Mozzy – “Intrusive Thoughts” review

In front of us is the 10th studio LP from Sacramento, California emcee Mozzy. Becoming a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his debut 1 Up Top Akh & he went on to be featured on the soundtrack for Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more full-lengths through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records prior to Memphis veteran Yo Gotti landing him a contract with Collective Music Group/Interscope Records. His major label debut Survivor’s Guilt was more poignant than what Mozzy had done previously & Children of the Slums last spring exemplified growth in his rap career & personal life, although Brash Dummies became a letdown. 8 months later, some Intrusive Thoughts of his are becoming let out in the open.

After the “$FlyMoney2X” intro, the first song “Press Play” is this nervous opener talking about never taking a weekend off & never leaving his dogs despite what people say online whereas “Death Before Dishonor” featuring EST G finds the 2 hoping a gangsta shot them if they happen to die in their sleep. “Under Oath” works in more traffic music influences talking about the slums having a hold of him while “Katta Clips” dabbles with Detroit trap throwing it back to a deep cut in his catalog “Dear XXL”.

Lil Poppa joins Mozzy on the sample-driven “Nightmares” talking about it being hard to sleep at night trying to be doing alright leading into the solemn although much necessary “Keep Callin’ My Name” getting some pain off his chest lyrically. “7 2’s” continues the introspection feeling fed up with seeing graduation pictures whenever he checks the news, but then “Role Model” talks about him not trying to become someone others should take examples from.

“Pac Proud” hooks up these prominent piano chords gives his flowers to the late west coast icon 2Pac & speaks on being unable to forget the trenches since he’s a child of it throughout while “Hella Hyphy” taps in with his Northern California roots embracing the hyphy subgenre Keak da Sneak pioneered. “Who Want War?” featuring Polo G gives off a bloodthirsty trap vibe asking if anyone wants beef with them while “10%” advises to ask him why he signed to CMG.

E Mozzy & Maine Musik appear for “Modify It” catchin’ somebody lying about catching a body while “Reputation Everything” featuring Celly Ru breaks down their name around the street being everything to them. “Blood Diamonds” featuring Peysoh blends nervous music & gangsta rap themes together for a collab that makes up for the latter 2 while Tsu Surf gets his own solo cut with “Free Surf” calling for his freedom. “No Fabrication” finally ends the album brushing off any notion that his life is all cap.

Similarly to his CMG debut, Intrusive Thoughts doesn’t shy away from the trials & tribulations that drive some of Mozzy’s most memorable recordings bouncing back from the mediocre reception of Brash Dummies with his best since Children of the Slums. He continues his journey towards inner peace attempting to silence his unquiet mind & move forward from his traumatic youth in Oak Park in addition to imparting some knowledge on how to keep your mind strong enough to navigate street life & emerge with your soul intact.

Score: 3.5/5

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EST G – “I Ain’t Feeling You” review

EST G is a 30 year old rapper & songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky who put out his first 3 mixtapes independently until Interscope Records signed him for his 4th tape I Still Don’t Feel Nun & later signing with Collective Music Group the next summer to put out Bigger Than Life or Death. His debut album I Never Felt Nun finally came after Bigger Than Life or Death 2 & the Last Ones Left collab tape with 42 Dugg, following it up with Mad & El Toro 2. Couple years later, he’s returning for his official sophomore effort.

“Free Rico” is this Detroit trap intro wanting everyone that’s listening to follow his lead whereas “The Streets” was a decent 2nd single building up anticipation for I Ain’t Feeling You bringing trap & gangsta rap together. “Houstonatlantaville” featuring Lil Baby & honorary WWE Hardcore Champion Travis Scott blends horns & hi-hats recommending y’all to take your time when you gettin’ it out the oven while “Right Now” brings the Detroit trap vibes back talking about someone who ain’t learn shit.

The 3rd single “R.I.P. Lu Mike” remembers a friend of his who was tragically taken from us last summer just before the lead single “Go” sticks to a general trap sound altogether talking about being too high to the point where he can barely even think. “Plug Motivation” admits it didn’t hurt when someone who lied to him regarding being turnt died since he changed on him, but then “Do My Own Stunts” likens himself to the late Evel Knievel.

TM88 saves what’s by far my favorite instrumental on the album for “Crash” turning baby-mama drama into opportunities while “Slime” talks about having too much on his mind & the time for another killin’. The final single “My Love” featuring CBFW Records labelmates Rylo Rodriguez & Veeze finds the trio wishing their love was good enough on top of Veeze having the best verse of the 3 & the outro makes a clear-eyed accounting of his imperfections or mistakes that make him even more relatable.

