Photo Credit: Aaron Telila
Photo Credit: Aaron Telila
“Life Under the Scope”:
A personal favorite from Spitta’s catalog that encapsulates the Blog Era. The song’s video was directed by Coodie & Chike of Creative Control fame and filmed at Dame Dash’s storied DD172 art gallery/studio.
“I Don’t Call”:
A standout from Curren$y’s latest project, “Collection Agency.” Over a slick sample that sounds like film loading in a camera, Curren$y kicks his patented shit-talk over a track that sounds something like paradise.
Curren$y Featuring Lil Wayne and Remy Ma, “Where Da Cash At”:
Curren$y’s debut single for Young Money/Cash Money Records. The 2006 track features Young Money CEO Lil Wayne, whose career was starting to explode. With Lil Wayne cementing his place as the hottest rapper in the world, he wanted to usher in a stable of new artists and gave Curren$y one of the first big looks. While the partnership didn’t work out, it produced this heater.
Curren$y Featuring Wiz Khalifa, “The Count”:
Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa were like twin towers of the Blog Era. Their stars rose at the same time, and while they went in separate directions — Curren$y becoming an underground king and Wiz turning into a mainstream darling — the pair has always found time to get back together for new music. “The Count” remains a standout from their collaborative catalog.
Lil Wayne Featuring Curren$y, “Grown Man”:
Lil Wayne’s ascent to megastardom began in late 2005 with the release of his “Carter II” album. Not one to hog the spotlight, he brought along his newly signed friend, Curren$y, who more than holds his own alongside a red-hot Weezy on “Grown Man.”
“Breakfast”:
A vibey wake-and-bake anthem from Spitta’s highly acclaimed 2010 album, “Pilot Talk.” This one’s for the smokers who love to start their day with a little herbal exercise. And yes, that’s Mos Def ad-libbing on the chorus.
Curren$y Featuring Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist, “The Blow”:
A supergroup effort from Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist, “Fetti” (2018) deserved more commercial and critical acclaim than it received. While it’s hard to pick just one song from the album for this playlist, “The Blow” justifies the nod.
Curren$y Featuring Wiz Khalifa, “Car Service”:
Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa’s 2009 joint project, “How Fly,” made serious waves in the Blog Era. The project’s fanfare and acclaim carried both artists into the stratosphere. Music to be chauffeured to, “Car Service” demonstrates why.
Big K.R.I.T. Featuring Curren$y, Devin the Dude and Killa Kyleon, “Moon & Stars”:
If someone asks you what the Blog Era sounds like, play this. “Moon & Stars” was a fan favorite and South by Southwest anthem from 2010. Big KRIT and Curren$y sound so good together — the audio equivalent of peanut butter and jelly.
Andrew Barber is the owner/creator of Fake Shore Drive, a Chicago-based media, management and events company founded in 2007. Andrew is also a playlist curator, published music journalist, artist manager, brand and record label consultant and media personality. Andrew currently sits as Governor of The Recording Academy’s Grammy board. His radio show, The Drive on Shade 45, airs weekly on SiriusXM, and has been on air for over six years. He has also hosted programming on MTV and one of Chicago’s top radio stations, 107.5 WGCI-FM. As a journalist, Andrew has been published in publications such as VICE, Complex, Fader, XXL, Mass Appeal and more. Andrew’s company, Fake Shore Drive, has been instrumental in the rise of Chicago’s hip-hop scene, having helped cultivate the careers of Chance the Rapper, Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Vic Mensa and the many other gold- and platinum-selling artists.