When someone listens to Curren$y, they can expect a lot of clever pop culture references and inventive ways of talking about everyday life in his laid-back flow.

The New Orleans native had stints on legendary labels like Young Money and No Limit, but didn’t truly come into his own as one of hip-hop’s favorite stoners until he struck out on his own.

With last week’s release of his new album, Canal Street Confidential, Curren$y adds to an impressive catalog that includes numerous mixtapes and the beloved Pilot Talk trilogy.

In this edition of 5 Albums That Changed My Life, we asked Curren$y to delve into five records that shaped his own musical persona.

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Raekwon: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…

“North Star” saved my life. I was recovering from surgery, a few years back, and at the time that song is the only thing that could get me to ignore the pain of those screws setting in.

Camp Lo: Uptown Saturday Night

Camp Lo created another language, damn near, and made the Seventies vibe and style to rap.

Soulja Slim: Give It 2 ‘Em Raw

Magnolia (Soulja) Slim was and, even after he died, is still New Orleans.

Snoop Dogg: Doggystyle

Gangsta shit, playa shit, lowridin’ and just all around coolness.

Lil Wayne: Tha Carter II

I was on that mother fucker… All in the album art. [laughs]