Detroit, Michigan rapper Baby Money returning 11 months after his 3rd mixtape Young N***a Old Soul 2 to release a 3rd full-length studio LP. Breaking out in the local trap scene during the COVID lockdowns off his first 2 EPs Blank Checc & Young N***a Old Soul, he would catch the attention of Quality Control Music & eventually signed with the Atlanta label introducing himself to a wider audience off his first couple albums Easy Money & New Money to mixed reception. Looking to bounce back from the less favorably received sequel to Y.N.O.S. however, I decided to give H.I.M. (Hustle In Me) a fair chance.
After the intro, the title track flexes that he drops work in your town & gives a reminder that what goes around comes around over a Detroit trap instrumental whereas “We Getting Money” talks about making the paper accompanied by bells & hi-hats. “Chances Make Champions” mixes a rubbery bass-line with strings living up to it’s name providing motivational wisdom on the lyrical front, but then “This That Typa” featuring Peezy thunderously brings the pair together discussing their preference of women.
“Turn Me Up” delves further for a tenser trap approach to the beat refusing to slow down just before “Countdown” laces some pianos & hi-hats talking about the fact that it took him a decade to be in the position he’s in currently. “Notha Level” featuring GT presents back-&-forth chemistry between both artists bringing a sinister Detroit trap flare instrumentally leading into the bouncy “Shinin’” showin’ y’all what real ice is.
Meanwhile on “Drip Check”, we have Baby Money over a sample-laced trap beat comparing & contrasting wealth & outfits prior to “Starter Kit” featuring Veeze reaching a spacey Detroit trap vibe goin’ ghost & poppin’ up to see if they miss ‘em. “I Need You” featuring Skilla Baby tells their romantic interests they’ll fly ‘em anywhere sampling soul music that is until “Wallah” clashes 808s & strings encouraging to come get the rope.
“Rapper Weed” nears the conclusion of H.I.M. (Hustle In Me) on a celebratory note talking about getting the finest kush for cheap since he already knows the plug & lastly, “Rose Gold” enlists Tee Grizzley to finish the album with 1 last Detroit trap banger shrugging off any worries about any price on top of pulling up to an all-white party in black range rovers & knowin’ that both artists are runnin’ the local trap scene in their own rights.
The last few projects Baby Money has given us ever since the Quality Control deal a couple years ago have all been incredibly average & as the first Detroit artist they’ve ever signed, it seemed to me that being under Coach K & P’s wings was a good fit in consideration of “Moncler Bubble” going viral. Either way, this is his best major label offering thus far. He sharply lets listeners inside of his hustler mentality with a mostly solid guest-list & decent Motor City trap production.
Score: 3.5/5
Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!
Legends Will Never Die 