Sugar Tongue Slim, also known to the world as STS, has an interesting background. He first got his foot in the door when he helped pen the song Oh by Ciara – random right? Well, he’s worked (in various capacities) with artists such as Nas, Lloyd, Mario, Eve, and Jill Scott, just to name a few. His new album, STS x RJD2, which is exactly what it sounds like, is admittedly my first introduction to him. Good first impression.
I knew he was from Philly, but wasn’t that shocked to hear that he was born/raised in Atlanta. He has a southern twang that at times puts me in mind of Andre 3000 – but his delivery is very east coast. This 12 shot album is a lot of things: melodic, soulful and surprisingly bar heavy.
Some immediate tracks that jump out at me after my first few listens are the soulful Doin It Right, which starts the project off, the super clever Trunk Of My Computer and of course the track that brought STS to my attention originally 420. What really impressed me was the album closer Fuck With That, which is a flip of Jay-Z’s pre-fame gem I Can’t Get With That.
RJD2 is amazingly talented, with a track record of critically acclaimed heat rocks. STS definitely benefits from working exclusively with one producer. The project has a consistent tone/sound that maintains its momentum from top to bottom. The result is an album that isn’t a chore to listen to in its entirety.
STS and RJD2 have put together one of, in all honesty, the best projects I’ve heard this year [so far]. Tons of replay value. Highly recommended.
