Chops ‎– Virtuosity CD / Kanye West

If rap needed to be shown the direction to go in the year 2004, “Virtuosity” is as good a pointer as you would or could find. From the powerful simplicity of Chops beats and Baby Blak narrative on “Tears” to the funky and melodic freshness of Kanye West rapping to Chops tinkling ivories on “Changing Lanes,” it’s all good here. Yes, imagine that for a minute if you will – one of the hottest producers in commercial rap today, a man who coined countless hits for Jigga Jay-Z, is flowing not to his own beats, but the beats of Chops. Damn. If that doesn’t make a statement, what does? “Virtuosity” may not come out until January 27th, but you might as well pre-order right now because this is the one you’re gonna want to have in your hands the day it drops. As Dave Ghetto says on “The Remedy,” this album is “distinguishing between what’s hot and what’s not.” In 2004, Chops is clearly what’s hot.

Label: Vocab Records

Country: US

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Plays great but has a few superficial marks