Atlanta, Georgia rapper/producer Zukenee back for his 8th extended play. Starting in the spring of 2021 off his debut EP Undiscovered, he would continue to make a name for himself in the underground by putting out a couple more EPs in Castle & Playful alongside the debut mixtape Stop Playing. Subsequent exclusive singles like “OJAYS” & “Chest” would later become amongst his best singles since both of them were released in the span of a year & a half preceding Player Slayer. Guillotine, Birth of St. Slay, Slaytanic, Knight Shift, Eye Love U & Zuminati all followed & he’s coming off both entries of the Trapped in the Dungeon series to drop B4BB in preparation for Blunts & Blades.
“Pittslurgh” made for a vibrantly playful intro produced by Cade talking about being more geeked up than a nerd whereas “Chicken Tender” already wraps up the 1st half of B4BB showin’ off the ice shinin’ on his wrist right when he hops outta bed in the morning. “Bouncy House” kicks off the 2nd leg with the goofiest moment here & the only track Cade didn’t produce coincidentally talking about a ratchet hoe who’s convinced herself to be classy while the closer “Pahtment” discusses his swag originating from the apartments he grew up in.
Up until this point: I’ve said that Zuminati was the weakest thing Zukenee has done all year & unfortunately B4BB dethrones it with a 4-pack clocking in at less than 10 minutes that I’d put behind alongside Trapped in the Dungeon & it’s sequel. I’m still confident we’re gonna get something special out of Blunts & Blades and of course & the Cardo-produced Zudo, but Cade’s trap/pop rap production isn’t at his best despite handling 75% of it.
Score: 3/5
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