Charity Starts at Home - Phonte
  • Band Name: Phonte
  • Record Label: HBD
  • Release Date: Sep 27, 2011
Metascore
89 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. All Music Guide
    Jan 18, 2012
    80
    A well-balanced marriage of all of Phonte's musical inclinations.
  2. HipHopDX
    Oct 11, 2011
    90
    With its substantial subject matter, solid production and tightly-woven sequencing, Charity Starts At Home does exactly what a solo debut should: showcases the artist's skill set and personality all at once.
  3. Okayplayer
    Oct 11, 2011
    88
    This is sophisticated music for the adult soul.
  4. RapReviews.com
    Oct 11, 2011
    75
    This is an overall above average album that needed a little more of something--a little more 9th Wonder, a little more swagger, a little more about the world of today--and possibly just a little less angst.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Oct 11, 2011
    91
    With his gloriously grown-up solo debut, one of the smartest, most incisive lyricists alive proves it's possible to grow older in hip-hop while retaining your dignity.
  6. XXL
    Oct 11, 2011
    80
    Undeniably, Charity Starts At Home reminds why the rapper has been a darling of the underground for years.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. tylerminor2011
    9
    This is a great album. The production is solid. The lyrics are solid. The only complaint I have with it is that Phonte doesn't change up his style, and the beats and his flow can be repetitive. Other than that, it is almost a perfect album.… Full Review »
  2. keep_yr_bias
    7
    All around this was a surprisingly solid album. Phonte is a pretty good lyricist, and the production fits him very well. I certainly enjoyed the theme of the album, which is very down to earth, blue collar type album. For the most part Phonte is your everyday dude, and that in itself is refreshing. It's far from perfect though. The album has it's fair share of contradictions, particularly in his lyrics. On one song he can be rapping about how he wants a simple life or being honest, settling down, and finding true love, and the other claiming that men cheat because they have to (as if it were genetic), and that his woman is a ball and chain. The only bad stretch of this album is the middle 3 or 4 tracks, and some of those are flat out terrible. One of the tracks is maybe the cheesiest cornball R&B songs I've ever heard. I really wish that Phonte would have done away with all of the R&B songs he has on this album. It's a shame, because on tracks like, "We Go Off" feat. Pharoahe Monch, Phonte shows just how great of rapper he can be.… Full Review »
  3. Wonderwall17
    8
    Good, Classic Album. It takes me back to the little brother days. Love the way he raps and sings. Eternally, The Good Fight, To Be Yours, and We Go Off are my favorite tracks of the album.… Full Review »
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