CD Review: Money Waters’ Swalhaggin

by Shawn Parikh

Money Waters’ much awaited followup album to 2003’s The Porch finally drops September 26, but I had the luck of getting an advanced copy. His new album under the reversible title, Swalhaggin, includes 23 soulful tracks ranging from blues to rap to spoken dialogues, all featuring his unique Southern drawl.

“Fuckery,” (featuring Grand Supreem) the second track on the album, immediately presents Waters as a figure wanting to make a bold statement with the line, “We went from a slave to a nigger to a refugee.” It is such a strong, political lyric that anyone stops and thinks about how far we have progressed (or more correctly, not progressed) as a civil society. Waters continues relaying strong messages to the end of his CD with “Niggallegiance” and “Eva’ Changin.”

Waters also provides music that is not as predominantly political in nature. The popular number that has already hit the scene is “Gotta Gar?” featuring Limp Legg and Kabaal. With a catchy chorus and a chill beat, this track has Waters gearing up to shoot a music video later this month. Favorite tracks are “Down Wit Ya” and “Noid” (featuring C-Pone of the Grifters) fusing blues and rap to supply a cool, easy listen.

The reason this album is so advisable is for the variety of hard raps, lazy beats, political messages, and entertaining dialogues. Money Waters, who has helped to put Dallas on the hip-hop scene with his previous album, will certainly better this city’s reputation with Swalhaggin.

Fans of Money Waters can download mp3s of the singles from Swalhaggin here