Music and art are synonymous with each other. Music is an expression of human emotions through song and tune, thus making it a very legitimate and real art form. With this in mind, get ready for a lyrical trip that will open the mind and stimulate every visual neuron within the brain. Behold, the album that gives new meaning to the word “art.” Connected by Foreign Exchange is a musical odyssey and the brain child of Phonte (of Little Brother) and Dutch producer Nicolay.
What is most amazing about the magical collaboration is the fact that the two never met face-to-face at any time during the making of Connected. In fact, “The Foreign Exchange conceptualized, conceived and completed Connected by means of instant messenger and the world wide web.” The mere fact that Connected was created through modern technology transcends globalism and is one of the most impressive exhibitions of music’s unique and infinite ability to bring together audiophiles from all over the world to collaborate and create a beautiful and masterful piece of art.
Though Phonte serves his part as the main rapper of the album, the beats are what really elevate the album to a whole new level. The album seems to be an instrument through which Nicolay is able to showcase his musical talent, since many of the tracks extend beyond the lyrics to let the beat have its moment in the sun.
Nicolay is one of the most underrated and unknown producers. The type of beats created by Nicolay are nothing short of pure genius. As Jamin Warren writes, “In today’s hip-hop landscape, the organic and emotive qualities of classic soul are often bastardized (cf. Jagged Edge) but rarely duplicated…so either Nicolay is a musical genius who simply understands the language of classic R&B better than most stateside producers, or a Stax Records jetliner crashed in the Netherlands, spilling thousands of LPs on his thatched abode when he was a toe-tapping toddler.”
One only need to listen to tracks such as “Von Sees,” “Let’s Move,” “The Answer,” and “Be Alright (Nicolay’s Breezy Sunday Afternoon Remix)” to get a sense of Nicolay’s style of music. The entire album puts the listener in a mood that makes every day feel like a warm summer’s eve. Nicolay’s use of synthesizers, bass drums, and aquatic rhythms rivals that of many producers. He is more talented at bringing the listener into a world unheard by most. For example, on “Let’s Move,” Little Brother can be heard emceeing at their usual top-notch skill level over a synthesized beat accompanied by horns and woodwind instruments in a feel-good track that will make any audiophile nod his/her head in approval.
On a lyrical note, Phonte is as fresh and stylish as usual in spitting his rhymes while simultaneously leaving stories and messages many can relate to. From relationship troubles on “Sincere,” (“Check it out yo, the situation is ill/went from lovin’ and trustin’ one another to just payin’ our bills…Wanna treat you with the right respect/Tryin’ to play a bigger role than the nigga who just writes the checks“) to issues dealing with pregnancy on “Be Alright,” (”My girl throwing up this morning/I’m praying it was something she ate...“) the album is an adventure into this quirky thing called Life.
For lovers of music, Connected is an essential to add to anyone’s collection. Through the album, Hip-Hop is elevated to another level and is able to gain back some of its credibility as being a canvas for music rather than a cash cow for profits. The only question left to ask is: How long until the next collaboration?
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