Tee Grizzley – “Street Psalms” review

Here is the 6th studio LP from Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter Tee Grizzley. Originally a member of the quartet ASBH, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earned a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like his debut mixtape My Moment, the debut album Activated, his 2nd tape, Still My Moment, the Timbaland exec-produced sophomore effort Scriptures or my personal favorite: his 3rd mixtape The Smartest. Built for Whatever, Chapters of the Trenches, Half Tee, Half Beast & Tee’s Coney Islandwere generally mixed, coming off the sonically diverse Post Traumatic & declaring it’s Forever My Moment by spitting Street Psalms.

“In My Life” was a decent Detroit trap intro talking about not getting adjusted to being broke even though it took him a long time to get things right whereas “Walk” produced by Chopsquad DJ makes up for it from the the instrumental to Grizzley’s lyrics explaining that he balls late at night so he can party in the trenches. “Lou’s Deli” continues to head down that same trajectory in terms of quality explaining that he’s walking in the streets & stepping in the booth while “Seen Enough” featuring Polo G talks about being too deep in the water with the sharks.

As for “Make ‘Em See”, we have Helluva jumping behind the boards making it clear that he ain’t got no time to wait because he got a toddler & an infant when he’s not wrong there leading into “Chicken Different” suggest that this bitch changes her mind frame if she can’t handle what comes with the game. “Slow Me Down” makes it clear that he knows what it’s like to pray for something & then it ends up falling at your heels while “Voicemail” featuring [Rod Wave] talks about not getting sleep because of bitches abusing their numbers.

“Breath of Fresh Air” pushes towards the first half conclusion by assuring his girl that his emotions are safe with her & that he can’t wait to see her while “Van Nuys Aviation” recalling when people weren’t helping him when he needed it & wanting to take pictures with him now that he’s big. “Emotionally Intelligent” let the love of his life know that he’s constantly thinking of her & misses her dearly while “Trials & Tribulations” talks about the street shit being watered down to the point where they need to cut it out.

Continuing the 2nd half, I found the sampling on “Made It That Way” to be pretty interesting forcing himself to trap on days when he doesn’t even wanna do a damn thing while “In My Headphones” continues to show off some cool sample techniques talking about being quiet unless he means it. “Brain Cells” reunites with Helluva to hook some bells talking about the dumb shit he’s done lowering his intelligence while “Chase People” maintains the Detroit sound dismissing those calling even with him when he kept it going & they gave up.

“Back to Michigan” kicks off the final leg of Street Psalms with him & Helluva getting back together publicly admitting that 300 has given him a $20M offer in exchange for his penmanship while “Internet Detectives” takes a shot at that specific group of people. “Baby Teeski” pushes towards the end, talking about his family reasonably missing him & “New Chapter” finishes with a gospel influence speaking of having only God’s presence left.

Admittedly: As much as I liked Post Traumatic & Forever My Moment, I came away from Street Psalms enjoying it less than either or and it could be one of the weaker installments in Tee Grizzley’s discography. I appreciate the approach she took in terms of songwriting, although I don’t think the Detroit trap production was as enjoyable as the last couple projects that I previously had mentioned.

Score: 3/5

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Lil Gotit & Lil Keed – “Fraternal” review

Atlanta, Georgia rappers & siblings Lil Gotit & the late Lil Keed celebrating Halloween with a brand new collaborative project. The latter eventually became the most popular of the 2 in the late 2010s when Young Thug announced he has signed him to YSL Records & his younger brother would go on to put out a total of 5 full-lengths as well as a couple mixtapes under Alamo Records until his departure almost 3 years ago already. Keed unfortunately passed away in 2022 of eosinophilia & Gotit’s finally putting Fraternaltogether after teasing it with a couple singles throughout the entire month, making it Keed’s 2nd posthumous offering succeeding Keed Talk to ‘Em 2.

“Game Time” finds the Renders over a cloudy trap instrumental for 85 seconds talking about nobody being in their range artistically whereas “Cash Brothers” takes a few minutes to back out with each other & stack their bread. “Relapse Game” works in some strings & hi-hats so they can talk about loading up the sticks while “Red Eyes” conceived during for the Trapped in Cleveland 3 sessions has a new life of it’s breathed into it.

