Statik Selektah

Having put in steady work over the past few years on various projects he helmed with artists such as Termanology, R.E.K.S., Freeway and Freddie Gibbs (all of whom make appearances here), Statik Selektah (the Lawrence, MA product who now calls BK home) pushes out an ambitious compilation full of bangers, as well as the odd miss. On self-titled album opener "Population Control," "Brokest Rapper Alive" Sean Price (he's got to have some scratch by now, no?) trades bars with young spitter Termanology over some throwback soul-stutter that wears its NYC heritage on its sleeve. Another dope track that shows Statik's versatility behind the boards is Cali smoke-out session "Smoke On," featuring Dom Kennedy and Strong Arm Steady. One of the album's disappointments, however, is the corny "Groupie Love," featuring Mac Miller and Josh Xantus, which has the rap freshman showing his age on this automatic skip. Nonetheless, Population Control proves to be a worthy addition to your steady rotation, as well as the fabled Duck Down's discography.