Continuance, by definition, is the state of remaining in existence or operation. While making the project, Curren$y said that the originally titled “Half Moon Bay” felt like an extension of he and Alchemist’s classic mixtape, Covert Coup (CC). His exact words via Twitter were “After I down and listened to all the records me and Alchemist lined up… We got to rename this s*** right? This is Covert Coup level music… Thus, we have Continuance.”
Spitta and Alc have developed a simple, but effective, recipe — short songs that don’t necessarily use hooks. Continuance only has 13 songs and has a run time of 38 minutes. Spitta never releases lengthy projects and it continues to create an easy listening experience.
In terms of production, Alc is as sharp as ever. He uses a lot of jazz samples that perfectly complement Spitta’s laid back delivery. While it is a “continuance” of Cover Coup, the beats are much different with CC’s beats having a much darker tone. While it does have some dark beats, Continuance has a much more lavish sound overall. It is evident that the duo was in a much different space ten years ago. Alc’s ability to develop a unique chemistry with each artist he collaborates with sets him apart and gives each project its own unique advantage.
Spitta’s rapping on the project is superb. His rhymes are filled with top-tier imagery that makes every verse seem like an Emmy-winning episode on HBO. As always, he rhymes about getting money, his extensive car collection, references to old songs/movies and expensive weed, accompanied by his signature delivery stemming from his New Orleans accent. One of the best examples of said delivery is in one of the lead singles, “The Tonight Show.”
“This a different bracket.
The ones that really have it.
This the James Worthy and New Balance.
Brand new Converse on Magic, the goggles on Kurt Rambis.
Showtime, whole row of Rolls Royces and the first one mine.”
Spitta also continues to showcase his ear for picking features. He combines with lyrical titans such as fellow frequent Alchemist collaborator Boldy James on “No Yeast”, Styles P on the bouncy “Whale Watching,” and Mobb Deep’s Havoc on “Corvette Rally Stripes,” — also of a continuance of Mobb Deep features, stemming from the late Prodigy’s feature on the classic track, “The Type.” Spitta has a knack for rising to the occasion when hosting tracks with other lyrical MCs.
Spitta also recruits longtime collaborators Wiz Khalifa and Larry June for the project, but, without a doubt, the most surprising feature is from Detroit-native, Babyface Ray. The styles of the two rappers may clash on paper, but he delivers a great verse over Alc’s guitar-laced sample beat. Spitta has always been one to have diverse features, but a Babyface verse on an Alchemist beat was quite the surprise.
Overall, Continuance is a tremendous body of work that has little to no weak points. As mentioned earlier, Spitta’s concise tracklisting eliminates the chance of flooding the project with filler tracks. While Continuance is nothing experimental for Spitta, he proves to be the embodiment of the cliché, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It is certainly better to excel with the recipe Spitta and Alc have established rather than exploring a different sound or style that does not produce the same quality of music.
While the duo has not announced plans of another project in the future, we certainly hope there will be a “continuance” of this elite-level of music.
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Half Moon Mornings“, “No Yeast“ (Feat. Boldy James), “Whale Watching“ (Feat. Styles P), “Jodeci Tape“
RATING: 9/10
Check out the full project right here. Also, be sure to follow Curren$y and Alchemist at their respective Instagram pages to see what next for both artists.