Album Review: Clipse – Til The Casket Drops

The Clipse are hoping that the third time’s the charm, as their much anticipated third release, Til The Casket Drops, hits shelves on December 8th.

Although the group’s first two albums were solely produced by The Neptunes, they were able to maintain their signature sound while adding a few new producers to the mix.

In a recent interview, Malice commented that the upcoming album will touch on personal subjects, giving listeners a glimpse into their lives.

Instead of an intro or skit, the Clipse decided to start off with the track “Freedom,” which immediately sets the mood for the rest of Til The Casket Drops.

Clipse – “Freedom.”

Pusha T demands our attention with his opening verse:

“With every line written,
And all I have given,
Music’s been nothing more than a self-made prison,
I’ve taken inmate loses at the hands of this one,
My pin’s been the poison to family and friendships,
Now it’s time to mend shit, Time to bring closure to,
The clear conscience of Pusha is long overdue,
Thinking to myself, what could I be owing you?
They’ll only tell you you’re great when they’re reminiscin over you.”

The album is not all serious tracks, however, as the already released singles (Kinda Like A Big Deal, I’m Good, All Eyes On Me, and Popular Demand) have shown .

Clipse – “Popular Demand.”

The video for “Popular Demand,” directed by Rik Cordero, stirred up some controversy as it was filmed outside the infamous Obama Fried Chicken restaurant in Brooklyn.  This controversy increased, as MTV aired their version of the video with the “Obama Fried Chicken” sign blocked out.

The beat and hook provided by Pharrell make this into a hit record:

“Mami, you miss me, don’t you?
Haters, wish you could hit me, don’t you?
You should call me uncle,
I understand, I’m back by popular demand,
That new CL slide,
Outside of Popeyes, eatin chicken and fries,
Yeah, come holla at your uncle,
I understand, I’m back by popular demand.”

Malice brings a serious note to “Popular Demand,” when he comments on all the drug related music Clipse has released in the past with, “If I misled any kid that’s fatherless/ that burden’s on my soul as long as I exist.”  Lines like this sprinkled thoughout within the album show the group’s growth.

We also see a more mature side of Malice later in the album with “Champion,” where he spits:

“I thought that life was a bad bitch, bad car,
Life is with your kids, watchin Madagascar,

Clipse – “Doorman.”

The video is entertaining as it shows Malice and Pusha T surround by girls, crack being cooked, and images of money, weapons, and drugs across the screen.  More importantly, I know this track means a lot to them, as the video touches on their entourage being incarcerated on drug charges.

Malice sums up the track’s feel with:

“My life’s too real to be a PSA,
The million in the ceiling’s for a rainy day,
I cut it, then whip her like she Annie Mae,
Praise God, I escaped by his amazing grace,
Nahh, never was I saving face,
Some family ties are impossible to break,
The all mighty judge, only he can save me,
Don’t cry for us now, just pray for our babies.”

That line about Annie Mae is dope!

The latest song to cause a stir online since the album’s leak is “Showin Out” featuring Yo Gotti.

The most quoted line off “Showin Out” is Pusha T’s “Young nigga, old money, Benjamin Button,” but Malice steals the show with:

“They tell me rap changed well Imma have to let her,
Common loved her, I wish I never met her,
They slutted her out, there’s nothing left to treasure,
Seems all I hear em say ‘nigga where them dollars at?’
Here they go right here, tell them niggas holla back,
Hit it then I quit it, then I step like a welcome mat.”

That line about rap being slutted out with nothing left to treasure is awesome.

Clipse – “Life Change.”

Clipse ends the album on a high note with “Life Change,” a track whose title perfectly sums up the content.

Malice spits:

“I was wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,
So much so, I had left my family forsaken,
A troubled soul, who’s heart was often achin,
So much dope, but my spirit ever so vacant…
Heart filled with remorse,
My life was such a mess,
Now I’m back on board,
Due to the Lord’s GPS…
More than blessed, I was chosen,
I been know the truth, my wisdom is that of old men,
Wasted so much time, stuntin for folk,
When really, the whole time I was stuntin my growth,
A message to the youth, what I’m offering is hope,
Now something’s got to change, I’m at the end of my rope.”

From beginning to end, Til The Casket Drops displayed a lot of Malice’s new found outlook on life.  This self evolution put into music, always makes for better records.

If you can’t wait until December 8th, head over to Amazon.com for the album snippets.