Eric "LIl E" Gates debut tape, produced entirely by Blackout. Published by independent, it features several Playa Posse guests, including Lil Slim, Terror and Peanut, as well as Wako, II Black, Stout Pimp and Blackout.
The first track features a dark rhythm with great sample and distant downtempo drum on which the rapper spits bars with a slow and regular style. Then, it comes one of the highlights of the hip-hop season. Celestial sample of Blackout, ethereal, heavenly / otherworldly melodic female voice, looped, fantastic, accompanied by a brilliant dark thriller piano. Perfect lean midtempo drum, on this somber soundscape, Lil E enters perfectly and delivers with an energetic, confident, regular style, completely fit with the beat. When the track seems like it can't improve, Blackout enters and kills the cut with a dynamic, fresh, lively, hardcore, dope flow. It closes Lil Slim, confident and smooth, effortless, over this immaculate production.
Nothing is at this level in the rest of the tape, but Lil E's work never goes down, aided by the rhythms of Blackout and the rap of Playa Posse. Terror, Wako and Peanut deliver monotonously on an honest dark loop and drum downtempo in the next track, then Blackout is guest again, in "Hype Off Them Drugs": church bells looped in the background, distant drum downtempo, Lil E spits slow hardcore, Blackout enters quick, smoothness, energic, confident, he takes cut and tape. The next three tracks are still good, with Lil Slim, Lil E, II Black, Stout Pimp and Playa Posse taking turns at the mic with confident rap over good dark loops and lean midtempo drums. The tape of 8 joints and 37 minutes is closed by a sort of long outro with a good melodic sample. Must-listen for Memphis rap fans.
Rating: 7/10.
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