Tee Grizzley joins Gotit & Keed on the cloudy trap fusion “From the Heart” talking about how everything they do comes from a place of sincerity just before “Stupid Shit” produced by CashMoneyAP demands answers for all the stupidity around them recently. “How Bout You?” continues the 2nd half suggesting that people should be taking risks & trying to become rich while “Woah” lusciously getting higher than the rest thanks to Outtatown behind the boards.

“Young N***a” gets to the encore of Fraternal by digging up another outtake from the Trapped in Cleveland 3 sessions & once “5 Star Residence” sticks out in being another favorite of mine personally from the Supah Mario instrumental to the Render siblings talking about the bankroll coming in all different types of colors, “Wild Life (I’m Higher)” closes Gotit & Keed’s joint effort with them reflecting on their crazy lifestyles.

Personally, I’ve always found myself listening to Lil Keed more than Lil Gotit although I’ve enjoyed a great deal with their collaboration so I had no problem going into Fraternal. Solid way of Gotit remembering his older brother & I’m pretty sure he would be happy with it if he were still here. The production’s ok but from beyond the grave, it’s bittersweet hearing Keed with his younger sibling carrying his legacy & doing so the right way.

Score: 3.5/5

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Young Thug – “UY SCUTI” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper & singer/songwriter Young Thug releasing his 4th studio LP fresh off a series of controversial jail phone calls being leaked. Proving himself to have impacted the modern sound of trap music whether some heads like him or not, he has achieved this by dropping classic mixtapes like Barter 6 & JEFFERY or starting up his 300 Entertainment imprint YSL Records & even the clothing line SP5DER. He made his full-length debut So Much Fun in 2019 executive produced by J. Cole & was one of the best trap projects of that year, but the 2021 sophomore effort P*nk received mixed reviews although I thought it was still solid although not as good as the debut & Business is Business felt like the closest we’ll get to a Metro Thuggin’ project for now. Approximately a month following his now ex-girlfriend Mariah the Scientist’s most important offering of her career Hearts Sold Separately, the Atlanta trap trailblazer has finally made up for UY SCUTI’s delays.

“Ninja” produced by Southside & Dez Wright starts with a surprisingly exciting trap intro derailed by dropping the hard R whereas “Yuck” featuring Ken Carson teams up over a Taurus instrumental to discuss shit getting lit. “On the News” featuring Cardi B finds the pair on top of a London on da Track beat to ask what it feels like seeing their faces on the television while “Catch Me I’m Falling” recalls meeting with Brian Steel when incarcerated.

Metro Thuggin’ reunites for “Fucking Told U” to talk about their respective lifestyles just before “Whoopty Doo” hilariously pokes fun at his interview on the Perspektives podcast earlier this month with Wheezy. “Blaming Jesus” has one of my least favorite instrumentals on the album despite the theme of needing real love & pleading that it’s not a phase prior to “Sad Slime” talking about his falling out with Gunna.

“R.I.P. Big & Mack” featuring T.I. unites both trap pioneers of their own generations for a historic Atlanta moment remembering the late Lil Keed who Thug wishes he cherished more than some of the other former artists on YSL while “Invest Into You” by Metro Thuggin’ goes pop rap/trap to talk about investing into Mariah & vice versa. “I’m So Dope” boisterously boasts of his legacy within the subgenre of trap while “Pardon My Back” featuring Lil Baby starts the 2nd half dropping braggadocio.

Sexyy Red joins Thug on “Mami” for a fun strip club banger while “Whaddup Jesus” featuring YFN Lucci squashes the beef between the 2 with an average collaboration over a synth-heavy TM88 beat. “Walk Down” featuring 21 Savage unites both local trap stars over a trap instrumental with some bells to rep their own sets while “Pipe Down” by Cactus Slatt locks in with Metro Boomin’ talking about nobody being richer than them.

