Co$$ - Before I Awoke

01 Risen (prod. J83) (4.25)
02 Spaceman (prod. Fonetik Simbol) (4)
03 Khakis and Taylors (prod. Fonetik Simbol) (4)
04 In the Wind (prod. J83) (4.25)
05 When I Feel f. Shawn Jackson (prod. J83) (4)
06 10-4 (prod. Insightful) (4)
07 What It Is? (prod. Knxwledge) (4.5)
08 Burn It Down (prod. Cook Classics) (4.75)
09 Da Meanest (prod. Exile) (4)
10 Pot Ash (prod. Exile) (5)
11 Only When I Dream f. Sene & Aloe Blacc (prod. Chief) (5)
12 Love Is (prod. Chief) (4.25)
13 Born Again f. Blu & Sene (prod. Fonetik Simbol) (4.5)
14 No Allah (prod. Erik L) (4.25)
15 Scriptures (prod. The Soul Academy) (4.25)
16 Before I Awoke (No Rest) (prod. Beatnick Dee) (4.5)
17 So Simple (prod. Tranzformer) [Bonus] (4.75)
18 Falling From Grace (prod. DJ Playa Haze) [Bonus] (4.25)
19 Star f. Shawn Jackson (prod. Fonetik Simbol) [Bonus] (4)

Rarely do you see excellent artists anymore. The so-called greats, the golden era, the classics - all those eras have passed for hip-hop, or so it seems. Sure, you've got you're modern-day classics, but few albums released today are classics, ones to live by, things that define and represent everything within a genre. Co$$ doesn't do that here on his debut album, either. Though it's his debut, don't mistake him for a rookie - he's been around on a few tracks before, released a couple mixtapes as well, and he definitely has some lyrical prowess, though he shines best on his own album versus a guest feature. One of the album's stand-outs is its style as a whole. Rarely do you get a taste of California through a hip-hop album anymore. Everything's global, to a point, and everything nowadays sounds a little less regional. Co$$ rides a perfect balance between classic California style - smooth, laid-back, sometimes jazzy beats injected with a hint of old-school G-Funk - and modern-day sounds. It's inevitably what makes it such a great listen, because while Co$$ is a great lyricist, he tends to drag on. Part of this feels due to his laid-back and effortless delivery. It would have been nice to have a couple tracks where he went all-out, though from what I've heard on his other tracks, that's clearly not his style. Would have been nice for him to change it up to add a bit of variety here, however. What impresses me most about the album is how cohesive sounds. Even with a slew of producers, it's got the same Cali feel throughout. The rhymes accompany the style perfectly. The features are few but are perfectly timed and match the subject. Definitely one to look out for in future releases and collabos.

Sample Tracks

"Khakis and Taylors"


"Pot Ash"


"Scriptures"


Beats & Production: 8.5/10

Rhymes & Lyricism: 8.5/10

Originality & Creativity: 9/10

Overall Grade: 88%

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