Statik Selektah released his eighth studio album ironically titled 8, which also released on December 8.
His new album has many notable features such as 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, The Lox, Run the Jewels and the late Mobb Deep MC Prodigy and many more. The 18-track album is entirely produced by Statik except one track, which was co-produced with The Alchemist. With an hour worth of music this album has many layers to it, and the features fit very well and makes sense why Statik chose certain artists for particular songs, matching his production with who would sound the best on it.
The album begins with the intro track “Harley’s Blues (The World Could Save)” and the final track on his previous album Lucky 7 was also titled “Harley’s Blues” showing transition from both albums, literally. Harley is his daughter’s name and in his previous album he sampled his daughter’s heartbeat before she was born for the final track. For this album he got her to introduce the album by saying “8”. From there we go straight into the bars. If you see the track list and the features, you know what to expect from the album and that’s the lyrics and storytelling from the many rappers featured on the project. Some of my early favorites from the album are “Man of the Hour”, “Put Jewels On It”, “But You Don’t Hear Me Tho”, “What Can We Do, Pt. 1 & 2” and “Nobody Move”.
The sound of the album is heavily influenced by jazz music and lush sounds of many brass instruments. It’s refreshing listening to an album that has the nostalgia of samples and sounds from the 90’s and 2000’s. It’s also very rare to be able to have artists from different eras all on one album and be able to blend so well together. Being able to continue to stick to his sound and not compromise this because of what’s popular at the moment is a true testimony of why Statik Selektah is able to get so many talented rappers on his project.
The fourth track on the album called “Watching Myself” featuring Action Bronson was originally for Action Bronson’s recent album Blue Chips 700, but couldn’t be cleared in time for the album release but is still able to stay consistent with the sound of Statik’s album. The second to last song on the album “Disrespekt” featuring Prodigy might have been one of his last verses he ever recorded since Statik said that he recorded it only a couple weeks before he passed. One of the most surprising features on the album is from No Malice, formerly known as Malice from Clipse, who has only done two features in the past seven years.
If you are a fan of Statik Selektah’s sound and how he’s able to help some of the best rappers feel comfortable rapping on these soulful sounds, you’ll enjoy this album. Some people might gravitate to this album just because their favorite artist is on here or raise their eyebrows because of the features, but listening to this project in it’s entirety you are able to notice these jazzy sounds which makes the album very easy to listen to and enjoy. This album might have the most notable artists he’s had on one album in his entire career and the production from Statik surpasses expectations and is able to carry the weight of the project even with all the big names on this project.
Statik Selektah DJ’d and curated a private listening party for his 8th studio album appropriately entitled ‘8’ at LES’s iconic bar Max Fish. If the crowd’s head nods to the music produced by the artist himself and The Alchemist, are any indication of the love and appreciation for East coast style lyrics and tracks, Statik Selektah might have another banger that should have a very successful week on the charts. DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Joey Bada$$, and Graf from Love and Hip Hop were in attendance.
-Sibrena Stowe-Geraldino
Photo Credit: Matt Ogilvie (@boardinogilvie)
