Frank Knight & Chuck LaWayne "Slim and Mickens" Album Review

Rambunctious lyricist Frank Knight paired with the mellow vibes of producer Chuck LaWayne and constructed an album reminiscent of the American Gangster Soundtrack. This 11-track ode to the most revered classic blaxploitation film “The Mack” is entitled “Slim and Mickens”. The Brooklyn-Harlem duo connected through their synonymous appreciation for 70’s soul and vintage Hip-Hop libretto. Rapper

and curator Frank Knight, is an internationally known Hip-Hop artist. The Brooklyn native has made appearances on Hot 97, Sway In The Morning, DJ Tony Touch’s Toca Tuesday, The Source and a variety of other platforms. His kinship with Harlem’s own Chuck LaWayne started musically, developed into a friendship and blossomed into the ideal partnership. Chuck LaWayne has worked with Lloyd Banks, Dave East, Vado, M.O.P. and many more respectable names in the Hip-Hop arena. The seasoned creators are ready to debut their masterpiece.

As Frank Knight said,“Hip-Hop is writing from the gut”. When you listen to any body of work it should transport you to another world. When I listened to “Slim and Mickens” I was taken on the swankiest tour through old New York. The slick talk on “Burgundy Fur” sets the tone with fly depiction and smooth melody. In this same fashion, “Jazz Club” made me want to wear an ivory fur shawl and order a whiskey on the rocks. However, we were dropped from the fantasy back into the reality filled with racial inequalities and financial frustrations on records “Martin X” and “Forecast of The Hot Tempered”. Nevertheless, Black people make the struggle look good. Turning our pain into purpose then finessing it into a hustle is what gives us our magic. I caught this energy on the Hip-Hop party record “Rent Party”. Chuck LaWayne made an appearance from behind the mixing board featuring on records “Burgundy Fur”, “Knowledge Of The Drip”, “Push Illy Down” and“Goldie’s Regret” with a calm delivery similar to Rakim.“Slim & Mickens” is a soundtrack to melodic, unapologetic, Blackness. Frank Knight, Chuck LaWayne, along with notable featured artists, captured this during a time where we need to be reminded of our essence.