Ea$y Money - M.O.N.E.Y.

Featuring Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$, Lil Fame of MOP, DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, 9th Wonder, BuckWild, Termanology & more. "In a rap game full of fake n*s I'm a standout," boasts Ea$y Money on his lead single "Nothin' Alike," and his debut album "The M.O.N.E.Y." proves just that. With production from Hip Hop legends like DJ Premier, 9th Wonder & BuckWild as well as legend in the making Statik Selektah, "The M.O.N.E.Y." (an acronym for the Motive Of Nearly Everybody, Yo) stays true to the East-Coast Boom Bap sound of Hip Hop's Golden Era and gives Ea$y the perfect backdrop for his hard hitting lyrics. Further acknowledging the era which inspired him, Ea$y divides the 15 track LP into an A & B side ("Dollars & Sense") taking you back to when cassette tapes were popular. Though this may give you the idea that this album sounds dated, "The M.O.N.E.Y." is anything but that. Ea$y's flawless flow and cleverly crafted lyrics along with collaborating with newcomers such as Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ give the album a fresh sound while maintaining a nostalgic feel. On "The M.O.N.E.Y." Ea$y shows his versatility by effortlessly shifting gears between battle ready rhymes ("All Been Waiting," "Nothin' Alike," "Hit The Fan") displayed heavily on the "Dollars" side to more conceptual & introspective records on the "Sense" side ("Takin'It With Me," "Money & Blood" as well as the title track) all while focusing to the concept of the album title. Never one to compromise artistic integrity, Ea$y even manages to craft a record for the ladies (the Jared Evan assisted "Took It All Away") without straying away from his sound. During times where lyrics almost no longer matter in Hip Hop, Ea$y never loses a step lyrically throughout the LP and with Statik Selektahhandling the majority of the production, neither do the beats. Like many other rappers, Ea$y is no stranger to the streets and has even suffered the setback of jail time. But, like many of those same rappers who use the gangster image as a gimmick and most times as a crutch, Ea$y chooses to let the music speak for itself. " I feel as though MCs focus on portraying a certain image to hide the fact that they lack talent," says Ea$y. And that there is right on "The M.O.N.E.Y."