Co$$ & Fonetik Simbol - Khakis and Taylors

Title: Khakis and Taylors
Artist: Co$$ & Fonetik Simbol
Release Date: August 18, 2009
Record Label: Tres Records
Producers: Fonetik Simbol
Related Links: MySpace: Co$$ ::: MySpace: Fonetik Simbol ::: Tres Records

Previously known as Ca$hus King, Los Angeles emcee CO$$’s claims that his unusual childhood, which involved a mixture of strong religious and academic teachings, as well as difficulties including the loss of his father and gang acquaintances, now allows him to provide a variety of social aspects in his music; resulting in his lyrics containing both socially conscious and the more rebelling views of those from living on the LA streets. His latest release, the Khakis and Taylors 12”, is a convincing exhibition of such assortment of content and does well at displaying CO$$’s talent in the small collection of tracks. With Fonetik Simbol holding down the production end, the Khakis and Taylors 12” should build anticipation for their upcoming LP, Before I Awoke, currently slated for 2010.

“Khakis and Taylors” discusses ongoings on the streets of LA. “LA’s Best,” which Shawn Jackson jumps onto, is a love song to both artists’ hometown city that carries the passion we’ve come to expect from Southern California artists. “Pastels,” with Sene & Brea (of Deep Rooted), is much smoother than the other two offerings and will make you feel producer Fonetik Simbol created the track while watching the sunset out on Venice beach. “Pastels” is a taste of the more conscious side of CO$$’s music, where he discusses the unnecessary destruction that comes with color-based conflicts, whether it’s gang or race related.

“What's the color of our love,
What's the color of my life,
Take the color from my site,
make me color blind.”

CO$$’s 12” Khakis and Taylors should sit well with both his current fans as well as new listeners. The strong production and CO$$’s ability to relate to human issues in his music will allow him to do just fine in his goal of reminding his listeners that rappers are still people with the same day-to-day problems.

Side A

Side B