Rock City
P.T.F.A.O.—The Saga Continues
Beats: L
Lyrics: L
Originality: L
Chances are you’re probably not familiar with Rock City and have no idea what P.T.F.A.O. means. Comprised of brothers Don’t Talk and Spokesman, Rock City is a St. Thomas-born rap/reggae duo that’s been signed to Akon’s label since 2006. P.T.F.A.O. is an acronym that stands for Put the Fuckin’ Album Out and serves as the title of their latest mixtape.
Despite holding down hooks and penning songs for everyone from Beanie Sigel (“Go Low”) and DJ Khaled (“Final Warning”) to Janet Jackson (“Roller Coaster”) and Leona Lewis (“Misses Glass”), Rock City have seen their own music stuck in label purgatory. Teaming up with Don Cannon, the Atlanta-based duo campaign for the release of their debut disc over a host of notable instrumentals. A trio of Jay-Z tracks gets flipped into the cocksure “Done Talk” and “D.O.B. (Death of Bullshit),” and Talk’s one-man assault “The Ruler’s Back.” Drake gets similar treatment as he gets beat jacked twice for R. City’s “It’s Ok” and “Successful.”
Unfortunately, Rock City stumble when their sing-songy flow fails to mesh with Akon’s nasal vocals and Swizz Beatz’s spastic production on “I’m Leaving.” Then there’s “Big Trouble,” where the brothers awkwardly employ an Auto-Tune effect over a uninspired beat. Thankfully, they bounce back with “Hip-Hop Props.” Riding to Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push,” Talk and Spoke flip the lyrics of various artists that came before them for this true school tribute.
Dedicated students of the game, Rock City display immense potential. Hopefully, that raw talent will be more refined by time they finally do put that album out. —Anslem Samuel
