Grand Hustle has been slipping a bit on its rap cred, or its "street credentials" if you will. Well maybe not so much it's street cred, but more for it's pull in the rap game and their rights to say that they're still a juggernaut label, or a force to be reckoned with. T.I. isn't quite the hip-hop heavyweight he once was when it comes to selling records, or even being a top 5 emcee in the popular opinion. So that leaves the rest of the label: Iggy Azalea, B.o.B, Trae Tha Truth, Travi$ Scott, Young Dro, etc., to help carry the load in sales, and "street cred". Their first G.D.O.D mix tape saw a bit of success, but could they keep it rolling with G.D.O.D 2?
Now before this review gets going I HAVE to ask: why is it Grand Hustle is the only label that's had the time or desire to release any type of compilation project? With all the talent of other rosters that people would pay serious (or probably more, granted many people don't pay at all these days) money to hear like Shady Records (even though they're in the midst with Shady XV), G.O.O.D Music, Roc Nation, Young Money (though I believe they recently did it too?), why is it that Grand Hustle is the only label that has had the balls to do so? Could it possibly be for fear of incredibly high expectations? Surely not a far off notion. Anyways, back to this review thing.
Any project worth hearing has to have an intro that keeps you wanting more, and Grand Hustle did not too shabby with this one... "Welcome To My City" is that king-me type of banger that you love to bump in your 6-4 (word to Big K.R.I.T) riding around your... well... your "city". A sweet beat that includes some banging 808s and horns that are fit for a king's arrival, this song is a great way to start off any project. Not to mention the hella-catchy hook.
The general differentiation between albums and mix tapes you might normally say is substance vs. free bangers, and that's exactly what this tape is all about. Songs like "Brand New Choppa", "UM HMM", "What You Gon' Do Bout It", "Ain't Both (MLK)", and "I Do The Most" solidify a nice round up of bass-filled tracks that can become best friends with your car speakers. I don't listen to much of Young Thug myself, but hearing him on the hook of "I Need War" with T.I. does it some justice, and adds a bit of energy to the track. "By Any Means" with Watch The Duck (haven't heard of him until this tape, interesting name to say the least), T.I., Spodee, and Shad Da God adds a different vibe to the tape, but the crazy, gibberish-spewed hook is hard to understand and takes away from the song a bit, although its quite hilarious to hear if you like hearing fast talking "rappers" who mix groaning with a nice hit of crack. Check out this track if you want a laugh.
One thing that bothered me about this tape was the lack of B.o.B verses. Ol Bobby Ray has to be number 2 in line behind Tip in terms of who pulls the most weight, and to me he's the best rapper on Grand Hustle lyrically. Not only that, but 1 SONG with Iggy on it?! What's the deal there? You would think you'd try to get the biggest star in pop today on your mix tape more, ESPECIALLY if she's on your label! Not sure what the deal is there, but Iggy's sold out a bit to me anyways. They like to call it longevity, or versatility, but she's gone pop and strayed away from her rap roots a bit it seems.
Altogether a decent tape, but definitely one for strictly party use or car bumping. Lacking a bit in versatility, you don't hear a lot of RNB songs (minus "Champaign Room"), or straight "hip hop" songs where these guys like to show their ability, so it's a bit one dimensional. Highlights are the decent production, and appearances from practically EVERY relevant Grand Hustle rapper still around (Young Dro especially, it's nice to hear he's still got some skill on tracks like "Who We Is [OG]", and Trae Tha Truth is underrated as well, he's always reminded me of Bun B). So if you're looking to numb your body and your speakers a bit as well, give GDOD 2 a listen yourself, and make sure your speakers are heavy!
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