Royce Da 5'9", Jadakiss, Fabolous & Pusha T Put The "Summer On Lock"

The prototypical posse cut of days old has eroded into the culture. Perhaps the days of album features being reserved for lesser known crew members are far behind us. Record labels stimulate growth in their projects by intermingling their roster of talent. Sometimes it works, other times the collaboration feels forced out of sheer boredom. Royce Da 5'9"s "Summer on Lock" is of the latter, a throwback to the days where artists cherry picked their co-conspirators.

"Summer on Lock" employs a simple yet effusing beat produced by StreetRunner & Tarik Azzouz. It almost feels like sacrilege to limit Pusha T to a subordinate role on song founded on the basis of the rappers spitting their best 16s. Then again, a greater level of engagement would make this stuffy affair too crowded for its own good.

The real surprise factor on this record is the inclusion of Agent Sasco, formerly known as Assassin. Fans of Dancehall in the mid 2000s might be familiar with his aggressive sound clash style. He and maybe Mr. Vegas were the rare performers of their time to mix a more aggressive style with spiritual themes. As for the other appearances, Jadakiss and Fabolous need no introduction. Jada backs down his running mate Fabolous with the line, "Supreme Court staring at my man as they walk him out." Moments like these remind us that rappers share communion outside of their duties as performers, whether you agree with the sentiment or not.

As for Royce, this may be the critical moment he's been awaiting since leaving the shadow posed by his affiliation with super groups and other artists. Give "Summer on Lock" a listen and hit us with your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics:

N---- I'm so far ahead of my time, I'm 'bout to start another life
You a target, I'll probably blast you twice
Alcy rapping with the passion of Christ
Curveball through the eye of the storm
I'm the calm 'fore disaster could strike
The rocks on that watch on that dial gon' shine loud-- 
--on you hustlers who out there in brownstones like the Huxtables

-Royce Da 5'9"