The Scene

Statik Selektah has steady been pulling, mainly underground rappers from the East Coast together on six previous albums and Lucky 7 is the seventh of its kind. It is also apparently the last which is a bummer because I jumped on the wagon a bit late after I thoroughly enjoyed 'What Goes Around' and was eagerly anticipating Lucky 7.

The concept here is basically Selektah offering some some classic hip hop production for some of the best wordsmiths to do their thing. To still look at what Selektah does as putting underground rappers on, doesn't really give him nor the rappers the credit they deserve. Just because you hear none of these rappers on the radio, doesn't mean they aren't good and that's why the concept is so great because Selektah efficient opens your mind and ears up to a bunch of rappers that you may not have known previously.

The Songs

Intro ft. Hannibal Buress - One of the best comedians in the game dropping an intro like no other
Another Level ft. Rapsody - Bow down to the best female MC right now.
Beautiful Life ft. Action Bronson & Joey Badass - Upbeat funk
Hood Boogers ft. Your Old Droog & Chauncey Sherod - Peep the hidden track, so funny.
The Locker Room ft. Dave East - Motivation music, get up and get it.
In The Wind ft. Joey Badass, Big K.R.I.T. & Chauncey Sherod - Listen and learn.
Crystal Clear ft. Royca Da 5'9' - A canvas for Royce, which is scary.
How You Feel ft. Mick Jenkins - The flow of the production and Jenkins is nice.
Murder Game ft. Smif N Wessun, Young MA & Buckshot - Who said New York fell off?
Gentlemen ft. Illa Ghee, Sean Price & Fame - What ever happened to rappers with deep voices? Gritty and grimey NYC.
Bodega! ft. Bodega Bamz - Put going to a bodega on my bucket list.
The Trophy Room ft. Skyzoo, Ea$y Money, Domo Genesis & Masspike Miles - What are you trying to do if you ain't trying to fill your trophy room?
Sucker Free ft. JFK - Mellow production but hard bars from JFK.
Wall Flowers ft. Your Old Droog, Termanology & Lord Sear - How do you perform with your back against the wall?
Top Tier ft. Sean Price, Bun B & Styles P - Minimalist sound you gotta put it on rewind to catch the gems.
Silver Lining ft. A$AP Twelvyy, Kirk Knight & Chauncy Sherod - The collabo between A$AP and Pro Era needs to continue.
Cold ft. Wais P & Jared Evan - She's ice cold, ugh, bitch.
All You Need ft. Action Bronson, Ab-Soul & Elle Varner - The love jam, put the nature channel on.
Scratch Off ft. CJ Fly, Talib Kweli & Cane - Flow and vibes.
Alone ft. Joey Badass - Think, be alone and think, then do something great.
Harley's Blues - Statik's funk.

The Vibe

While other albums follow an overall theme or idea, a concept in itself which has seen a resurgence as rappers put more effort into albums, Lucky 7's all about pure hip hop. There is really not much more that needs to be said as Lucky 7 just serves up dope beats with wordplay and skill on the microphone.

With any Statik Selektah project comes some seriously gritty and grimey rappers, those who really don't give a fuck and haven't given a fuck for a long time. Where many rappers in the game currently boast about not giving a fuck, they are still slaves to radio play and the commercial realities of the music business. I say all that to say that Lucky 7's general vibe takes you to the sidewalk, regardless of who is on the mic, you're transporting to the hustle and bustle of New York. You'll get a few lessons in how to survive in a city where the weak don't survive.

The Music

Statik Selektah doesn't offer up much variety, but he doesn't need to as I perceive his job on Luck 7 as providing the canvas for the rappers to flex. In saying that, there are Selektah doesn't have his own unique sound which does drift away from the 'classic' hip hop type of sound with Selektah using a wide variety of instruments to go along with those quintessential drums, whether it's keys, synths or horns, it's all part of the funk.

Be warned - your head will be consistently nodding back and forth, so if you've got neck problems, get a brace or something. Selektah's production also takes many turns within songs, where the flow of the rapper can switch up and this allows you to stay engaged with the song if you want to. Just as your getting the feel of the beat, something switches up and your led down a slightly different path which is fun.

I spent at least ten years drunk, tryna do the impossible
Which is try to walk on water and not sink
And that's when I experienced the deep, that's something that I won't forget
Now I can lead millions to see while I'm soaking wet
God made y'all in image of SpongeBob so I gotta ask y'all, did it soak in yet?
I'm the top dog and without the SZA I split up the spitters
I feel like I'm Kendrick, we need the control cause I'm heartless Royce Da 5'9' - Crystal Clear

This is beautiful, ain't it?
All these feelings of nostalgia ain't new to you, ain't it?
I did this shit already, my niggas, viewing is tainted
But watch I still kill it all through whatever arrangements
Got a shot, long range, Danny Ainge 'em
I can't blame 'em, I transport the message like Jason Statham
Sleep is minimal, perspiration, elevated
Rippin' shit easy like perforation
Soon they gon' hold for investigation
More soul than your grandma cookin'
I wonder, got 'em hooked like I know what you did
Last summer, it's a bummer tryna step to me
Bein' black right now, stressin' me
I'll shoot the sheriff and the deputy
Smokin' mad weed so this shit do not get the best of me
Stirrin' up your mental currents, word, I got the recipe
Herbs, you just speakin', man, I'm more show and prove
No jewelry, stack my gold in my trophy room Domo Genesis - Trophy Room

Eureka!

If you're too young or only listen to Flava/Mai FM, you will definitely not know of a few of the older cats like Royce Da 5'9', Illa Ghee, Sean Price, Styles P, Buckshot etc. It's important to tune into these guys, they keeps it real.

Why did Ghostface Killah have to catch feelings?

On an album like this where there's so many rappers involved, I've got to shout out a few star performers. CJ Fly, A$AP Twelvyy and Dave East were my picks.

Joey Badass and Statik Selektah got crazy chemistry.

Hannibal Buress takes Lucky 7 to a crazy nek level.

Finale

Lucky 7 is quality, as simple as that. Straight up and down hip hop quality. If you're feeling a bit down on hip hop, just whack this on and you'll be treated to top shelf wordplay from some of the best in the business.

There's 21 songs which makes this the perfect 'set it and forget it' album. Ya know, when you're at a little event and everyone is spinning yarns and no one can be bothered looking after the iPod (besides that guy who wants to only play his music, fuck that guy), Lucky 7 will keep everyone vibing and keep spirits high, while being low maintenance.