“Spider or Jeffery” featuring Quavo lets their lovers know the 2 names that they prefer them to call them by whilst praising God for allowing them to beat the corrupt system while “Revenge” featuring Lil Gotit & 1300SAINT unites the trio to seek pure vengeance.“Money on Money” featuring Future talks about loyalty to their individuals circles & disdain for snitches while “Dreams Rarely Do Come True” featuring Mariah the Scientist is a 2-parter humorously comparing him crying to Gunna snitching to crying over a bitch.

The final single “Miss My Dogs” ends with an apology to everyone addressed in the leaked jail calls while the country trap hybrid “By the Police” starts the deluxe run throwing it back to the Beautiful Thugger Girls era. “Pussy Smell Like This” asks if any younger artist is shinin’ the way he is while “All Your Time” leans heavier towards the pop rap style with lustful lyrics. “Safe” with Leon Thomas III tackles his insecurities that his reputation overshadows while “I Put A” featuring the late Lil Keed talks about these rap dudes not being his kind over a Mike WiLL-Made It beat.

“Rosetta Stone” appreciably takes its cues from the Beautiful Thugger Girls days again although the “fuck that lil’ 13” line made me cringe while “Yes You Can” suggests to let others take his style as long as they ain’t taking his life. “Fighting Depression” happens to be a P*nk outtake that ATL Jacob cooked up talking about feeling superb yet trying to fight for something that he feels deserving of while “It’s Ok to Cry” remembers his late homie who passed away in 2020. “Spit in My Mouth” talks about getting freaky with a Japanese woman in bed & the final bonus track “Birthday Boy” featuring Mariah the Scientist reunites with each other 1 last time for an R&B/pop rap duet seeking trust.

Taking into consideration that this is the first proper solo effort from Young Thug since P*nk because Metro Boomin’ produced 60% of Business is Business over 2 years ago, all the controversy surrounding the YSL founder a few weeks ago had me a bit worried regarding the final product of UY SCUTI. However, I actually enjoyed his final project under 300 Entertainment & Atlantic Records a lot more than P*nk excluding Business is Business & would easily put it above The Last Wun. It’s exciting to hear him with other producers on Metro’s level & Thugger’s more introspective since coming home.

Score: 4/5

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Gunna – “The Last Wun” review

College Park, Georgia rapper Gunna releasing his 5th studio LP. Beginning over a decade ago off his debut mixtape Hard Body, he would eventually catch the attention of local phenomenon Young Thug just 3 years later & would go on to sign to his 300 Entertainment imprint YSL Records. However it wasn’t until the release of his debut EP Drip or Drown & his 4th mixtape Drip Season 3 in late 2017 & early 2018 respectively where Gunna’s profile increased significantly. Drip or Drown 2 though was a mediocre full-length debut & W.U.N.N.A. (Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic) wound up being one of the best trap albums of 2020, but the 4th & final installment of the Drip Season mixtape series aged like milk. A Gift & A Curse and One of Wun were both mediocre in their own ways & The Last Wun looks to officially complete his YSL/300 deal.

“many nights” was a derivative trap intro with a chill guitar melody talking about letting his hoe count up his racks millions of times whereas the cloudy “let that sink in” produced by Turbo explains that your shit doesn’t bend or break when you’ve built everything off faith. “just say dat” talks about singles becoming outdated with the continuously adapting state of the music industry leading into the half-baked pop rap joint “gp”.

NASH of Internet Money Records’ instrumental on “sakpase” stood out to me staying connected to the checks with pounds of cake leading into “at my purest” featuring Offset saving the best of 5 collaborations for the very beginning talking about their influence being valuable. “biting my game” accompanied by an acoustic trap instrumental vents over other artists jackin’ his style when nobody post-2022 has really done so while “prototype” responds to Thug tweeting for him to stop actin’ like they’re friends online.

“w.g.f.t. (we gettin’ fucked tonight)” featuring Burna Boy finds the pair uniting for a moody pop rap song breaking down sexual themes once again as does “forever be mine” featuring Wizkid, except both of them are talking about being one of a kind compared to the ex-boyfriends of the women they’re currently seeing. “again” works on some pianos & hi-hats expressing his desire to make love again while “endless” tries to insert himself into the “GOAT” convo when his post-prison material has been mid.

