"I wrote for Source Magazine and Rap Genius, and neither liked me." - Zadric
DISCLAIMER:
I listen once, and give my honest review with my first and most important impression at heart. I leave my explanations brief and uncut, so as to give the reader a general perspective on the release, but not a suffocating description and opinion as to prevent the reader from developing an opinion of their own. I try to provide an extremely timely review, so any production title errors or inaccurate features, etc., is an effect of that. As well, I provide solely a conclusive summary filled with brief commentaries regarding specific tracks, opposed to a lengthy track-by-track review that the reader could use the time enjoying the LP rather than reading my opinions. As well I will provide a general rating out of 10 that I see fitting.
CONCLUSION:
- To compare 21 Savage with anyone else spawning from the A in this ongoing renaissance of trap is seemingly unfair, but if I were to provide a comparison I would have to entail the ferocity of a late Slim Dunkin, and the monstrosity of a 2012 Dirt Gang. However his flow is alike to neither mentioned artists. His flow is nearly label-proof to me, but he is of the peer-group to the likes of Peewee Longway and Migos, however 21 is not of a hybrid descent. If you were to scalp the layer of sugar coating and cliche lyricism that both previously mentioned artists often possess, and thus get to the fleshy, blood-dripping underside of the layer of precipitated hot Atlanta summer skin, you would find the demon in the heart of 21 Savage, and the horrific characteristics that he wields. His charisma and harsh realities are of a 2010 Flockaveli, pairing with the corpsy, Flockaveli-esque album artwork, revealing the underbelly of Atlanta's trap scene.
- To furthermore flesh out the bullet-riddled autopsy of The Slaughter Tape, I want to emphasize the individual pride I hold relating to the production and feature lineup. Although a lot of the names have become common (trap) house names, 21 neglects to create just another Atlanta trap tape, but rather paints us a vivid imagery of the raw, humid, concrete blocks and dirt back roads of Atlanta and Zone 6. Fuck 12's heavy bass influence delivers the necessary trunk-rattle essence that is vital to the survival of an Atlanta street trophy. DJ Plugg's heartbeat resetting 808's and chest rattling rhythms pair beautifully with 21's cook-a-brick-flip-a-brick lyricism. And what's a trap tape without the young inventive Metro and dynamic 808 Mafia member TM88. As well as a crucial Young God and Mercy placing, a release out of Atlanta that does not hold a Zaytoven tag is sacrilegious, and in this metaphor's case, 21 is of the most holy, holding 3 Zay masterpieces. And what an incredibly, yet inevitable production from TrapMonneyBenny, via the colossal newly crowned Atlanta king Key!. Artists the likes of Key!, TrapMonneyBenny, and now especially 21 Savage bring forth the title, "New Atlanta", and, "New Trap." However, "new" entitles that something is different from the prior. If you're listening at all, you can see and feel that trap is very much the same and very much alive, as the mentioned artists take you on a first-class flight to the back col-de-sac's of Atlanta's cookie-cutter traphouse neighborhoods. Once landing, they kidnap your ears at gunpoint and lunk you in the back of a spinning chrome, headache-inducing heavy bass rolling Honda, a brick riding backseat and a shotgun riding shotgun. If the boys who went and shot Ricky in Boyz N The Hood had a playlist on their drive, and if they were on the streets of Zone 6 Atlanta, this would've been the tape in their speakers - a vengeful, grimey, perfectly evil and trap anthem LP.
- Other notable features include iLoveMakonnen, Offset, ManMan Savage, & Freaky. 21 Savage goes directly by the recipe of making a trend-setting trap tape, but results in writing his own recipe with completely different ingredients that rise to an incredibly tasteful and rich pastry. The dark chocolate of its taste may at first be too strong and tempting to continue, but I promise if you continue to fork at the rest of the dessert that is The Slaughter Tape, you will in turn clean the plate, and ask for seconds, and every time you order dessert again you will request this very one. The best trap release since Menace II Society, the most iconic yet perhaps slept on banquet since Flockaveli, I crave the moment a new 21 Savage tape is to get stirred up. 21 displays that he doesn't need plentiful features to support his talent, but when he does, can select an all-star home-run knocking lineup, and displays the ability to hold longevity in a vicious, ever-developing rap scene. As well, he displays a quality use of auto-tune, in which he utilizes it in the way it was supposed to be used: to compliment and enhance your vocals, opposed to drowning out the lyrics entirely into an auto-tune anthem. Best release I've heard of 2015 thus far. THANK YOU 21 SAVAGE, HOODRICHKEEM, KEY!, & EVERYONE AFFILIATED FOR GIVING MOUTH TO MOUTH TO TRAP AND KEEPING THE VITALS WELL.
NOTABLE TRACKS (NOT IN ORDER):
- 1. "Skirt Skirt (Intro)" [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 2. "Pimp" [Prod. Zaytoven]
- 3. "Gang" [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 4. "Picky" [Prod. DJ Plugg]
- 5. "Slaughter Ya Daughter" (Feat. Key! & iLoveMakonnen) [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 6. "Drip" [Prod. Metro Boomin & TM 88]
- 7. "Out The Bowl" (Feat. Key!) [Prod. TrapMonneyBenny]
- 8. "Drinkin And Driving" [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 9. "Start Dying" (Feat. Offset) [Prod. Zaytoven]
- 10. "FNB" [Prod. Young God & Fuck 12]
- 11. "Million Dollar Lick" (Feat. ManMan Savage) [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 12. "Seeing Double" [Prod. Fuck 12]
- 13. "Heart So Cold" (Feat. Freaky) [Prod. Mercy]
- 14. "Woah" [Prod. Zaytoven]
OVERALL RATING: 9/10
#FREEBIGGUWOP
