Time Is Money

The album’s release date was constantly changing since early 2005

The events that preceded a release of Styles P’s new album have added some extra weight to a phrase Time Is Money. Starting from early 2005 an issue of his second solo album was delayed for more than four times. After never ending disputes with Interscope Records, a company to which Styles P was signed to, and another release date alteration Styles P gave an interview where he made a confession that all the material for Time Is Money was finished as far back as 2003. To explain such a behavior Interscope records has inevitably related it with a current beef between D-Block and 50 Cent’s G-Unit thus giving some food for rumors that 50 Cent and company had some opportunities to affect label’s decisions. The whole story was covered in different editions in the course of events so, by the end of 2006 the atmosphere around album’s release became so tense that it was close to explode and Time Is Money received a well earned status of the most awaited album.

Time Is Money offers 12 tracks comprising 45 minutes of total playtime

Despite all efforts of ill wishers the album was finally released proving that a real talent will find the way to his listeners in any case. Styles P do not hesitate to say what he really thinks, Time Is Money is sharp-tongued, laconic but substantial answer to the opposed world. 12 tracks within 45 minutes of playtime is a good format, in comparison with albums smeared along 20 and more tracks classic 45 minutes make a performer do his songs more capacious in content. The first track Intro,g Joint sounds like a sequel to Styles P’s first album and features sampled melody of 80’s hit Final Countdown. Styles P doesn’t mind speaking about socially poignant aspects, he dwells upon civil rights and freedoms on Testify Feat. Talib Kweli and I’m Black Feat. Marsha From Floetry, the latter is definitely one of his best hit-songs. The chorus is performed by a member of British R&B duet Floetry Marsha Ambrosius and contains well-known lines of James Brown “Say It Loud (I’m Black And I’m Proud)”. Real Shit is made up the same manner, here Gerald Levert lends a cameo appearance adding some extra feelings to the song. But a real thing is Havoc produced How We Live, filled with a fairy sounds of flute and strings song proves to be a decoration of the whole album.

Styles P is trying to please the audience of different tastes

Being a potentially strong record Time Is Money has nevertheless suffered loss because of external problems. By the moment it was issued some part of the songs either were out of date or already reached fans through Internet or mixtapes. That’s why phrase Time Is Money obtains a bitter flavor for the performer. But this is not Styles P’s fault; from his part he tried his best to get to the charts. Time Is Money is a worthy, solid release for a second album, Styles P didn’t lose a single particle of his poignancy. But when you try to judge this album impartially there appears one thing to notice. It looks as though Styles P wants to satisfy interests of different categories of listeners: those who is looking for a true and honest street lyrics like Tupak did and those who like to listen loud boasts about ghetto, thug life and so on with low, speaker ripping bass. Time Is Money gives rise to a contradictory feeling: first you nod your head with the song’s beat and than sit up thinking about vices of life. Styles P’s performing skills evoke no reproaches but it would be interesting to know which of two sides will Styles P stick to in the future.