Nechie links up with Gunna for “i can’t feel my face”, which makes me appreciate “ADDYS” more comparison from the beat to the performances of both artists while “podcast” gets the 2nd half of The Last Wun going by talking about getting back up on his feet again after being down bad. “club house” simultaneously likens his bank account to a goldmine & wanting to be paid in full while “Satisfaction” featuring Asake ironically doesn’t feel very satisfying musically.

“fuck witcha boy” goes for a smoother trap vibe instrumentally talking about wanting to take a helicopter so he can fly out to Punta Cana while the generically atmospheric “on me” suggests that men shouldn’t be trusted, willing to take it a step further & putting it all on himself. “rare occasion” brings some refreshing synthesizers into the fold referencing the greatest QB of all-time & 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady while “made for this shit” talks about the days when he used to pray to reach the heights he has.

Meanwhile on “c.f.w.m. (can’t fuck with me)”, we have Gunna over a country trap hybrid flexing that he’s untouchable when his last couple duds & his falling out with Young Thug both proving otherwise while “what they thinking” tries to figure out what the bitches around him want & what other guys around him are thinking. “showed ‘em” kinda gives me deja vu of “Do Better” except it’s not as profound, except the amount of money he has doesn’t change him snitching.

“won’t stop” addresses the whole Alford plea situation from his perspective promising not to stop making music while “him all along” talks about steadily chasing his goals & staying strong with all the motions he’s been going through. “Got Damn” didn’t even make the final cut, but I’m glad it wasn’t included because it wasn’t even that memorable of a trap/pop rap single.

8 months ago when Lil Baby got divisive feedback for W.H.A.M. (Who Hard as Me?), I didn’t have any hopes left of The Last Wun outdoing that or It’s Only Me since the production department of Gunna’s music has been gradually declining in the last 26 months other than Turbo. And whatever’s next for him following the YSL deal ending, it’s difficult to tell whether or not he’ll make anything of Drip Season 3 or W.U.N.N.A. (Wealthy Unapologetic N***a Naturally Authentic)’s bar of quality ever again.

Score: 2/5

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Tee Grizzley – “Forever My Moment” review

Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter Tee Grizzley continuing the Moment series going with his 6th mixtape. Originally a member of the quartet ASBH, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earned a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like his debut mixtape My Moment, the debut album Activated, his 2nd tape Still My Moment, the Timbaland exec-produced sophomore effort Scriptures or my personal favorite: his 3rd mixtape The Smartest. Built for Whatever, Chapters of the Trenches, Half Tee, Half Beast & Tee’s Coney Island were generally mixed, coming off the sonically diverse Post Traumatic declaring it’s Forever My Moment.

The title track produced by Helluva boasts that he’s never done any hoe shit ever since being in the rap game for a little over a decade whereas “Customs” explains most people being aware of his life being different since the fame & not being broke in a grip. “They Shot at Trump” reassures the fact nobody is immune to being touchable regardless of money, power or fame over a Chopsquad DJ instrumental while “Overthinking” finds him becoming his own biggest critic.

“Jalen Hurtski” was a great choice of a single referencing the Philadelphia Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts in terms of how hard his shit stays hittin’ leading into “My God” making a plea for people to stay focused & not let be tricked out in the streets on top of him acknowledging his own imperfections. “Me Too” promises that that’s exactly what you’ll get hit with the second you try to press any of his buttons & provoke him, but then the lead single “Rick Jameski” talks about people being shocked at his status in Detroit trap.

It was only a matter of time until the bells made their way into the equation on “Stash House in Dearborn” letting y’all know you can find him wherever the racks are while “I Can’t Cap” finds him talking about never lying because he’ll always be blessed. “Beware of Dog” suggests that people should be more cautious regarding the sticks he has on him while “Pullin’ New Foreigns” describes the ways shit is different around his parts.

