in. After that, Curren$y comes in and does what he does best rap. Curren$y inspires me every verse I hear from him. He spits bars about his lifestyle and always describes it very vividly. He doesn’t just rap about cars and money, he breaks down what he does with the cars and money. He’s really about the lowrider life if ya ain’t know.
Track three is titled “Payback.” On this record they sample one of my favorite records of all time “Payback Is A Dog” by The Stylistics. I enjoy how Curren$y started the first verse he hit many topics and you can hear the realness in his voice on this verse. He generally sounds happy. He flows so smoothly over this beat. About the 1:42 minute mark Jay Worthy comes in speaks some real game over this beat. Jay Worthy and Curren$y are great MC’s because it feels like they can just keep rapping. I don’t mean just rap to rap, I mean like they could keep going and maintain. Lots of these dudes rap long, but don’t make sense. MC”s need to make sense or at least they use to have to. This is my second favorite record on the project. I love the way how the sample plays out at the end.
Track number four is titled Umbrella Symphony. The song starts with a sample from Boyz N The Hood. Then, I believe it switches up to pay homage to Jakki O’s “Ooo…Aaah.” If I’m wrong, then they got me! I really can’t figure this one out. So, I’m not sure. Jay Worthy hits the first verse and shows respect to the streets of Oakland and Vallejo and takes it back down south to here in Los Angeles later in the verse! Curren$y does thing rapping how Jet Life is serious lifestyle and serious business! The record ends with another Boyz N The Hood sample. Very well put together song.
Track five is my favorite on the album and it is titled “Anita” featuring New Orleans OG BG’s Son T.Y.. Jay Worthy gets straight to the point, you can hear the hunger and authenticity in his voice on this track. If you listen closely you hear Worthy ride each bar and just kill every damn part of the beat. I love how the record pays homage to Anita Baker. Curren$y comes in gets to the point, spitting bars about his flows and how he understands the game. From 2:14 minute mark to 2:29 the beat rides out and T.Y. comes in and tales of the streets of New Orleans. His flow is smooth and he was a good choice for the record.
Number six is titled “Sake” and the beat starts our like your in the 80s at a Malibu beach club. Jay Worthy comes in a little more aggressive as usual, but the way the beat goes it fits perfectly. Curren$y comes in around 1 minute flows a littler faster than usual, but he warned us many times on this project he comes with the flows. This beat is crazy and the storytelling is crazy. Just listen to this one. Track seven is and extended version of “Payback.” The track includes an additional verse from Jay Worthy!
Overall, this is an amazing project for anyone who loves Hip Hop, who has soul and samples. Jay Worthy has stated in one interview, he was inspired to start LNDN DRGS because of Art Laboe. Art is a famous DJ here in Los Angeles, who hosts the The Art Laboe Connection on KDAY. Both of these MC’s come from different backgrounds so it’s wild to see them flow so naturally and everything come together. Curren$y is a crazy MC and can spit for days. Jay Worthy paints very real pictures of Los Angeles life and understands music very well. I feel every project he does is a crazy work of art. From the artwork and to just the beats, raps and everything behind it. Hopefully, everyone involved in this project links up again for number 2. This would be a 10 out of 10 for me. I don’t really do reviews or write much but I gotta put on for real life raps.
