Artist: Smoketown Knave
Album: Flamingo & Koval
Articulation: KingAcklin
“I don’t do good with the hate, that’s why I appreciate the love.”- Smoketown Knave
I start this album out with an immediate BIAS as the first track is old audio of 2Pac being introduced as a guest speaker. PAC thanks his mother and we roll right into the INTRO. Later in the hard-hitting bass filled intro you hear PAC again stating one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, Juice. You should understand my BIAS now! This is how Smoketown Knave starts out Flamingo & Koval and it’s a dope way to do so. The 2PAC audio is not a shocker once you realize that Flamingo and Koval is where someone opened fire on PAC almost 22 yrs. ago in Las Vegas, eventually leading to his death.
This Smoketown Louisville, KY native presents us with an album filled with dope bass beats and a hard street sound. It reminds me of Boosie but with the aggression turned down a bit. Let’s just hope he never comes with anything called KnavePAC or SmoketownPAC ala Boosie’s BooPAC. Stop doing this rappers. Anyway, "Til The End" coming after the intro glides me into the album and letting us all know to be there til the end, if you real. Knave shows a lot of love to people in general, giving special thanks to folks on Thank You. “I owe 2 plugs and them ni%%a$ aint been on my back.” Damn, he must have some clout out here in them East End Louisville streets fam. "Back And Forth" may be the slow jam you’re looking for on this album as the rapper says adios to any woman that decides to leave instead of staying with him." More Than Rappin" is one of my favorites. The beat and sample create the perfect vibe. Another favorite, "Rather Be With U" is the last joint on there aside from the Outro and this Bootsy Collins sample couldn’t go wrong, especially when you listen to the content of the bars. This one is personal for the artist and you get that vibe throughout the entire album. Call your momma up after this one if you can. Bottom line and question of day or review, Is It Dope Tho? The answer is YES! Listen now and thank me later... #DopeTho #YouWelcome
Key Dope:
Intro
Thank You
More Than Rappin
Ride or Die
Rather Be With U