It's been a long time coming for Phonte Coleman's second solo album No News Is Good News. The North Carolina native, who first made his mark in the early aughts as a member Little Brother, has an inclination toward group projects—he's also recorded collaborative works with Nicolay (as The Foreign Exchange), Zo! (Love the 80's) and singer Eric Roberson (Tigallerro). But Tay is the focus on his new work, which was first announced in February 2016 and slated for release in fall that year. Now that the project has arrived, he reminds fans why superstars like Drake and Kanye West have sung his praises. ("He knows he’s one the biggest influences on my career," Drizzy told Village Voice Phonte in 2011.)
Having given No News Is Good News a few spins, XXL has handpicked 20 the album's best lyrics and couplets that rank a cut above the rest.