For the third offering from his upcoming Spring release Not Quite Himself, Stik Figa generously gives us a deep, introspective visual accompaniment for the Leonard Dstroy produced “Gray Chevette.” We have come to expect impeccable bars and storytelling from the Topeka lyricist, but this recollection of his adolescent years, mostly in reference to parental relationships, is a rare find in the modern hip-hop environ. Poetic in presentation, yet still conversationally accessible, Stik tells a story in each verse and uses the hook to frame his father, “see my daddy had this gray Chevette, with no AC and wouldn’t break a sweat, and no power steering, daily chasing checks, riding around Junction City with the same cassette.” That type of nostalgia jogging is something I can relate to, and the rest of the track digs in from there with mentions of his mother’s efforts to provide even when the all too familiar reality of a broken home became his environ. Personalizing the timeline even further, Stik made his own son the lead character in the video to bring the dope narrative full circle. Now with a third notch to stack on top of recent release “Tell ‘Em That” and “Amen” featuring Gee Watts, look out for 2015 to be a move making year for one of Kansas’ finest on the mic right now. Roll up and hit play.
