This is the full-length debut solo album from Detroit emcee Mr. Cliffnotes. Beginning in 2006 with his self-titled debut mixtape, he would form the duo Sidenotes with Homie B-Side shortly after and went on to drop the second tape Path to the notification followed by the Note to self EP a few years ago, the last of which I reviewed positively. In front of Path to notification 2 However, Cliff celebrates his birthday by breaking free It is duly noted.
The Foul Mouth-produced “New Jax” kicks off with a soulful sample and Cliff charting the heart of the city instead of a tryout party with now-disgraced music mogul Puff Daddy aka P. Diddy or Diddy, while “Built fa Dis” takes the boom rap. route organically thanks to Nick Speed welcoming you to his church and asking you to sing him a hymn. “Gonzo Outside” works in more samples talking about picking up chicks when he's dead and gone before the slow jam “What's It Gonna Be?” discussing without hesitation to dump the gold mine when the time comes.
Meanwhile, on “Win Man,” we have Cliff mixing elements of trap and soul, thanking the higher-ups for collecting all the Ws in his career leading up to “Dreamin' Season,” and saving the psych chops and hats for to talk about it's time to put in the effort instead of daydreaming all day. “Would Not Pay” gives off a classy boom bap vibe that tells the story of a woman who made him say all kinds of shit he wouldn't find himself saying, but then “We Don't Know You” with Fat Ray & Stretch Money bring the trio together for a nearly 3 minute Detroit trap heater.
“Pose fa da Photo” jumps over this sensitive sample pointing out that you can pop into his neck of the woods, which is why he always carries a .44 Magnum on him while “Fuck Shit” goes for a summer boom bap flare. everyone coming at him as a result of Talib Kweli needlessly chasing him to get off his dick. “Strathmoor Kid” has my favorite Detroit trap on the LP courtesy of DJ Jewels, warning you not to trip when dropping and hitting fastballs just before “Soul Proprietor” featuring Kuniva finds the pair giving you fodder for thinking. boom bap instrumental cooked by Ilajide.
Pushing towards his final moments Duly Notedthe song “Movin' Up” returns to a Detroit trap sound they don't like anymore, even if Rich Starz's self-tuned hook does absolutely nothing for me with all due respect, and “Gold Chain” ends on the boom bap note inspiration with the help of Sterling Totes telling everyone who listens to do things for hip hop culture that others out here won't even do for themselves.
Kweli going to the Cliff was further confirmation of what I said to mine Liberation 2 review for Talib and one of my top 10 producers Kanye West in the sense that they are both established veterans with insane artistic talent who make public asses regularly since the apple doesn't really fall far from the tree in the grand scheme of things except for Kanye who has a bigger platform than Kweli. It is duly noted although it has now become Cliff's best work. Production by Foul Mouth, Nick Speed, DJ Jewels & Ilajide brings a unique mix of old and new sounds to the Detroit landscape and Cliff ups his A-game lyrically.
Rating: 8/10
