Flatbasset Radio's Album Of The Week for the week of July 21st-27th, 2014:
Allan Kingdom - Future Memoirs
01. Souls
02. Moderation
03. Wavey (w/Spooky Black)
04. Evergreens
05. Famines
06. Imposters
07. Positive
08. Etiquette
09. Work Me Over
10. Context
11. Damn
12. Observe
If you've been following the Twin Cities hip-hop scene over the last year there's no doubt you've heard Allan Kingdom's name. Going back to his previous album (and previous AOTW appearance) Talk To Strangers, Kingdom's been on the fast track to prominence in a scene that's been embracing plenty of new blood lately.
Future Memoirs picks up where Kingdom left off on Talk To Strangers. He's still rapping over murky, keyboard heavy beats in a sing-song style that shares the same stage with Young Thug & Chance The Rapper. The major difference is that, where Young Thug is the extension of the Andre 3000/Trap world of his native Atlanta and Chance sings to find his own sunshine in Chicago's notoriously cold hip-hop scene, Kingdom brings an natural Minnesota style to his songs. He doesn't necessarily aim too high in his songs. Instead he sticks to the small things in life. He appreciates a good woman. He debates going back to school. He's concerned about the racial issues in his city while shouting it out at the same time. When it comes down to it, Kingdom's very much an everyman despite his age. He's hoping for the best while making sure that the worst doesn't come.
Future Memoirs is a fine record considering it's the first album Kingdom's put out that came with any expectations. All things considered, it feels like a stepping stone. I don't know what Kingdom's got planned after this one, but I believe he's yet to make his big move. Until then, head over to his Bandcamp page and grab both Talk To Strangers & Future Memoirs. Enjoy the journey now and it'll make that big moment all the more sweeter when it comes.