“Gone But Not Forgotten” takes 2 & a half minutes to remember the people in his life who’re no longer here whether it be his mother, his friend Charles Brown or the late PnB Rock telling God that he would give all this shit back to Him in a heartbeat to see either one of them 1 last time & the closing track is actually the 9th installment of Tee Grizzley’s prolific “Robbery” series, teasing a 10th entry down the line since he finished the tape by saying the saga’s incomplete.

Meshing confidence & gravity together, Forever My Moment feels like a full-circle statement from the Detroit star who changed the game almost immediately after coming home from behind bars 8 years ago. He gives nods to his beginning whilst making a testament to his artistic growth since My Moment was when most people heard him for the first time by channeling the hunger of his early days & the reflection of a man who’s lived through love, loss, loyalty & lessons.

Score: 4/5

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Shoreline Mafia – “Back in Bidness” review

The Shoreline Mafia are a Los Angeles, California duo now consisting of Ohgeesy & Fenix Flexin’. Originally a quartet, their debut mixtape ShorelineDoThatShit resulted in them signing to Atlantic Records for their next couple tapes & EPs as well as a full length studio debut. They would temporarily disband following Mafia Bidness so its members could pursue their solo careers, reuniting with half its members in 2023 & returning to Atlantic in tandem with 300 Entertainment for a sophomore effort.

The title track fuses hyphy & trap to get the ball rollin’ talking about their return whereas “Touch Down” puts a bigger emphasis on hyphy thanks to DJ Snake including a reference to The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy on the Discovery Global-owned Cartoon Network. “Back 2 Back” morbidly demands to know where the cabbage at & showing ‘em the money just before the ratchet “Too Often” talks about not fucking with broke bitches at all.

“Watch That Hoe” blends trap & hyphy once more advising for everyone to stay on their toes leading into “Broski” swaps out the hyphy influences in favor of Mobb music asking what you’re in the game for if you ain’t even tryna do it. “No Makeup” vibrantly references former IWGPヘビー級王座 as well as a 10-time WWE world champion & former UFC Heavyweight Champion in both TKO Group Holdings divisions Brock Lesnar while “Fast & Furious” gets back with DJ Snake for another hyphy heater.

As for “Rubbaband Man”, we have the Shoreline Mafia going for a nervous direction paying homage to T.I.’s most popular single while “Shoreline Twins” homages the Ying Yang Twins down to Mr. Collipark handling the co-production. “Work of Art” feels like a bit of a traffic music/g-funk crossover asking what the salary of these women are since they belong in galleries & want them by their sides, but then “Yoga & Pilates” shouts out all the bitches who do those 2 things.

“Go for Me” gets the final leg of Back in Bidness started by throwing guns in the building taking shots at everyone who be acting like they got cash & don’t actually show it while “Tusi” talks about a follow-up being guaranteed if it’s really beef with them. “Set the Record Straight” cautions that you have to have a resume in order to be near their presence & the gospel flip DJ Paul does on “Top Notch” saves the best beat for last talking about still being high quality after 5 years off.

Returning stronger than ever, Back in Bidness is a testament to the Shoreline Mafia’s brotherhood & proving that time apart hasn’t dulled their signature sound. From the hard-hitting production reclaiming the throne of the nervous scene following Drakeo the Ruler’s murder to unfiltered lyrics, Ohgeesy & Fenix Flexin’ team up for a triumphant homecoming for the group that helped define a generation of underground rap.

Score: 4/5

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Ohgeesy – “Paid N Full” review

Ohgeesy is a 31 year old rapper from Los Angeles, California notable for being a member of the seminal nervous group the Shoreline Mafia now consisting of him & Fenix Flexin’ as of me writing this. Following their hiatus as a unit, Ohgeesy has since put out 2 solo mixtapes GEEZYWORLD & GEEZYWORLD 2 under Atlantic Records to mixed reception. In light of him signing a new deal with 300 Entertainment though, his official full-length solo debut is coming in time for Valentine’s Day although it’s not lovey dovey necessarily.

