Pilot Talk

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Pilot Talk | type = studio | artist = [[Currensy|Curren$y]] | cover = Pilottalk.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2010|7|13}} | recorded = 2009–2010 | venue = | studio = | genre = [[Hip-hop]] | length = 42:49 | label = [[DD172]] {{small|(BluRoc)}} | producer = {{hlist|[[Damon Dash]] ([[Executive producer#Music|exec.]])|[[Ski Beatz]]|Nesby Phips|Monsta Beatz|[[Mos Def]]|Michael Sterling Eaton}} | prev_title = [[Jet Files]] | prev_year = 2009 | next_title = [[Pilot Talk II]] | next_year = 2010 | misc = {{Singles | name = Pilot Talk | type = Studio | single1 = [[King Kong (Currensy song)|King Kong]] | single1date = April 27, 2010 | single2 = [[Roasted (Currensy song)|Roasted]] | single2date = June 21, 2010 }} }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = ''[[Allmusic]]'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Jeffries |first=David |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1838133|pure_url=yes}} |title=Review: ''Pilot Talk'' |work=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=July 17, 2010}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Pitchfork Media]]'' | rev2Score = (8.4/10) <ref>{{cite web|last=Brehain |first=Tom |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14474-pilot-talk/|title=Review: ''Pilot Talk'' |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> | rev3 = [[URB (magazine)|URB]] | rev3Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} <ref>{{cite web |last=Vidal |first=Dan |url=http://www.urb.com/2010/07/12/curreny-pilot-talk/ |title=Review: ''Pilot Talk'' |work=[[URB (magazine)|URB]] |accessdate=July 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717040002/http://www.urb.com/2010/07/12/curreny-pilot-talk/ |archivedate=July 17, 2010 }}</ref> | rev4 = [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | rev4Score = {{Rating|7|10}} <ref>{{cite web|last=Detrick |first=Ben |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/curreny-pilot-talk-dd172island-def-jam |title=Curren$y, 'Pilot Talk' (DD172/Island Def Jam) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[AllHipHop.com]]'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|8|10}} <ref>{{cite web|last=AbduSalaam |first=Ismael |url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviewsmusic/archive/2010/07/13/22295784.aspx |title=Curren$y, 'Pilot Talk' (DD172/Island Def Jam) |work=[[AllHipHop.com]] |accessdate=October 31, 2010}}</ref> | rev6 = ''HipHopDX'' | rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}} <ref>{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Luke |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1477 |title=Curren$y, 'Pilot Talk' (DD172/Island Def Jam) |work=HipHopDX |accessdate=October 31, 2010 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819140436/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1477 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|9|10}} <ref>{{cite web|last=Amidon |first=David |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/130422-curreny-pilot-talk/ |title=Curren$y, 'Pilot Talk' (DD172/Island Def Jam) |work=[[Popmatters]] |accessdate=October 31, 2010}}</ref> }} '''''Pilot Talk''''' is the third [[studio album]] by rapper [[Currensy|Curren$y]]. It was released under Damon Dash's [[DD172]] record label division, BluRoc Records.<ref name="YouTube">[http://www.creativecontrol.tv Creative Control] at [https://youtube.com/user/cctelevisionchannel YouTube] {{YouTube|OxHm5vn7Ncs|PILOT TALK - WWW.CREATIVECONTROL.TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddotomen.com/2010/02/17/currenys-rocafella-chain-powered-by-bluroc/ |title=Curren$y’s Rocafella Chain Powered By BLUROC |publisher=DDotOmen |date= |accessdate=2012-03-05 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401213257/http://ddotomen.com/2010/02/17/currenys-rocafella-chain-powered-by-bluroc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album was originally scheduled to be released on March 23, 2010.<ref name="YouTube"/> However, it was later postponed and then given a June 15, 2010 release.<ref name="Reid">Reid, Shaheem. {{cite web |title=Damon Dash Resurrects Roc-A-Fella To Start A 'Positive Movement' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504224753/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638284/20100503/dame_dash.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> The album was then pushed back and released on July 13.<ref name="King">{{cite web |url=http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/curren$y---king-kong/ |title=Music Videos: Curren$y: King Kong |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427163822/http://creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/curren$y---king-kong/ |archivedate=2011-04-27 }}</ref> The entire album is solely produced by [[Ski Beatz]] except "Prioritize", which is produced by Nesby Phips, and "Roasted", which is produced by Monsta Beatz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=73349 |title=Curren$y, My Sophomore Year |publisher=[[XXL Magazine]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410155940/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=73349 |archivedate=2010-04-10 }}</ref> Ski Beatz also remixed the song "Breakfast" for the album which was originally produced by [[Mos Def]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/#/shows/ski-beatz/ski-remixes-breakfast/ |title=Ski Beatz: Ski Remixes Breakfast |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427163822/http://creativecontrol.tv/www/#/shows/ski-beatz/ski-remixes-breakfast/ |archivedate=2011-04-27 }}</ref> Several music videos were shot for the album promotion and can be found on CreativeControl.tv.<ref name="creativecontrol.tv">{{cite web |url=http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/ |title=Music Videos: Curren$y at Creative Control |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427163822/http://creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/ |archivedate=2011-04-27 }}</ref>

