This is the 3rd mixtape from Carson, California emcee Ab-Soul. Coming up as 1/2 of the duo Area 51 alongside Snake Hollywood, Soulo would go on to sign to Top Dawg Entertainment after their disbandment & has remained under Top Dawg’s wing since. Dude’s first 2 mixtapes Longterm & Longterm 2: Lifestyles of the Broke & Almost Famous would begin to turn heads & I can’t forget about his first 2 full-lengths Longterm Mentality & Control System going on to become the Black Lip Bastard’s most acclaimed efforts to date, but These Days… & Do What Thou Wilt. were both released to mediocre reception from many including myself. Herbert marked a return to form for him a couple years ago & is now remembering Doeburger throughout Soul Burger.
“9 Mile” is a drumless/boom bap 2-parter sampling the iconic Mobb Deep single “Shook Ones, Pt. II” talking about how caine never really left his side whereas “Paiday” takes the trap route instrumentally demanding he gets paid. “All That” featuring Jason Martin & produced by Tae Beast goes for a bit of a gangsta rap vibe representing their west coast street ties just before the sample-driven “California Dream” featuring Vince Staples with 9th Wonder behind the boards shows love to their home state.
Moving on from there, “B.U.C.K.O. Jr.” returns to a trap sound touching on his soldier mentality leading into Doechii joining Soulo for “I, Myself & Me” brings back a bit of a boom bap edge talking about it simply being themselves. “DND” featuring Notorious N.I.Q. pulls inspiration from the trap scene once more thanks to Beat Butcha & Sounwave running the checks up tryna pay the price, but then the symphonic trap hybrid “Don Julio 70” by Soul Fre$h demonstrates the duo’s chemistry.
“Go Pro” featuring Ty$ starts the 2nd half of the tape boasting that the real ones are back in style while the catchy “Saudi Sweats” makes it clear that if it ain’t about the money, he ain’t really having it. “Squeeze 1st 2” is this jazzy sequel to the JAY-Z joint “Squeeze 1st” letting the gun off & asking questions later while “Crazier” featuring J.I.D brings the 2 together for a drumlessly experimental ride showing off abstract lyricism.
The song “Peace” featuring Lupe Fiasco & Punch strips the drums once more showing a bit of a conscious side to them for 5 & a half minutes while the penultimate track “The Sky’s Limitless” heads for a psychedelic trap direction courtesy of Terrace Martin whom Kendrick Lamar mentioned on “The Day The Party Died” encouraging listeners that they can have & be whatever they want in this life. “Righteous Man” properly ends the tape on some hardcore shit keeping a bullet with your name on it.
For his 1st mixtape in nearly 14 & a half years, Soulo maintains the consistency of Herbert by cooking up a homage to Doeburger that I feel does his memory justice. The production ranges from boom bap to trap & drumless with the lyricism offering a look at the gangsta life, consciousness & even a hint of abstract through use of metaphors along with symbolism & cryptic meanings.
Score: 3.5/5
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