Curren$y is one of the hardest working artists in the industry, bar none. From his constant stream of mixtapes to putting out two full-fledged albums in the blink of an eye and now dropping the first release of 2011, Return To The Winner’s Circle, the man refuses to let his name fade from anyone’s memory and this year appears to be no different. With this new project, the New Orleans representative swoops by to help welcome in 2011 the right way.

The tape starts off with a bang, as Curren$y laces Rick Ross and Kanye’s “Live Fast, Die Young” on “Daze of Thunder,” which is pure bitter-beer face material as Curren$y rips the track with a fast-paced cadence to match the beat’s quick claps. “Paydays”, the second-to-last song on the tape, is also top-notch. Riding over “Hittin’ Corners” by K-Dee, Curren$y makes the beat sound like it was made for him. The heavy bassline, smooth synth and laid-back pace allow Spitta to do what he does best, flash some dexterous wordplay while making it sound like he isn’t even trying.

While perhaps slightly rushed (several beats ride out for way longer than they need to), Return To The Winner’s Circle is definitely a worthy addition to Curren$y’s catalog. The holiday may be over, but this tape is worth celebrating and an adequate way towards making 2011 even better.