Review: Pruven - First Words: Earn Everything

Pruven is a talented emcee with a voice and flow that is very reminiscent of MF Doom, and a knack for being able to fill a single verse with a wide variety of ideas. His debut LP, 1st Words: Earn Everything, showcases that ability, but also has a few flaws. The first major issue with the album is its length. At 23 tracks, and clocking in at just a shade under 80 minutes, 1st Words: Earn Everything is simply too much to take on in one sitting and probably should have been broken up into two distinct LPs. Also, having a delivery like MF Doom, which is fairly monotone, means the production has to provide some of the excitement. Unfortunately, like his voice, the production never really wavers, which, again, would be fine if the album was 30-40 minutes, but after that mark it starts to drag. Despite its flaws, 1st Words: Earn Everything is a positive step forward for Pruven, who’s ability to shine on songs with prominent guest emcees like Copywrite and L.I.F.E. Long show that as he grows as an artist he should become a force in the years to come.

Review originally ran in the New Haven Advocate.