Album Review: Cool-Aide – Flavor Ade (2009)

Album Review: Cool-Aide (MiC K!NG & Chum) – Flavor Ade (2009)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes
Support! Cool-Aide – Flavor Ade

It is the classic hip-hop paradigm: one emcee and one producer/DJ. This formula has created some of the greatest duos all throughout hip-hop’s history, and even into present day. Cool-Aide is just another terrific example of how effective this particular combination is. Comprised of Philadelphia rapper iCON the Mic King (now shortened to simply MiC K!NG), and Connecticut based Demigodz producer, Chum, Cool-Aide exhibits a lighthearted chemistry that makes their debut album, Flavor Ade, instantly accessible.

Flavor Ade tosses around a variety of topics. While mostly remaining playful, especially with its blatant misogynistic and self-indulging, albeit amusing, moments, there are times when the duo ventures into topics that actually require some deeper thinking. The opening track featuring Slug, “Snake Oil”, cautions against the perils of associating with those who lie and deceive. This may be read as a commentary on the music industry, but as noted in the song itself, it actually applies to real life. Then on “About Time” MiC K!NG philosophically attempts (surprisingly successfully) to explain that our time on Earth is limited, and needs to be used wisely.

MiC K!NG does a fine job lyrically, employing anecdotes and metaphors to keep the content lively. Furthermore, he stacks up well against the ultra-skilled guests Slug, Has-Lo, and Elzhi. “Word Perfect”, which features Elzhi, is a showcase of lyrical dexterity as MiC and Elzhi boast their prowess on the microphone.

Chum’s production meshes very well with MiC K!NG’s delivery. Providing irresistible bass lines and instrument samples (check the trumpets on the aforementioned “Snake Oil”), Chum also delves into a bit of electronica. The varied instrumentation gives each track its own unique sound. “Gimme Some Sugar” swirls in syrupy-sweet keys and guitars, while MiC K!NG raps about bagging eager groupies for one-night stands. “Neo Jack Swing” takes a more throwback sound, allowing Chum to show off his sampling expertise.

With unique sounds from track to track it’s important for there to be a unifying factor or two for Flavor Ade to build upon. Thankfully, the album is tied together – loosely – with humor and pounding beats that do a nice job of pacing the project. The closing track “Kind of a Woman” details a hilarious account of a woman using her sexuality to play a man and steal almost everything he owns.

Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, there is little room for missteps, which Flavor Ade does have. “I’m The Best Mayne”, and “I’m So Cool” fail to help the album progress, and find the duo trapped in bland egoism. Still, Cool-Aide has put together a concise, not-to-be-taken-too-seriously album that is more than worthy of a few spins.