This is a brand new collaborative EP between Houston rapper RiFF RAFF along with Alabama rapper, singer, songwriter, fashion designer & entrepreneur Yelawolf. Both of whom came up in 2011, except one of them was a former reality star & the other being an Eminem protege. Even though Catfish Billy saw much success with Shady Records (most notably the albums Radioactive: Amazing & Mystifying Chemical Tricks as well as Love Story & Trial by Fire), it wasn’t until 2014 when JODY HiGHROLLER dropped his full-length debut NEON iCON under Mad Decent. Their paths first crossed last summer when Yelawolf was featured on RiFF RAFF’s previous album VåNiLLå GöRiLLå but they’re trying to take it to the next level by joining forces for TURQUOiSE TORNADO.
“MOSSY OAK” is an ass-kicking opener as both parties express their fondness for the outdoor lifestyle company of the same name & the DJ Paul instrumental is the epitome of evil. The next track “HUMAN LAMBORGHiNi” has a plinky trap instrumental with the duo comparing themselves to the titular luxury car, but the Danny Swift verse is wack & Peso Peso’s verse at the beginning of “MONCLER JACKET” is no better. Except on here, he joins RiFF RAFF & Yelawolf to talk about making $1M over some hi-hats & a slick bass-line.
The song “ALCOHOL & WEED” is of course a party anthem with a Struggle Jennings verse that makes up for the features we heard on the last 2 cuts & an atmospheric trap instrumental whereas the title track taps in Paul Wall to freestyle about materialism with a somewhat quirky beat. The penultimate track is a mediocre 4th installment to “TiP TOE WiNG iN MY JAWWDiNZ” with an awkward 80’s synth-wave instrumental but then the EP finishes off strong with “MiLLiON DOLLAR MULLET”, which contains some of the flashiest lyricism on the entire thing & the Ronny J production is so gargantuan.
Even though I like TURQUOiSE TORNADO more than I did Yelawolf Blacksheep, it isn’t by a whole lot. I think Yelawolf has a much better chemistry with RiFF RAFF than he did with Caskey, but they kinda overdid it on the features & they can be hit or miss.
Score: 3/5
Legends Will Never Die 