The album debuted at number 39 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=curren$y|chart=all}}</ref> It sold just over 10,764 copies its first week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiptics.com/2010/07/22/currensy-pilot-talk-first-week-sales/ |title=Currensy Pilot Talk First Week Sales | A leading hip-hop music blog |publisher=Hiptics.com |date=2010-07-22 |accessdate=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007094927/http://www.hiptics.com/2010/07/22/currensy-pilot-talk-first-week-sales/ |archivedate=2011-10-07 }}</ref> The album is now at 33,000 in total sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?112210 |title=Upcoming Releases |publisher=HITS Daily Double |date= |accessdate=2012-03-05 |archive-date=2012-09-06 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906154007/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?112210 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Promotion== Videos for "Life Under the Scope", "Breakfast", "Address" and "Prioritize" were shot for the album promotion and can be found on CreativeControl.tv.<ref name="creativecontrol.tv"/> The [[lead single]], "King Kong" was produced by [[Ski (producer)|Ski Beatz]] and released for [[music download|digital download]] on April 27, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/discography_single.aspx?artistID=7422&productID=12326 |title=King Kong – Discography |publisher=Island Def Jam }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The music video premiered on DD172's CreativeControl.tv<ref name="King"/> as well as their Vimeo page on May 15, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/11759701 |title=Curren$y - King Kong on Vimeo }}</ref> The video begins with [[Curren$y]] driving in his [[Chevrolet El Camino]], playing "[[Respiration (song)|Respiration]]" from the [[Mos Def]] & [[Talib Kweli]]'s ''[[Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star|Black Star]]'' album. Other footage is taken from Curren$y in New Orleans. The video was directed by Jonah Schwartz of Creative Control. The second single, "Roasted", was released for [[music download|digital download]] on June 21, 2010, and features Trademark and Young Roddy of Curren$y's Jets International.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/news_single.aspx?nid=7201&artistID=7422 |title=New Single: Curren$y - Roasted Featuring Trademark & Young Roddy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/media/curreny/roasted/41588/ |title=Curren$y: "Roasted" at Prefixmag.com }}</ref> A music video for the single was released on July 8, 2010. The video was shot in New York at numerous locations including, DD172.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/roasted/ |title=Music Videos: Curren$y: Roasted |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427163822/http://creativecontrol.tv/www/#/music-videos/curren$y/roasted/ |archivedate=2011-04-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/13170730 |title=Curren$y - Roasted (ft. Trademark & Young Roddy) }}</ref> A video for the song, Audio Dope II, was released [[Viral marketing|virally]] on October 12, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dd172newyork.com/blog/2010/10/video-curreny-audio-dope-2/ |title=VIDEO: CURREN$Y – AUDIO DOPE 2 « DD172 |accessdate=October 13, 2010 |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724042153/http://www.dd172newyork.com/blog/2010/10/video-curreny-audio-dope-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album artwork was created by David Barnett.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapradar.com/2010/06/01/curreny-pilot-talk-album-cover |title=Curren$y Pilot Talk Album Cover |website=RapRadar |date=June 1, 2010}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Example | note1 = | music1 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Guitar: John Cave * Keyboard: Basil Wajdowicz | extra1 = [[Ski Beatz]] | length1 = 2:00 | title2 = Audio Dope II | note2 = | music2 = * Bass: Brady Watt | extra2 = Ski Beatz | length2 = 4:10 | title3 = King Kong | note3 = | extra3 = Ski Beatz | length3 = 3:00 | title4 = Seat Change | note4 = featuring [[Snoop Dogg]] | music4 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Guitar: Sean O'Connell * Backing vocals: McKenzie Eddy | extra4 = Ski Beatz | length4 = 3:51 | title5 = Breakfast | note5 = | music5 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Guitar: John Cave * Trumpet: Josiah Woodson * Background Vocals: Mos Def | extra5 = {{hlist|[[Mos Def]]|Ski Beatz}} | length5 = 2:49 | title6 = Roasted | note6 = featuring [[Trademark Da Skydiver|Trademark da Skydiver]] and [[Young Roddy]] | extra6 = Monsta Beatz | length6 = 4:25 | title7 = Skybourne | note7 = featuring [[Big K.R.I.T.]] and [[Smoke DZA]] | music7 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Guitar: John Cave * Backing vocals: Olamide Faison | extra7 = Ski Beatz | length7 = 4:16 | title8 = The Hangover | note8 = featuring [[Sir Michael Rocks]] | music8 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Keys: Matt Beilis | extra8 = Ski Beatz | length8 = 3:23 | title9 = The Day | note9 = featuring [[Jay Electronica]] and [[Mos Def]] | music9 = * Bass: Brady Watt | extra9 = Ski Beatz | length9 = 3:24 | title10 = Prioritize | note10 = featuring Nesby Phips | extra10 = Nesby Phips | length10 = 3:13 | title11 = Chilled Coughphee | note11 = featuring [[Devin the Dude]] | music11 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Keys: Basil Wajdowicz * Trombone: Alex Asher * Trumpet: Josiah Woodson | extra11 = Ski Beatz | length11 = 2:08 | title12 = Address | note12 = featuring [[Stalley]] | music12 = * Bass: Brady Watt | extra12 = Ski Beatz | length12 = 3:06 | title13 = Life Under the Scope | note13 = | music13 = * Bass: Brady Watt * Keys: Mike Levy | extra13 = {{hlist|Ski Beatz|Michael Sterling Eaton}} | length13 = 3:04 }}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:2010 albums]] [[Category:Currensy albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Ski Beatz]]