PH – Know The Ledge (2011)

Artist: PH 

Album: Know The Ledge

Source: Bandcamp

Tracklisting:

01. You Know (Intro)
02. Awww Shux
03. County Of Kings feat. Sha Stimuli, Skyzoo & Ruste Juxx & LR Blitzkrieg
04. Starman
05. Cool World
06. Pretty In Ink
07. Champagne And Kush
08. Never Have feat. LR Blitzkrieg, GMS & Substantial
09. King Latifah
10. This Aint What You Want feat. Kid Vishis & Marvwon
11. How To Battle
12. Dodgerville feat. Nems & Poison Pen
13. Wage War
14. Hollywood (Bonus Track)

Note:

PH  (formerly known as Pumpkinhead) has been making music for a minute.  I think I have upwards of around eight releases from PH in my Itunes right now, so the man has shown a great deal of longevity when it comes to being able to work on his music through out the years.   He has also been apart of the Grind Time battle circuit.  He has used his experience as a polished emcee to reak havoc on competition.  You need only to check your favorite search engine for “PH + Grind Time” to check out countless YouTube videos of his battles.

Many of the Grind Time participants are new to making mixtapes and putting out music for the masses.  Obviously, PH does not fall into that category,  and his latest effort, Know The Ledge, proves that once again the man still has the goods to make great hip hop music.

Know The Ledge is the lens to how PH views the world of music right now. We featured his lead single, Hollywood, a few weeks back.  It’s more than just a solid cut with a few sound bytes.   It’s a literal portrayal of what has been happening to some artists once they make it out of their neighborhood and a little fame comes in to play.  Fame and money can come hard and fast but can be gone in an instant and the fall will be a tough one if you don’t remember where you come from.

PH builds on these same observations of the music industry with the intro track from the album, Now You Know.  On this track, PH calls out the whimsical trends that are running hip hop a muck right now.  For example:

Your face crunch you when I say I hate slim pants / What’s next?  Lipstick,  a weave and some implants?

The beat starts off driven by some synth while PH detail his gripes with the game right now and then in mid-rhyme the beat switches in a fashion reminiscent of years passed and he goes into battle mode as if his opponent was  standing across from him.  This track is definitely a standout.

County Of Kings has also been discussed on this blog before.  It’s one of those tracks that will contend for a top spot at the end of the year as one of the best.  Sha Stimuli and Ruste Juxx in particular really shine on this beat.  It’s that raw NY hip hop that I crave.

My favorite track is the short by potent jam, King Latifah.  I love this simplistic beat.  A few guitar strings and well-conceived drum pattern prove to be a head nodder.  PH illustrates a sick flow over this slower paced track:

So why question my rank and status? / I’m Mayweather with the moves.  My right hook is like Tank Abbot / In a whip murdered out listening to Black Sabbath /  Paranoid…purp got me seeing flashing lights and badges

Yet another track that shows the talent PH has, is the appropriately titled, How To Battle.  The production on this track is dark and a little bit tweaked out with the strings.  It’s a little reminiscent of a horror movie scene where you know one of the actors is going to get it.  It’s perfect as PH incorporates the names of his contemporaries throughout the verses.  It’s a dope concept that plays out very well.

PH demonstrates all the talent in the world.  He remains well grounded and focused when it comes to making music.  He is able to demonstrate that even though he remains heavily involved in Grind Time, he can also still take the time and   turn out a dope hip hop record.   The best way to show respect and appreciation for an artist who has given much of life to the hip hop music you love is to drop a few coffers in his pocket by making this purchase.