The title track begins with this sample-driven trap intro talking about getting the money, flipping it & stacking it higher whereas “Keep Goin’” produced by Hit-Boy is a highlight for me personally advising to not give up & move forward on top of what I consider to be amongst the strongest instrumentals. “Fa Real” brings more of a bouncier flare to the table boasting that he’s the one calling shots while “What It Iz” featuring Lefty Gunplay highlights their success & relentless hustle in the street & music.

Charlotte Hornets player Miles Bridges has one of the weaker guest appearances on the song “Digital” referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8 time WWE Cruiserweight Champion & アイアンマンヘビーメタル級王座 Rey Mysterio fresh off staring at the newest Monday Night RAW superstar in former AEW World Tag Team Champion, AEW World Trios Champion, HoG Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, the longest reigning 3-time AAA Mundial Parejas Campeon, AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeon, AAA Latinoamericano Campeon, The Crash Pesocrucero Campeon, The Crash Parejas Campeon, MLW World Tag Team Champion, PWG World Tag Team Champion & ROH World Tag Team Champion Penta to start this year’s Royal Rumble leading into “Cuttin’” featuring Saweetie making up for it as they talk about making it rain in the west coast today.

“Cropped Out” kinda gives off some Mobb vibes altogether assuring that he ain’t on some middle man shit at all & he loading up with the chopper with his gloves on prior to the Shoreline Mafia reuniting for “Heat Stick” including a reference to 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena who recently put over former WWE Intercontinental Champion & 10-time WWE Tag Team Champion Jey Uso at this year’s Royal Rumble that is until “Tell Me Something” featuring Kalan.FrFr boasts about them doing drank in the club.

Meanwhile on “Let It Be Known”, we have Ohgeesy telling his girlfriend the name of this very album we’re dissecting start to finish in advance & it’s her world while “Novio #2” featuring Jr. H tells their ex-girlfriends that they completely understand of them moving on to new men. “Babygirl” hits on a woman who’s been looking for a thug in her life while “Wanna Fuck” by Jeeezy, Kalan.FrFr & the Shoreline Mafia shows a sensual side to them.

The BlueBucksClan & Wallie the Sensei get together for “Wet” continuing the themes of list while “Work” feels more like an Ohgeesy solo track with Fenix Flexin on the hook than a Shoreline Mafia joint. “Refrigerated” featuring Luh Tyler boats they both of them stay ice cold out in the streets & “Yacht Master” addresses not taking credit for every time his brother slides homaging the titular brand of Rolex watches.

Geezy has always being a personal favorite member of the Shoreline Mafia & regardless of the divided responses both GEEZYWORLD tapes got, he really takes it up a couple notches for what he’ll even tell you himself is the official debut album in his discography. The production refines the nervous elements of both of those mixtapes & the guest list isn’t really all that bad either.

Score: 3.5/5

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Luhh Dyl – “Intrude” review

Luhh Dyl is a 21 year old recording artist from Detroit, Michigan who began to gain traction in the city putting out his debut EP The Ticket in the summer of 2023. It caught the attention of 300 Entertainment, who signed Dyl for his next EP Cart Music birthing his own subgenre of Detroit trap on his debut for the label. Only 7 months later, he’s looking to pick up right where he left off on his debut mixtape with half of the features getting the best of me in checking it out.

The sampling throughout “Chosen” caught my attention to open the tape thanking God for all his trials & tribulations while “Chance” hooks up this trap instrumental with some strings woven in talking about people hating him for never conforming. “Ski” jazzily flexes that everyone else has no other choice to watch him out here & having it better now ahead of the Detroit trap joint “Not a Rapper” talking about everyone else being actors compared to him.

“Be Foreal” shows off the way he be turning up & boasting they couldn’t rap like him if they even were him blending Detroit trap & jazz rap leading into “Fuck 12” featuring Tee Grizzley giving a finger to the feds. “Slow Down” featuring Veeze brings these synths in the fold chopping up the opps’ bodies as if they’re Ted Bundy while “R.I.P. Gang” ahead of the underwhelming collab “Get Loose” featuring Lil Lik remembers everyone in his life who’re in prison or no longer with us.

