(Aquamarine; 2012)
Under the loose tutelage of DJ Drama, Willie The Kid's benumbing monocle lens filtered perspective was still in the process of curing. Since parting ways from The Aphilliates in the winter of 2011, he's learned how to communicate his longstanding fetish for luxury far more efficiently. Partly due to adopting an exotic vocabulary, but mostly because he's honed his attention to detail to the point where vague generalities are virtually nonexistent. Blue flames. Bitches nestle. David Yurman shower curtains. Around every corner of Willie's performance on 'Marina' you'll find brilliant colors, coarse textures, and peregrine materialism enveloping his thorough aquatic imagery. It's a drastic upgrade over Willie's initial foray into nautical rap on 'Yacht Music' from DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2), on which his dull bravado was suffocated by two of the genre's most distinct voices. This time around he's standing on the other side of the pier, completely outclassing his Michigan brethren Jon Connor. Bearing a punchy typewriter flow that's earnest to a fault, he delivers a substance laden verse criticizing America's paralyzing student loan system. As poignant as his message is, Conner is distracting. 'Marina' is all about shimmering ocean surfaces, mouthwatering Turkish cuisine, and tranquil escapism.
Under the loose tutelage of DJ Drama, Willie The Kid's benumbing monocle lens filtered perspective was still in the process of curing. Since parting ways from The Aphilliates in the winter of 2011, he's learned how to communicate his longstanding fetish for luxury far more efficiently. Partly due to adopting an exotic vocabulary, but mostly because he's honed his attention to detail to the point where vague generalities are virtually nonexistent. Blue flames. Bitches nestle. David Yurman shower curtains. Around every corner of Willie's performance on 'Marina' you'll find brilliant colors, coarse textures, and peregrine materialism enveloping his thorough aquatic imagery. It's a drastic upgrade over Willie's initial foray into nautical rap on 'Yacht Music' from DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2), on which his dull bravado was suffocated by two of the genre's most distinct voices. This time around he's standing on the other side of the pier, completely outclassing his Michigan brethren Jon Connor. Bearing a punchy typewriter flow that's earnest to a fault, he delivers a substance laden verse criticizing America's paralyzing student loan system. As poignant as his message is, Conner is distracting. 'Marina' is all about shimmering ocean surfaces, mouthwatering Turkish cuisine, and tranquil escapism.
I believe this is HL's blog?
ReplyDeleteHL, you've done a great job.
Keep the Willie the Kid, Action Bronson, Nasir posts coming.
Maybe some Riff Raff???????
@NOWB Thanks man! I actually really like some of Riff Raff's music, but I wasn't digging the new tape. Been thinking about posting a few of his better guest features though.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, this is HL.
ReplyDeleteHis best collabs are with his brother IMO. Their contrasting styles complement each other. Willie is the superior lyricist at this point but LA's straight forward street rhymes effortlessly offset Willie's in depth alliteration flow
ReplyDelete@SP I agree man. All his good collabs are with La. Those guys he had rhyming on his last tape are pretty horrible. The contrast between him and his brother works really well.
ReplyDeletegreat assessment tho
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll post something whenever the next tape drops. I been out the loop. Shout to you for keepin niggas in the know on things...1
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. Thanks for reading.
ReplyDelete@HL - I hear you. I liked his verses on Bird on a Wire, Hot Shots part deux, etc. But haven't heard much like them.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. Love the blog.