“Flash” featuring Bloodhound Q50 gets the deluxe run going with both of them sampling “Flashing Lights” by Ye or the Nazi formerly known as Kanye West promising that their chains won’t ever get snatched while “Free Z5” talks about being raised way differently than the average person in the streets. “Free Leaf” calls for the squad to point out an opp whenever they come across one trappin’ viciously & the final bonus track “It Ain’t Work Yet” talks about using percocets to unsuccessfully numb the pain.

Keeping up with the CMG camp’s rise in popularity for almost 4 years now, I’ve given praise to a handful of their artists in that span of time whether it be 42 Dugg or Mozzy & more recently Glorilla. That in mind: I Ain’t Feeling You maintains the mixed reception of his output in the last few years due to it’s relatable themes getting drowned out as a result of uninteresting production.

Score: 2.5/5

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Glorilla – “Glorious” review

Memphis rapper Glorilla following up her 2nd mixtape EhhThang EhhThang with her full-length debut studio album. Breaking out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” couple years ago, the ultimately resulted in local veteran Yo Gotti signing her to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group a little over a week before they dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Gangsta Art a few months later, making her the very 1st female recording artist on the label. Anyways, Life’s Great… continued to have her presence felt & EhhThang EhhThang was ok, but all roads trace back to Glorious.

The intro has a gospel sample mixed with hi-hats that I find myself enjoying quite a bit promising it’ll always gonna be what it is until the very end whereas “Hollon” produced by FNZ takes the crunk route instrumentally talking about these muhfuckas wanting to bag a stupid bitch these days. “Procedure” featuring Latto pulls from the Mobb scene a bit thanks to Supah Mario telling y’all what to do when a bad bitch walk in the room & I found myself appreciating “T.G.I.F. (Thank Glow It’s Friday)” in the context of the LP blending influences from the Memphis scene with cloud rap & crunk music turning up on a Friday evening.

“Whatchu Kno ‘Bout Me?” featuring Sexyy Red works in some synths & hi-hats so both of them can carry on the theme of partying prior to the rubbery “Stop Playing” that Timbaland laced telling everyone listening to stop fuckin’ with her. “Don’t Deserve” featuring Muni Long kinda has this trap soul admitting women all go stupid for men at one point in their lives while “Rain Down on Me” heads for a gospel trap direction showing a spiritual side to herself.

Meanwhile on “Glo’s Prayer”, we have Glo continuing the themes of religion over a cloudy trap beat just before “How I Look” featuring Megan Thee Stallion gives off a Detroit trap vibe instrumentally showing off their mob ties together. The horn-heavy “I Ain’t Going” continues to detail the gangsta lifestyle she lives, but then Bossman DLow has the weakest guest verse on “Step” despite a return to the Detroit trap sound matched with the lyrics about hoppin’ on 385 & do the dash pass these bitches.

“Let Her Cook” hooks up these hi-hats & a horn sample courtesy of both Coupe & Pooh Beatz displaying a complimentary no fucks given attitude during the 2 & a half minute run while the pop rap-flavored “I Luv Her” has a bit of nostalgia to it from the DJ Montay beat to the T-Pain hook. “Queen of Memphis” ties up Glo’s long-awaited commercial debut rightfully taking the throne as the most dominant force in Memphis right now.

Regardless if I wasn’t big on Anyways, Life’s Great… or EhhThang EhhThang, I still considered Glorilla to be one of my personal favorite artists on the entire CMG roster & Glorious dethrones her last 2 projects as the most essential body of work in her career thus far. The glow-up in comparison to the predecessors is real, nevertheless let it be known that the reigning queen of crunk is still hanging out the window with her ratchet-ass friends when the opportunity arises.

Score: 3.5/5

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Lil Poppa – “Wee Are Who We Are” Review

Lil Poppa is a 25 year old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida emerging in 2019 off his full-length debut Almost Normal followed by the sophomore effort Blessed, I Guess to more mixed responses. Heavy is the Head & Half Man, Half Vamp went on to be received more favorably to the point where Yo Gotti signed him to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group & is making Poppa’s 4th album his official major label debut.

