Phat Kat is an unsung father of Detroit hip hop. Alongside friend, DJ, and beatsmith J Dilla, the duo known as First Down became the first act from Detroit to be on major label (the now defunct Pay Day). After years of making appearances with Slum Village and grinding it out in the Detroit underground, Phat Kat brings us a high powered follow up to his overlooked debut Undeniable (2004, Barak) in the form of Carte Blanche (Look). With a new label and a new light on Detroit hip hop since Dilla’s passing, the rapper also known as Ronnie Cash takes show’s us why we should have been listening a long time ago.

The album kicks off with the monstrous “Nasty Ain’t It” as Kat shreds through one of Dilla livest tracks to date, a feat duplicated on the Elzhi (of Slum Village) assisted single, “Cold Steel.” Two of Detroit’s finest wordsmiths offer us next level gun talk over a sadistic Dilla soundscape. Dilla’s not the only one who shines on Carte Blanche. The album showcases a stable of young Detroit producers who let us know that the man’s legacy of fresh and innovative production is alive and well in the Motor City.

G-Unit in-house producer Nick Speed whips up the action packed “Nightmare” where Phat Kat and fellow Detroiter Guilty Simpson proclaim their status as “Major label nightmares/ Bootleg our own shit, we don’t fight fair.” Speed also delivers the blood pumping “Vessels” that features an estranged Truth Hurts (of Aftermath fame) on the hook and lines like, “Every day’s my birthday, I be holdin’ the cake.”

Young R.J. provides a gorgeous backdrop where Phat Kat talks love alongside the divine vocals of Melanie Rutherford on the aptly titled “Lovely.” Rising producer/MC Black Milk makes his presence known with a riot rousing beat on “Danger,” a track that features the notable performances from Slum Village’s T3 and Black himself. As the album draws to a close, an insightful Ronnie Cash reflects on Dilla’s influence and the bandwagon that ensued after his passing on “True Story Pt. 2.” This is followed by the electronic heart tugging “They Don’t Care About Us,” rounding out the album the way it started - with Dilla.

Much like the city it comes from, this album is oozing with originality and style. Phat Kat serves up an album that captures the maturity of a seasoned veteran and utter freshness of a stimulating debut. Cash possesses a wittily aggressive flow with a swagger that stays fresh for the duration of the album. Clocking in at about 45 minutes, Cash knows when to cuts the excess phat and gives us something we can digest from beginning to end. Carte Blanche is a refreshing release you’ll be able to ride to for years to come.

by Alex Viard

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