Rating: NNN
A whopping nine years after their last offering, CNN prove they can still make New York rap that doesn’t sound dated. With the help of some local acts (Mobb Deep, Ron Browz and Busta Rhymes, to name a few), the duo craft an album full of edgy street-bangers.
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There are a few forgettable tracks and irritating hooks here, but also some interesting new directions for CNN, particularly Stick Up’s ominous, Nintendo-esque beat and the sludgy, trunk-rattling Follow The Dollar. The addition of DJ Premier’s timeless production style helps keep things grounded on Grand Royal.
Except for the aforementioned unlistenable hooks, the raps on Channel 10 are top-notch CNN have clearly spent the last few years finding new ways to articulate their message that crime does pay. Fans of their sound won’t be put off by the album’s content, and it serves as a fairly innocuous entry point for newcomers.
Top track: Stick Up
