"The Formula is... from the streets... it's the sounds you hear... it's my clothes, my shoes, my kicks..." The aforementioned quote is from The Formula's introduction. It captures the essence of the new album from Buckshot and 9th Wonder. It's soulful. It's real. It's what you hear and what you wear. It's hip-hop.
Three years ago, Buckshot (of Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik) and 9th Wonder (of Little Brother) dropped their first collaboration, Chemistry, after meeting while working together on albums for Sean Price and Smif-N-Wessun. It's clear that they formed a musical bond, finding a powerful synergy between their two styles -- Buck's laid-back lyricism and 9th Wonder's signature snares and soul samples. They deemed their music "adult contemporary hip-hop" because it contains the formula to transcend generational or geographical musical tastes: infectious beats + dope rhymes + topical tracks.
In The Formula, the duo doesn't quite pick up where they left off on their critically acclaimed debut, Chemistry. But don't get it twisted, the album still delivers classic tracks versus "here today, gone tomorrow" club joints. Buckshot's personal growth is evident throughout the album, as he uses his cadence skills to do more storytelling than spittin', often reflecting on his own success to deliver motivational messages in tracks like "Ready (Brand New Day)." 9th Wonder accentuates Buck's mature lyrics with smooth, soulful sounds that also compliment the record's overall tone, while artists like Swan, Carlitta Durand and Keisha Shontelle lend their sweet voices on hook-friendly tracks like "Be Cool," "Whassup' With U?" and "Go All Out."
Standout anthems from the album include "Hold It Down" (featuring Talib Kweli and Tyler Woods), "Shinin' Y'all" and "Throwin' Shade." Be careful, the melodic rhythms in these feel-good tracks might induce head noddin' or even spark a summer block party. "Just Display" is another album treat, where Buck shares a cautionary skirt-chasing tale over a chopped up sample, noting in his quick but haunting hook that "you better watch some of these chicks... they just display."
Overall, Buckshot and 9th Wonder have found the formula for success with this album. While it would have been nice to hear a bit more variation from 9th (at times the album sounds repetitive), the duo has delivered another "classic" that reassures old-heads that hip-hop is not dead and expands new-schoolers' horizons beyond radio-friendly jams. And in these days of "Lollypop" hip-hop, it's nice to find some joints that are reminiscent of the good ol' days.
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