Post by StevePulaski on Aug 27, 2015 12:11:57 GMT -5
Trappin' and Rappin' - EP (2015)
By: Lil Chris
By: Lil Chris
Rating: ★★★
"Most of these bitches want a mile when you give 'em inches, and most of these n***** need a cycle cause they act like bitches." - Lil Chris, "Pay Attention"
Chicago-born bop artist Lil Chris (of M.I.C.) has operated under the radar since his marginal rise in fame thanks to two mixtapes by DJ Moondawg that have helped give the bop genre some credibility. His latest EP Trappin' & Rappin' comes hot on the tail of his latest mixtape Made it Thru the Struggle, released in February, and has him taking on a different persona than the synth-heavy, autotune-drenched bop personality he maintained for several years. This new sound is dark, in more line with the traditions of trap and drill music, with Chris emphasizing struggle, drugs, and alcohol rather than the more feel-good or uplifting rap songs he created while working with the bop genre.
This change of pace is something to get used to. His four-minute-long opener "Finesse the Beat" is a brooding track that wouldn't have anyone thinking Chris used to be part of the bop genre. It's a solid track at times, but hearing Chris rap such darker, more cynical lyrics isn't a trait that fits him. The best example of how dark he can be without being too cynical is "Same S***, Different Day," one of his earliest releases. Following "Finesse" is "Peter Pan," a barely one-hundred second track that has Chris taking on a trap personality with a slurry, almost sleepy down, echoing an older style more-so than anything else on the EP thus far.
Latter tracks on the EP really have Chris assimilating into the conventions of modern trap. The curiously titled "Days Go Bye" is a cynical track, with a chorus that is nicely executed and verses that hit hard in terms of making you realize what Chris is going through, despite finding some success as an artist. "Life So Crazy" is the more anthemic song of the two, with an infectious hook and almost Fetty Wap-style flows that kick in during the latter part of the hook and the second verse. Finally, we end on an imperative note with Chris demanding we "Pay Attention," where Chris gives us a taste of his insights and his street-smart ideology.
Trappin' & Rappin' is a promising new venture for Chris, but his greatest strengths with almost always remain in the bop genre. With Chris's undeniable talent, his perfect voice which fits autotune so nicely, and his wealth of knowledge and subject matter, it's a wonder he'd want to even try his hand with a more simplistic and shortchanging genre. Lack of exposure in bop could be it, but Chris's ability to go where the puck wasn't is what made his bop venture so exciting and this one only satisfying.
Recommended tracks (in order): "Days Go Bye," "Pay Attention, and "Life So Crazy."