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Torae "Daily Conversation" To say that Hip-Hop is going through a transitional period would be a gross understatement. With the constant overflow of artists from the South equipped with catchy hooks and dance moves, attention has been taken away more than ever from the Mecca of Hip-Hop: New York City. With the exceptions of Talib Kweli’s album debuting at #2 on the Billboard charts and of course Jay‘s American Gangster, the trough of Big Apple lyricists that was once filled with thoroughbreds have slowly dissipated. Apparently, this sentiment had to be on Torae’s mind while he was recording his debut Daily Conversation as this record delivers nothing short of vintage, head nodding New York hip-hop. The Brooklyn MC jumps right into this “working man” project explaining that “this is a Daily Convo for every John Doe and every John Q. Public that’s on his grind yo” with the enthusiasm of a newcomer and an ease that makes sense of his nickname “Da Young Veteran”. He has every right to be excited due to the remarkable sound bed he was blessed with from the likes of 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Marco Polo, Black Milk and the legendary DJ Premier. He puts these gems to best use with tracks like “Callin’ Me”, “Get It Goin’” and “Somethin’ To See” as he slices through the beats with the precision of a well trained samurai. Torae also isn’t shy about sharing the story of his odyssey through the game which after you listen to “The Journey Pt. 1”, will realize was a very long time when he speaks of being in league with A&R’s and execs “right when Tracey Lee was getting on” (if you’re scratching your head right now wondering who Tracey Lee is…..exactly!). The most entertaining joint on Daily Conversation by far has to be “Switch” where Torae changes his flow throughout the smoothly infectious Black Milk track. He even takes a hilarious stab at the late Tupac Shakur’s unique delivery…“My memoreeees been drowned off the Henneseeee, so when I’m gone, don’t mourn just remember meee”. The biggest hurdle that plagues this project is the choice of collaborators. The person Torae seems to have the most chemistry with (aside from his daughter on the affectionate “Tayler Made”) is another Brooklyn MC, Justus League affiliate Skyzoo who appears on 4 of the 15 tracks. The rest are equated with a cup of coffee: it goes down pretty well but once it lingers and sets in, it doesn’t leave that good of a taste in your mouth after that. The prime example of that is “Think About It” where Torae explains that though violence is not his first line of defense he has no problem going to that extreme if the situation warrants it, while M.O.P. associate Teflon spouts unimaginative parables of redundant street thug scenarios. At the very least this record is the first of hopefully many floorboards nailed into the foundation of what could be a resurgence of New York juggernauts ready to combat the current movement and make the playing field that much more even. And for someone who “wants a XXL for every sentence”, Daily Conversation is a proper start to fulfilling Torae’s ambitions. 3.5 out of 5 KendredSpirit