“Reintroduction” is a melodically drumless opener to get us started reintroducing himself to the CMG fanbase whereas “Wee” take a summery trap route instrumentally showing a more carefree side to himself. “Stop Grieving” featuring Baby Drill cloudily talks about the fact that bitches will leave with you nothing in the end just before the guitar-driven “Nowhere Fast” confesses to putting up with her bullshit because he wants her.

Meanwhile on “Bust Fire”, we have Poppa turning the rock trap hybrids up to 11 thanks to Dez Wright acknowledging that things’ll never be the same again & he knows it leading into “Feel the Same When You’re Sober” featuring DeJ Loaf has this pop rap ring to it tackling the themes of romance. “Pin a Tail” hooks up these piano chords throughout flexing that he got bulletproof car doors like Pablo Escobar, but then “Untamed” featuring a reunited Boosie Badazz & Webbie breaks down the untamable personalities all 3 of them possess.

“Quiet Storm” finishes the 1st half of the album on some delicate trap shit putting his trust in these guns while “More Than Enough” talks about feeling the stab wound from being betrayed getting deeper. “No Sympathy” drearily reveals he’s the reason these pussies be laid out on the ground while “IDK What to Say” featuring Blac Youngsta & Spinabenz keeps the trap vibes going promising the streets ain’t safe.

Nearing the end of Wee Are Who We Are, the song “Scared of It” hops over keys & hi-hats talking about showing love to those who might bust his head while “Xoxo” gives hugs & kisses assuring he don’t love these bitches. “3am in Baltimore” featuring YG Teck finds the 2 telling us what goes down in the early hours of the titular Maryland city while the 2-parter “New You < I Hate Poppa Too” breaks down the new him & people who hate him. Lastly, the closer “Letter to Jook” finishes the LP with an open letter to Poppa’s homie.

Poppa as of me writing this happens to be the most recent addition to the CMG roster & his debut under Yo Gotti’s mentorship refines himself artistically compared to his earlier material. The southern trap & pop rap production that the Floridian artist became known for gets refined conceptually building itself around understanding & acceptance.

Score: 3.5/5

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42 Dugg – “4eva Us Neva Them” review

Here we have the 4th mixtape from Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter 42 Dugg. His breakout debut EP 11241 Wayburn in 2018 would catch the attention of both Yo Gotti & Lil Baby, who jointly signed him to their respective labels Collective Music Group & CBFW Records shortly after. Dugg’s profile continued to grow in 2019 when he dropped his debut mixtape Young & Turnt, which was followed up last year by the sequel Young & Turnt 2 & the mature Free Dem Boyz. Now that he’s home from a prison stint, Dugg is making it clear on the 4th of July that it’s 4eva Us Never Them.

The intro is a soulful Detroit trap opener to the tape hanging with the killas whereas “Win wit Us” talks about everyone wanting to catch Ws by his side all of the sudden over a grisly trap beat. “4×4” featuring Meek Mill works in an apocalyptic sample & hi-hats ridin’ whips with engines that supply power to all 4 wheels instead of the usual 2, but then “Fresh From the Feds” takes the atmospheric trap route instrumentally to talk about needing a miracle & being down bad when he was incarcerated.

Rylo Rodriguez joins Dugg for the bell-infused “Case Closed” advising that a killa in their feelings is the summarization of a Drake song just before “Wrong Right” somberly talks about wanting everyone in his squad to live long lives. “N.P.O. (No Panties On)”featuring Sexyy Red brings the 2 together for an energetic sex anthem leading into “If I Can’t” bringing the Detroit trap vibes back into the fold talking about having everything & being gone.

“Megan” featuring Blac Youngsta menacingly boasting the lifestyles that they live while “Org” hooks up some horns & hi-hats to assure that he & his crew are still undefeated. “Catch 1” kinda has this orchestral trap flare to the beat talking about still being bad while the introspective “My Mama” starts the 2nd half of the tape by giving the audience game by telling them what she told & showed him in regards of having only himself & no friends.

EST. G joins Dugg for “Since When” to display a back-&-forth chemistry recapturing the essence of their collab mixtape Last Ones Left from a couple years ago while the menacing Detroit trap cut “Get in Your Bag” tells everybody out there to become 1 with whatever task you are trying to achieve. “BMF” featuring Jeezy is an excellent tribute to the Black Mafia Family especially since the Snowman knows Big Meech himself & the extended version of “Go Again” happens to be better than the original.

