Hip-Hop Albums of the Year

14 May, 2023

Ea$y Money — The Motive of Nearly Everybody, Yo


Solo debut for Ea$y Money, rapper from Haverhill, Massachusetts, and member of Termanology's ST. da Squad crew. Production is handled most of the time by Statik Selektah, the rest of the beats are made by Buckwild, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, The Arcitype, Antman Wonder, J. Cardim and Billy Loman. The guests are Lil' Fame, Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$, Sincere, Jared Evan, Push!, Wais P, Chauncey Sherod and Termanology.

The production by Statik Selektah is excellent and suits Ea$y Money's street rap, who's often exalted by the guests who join him on the mic. The first part boasts some of the finest songs on the album, among which "Go Time" stands out: over a beautiful Christmas beat by Statik, Action Bronson delivers with absurd ease, as if he were sitting in his armchair at home. The second half of the album is less punchy and memorable, particularly after "Go & Get It", however, there are no really weak songs: the production loses a bit of brilliance, there are still some quality samples, the rap is fine, the lyricism is forgettable, and there are no more major highlights until the closing "Spare Change", where Ea$y delivers the last bars of these fifty minutes on a frame-worthy soundscape provided by Billy Loman.

Released by ShowOff and ST Records, the album gets some attention in the underground circuit at the release, then it's forgotten too soon. It's still an enjoyable listen for fans of that kind of light boom bap.

Rating: 6.5/10.

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