Chaundon- Carnage

By: R.M. London

((2.12.2008))

After the Carolina concoction of Phonte, Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder crashed through hip hop's doors in 2003 a collection founded by their former road manager, Big Dho, called the Hall of Justus emerged. Laying down numerous mixape tracks and a crew album entitled "Soldiers of Fortune" in 2006, members of the Hall are now branching out and releasing their own solo material. South Bronx native, Chaundon, an easy recognizable voice amongst a crew of southerners, comes at us with his debut album "Carnage"-- a record full of passionate big apple swagger, sweltering street stories, and notable Justus League appearances.

The first thing I noticed about Chaundon after I flipped on the record was the smooth urgency in his lungs. From the album's best track "3 Kings" and on, Chaun showed glimpses of greatness. However, it always seemed as if the climb to his peak was cut short by the lackluster and inconsistent production, or the overall feel of all his songs-- where some sounded like crisp studio cuts, and some came off as mixtape fat. There was the highpoints: 3 Kings, The Greatest Warrior, Don't Take it Personal, and We Are Here, but the rest of the record lacked any punch nor left any impression despite stellar conscious story attempts and stabs at Bronx swagger that I usually enjoy.

Much like Torae, who appeared on this album ("Told You That"), Chaundon shows that he can make an enjoyable hip hop song, but falls short in proving that he can make a full LP that you would want to cop and blast with the windows rolled down for the rest of the city to enjoy too. His inability to carry a full album, along with the fact that 9th Wonder's wooden-like drum hits are yesterday's news and lack the energy and umph that is needed to guide a voice/flow like Chaundon's, doesn't seem like the greatest first impression in hip hop's history-- However, there was enough light at the end of the tunnel to show fans that Chaundon will be one worth checking out next time around.

If you took half of Torae's "Daily Conversation" and smashed it together with half of "Carnage" it would make one hell of a record. Hopefully, we see more of the two together in the future with a little Skyzoo on the side. The trio together make one heck of a team.

Favorite Tracks: 3 Kings, The Greatest Warrior, Don't Take it Personal
What to do (Buy/Try/Frisbee): Try. While a few songs will have you nodding your head to the beat, others will have you shaking your head to the beat.
Digits: 6.5 // 10