It’s been a relatively good year for Ilyas, Donwill and Von Pea, collectively known as Tanya Morgan. Their stock has risen from an unknown group mistakenly refered as a R&B group, to a respectable Hip-Hop conglomerate with rising stock in a profession flooded with competition from all angles and regions. Their latest album Brooklynati seems to have them in a great position in the Hip-Hop conscious to get them acquainted with a myriad of new listeners.

Brooklynati, the fictitious city that plays the background to the Brooklyn and Cincinnati Ohio’s natives tales, is a destination that would seem to be a part of the real America if America was what it should be. Much like the rappers, the city seems to be as communal as it gets. Whether it’s helping out the local DJ to keep his business open or it’s celebrating their most prized Hip-Hop act Hardcore Gentleman, Brooklynati is there to help. The album itself is a great introduction to the trio’s style and personalities with a backdrop of soulfully exquisite beats with the production styles of Von Pea and outsiders Aeon and Brick being showcased for the wordsmiths to bounce their lyricism off of.

Songs like “Alleye Need” and “So Damn Down” are the kind of smooth songs that cover the majority of the album. The lyrics and wordplay are interesting (albeit not worth transcribing,) the flows are air-tight, and the beats are exactly what you would expect out of a group whose mixtape was sponsored by Okayplayer. There are a few shining exceptions from this trend that keeps the album pushing along like “Plan B,” which is a describes the trio’s varied perspectives of career choices if Hip-Hop wasn’t a reality.

Another example is the double time flow that Ilyas displays on the song “We’re Fly” that would make even the most close minded doubter crack a smile. The amount of features is kept at a minimum, but fortunately where they are present they are utilized well. On “Morgan Blu,” the three MC’s trade bars with the incomparable Los Angeles rapper Blu over a subtly enticing sample with a interweaving vocal snippet that keeps your attention. Elsewhere, Phonte croons on the aptly titled “Without U” which is seemingly a 2009 version of Common’s classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.”

While the album is very well put together and the rappers are more than adequate without a glaring weak link, the production is rather bleak and doesn’t do much to compliment the spirited lyricism. For those who found their mixtape Tanya Morgan Is A Rap Group to be enjoyable, the LP is a pleasant addition to the group’s growing catalogue. Newcomers may not be sold right away but a few visits to Brooklynati should get them feeling right at home to TM’s disposition.

3.5 CIGARETTES

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Download — Tanya Morgan – “So Damn Down”

Video — Move To Brooklynati

Previously Posted — Your Official Brooklynati Survival Kit | Video: Tanya Morgan’s Official Brooklynati Tourism Guide