Curren$y & Harry Fraud - 'The Marina' EP

2018 is far from over, but Curren$y has already delivered his third project this year. Spitta’s newest project, The Marina, follows up The Spring Collection and Parking Lot Music. Given his voracious appetite and relentless work ethic, there may be a lot more coming.

For his latest release, Curren$y has chosen Harry Fraud as his producer-sidekick on this EP. It’s eight tracks deep, featuring guest appearances from fellow stoners like Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, and Action Bronson. Listen to the latest chapter in Curren$y’s jet life.

As per usual, Curren$y paints pictures of his luxurious, stoner lifestyle. This time, the imagery he conjures is of beaches, boats, and jet skis. “Radar Tower” kicks things off with its uncanny, minimalist production. This intro is one of the brighter moments on this EP.

“14 Packs” with Smoke DZA follows suit. Except this time, Curren$y is “on the run getting paid.” Smoke DZA chimes in to let you know that he’s “door to door with the pack like I’m Uber Eats”. It’s a gritty, slow-burning record… take your time tokin’ hits to this one.

Elsewhere, he and French Montana are taking getaways to “Modena” among other places; while name-dropping fellow celebrities and their expensive cars. “Drake to the left, J-Lo two doors down,” French Montana raps. It’s one of the best collaborations on here.

But there’s nothing like a Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa collab. The soulful vocal loop is the perfect backdrop for Wiz and Curren$y’s sly, stoner bars. Curren$y has no intention of passing you his joint when there’s “enough gas in the world.” I expect nothing less from these two on a beat like this; they need to do another mixtape.

Still, there are some forgettable moments on this EP. “The Visitor” is one of Fraud’s least extravagant beats on this project. Not to mention, Curren$y’s verse feels like it could’ve been on any other track on here; it’s not unique.

Neither is “On the Water”. Curren$y’s delivery on the hook is sub-par and uninteresting. He could’ve tried a different cadence or delivery to hook listeners in. But he insists on saying “these planes land on the water.” It’s straightforward to a fault; so much so, that it becomes a bore to listen to this track.

And I love Curren$y’s work ethic, but scarce mixtape releases here and there could bolster his creativity. After dozens of projects, I wonder if there are any new angles he can approach his luxurious stoner-raps with. Because otherwise, his artistry is trapped in a box: unchanging and lacking substantial growth.

Curren$y doesn’t have to change his element—he needs to tweak it slightly. His brand of rap has become very predictable and borderline repetitive. Given his release history though, he’ll have plenty of chances to alter his bread and butter.

Essential Tracks

• “Radar Town”
• “14 Packs” ft. Smoke DZA
• “Modena Moves” ft. French Montana
• “Sundown in Eleuthera”
• “The Count” ft. Wiz Khalifa

The Verdict

Overall, Curren$y has delivered another solid body of work. And for the most part, Harry Fraud’s production is a great sonic palette for Spitta’s raps. But if he’s not too stuck in his ways, I’d like to see more growth from Curren$y. I want to see him do more than just switch the producers he works with on every release. After an extensive career thus far, I’d like to see him be more adventurous and take risks. He could approach the stoner-raps from a different disposition. For now, spark up and listen to the essentials.

The Marina is a B-.

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