What happens when a famous DJ partners up with an upcoming rapper with incredible street buzz? The Co-Op is what happens. The Co-Op is an album from New York-based DJ Envy and rapper Red Café. DJ Envy is known across the world from his mixtapes, while Red Café is less known after several failed record deals. However, his fortunes seem to be changing as he just linked a deal with Akon’s Konvict Muzik to release The Co-Op. Will The Co-Op be the best of both worlds?
The first single off The Co-Op is the infectious Dollar Bill. The song features Jermaine Dupri and rapper Fabolous. The song is very catchy and a big hit in the New York market. The song features a simplistic beat and lyrics that are quite memorable.
The second single is the equally catchy if not more so, Things You Do featuring R&B; twin sisters Nina Sky. The beat is incredibly memorable and the chorus by Nina Sky is incredibly catchy. The song has the most commercial potential of any track on the album.
Invincible features very catchy production. The song features various members of Red Café’s Shakedown clique.
Buck Buck is the typical street anthem featuring Sheek Louch of the Lox fame. The song is exactly what you would expect from a hood anthem. The song features numerous gun sound effects throughout the song. Sheek Louch is not the most talented member of the Lox but he delivers a solid verse.
Move Like A G is another street anthem. The song features Uncle Murder and Styles P of the Lox. The song is slightly more commercial than Buck Buck yet is not as catchy. Styles P drops an incredibly hot verse and Uncle Murder drops a solid verse.
What It Do features Remy Ma of Terror Squad fame. The song features a thumping beat but not much more. Remy and Red Café trade bars over the hard hitting beat. The chemistry however just is not there.
The album also features various skits from Michael Shane who works with DJ Envy on WQHT also known as Hot 97. The skits vary in terms of hilarity.
The Co-Op was a great idea for DJ Envy and Red Café. The album will give each of them more exposure and help get them ready for more success in 2008. The album, however, is standard hip-hop fare. The Co-Op gets 7 out 10 stars. If you’re a fan of Red Café or DJ Envy, make sure you get The Co-Op.