I found it cool that “Kimbo Slice” takes it’s name after the late Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) fighter who temporarily fought in the UFC division of the Endeavor-owned TKO Group Holdings planning to start Zuffa Boxing with تركي آل الشيخ for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford on Netflix in September prior to the “Penny Pinchin’” remix featuring Sada Baby referencing the current 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker, who was also a former 2-time NXT Champion & a former NXT Tag Team Champion. “Sign NDA’s” featuring Lil Darius suggests they could’ve been with Druski, which is odd because his behavior at Diddy parties have recently been coming into question.

Loe Shimmy appears on the closer “Get Low” serving as another mediocre collaboration flexing that their chains he shining like chandelier just before “Done Smokin’” starts the deluxe run by talking about the only time people hating you is when you do something they can’t. Nino Paid’s appearance on “You Ready” is another guest spot that I can personally do without up until Baby Money making up for it with his “Fire Eyes” verse, but then final bonus track “10:20 in N.Y.” finishes by trapping in the City of Dreams.

The inventor of cart music showcases the breadth of his artistry during the course of Intrude’s runtime & regardless of me finding myself feeling sorta on the fence with it, there’s more positives for me to say about the mixtape than there are negatives. A notable criticism being only half of the guests delivering fiery performances, with the positives including a hint of unpredictability that you don’t get from other Detroit trap acts when unpacking Dyl’s own lyrics & the production.

Score: 3/5

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Mary J. Blige – “Gratitude” review

Mary J. Blige is a 53 year old singer/songwriter, rapper, actress & entrepreneur from New York City who became the youngest & 1st female to sign with Uptown Records distributed by MCA Records at the time. Her full-length debut prominently inspired by new jack swing What’s the 411? indicated her being a real deal & the sophomore effort My Life would catapult her into international stardom, cementing her as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Share My World, Mary, her final MCA offering No More Drama, her Geffen Records debut Love & Life, The Breakthrough which marked Matriarch Records’ formation and Growing Pains were all positively received with some of my favorite Mary J. songs appearing on all of them although Stronger withEach Tear came out to mixed feedback. My Life II…The Journey Continues became her final Geffen release & A Mary Christmas was a decent 1-off with Interscope Records, signing to Capitol Records for The London Sesssions & Strength of a Woman respectively. Matriach has since been distributed by 300 Entertainment after Mary put out Good Morning Gorgeous to coincide with her performing the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, returning once more for her 15th LP.

Fabolous joins Mary for the intro “Breathing” for an R&B/pop rap crossover sampling the classic Notorious B.I.G. cut “Kick in the Door” knowing their exes can’t breathe whereas “Need You More” featuring Jadakiss hops over a En Vogue sample as they confess how much they need each other. “Beautiful People” produced by KAYTRANADA comes across as this peppy dance track refusing to stop until she gets it right while “You Ain’t the Only One” finds her singing about being proud of herself.

“Never Give Up on Me” goes for more of a funkier vibe to the beat courtesy of DJ Cassidy refusing to give up on herself just before “Nobody But You” throws it back to the My Life era a bit telling her new man that she doesn’t want anyone else in her life besides him. “Here I Am” finds her singing over some pianos praying for a rainy day to wash her pain away, but then “Don’t Fuck Up” is this delicate R&B number proclaiming that she’s in love.

To start the final leg, “Superpowers” points out that there comes a time where a woman should be celebrated & receive all the flowers that she deserves while the laidback “Can’t Wait for You” asks her new romantic interest what if she told him that she’s scared at the mall where he wants her. “God’s Child” featuring Fat Joe is another R&B/hip hop soul fusion showing a religious side to both of them & “I Got Plans” featuring A$AP Ferg ends with them playfully rocking to another DJ Cassidy instrumental.

Over 3 decades in the game, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul & R&B puts the constant Gratitude that she’s been feeling as of late & channels it all into a 41 & a half minute album that further reinforces her legacy as much as her 300 debut did almost 3 years ago. The production maintains the consistency of Good Morning Gorgeous, every single guest MC who joins her offers their own different flavor with their verses, Mary’s own vocals are passionate & she lets everyone know how life’s been treating her.

