Tag: DJ Paul

Yelawolf – “Slumafia” review

This is the 6th EP from Alabama rapper, singer/songwriter, fashion designer & entrepreneur Yelawolf. Coming up in 2005 off the mediocre debut album Creekwater, it wouldn’t be until 5 years later when Catfish Billy caught the mainstream’s attention off the strength of his 4th mixtape Trunk Muzik before signing to Shady Records in 2011. After dropping a total of 4 albums under the Eminem-owned Interscope Records imprint, he fulfilled his contract just a couple years ago to focus on Slumerican Records & dropped his 6th full-length effort Ghetto Cowboy a little over 8 months later. But to continue his streak of dropping a project every week for this entire month, Yelawolf is hooking back up with longtime collaborator DJ Paul for Slumafia.

“Trans Am” is a gritty opener as Catfish Billy spits about going from the gutter to being rich over some hi-hats & plinky keys, but then Paul jumps on the next cut “Tote the Bag” to charismatically boast on top of a shadowy instrumental. The track “Lucchese” is a devilishly-produced killer anthem that I would’ve enjoyed more without the Badd Wolf feature referencing 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair whereas “Still the Man” bigs himself up & the beat on here is probably the darkest on the entire EP.

Meanwhile, “Don’t Need a Cup” serves as a slowed-down ode to his Creekwater whiskey brand & even though I understand that the title track is meant to be a Slumerican/Three 6 crossover, the only features that captivated me were Gangsta Boo & the Seed of 6 because Big Henri’s verse was ok & BRAY’s was hands down the weakest. “Super Geek” is a bass-heavy crowd mover about only giving a fuck once in his life & “Head Banger” is an explosive closer that sounds like it could’ve been on Yelawolf Blacksheep. I mean PRETTY SHY’s verse at the start is uneventful, but Caskey kills his in the middle.

Of all of the projects Yelawolf has dropped in 2021, I’d have to say Slumafia is my favorite thus far. Paul’s signature sound is always great to hear & it definitely brings some of the best out of Catfish Billy, but my biggest problem that I had with TURQUOiSE TORNADO makes it’s way onto here: the features.

Score: 3.5/5

DJ Paul – “Power, Pleasure & Painful Things” review

DJ Paul is a 42 year old MC, producer, DJ, songwriter & entrepreneur from Memphis, Tennessee known for co-founding the seminal Three 6 Mafia with Juicy J. He made his solo debut in 2002 with Underground 16: For da Summa but for the past decade, Paul’s has delivered a total of 7 more albums through his Scale-A-Ton Entertainment record label including his 2015 magnum opus Master of Evil with the help of Psychopathic Records or the Year of the 6 duology in conjunction with Slumerican the following year. However after spending the last year & a half producing & doing features, he’s returning with his debut EP.

After the “Journey Begins” intro, we go into the song “Creepin’”. Where Paul teams up with Wifisfuneral viciously brag over a chaotic trap beat. Then after the “Life Figured Out” interlude, the song “Easy Way” with Yelawolf & the Seed of 6 sees the 4 vividly describing life in the gutter over a dark beat. After the “Cleaner Way” interlude, the song “Came Up” with Rob Vicious is a mediocre anthem about making money. Especially with the tedious “me so horny” hook.

After the “No More Small Time” interlude, the song “Real Money” with Beanie Sigel is pretty much a sequel to the last joint except it’s way more tolerable & off the wall. After the “Life Got Real” interlude, the final song “They Beefin’” is a menacing diss towards people who choosin’ sides. Then the EP finishes off with the “Gettin’ Caught Up” skit & a spoken word outro.

While it’s not bad, it could’ve been a lot better in my opinion. Paul pretty much sticks to his guns both lyrically & sonically, but the interludes before every song are highly annoying. Nonetheless, still a neck-breaking prelude of something bigger to come.

Score: 3/5