“No Love” featuring Lil Baby reunites the pair over a bell-woven trap beat from TM88 calling themselves the mob while “4eva Us” produced by Helluva aggressively details his street mentality. The song “Need You” provides a dejecting tone explaining shit ain’t been the same talks while the penultimate track “Still ‘Bout You” smoothly addressing a woman he cares for. Last but not least, the closer “Real Ones” fittingly ends by promising he ain’t ever going back to prison again.

Dugg has always been one of my top 3 favorite CMG signings alongside Mozzy & Glorilla but when it comes to the CBFW roster, not that many of Baby’s artists stood out besides Dugg other than maybe Rylo’s freestyle of the Wale/Bryson Tiller single “Love…(Her Fault)”. 4eva Us Neva Them reinforces all of it from the elevating production to the tight guest-list & Dugg reassuring his status a standout in the Detroit trap scene.

Score: 3.5/5

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Mozzy – “Children of the Slums” review

Sacramento, California emcee Mozzy is back with the 8th full-length studio LP in his discography & his Collective Music Group/Interscope Records sophomore effort. I became a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his debut 1 Up Top Akh & he went on to be featured on the soundtrack for the incredible Marvel blockbuster Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more albums through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records prior to Memphis veteran Yo Gotti landing him a CMG contract. Mozzy’s major label debut Survivor’s Guilt in 2022 was more poignant than what he’s done previously & that alone raised my stakes for Children of the Slums.

“Damn” starts us off by calling out someone who ran when they got on the homie line over a mellow beat whereas “Still Hurt” works in a soul sample with hi-hats admitting the pain he still feels over Diaonds’ death & the love he had for Sauce on top of it. The title track comes through with this piano talking about the fact that he did so much for his hood prior to “Red Nose Bully” reminding everyone that he’s still that guy from the middle over exuberant pianos & hi-hats.

Fridayy joins Mozzy on “Lost It All” for an R&B/pop rap/trap crossover asking their lovers if they would still care about them even if everything was suddenly taken away from just before the 3rd single “Miss Big Bruh” showing genuine heartbreak over his big brody who’s no longer here in the flesh. “Ebony from 12th” gives me this mafiosi trap vibe instrumentally talking about being tired of death after seeing one too many coffins, but then “Miss You Blood” brings this angelic/hyphy fusion to the table addressing one that he often thinks of.

“Jaded” goes into a cloudier direction to discuss angels callin’ them on top of their demons still creepin’ up behind them as well prior to the soulful “Living Proof” featuring E Mozzy finding the 2 talking about being breathing examples of that your dreams can come true. “Traumatized” has this melodic vocals in the background throughout to break down an individual he once knew receiving a traumatizing sentence in court with his momma crying in court while “Lost in My Thoughts” jumps over pianos & hi-hats talking about not needing any validation.

The lead single “Free JuJu” pays tribute to someone he wanted to guide & set on the right path from Oak Park that he couldn’t save while the violin, hyphy flavored “Act a Fool” featuring Celly Ru & E Mozzy finds the trio talking about actin’ reckless. “I Can’t Go Out” passionately draws near Children of the Slums’ conclusion by refusing to go out for nothing when it’s all said & done while the atmospheric “If I Die Right Now” asking if his so-called brothers would miss him as much as the fans. “Better Without You” finishes the LP with a gloomy sample drowning behind him tired of seeing one suffer & struggle.

Much like Survivor’s Guilt, this could be considered one of Mozzy’s most personal projects to date & I certainly like it more than Glorilla’s latest tape EhhThang EhhThang from earlier this morning. He shines light on life growing up in the Sacramento community, the trials of being raised in survival & the complex lifestyle that comes with it. It further exemplifies the growth of Mozzy’s rap career & personal life, serving as an inspiration to fans that even the titular type of people can also make it out like anyone else.

Score: 3.5/5

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Glorilla – “EhhThang EhhThang” review

This is the 2nd mixtape from Memphis, Tennessee rapper Glorilla. Breaking out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” couple years ago, the ultimately resulted in local veteran Yo Gotti signing her to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group a little over a week before they dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Gangsta Art a few months later, making her the very 1st female recording artist on the label. Anyways, Life’s Great… continued to have her presence felt & I went into EhhThang EhhThang hoping it would take her to the next level since she’s amongst my favorite CMG signings personally.