Score: 3.5/5

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Tee Grizzley – “Post Traumatic” review

This is the 5th full length studio LP from Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter Tee Grizzley. Originally a member of the quartet ASBH, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earned a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like his debut mixtape My Moment, the debut album Activated, his 2nd tape, Still My Moment, the Timbaland exec-produced sophomore effort Scriptures or my personal favorite: his 3rd mixtape The Smartest. Built for Whatever & Chapters of the Trenches would both later be received moderately and responses towards Half Tee, Half Beast & Tee’s Coney Island were generally mixed, but some of the singles ahead of Post Traumatic made it seem promising.

The intro fuses Mobb music with Detroit trap talking about having post traumatic stress due to his father dying recently & barely knowing his own mother whereas “We Dem” produced by Wheezy works in a symphonic trap instrumental flexing that he’s still him. “Blow for Blow” featuring J. Cole finds the 2 over a signature Pi’erre Bourne beat which is fine except for the “I’m really him, Bruce Jenner, boy just ain’t” line feeling reminiscent to the 1 bar he had on “Pi” off Might Delete Later, but then “All I Wanna Do” goes for a soulful Detroit trap vibe thanks to FNZ looking to get money.

“More Than Half” hooks up some horns & bells from Helluva to talk about half these muhfuckas out here folding eventually leading into “Ride or Die” featuring Tink heading towards more of a synth-based direction for a duet about having only each other on their minds. “Diana” switches gears in favor of a futuristic trap flare courtesy of BNYX from Working on Dying comparing her bitch to the late Princess Diana herself just before the bassy “I Ain’t Sorry” featuring Hunxho that Chopsquad DJ laced sees both of them at their most remorseless.

Meanwhile on “10pm in Detroit”, we have Tee Grizzley on top of these pianos & 808s boasting that he got money flowin’ all night like “Drunk in Love” by The Carters prior to “Swerv” featuring G Herbo putting a minimal emphasis on the drums so they can trade verses with one another without a hook for 3 minutes detailing their gang ties. “WTF I Want” mixes these synth-horns with 808s talking about doing whatever he feels like while the pop rap/trap hybrid “I Know” discusses knowing how to turn dreams into reality.

“Dream Youngin’” starts the 2nd leg of Post Traumatic on some atmospherically chill trap shit thanking everyone who’s ever supported him throughout his career while “Situationship” featuring Mariah the Scientist gives a shot at fusing trap soul & pop rap finding both of them wishing each other the best in the end. “Trench Baby” gets back on the Detroit trap tip talking about being born in the trenches of the Murder Mitten while “You Hear Me” featuring YTB Fatt comes through with this underwhelming team up looking to get their bags up.

Future makes up for some of the mediocrity joining Tee on “Swear to God” boasting that your album doesn’t even slap like Mixtape Pluto does which is valid since he took it back to his roots on there while “Pop Shit” featuring Baby Grizzley finds both Grizzlies shooting for a piano-driven direction instrumentally going from playing GameCubes to VS Cubes. “Deposits Crazy” gives thanks to God for somehow helping him through the pain in his life & “Detroit” featuring 42 Dugg serves as this bangin’ tribute to their hometown.

“Blueprint” pushes towards the final moments of the LP challenging everybody to step up & give back to the city in some type of way while “Suffer in Silence” talks about going off by loyalty & the way you treat him without anyone telling him that shit’s gonna change. As for an official closer, we get treated to the 7th AND the 8th installments of Tee Grizzley’s famous “Robbery” series with Helluva hopping behind the boards for both tracks that Segway into one another perfectly.

The Smartest still stands as my favorite tape in the Detroit trap star’s discography but when it comes to his full-lengths, I came away impressed with Post Traumatic as much as I was with the mixtape that I previously mentioned coming out during the COVID lockdowns. It’s more sonically diverse than what someone might expect being used to the Detroit trap style, showing comfortably yet resolute with these homegrown Michigan beats backing him while thriving across styles from rugged trap to even poppier territory.

Score: 4/5

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