What to say that I haven't said about T-Rock before? There isn't much. He is one of my favourite rappers of all time and easily my favourite at the moment. I don't anticipate many other artists' projects like I do with T-Rock, particularly in the world of hip hop. That becomes an even stronger statement when you consider how frequently he releases new music. He boasts about the amount of music he releases and has claimed only James Brown can touch him by way of albums. I don't know how true that is but he has released a tonne of music, and the productivity has only been growing, with another few albums already promoted for release after this.
1.1 Money Man
Kicks off the album well. Where many, particularly in the past few years have made political songs full of hypocrisy and fallacies, Rock uses some bars to basically say both sides are greedy and full of shit.
1.2 Bodies
This one has grown on me but it's nothing too special. Gangsta rap with an average beat. It surprises me it's the second one he released a video for - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YEa0ODWyrQ&fbclid=IwAR367rjOP4JPTioZXa208DMwZDAf5tymQy2xCK2IN6L39CfoTMPYGO-pwy0]
1.3 Understand Me
The first single from the album with a video - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6ghTk8TX4I]. I love the flow to kick off the second verse. A banger.
1.4 Racked Up (Remix)
One of two remixes featured on here. The hook is 'ehh' but the rapping is fire, particularly the last verse.
1.5 Give a Fuck
Hard beat, more fantastic rapping. Nice contrast between the bare chorus and verses. Many different flows and pacing with his vocals. He seems to be taking a shot at the current state of the game.
1.6 Hella Sauce
Similar to the last track. The production dies down for the hook
1.7 King Shit (Remix)
One of, if not the best here. An excellent bangin' high tempo beat, and yep, great rapping. A useful workout track.
1.8 Run It Up
1.9 Tip Drill
Sex tune. "Move that ass like a tip drill"
1.10 Billionaire Today
After a run of gangsta rap about cash, money and hoes Rock gets more conscious. He asks what would you do if you became a billionaire.
1.11 No Mo
This was released on last year's 'Bullet Klub' album. A good song like that whole album is. It continues the more laid back feel of the previous track compared to all the songs that came before. Oddly it's spelt differently on this release than on Bullet Klub.
2.1 Cheeze & Dope
A snippet for this was released years ago, with Rock spitting it in his car - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pycRxkd1ABQ] that wet the appetite. High tempo beat with fast strings (using a similar beat to what Project Pat had on 'Cheese and Dope'). That second verse! Jesus Christ!!!
2.2 Pronto
Another one released as a snippet from the whip - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfFeL8NPWM], and then about a month ago released on a compilation. Another one of my favourites.
2.3 Racked Up (Original)
This gives it a different feel compared to the remix. I think I like this more.
2.4 For the Bag
The 'Tip Drill' of this disc.
2.5 Growed Up
2.6 War Against the Machine
We finally get to the title track. This begins with Mr. Sche who in no way holds a candle to T-Rock. Few do which often make featured verses a let down on his projects. Deeper lyrically compared to many songs here but it has one of the weaker beats.
2.7 Back Seat
'Rise and Grind' was a collab album released a couple of months ago between Rock and Cappa. Rock sounds great over this beat and it has a catchy hook. 'Brain in the back seat'.
2.8 Yo Mind
A slow vibey likeable beat here. The problem lies with the hook. It sounds exactly like 'Rise and Grind' from the aforementioned project. I like the verses but the similarity of the hook to an earlier song brings it down. The more I listen to it the less it bothers me. Topically, as there often is on a T-Rock album, here is the religiously-themed song.
2.9 King Shit (Original)
The remix is better, it feels more menacing, but this is still good.
2.10 Don't You Worry Bout It
2.11 Check
T-Rock saved the worst till last. The weakest song here. There is little distinction between the beat on the verses and hook, the hook isn't catchy and the beat doesn't catch my ear much.
While the producers, Mossberg, Mr. Sche and Mr. Maceo are the people T-Rock usually works with, particularly the first two, at times there does seems like a slightly different sound present. Topically it's possibly a tad shallower than what he used to make, but there are still some more thoughtful songs and bars present. It is lacking a weed song though that is a rarity for the self-proclaimed 'Mr 4/20'. Of the music to come though, there is a project titled 'How High' and a sequel to the religiously-themed 'Kairos Album', so perhaps those are being saved. With such a brilliant rapper though, I can take some gangsta/brag rap on repeat.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★☆
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Money Man, Understand Me, Give a Fuck, King Shit (Remix), Billionaire Today, No Mo, Cheeze & Dope, Pronto, Racked Up (Original), Back Seat
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