“Yeah Glo!” was an incredible choice of a single & even the perfect opener to the tape whether it be the Memphis-influenced sound or Glo’s charismatic braggadocio whereas “All Dere” featuring Moneybagg Yo follows it up with a decent strip club anthem although I admire the Project Pat samples. “Nun of ‘Em” works in hi-hats & a rubbery bassline talking about how she ain’t like the rest of those bitches, but then “No Bih” is another standout for me givin’ a middle finger to all the haters out there over a vibraphone-inflicted trap instrumental from Chopsquad DJ.

Megan Thee Stallion joins Glo on “Wanna Be” for what is essentially the female counterpart to “Captain Save-a-Hoe” by The Click heavily sampling “Pretty Boy Swag” by the first rapper to do it all Soulja Boy just before “Opp Shit” brings back the Memphis trap vibes a bit talkin’ about fuckin’ with an opp essentially since her cousin smoked his brother, which is interesting because she’s confirmed that both Cardi B & Lil Uzi Vert are in fact her cousins in recent interviews not to say she’s referring to either one of them at all. “Aite” featuring Kevo Muney finds the 2 over a solemn vocal sample & hi-hats tackling loneliness on the road leading into “Bad Bih 4 Ya” featuring Boston Richey going trap metal & falling flat.

“Finesse da Flo” featuring Finesse2tymes isn’t any better trading verses with each other over a generic beat & Glo being the superior performer of the 2 while the “High AF” picks back in the form of a piano-trap crossover dedicating to being faded than a hoe. The penultimate track “G.M.F.U. 2 (Got Me Fucked Up 2)” draws near the end of the tape with a sequel to a song on her debut mixtape Most Likely Up Next that’s superior to the original & the futuristic closer “In Dat Mode” sends off the tape flexing it don’t get bigger than this.

All & all, this is yet another average body of work from Glo yet it’s better than her previous material much like the last EP was. The production is a mixed bag generally although there are some incredibly detailed ideas & the features are mostly underwhelming, but Glo can very much rap her ass off. If she can improve in the other 2 departments, I’m sure the full-length debut can really take herself to the next level because she really is amongst the best on CMG.

Score: 3/5

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Glorilla – “Anyways, Life’s Great…” review

Glorilla is a 23 year old rapper from Memphis, Tennessee who broke out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” this past spring. This ultimately resulted in local veteran Yo Gotti signing her to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group a little over a week before they dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Gangsta Art a few months later, making her the very 1st female recording artist on the label. So the stakes were high for her 2nd EP albeit CMG debut over here.

“No More Love” starts the EP by airing out people left & right who used to be in her life over a cloudy trap instrumental from ATL Jacob whereas “PHATNALL” featuring Lil Durk on the remix goes into Detroit trap territory comparing her pussy to fentanyl referencing Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder, Neuralink founder & Twitter owner Elon Musk. The “Tomorrow” remix with Cardi B is just ok from the keys & hi-hats to the lyrics basically talking their shit, but then “Unh Unh” returns to the Detroit trap sound once more to my surprise acknowledging that they don’t wanna see gangsta bitches winning.

Meanwhile on “Blessed”, we have Glorilla over another piano-trap instrumental telling us that’s exactly how she’s feeling while “Get That Money” with Niki Pooh weaves a whistling sample into the fold as they encourage women not to be scared to as their men for money. The song “Nut Quick” is basically a Memphis version of the Missy Elliott joint “1 Minute Man” while the penultimate track “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” happens to be a great addition to the EP despite the controversy surrounding it. “Out Loud Thinking” though finishes the EP by getting her thoughts out there over a glistening beat.

For a debut EP, it’s a pretty solid way for Glorilla to introduce herself to a wider audience because I think she’s one of the best signees on CMG alongside Mozzy & 42 Dugg. She definitely has potential as shown by her performances & songwriting throughout the 26 minutes of our time that she’s given us, but the production is just mostly average & the 2 features are hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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Mozzy – “Survivor’s Guilt” review

Mozzy is a 35 year old MC from Sacramento, California who I became a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his full-length debut 1 Up Top Akh. He would go on to be featured on the soundtrack for the incredible Marvel blockbuster Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more albums through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records but considering that Memphis veteran Yo Gotti signed him to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group back in February, it was only a matter of time that Mozzy would drop his major label debut considering the fact that CMG’s been turning a lot of heads & getting a lot of coverage recently.

