
Detroit, Michigan rapper Payroll Giovanni self-producing his 15th studio LP. Notable for being a part of the Doughboyz Cashout collective, he also released over a dozen solo albums with the most notable being Big Bossin’ as well as Big Bossin’ 2 & Another Day, Another Dollar all fully produced by Cardo. Last time I covered him was when he self-produced Have Money, Have Heart a couple years ago & that was the most I’ve enjoyed his music since Giovanni’s Way, which didn’t wane any anticipation I had for M.O.B. (Mind my Own Business).
The title track opens up with some otherworldly synthesizers talking about leaving any conversation that doesn’t involve money whereas the only single “Puppies” recalls a situation occurring a long time ago where he tried to help someone only for said person to foolishly try robbing him. “No” talks about being up more these days after staying down for so long declining those who want something outta him while the west coast-tinged “Locked In” maintains his focus.
“Cash Tall” moves on from there embracing the Detroit sound to discuss keeping his circle small & his money in large amounts while the Mobb-influenced “Enough” ends the 1st leg of M.O.B. (Mind my Own Business) about having his share of days where he wasn’t making as much money as he would’ve hoped to. “Rollie wit Baguettes” gets the 2nd half going incorporating more synths talking about what happens when listening to Payroll’s music just before “On the Flo” breaks down going from the streets to riches.
The song “Point of View” talks about his perspective always being on a woman he’s romantically involved with, encouraging her to hop in his whip asking whether she wants to know anything or do something while “Bosses in the Clouds” discusses staying prayed up handling his own business. “New Levels” though spends M.O.B. (Mind my Own Business)’s final minutes talking about being in the season of his life where he can’t settle.
Getting sick of producer/artist agreements & paying lawyer fees, Payroll Giovanni had all the right reasons to solely create M.O.B. (Mind my Own Business) & I can certainly see myself coming back to it more than Hustle Muzik or If Not Me Then Who?. His production’s gotten better since 2024 & hearing it will prelude another full-length the Detroit trap veteran’s preparing within the next coming months has me hoping he’ll continue capitalizing on his artistic deftness.
Score: 4/5
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