"[His Albums] Are Like The 'Reasonable Doubts' Of This Time"

Producer Ski Beatz recently talked about Warner Bros. rapper Curren$y's Pilot Talk album series and how it is comparable to rap mogul Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt debut.

In Beatz's perspective, Curren$y's Pilot Talk series could go head-to-head with Jay's 1996 debut.

"I feel like the albums I did with Curren$y -- Pilot Talk 1 and 2 -- are like the Reasonable Doubts of this time," Ski told Mixtape Daily. Comparing Curren$y to Jay might seem like a stretch, but having produced four tracks on Jigga's classic debut, Ski has enough experience with both artists to draw the educated parallel. "The music that I chose and gave Curren$y is timeless music; it's gonna be around," Ski explained. "Older people listen to Curren$y because the beats -- it kinda takes them back. But younger cats listen to it because of the lyrical content and the flows; because they are able to relate to what Curren$y is talking about. "That's how it was with Jay: The music that we chose was kinda older-sounding music, but the lyrics was now." (MTV)

Last month, Maybach Music Group's Wale questioned why critics slammed artists for comparing thier music to Reasonable Doubt.

"None of us have been able to create a critically-acclaimed album so to speak," Wale said in an interview. "That was my goal to try to do that. I ain't really into selling because I'm doing pretty good. I got records on the radio for the first time in my career. I'm just trying to make a classic album, something that you can put up there with [Jay-Z's 1996 debut] Reasonable Doubt and all the stuff that's blasphemous to compare your work to now. Why can't I say my album is just as good as Reasonable Doubt or I'm trying to beat Reasonable Doubt? That sh*t is blasphemous to say." (XXL Mag)

In 2010, hip-hop newcomer Diggy Simmons named Jay's first LP one of his all time favorites.

"Jay-Z has inspired me big time. Reasonable Doubt is one of my favorite Jay albums of all time." Diggy's pick-"Dead Presidents." "I'm a big fan of Kanye West. He's really innovative in the stuff that he does." Diggy's pick- "I Wonder." "Lupe [Fiasco] is probably my favorite rapper of all time. He's a person I look to and the reason why I am the way I am, lyrically." Diggy's pick - "Little Weapon." (VIBE)

Prior to Pilot Talk II dropping last November, Curren$y's Pilot Talk landed at No. 39 on the sales chart in summer 2010.

Rapper Curren$y's Pilot Talk debuted on the charts this week at No. 39. After seven days in stores, the rapper's new album has sold 10,800 units. (SOHH Sales Wrap)