“Not the Same” is a introspective opener with it’s piano/sample infused trap beat along with the lyrics addressing those who say he’s changed whereas “If You Love Me” takes a more acoustic turn asking why he would change if people cared for him. EST. G tags along for the grim “Lurkin’” getting on their gangsta shit, but then Shordie Shordie comes into the picture for “Tell the Truth” to deliver one of the weakest features on the album despite the hyphy instrumental & the subject matter of wanting to be alone.

Continuing on with “Murder on My Mind”, we have Mozzy over some pianos & snares explaining why he can’t sleep without no slime leading into “Burrr” weaving in a twangy trap beat talking about how things are getting icy out here. “Wouldn’t Be Us” with YG shoots for a more cavernous aesthetic as both MCs telling their significant others it’s different then they’re thuggin’ just before “Smoke Nuffin’” bringing back the keys as 42 Dugg assists the mic to keep it 100.

“4Life” is a heavenly ode to Mozzy’s affiliation with the Bloods while the weepy “Make the News” with Blac Youngsta & Yo Gotti finds the trio calling out those who don’t actually love them like they said. “What You Hollin’” with his younger brother E-Mozzy & Celly Ru sees the 3 over some pianos & thumping drums getting on their mobb shit while “Ain’t Really Real” throws some strings in the mix talking about fake love.

The song “Open Arms” has a more smoother feel to the production as Mozzy talking about the streets welcoming him very kindly while the penultimate track “In My Face” with Saweetie & 2 Chainz shows a raunchier side to all 3 of them over a nervous DJ Mustard instrumental. “Real Ones” with Roddy Ricch however is a deadpan finisher to the album by showing love to those who’re no longer here with him.

Overall, I’d say that Survivor’s Guilt is one of the best major label debuts that I’ve heard in a while & most definitely a standout in Mozzy’s ever-growing discography. I could’ve done without a couple of the features, but a good portion of them proves that he fits in with CMG with the emotion throughout the 43 minutes is truly touching.

Score: 3.5/5

42 Dugg – “Free Dem Boyz” review

42 Dugg is a 26 year old rapper & singer/songwriter from Detroit, Michigan breaking out a few summers back off the strength of his debut EP 11241 Wayburn. This would catch the attention of both Yo Gotti & Lil Baby, who jointly signed him to their respective labels Collective Music Group & CBFW Records shortly after. Dugg’s profile continued to grow in 2019 when he dropped his debut mixtape Young & Turnt, which was followed up last year by the sequel Young & Turnt 2. However, it’s all been leading up to his 3rd tape over here.

The intro is a short, violin-laced trap banger much tells all his homies to call him whenever they need anything whereas the next song “Turnest N***a in the City” goes into a more hyphy direction as Dugg proclaims himself as such. The bragging continues on the brief, keyboard-laced “We Know” before he & Roddy Ricch hop over a Scorpions sample for “4 da Gang”.

Future tags along up on the atmospheric “Maybach” to talk about putting it on for their respective hometowns & the Einer Bankz-produced “Bestfriends” returns to a more Bay Area sound with the lyrics paying tribute to Dugg’s childhood friends. Lil Durk pulls up on the dreary “Alone” to express falling outs & being street cats forever & even though I like the heartfelt subject matter on “Still Miss My N****s”, the Rylo Rodriguez verse is atrocious.

The song “Free Merey” is a guitar ballad about how he & Merey will always be together while the Antt Beatz-produced “Quez Free” is a thumping anthem about what Dugg’s been up to lately. Right after that, “Please” is a cloudier cut saying that he’s “still got shit down” & then EST. Gee helps him get on the drug dealer tip on the grim “Rose Gold” produced by Carlo Anthony.

“Judge Please” is a 2-minute hyphy banger crying out for help while the Fivio Foreign & Rowdy Rebel-featured “Still Catching Cases” feels like an off-the-cuff drill joint. Taz Taylor incorporates a piano & hi-hats on “It Get Deeper Pt. 2” as Dugg goes on about how he can’t be outscored & then the Murda Beatz-produced “And I Gangbang” is a lively gangsta rap cut.

The next 2 songs are all homages to 42 Dugg’s friends Woo & Skeet with the production sounding eerily similar to one another, but then we go into Bay territory one last time on the closer “Free Me” which is him showing y’all how life works.

I think to safe to say that Free Dem Boyz is without question Dugg’s most mature effort to date. Pretty sure we all knew he was gonna stick with that signature modern Detroit sound à la Sada Baby, but the lyrics are a lot more personal than they were on previous efforts.

Score: 3.5/5