Released 20 years ago
Crook by da Book: The Fed Story
Project Pat · 2006
71 min · 20 tracks · hip-hop
A gritty exploration of street life, blending menacing beats with raw storytelling and a unique Memphis rap cadence.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Ain’t Goin’ Back to Jail — This track encapsulates Project Pat's struggles with the justice system, delivering an authentic reflection on the impact of incarceration through sharp lyrics and a hard-hitting beat.
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Tell, Tell, Tell (Stop Snitchin’) — Serving as both a personal manifesto and a commentary on street culture, this track addresses the stigma around snitching while showcasing Pat’s signature narrative style.
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Raised in the Projects — This song provides a vivid account of Pat's upbringing, combining haunting production with personal storytelling that highlights the struggles faced by those in his community.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends gritty storytelling with a distinctive Southern sound, though it may not have broad appeal outside its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of heavy bass and sparse, menacing beats that create a dark atmosphere throughout.
- Project Pat's delivery varies between rapid-fire verses and slower, more deliberate cadences, emphasizing the storytelling aspect.
- Several tracks incorporate recurring themes of street life and survival, with lyrics that often reference personal experiences and local culture.
- The sequencing includes multiple interludes and skits that provide context to the narrative, enhancing the overall flow of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty storytelling of street life
- dynamic flow with emotional resolution
- wave-like pacing for engaged listening
- reflective moments amidst hard truths
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light and upbeat themes
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2006, Project Pat had established himself as a significant voice in Southern hip-hop following his earlier work on albums like 'Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin'. This album marked his return after a brief hiatus, showcasing his continued evolution as an artist amidst the changing landscape of hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Three 6 Mafia· Juicy J· Lord Infamous
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 0:52
- 2 I Ain’t Goin’ Back to Jail 2:54
- 3 Purple 4:30
- 4 Raised in the Projects 3:15
- 5 2 Dollar Niggas 3:54
- 6 Cocaine 3:41
- 7 Tell, Tell, Tell (Stop Snitchin’) 4:03
- 8 What Money Do 4:53
- 9 I Keep That 2:53
- 10 Crack a Head 3:10
- 11 You Like 3:33
- 12 High Off the Ground 4:34
- 13 Get Down 3:38
- 14 Cause I’m a Playa 3:37
- 15 Good Googly Moogly 3:22
- 16 How It Goes in This Gutta 3:06
- 17 Nigga Got Popped 3:05
- 18 Get That Up Off Ya 3:17
- 19 Been Gettin’ Money 4:12
- 20 Outro 4:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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