Reading the notes for MMAPP (Made Myself A Paper Plane), it's evident that Sankofa was pretty amped to work with producer PIG PEN. It's clear why, there isn't a moment on this album where the production is anything less than stellar. This is thirteen tracks of crunchy boom bap filled with wobbling piano samples and spaghetti western strings that always act in service of the main event, Sankofa's superb flow.
Sankofa grabs your attention straight away with the opener, Airwalker. He spits out lines so fast you can barely make them out, but it's electrifying. As the track progresses, you can hear how much fun he's having, how much melody is being injected into the lines that it's only a step or two away from channeling the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. It's a really strong opener, and despite that I think every single track that follows it is better.
One of my favourites is the song that directly follows, 50 burger. It immediately draws you in with its sweeping string sample and soulful guitar lick. There's something really nostalgic about how the song sounds, and while I wouldn't say the song is about yearning for the past, I do feel it subtly in lines like "I'm hotboxing in the Tardis". Anyway whatever I digress the main thing is this track is really good and has a really strong hook.
Despite the energy of that first track, the album mostly exists in a more reflective and bittersweet space, especially in tracks like chickenboneclamshells and Favorite Spoon, which features a Spanish guitar and big string sweeps.
A real highlight is Rap Centurions. A huge part of what makes this track work is an excellent feature from JON?DOE, who sounds more than a little like Slim Shady (a comparison I suspect JON?DOE isn't crazy about, but it's true). The track focuses around a sombre string part, huge beat, and a rip-roaring back and forth between the two emcees.
The features are great throughout, actually. Every guest rapper brings a different flow and timbre that compliments and counters Sankofa's gruffness. It all sort of ties in my main feeling with this album. No man is an island and in a world that sometimes feels like it's going to hell, the people around you are more important than ever, and I think this is something that Sankofa understands. As a result I'd really recommend this album, I had a great time listening to it.