Petty-P self titled album "Petty-P" album review by: Sean Danaher

I would normally set aside something like this for Mysterium Media Group artists but this album review is different. I really wanted to this for several reasons. I will speak on them in no particular order.

I have known Petty-P since he was a kid. I have seen him grow in many stages in his life, and have seen his music continuously grow, develop and get better over the years. I have heard him during his "Demo" stage of his career when Petty, along with his partners Double O, and Little D were Green, hungry and eager young rappers. Recording with Isaac Meek at Undercaste Studios. There was still a lot of room for growth. His Beef at the time with Mak 1 lead to his song "You not Gangsta" being removed from the Popular Seattle Compilation Reign Craft vol 2, leaving only his instrumental (for the Seattle Heads who have that particular volume, it is the freestyle beat.). Feeling under appreciated and held down, Petty-P decided it was time to go solo.

The first time I saw Petty-P perform live was in 2005 at The Tsunami relief fundraiser show at the Kirkland Teen Center in which I, along with another new local artist named Grynch was performing. I had known Petty personally, but I hadn't seen him in years so I didn't recognize him at first. He had just hired The fast talking Mike Kelley as his manager and was recording with Sonny Bonoho. In walks Petty, very cocky and confident, flanked with a very attractive young girl on his arm (His wife Anna), I was immediately skeptical of this kid. The night went on, I performed with my crew and we were raising alot of money. Devin the Dude was supposed to be the headliner but no showed. Petty-P was finally given his shot. He was put into the headliner spot and to my surprise, KILLED IT! I was sold. This cat was the truth (He had a HUGE following also). I later found out from alot of my old Ballard Homies who were there that he was Pierre Guinchard. My Homie Beau's brother whom I knew when he was a kid. I was tripping. I came up to him and we talked. I told him how impressed I was with him. This guy had mad potential.

Eventually, Petty and Mike Kelley parted ways and he released his first album "Young Caucasian". 15 tracks mostly produced by Sonny Bonoho (He was featured on two tracks), with a few songs produced by Isaac Meek, Odeezie, and Jus the MC. It was a very solid album. But very raw. (It wasn't even properly mastered.) His loyal following got behind the album, but for whatever reason, Many of the more "Prominent" or well known artists did not. But as well, Petty-P was lacking resources to really push "Young Caucasian" where it needed to be. Since then he has released "Young Caucasian: The Mix Tape" (Yours truly was featured on several tracks), and "Petty-P: The Mix Tape" (I am featured on this one as well). each release getting better and better. Finally, we have his second full length self titled album "Petty-P" (I know alot of you were probably wondering if I was ever going to get to that.)

The 19 track album has sick production by Garbs Infinite, Sonny Bonoho, 206 A$$A$$IN, Jey Jey Kim, Nitro Fresh, Odeezie, and Doctor Wax who scratches on a track as well.

The album starts off with a skit called "Red Neck Promoter" (who is voiced by reclusive comedian and voice impersonator The Dry Drunk) And immediately you get to see some of Petty's humor. basically it is a guy who claims to be a promoter from "Po Dunk" who is trying to get Petty to perform at a show but can't get a hold of him so he gives him a piece of his mind on the voice mail. A bunch of farm animals and a banjo playing in the back ground make it even more funny. The very next track called "Lets Party Again" features Indijinis and it goes hard! Petty and Indi trade bars on the chorus and it is non stop killerism. Its almost as if the party goers were on speed because the tempo is fast and very intense. Indijinis along with this one rapper named Soul the Interrogator is featured on "What it feel like". A song dedicated to The haters in Seattle hip hop. "I could care less, about your stats and crowds/ I see you at a show you be talkin loud/ the truth is your local, you'll never leave town/ You snitch and get shot and get brought down/". Willie Will jumps on board with "Give it up". "Back up little man, this materials hazardous/ I got more kix and tricks than your cereal cabinets". Petty and Will compliment each other well. "I jump up on the stage, grab the microphone,/ check it one two, make sure the volume on./". The beat makes you want to put your hand in the air and make it bounce up and down. It has that underground feel good vibe to it. The album also features Too Good aka Stefo and New Comer Zee Gee (Who sounds A LOT like Brother Lynch Hung), Abidyah, 206 A$$A$$IN, Petty's young son Ace, Jonnie Storm of Saturday Morning Cartoon (Formerly Jon Doe of Blak Swan) Sport N Life's Fatal Lucciauno, and Suntonio Bandanaz aka Asun from 206 Zulu Nation.

From listening you get the feeling that the two singles are "So Sexxxy" featuring Jazz Digga. and "I Luv My City". Seattle's answer to Jay Z's "New York State of Mind". The album features two versions. The original with Petty-P and vocalist Abidyah, and the Remix version featuring Seattle All Stars Fatal Lucciauno, Jonnie Storm, Suntonio Bandanaz, Soul the Interrogator (Yours truly), Indijinis, and Abidyah. For obvious reasons I tend to lean on the remix version more than the original but hey, who am I?

The album is very eclectic. Profiling P's different styles from underground (Give it up, What it feel like) top 40 (So Sexxxy, I Luv My City, Lets Party Again), West Coast (Dumb Out, W*** Smoke, Hog named Petty, Runnin Game), Positive/Political (Govdotcom, Alwayz There, Here for You) and "Deep" (Imagine, My Last Wordz)

A few of the songs although good, tend to disrupt the flow of the album. "Weed Smoke" (Dope Production, however, seems to go a little too long. and the concept has been a well beaten dead horse) "Hustla Muzik" (The beat seemed very tedious and had this claustrophobic feeling to it) "Hog Named Petty" (Super Dope production. It just didn't seem to fit in the right spot on the album).


All in all, this album is MILES above "Young Caucasian". Petty-P has grown into a solid artist. When he began recording Petty had said that this would be his last album. He has since changed his mind. I am truly glad. Recently, on the local hip hop forum site 206proof.com Petty went to verbal war with many people who took pot shots at him but claimed the bridge was burned when he fired shots back. I think alot of those same people did not give him a chance as an artist. For Petty to quit would give his naysayers a victory. Say what you want about him but Petty-P has alot to offer this town. "Petty-P" is a very good album. Cop it. GO!

FOUR STARS out of FIVE
A-

www.myspace.com/pettyp