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The Clipse
TIl The Casket Drops
Re-Up, Star Trak, Columbia
Producers: Sean C & LV, The Neptunes, DJ Khalil

“Am I my brother’s keeper or for himself, every man?” (c) Malice: “Freedom”

“We in the same group, but I don’t share my brother’s pain” (c) Pusha T: “Freedom”

2009 saw cocaine rhyming re-infiltrate hip hop’s core, boosted by dope (pun intended) records from Cam’ron, Raekwon The Chef and finally, The Clipse. Joined at the hip since birth, the Thornton brothers strive to find their own “voices” on their third studio album entitled Til The Casket Drops. While their initial offering blessed both the streets and the club (Lord Willin’s “Grindin” & “When The Last Time”), their critically acclaimed followup saw the pair in a state of paranoia (“Nightmares”), the results of cocaine powder being their formula for success (“Keys Open Doors”). Til The Casket Drops sees the brothers return with their hat trick as “the third time’s the charm”.

Most well known as (formerly) apart of Sean Combs’ Hitmen crew, Sean C & LV contribute an intense, yet soulful opener in “Freedom” as The Clipse discover their inner duality and proceed to bombard the track with two potent verses, exhibitions infused with their trademark disgust, resentment and introspection over epic guitar riffs. While both brothers’ verses illuminate Casket, it is Pusha T’s perspective from within his own mental prison that “finally give critics a verse of his to jerk off to”. The Hitmen provide another jewel in “Never Will It Stop”, a slight glimpse back to The Clipse of old, the trinity effectively reunited as Re-Up Gang member Ab-Liva provides some lyrical testimony of his own next to his kinfolk. The always controversial Kanye West joins the Thornton brothers on the DJ Khalil-produced banger “Kinda Like A Big Deal”, an future anthem that finds the egocentric West right at home as he out-boasts the two brothers with a number of witty quotables.

Familiar piano keys grace fan favorite “Popular Demand (Popeyes)”, which sees a long anticipated collaboration of The Clipse’s finally develop into fruition as Killa Cam provides one of his trademark playful cameos and together, the pyrex trio “dance with the stars, stepping on blow, doing a toe-tap”. Other contributions from Chad & Pharrell consist of the Yo Gotti-assisted “Showing Out”, highlighted by a backbreaking verse from Malice as he passionately indicates his disgust with hip hop’s continued deteoriation (”Common loved H.E.R., I wish I never met her/ They slutted her out, there’s nothing left to treasure”) as well as initial single “I’m Good”, the celebratory centerpiece of the record that finds the cocaine handlers appreciating life and its vast riches.

It is damn near second nature for The Clipse’s major label releases to be consistently tormented by delays, but Til The Casket Drops ultimately delivers a full course meal and is well worth the wait. The Neptunes cultivate the bulk of The Clipse’s latest opus (they were the sole providers on previous Clipse projects) and The Clipse continue to flourish over their sound as evident on the stellar banger “Door Man” and the Thornton brothers’ synth-happy victory lap, “Champion”. At only thirteen tracks, the album is concise yet still plagued by filler. “All Eyes On Me” is a mediocre pursuit of attention from the masses as guest Keri Hilson appears lost amongst the sonic soundscape and The Clipse provide her no help as they drown in virtually virtually unfamiliar waters (the next track, “Counseling”, fairs somewhat better in this regard). Production-wise, MVP DJ Khalil finally misses a last minute jumper with “There Was a Murder” as the lyrical one-two punch sound bland and bored amongst the island-tinged beatbreak. In essence, Til The Casket Drops sees the lyrically formidable pair stray away from the darkness, forseeing prosperous days ahead yet maintaining lessons learned, hints of pyrex still enveloping their hands.

4 spins (out of 5)

Written By Rakeem Johnson

I go by the name of Mr. Genius. Undergraduate. Professional Writing Major, Psychology Minor. A future in corporate law on the horizon. Very abstract - usually thinking outside the box. A bit unorthodox. A lover of music; specifically Hip Hop, R&B and Neo-Soul, but I'll listen to anything once. Catch Me at YK2Daily.net or on Twitter (@Mr_Genius23)