In the kitchen and it’s tasty! Boy is it tasty, you could even say it’s delicious. New album Yelawolf Blacksheep combines the unbridled charisma of Alabama rapper Yelawolf and the low-key flow of his heir apparent; Florida rapper Caskey. The album is equal parts bravado, and introspection with both rappers weaving in and out of these moods creating a quick but exceedingly fun listen.
Blacksheep wastes no time, as the opening track, “Just the Intro’” shoots the listener out of a cannon with trumpet fanfare and booming bass tones. Yelawolf and Caskey set the precedent for what Yelawolf Blacksheep will bring, as the rappers go bar for bar, hardly coming up for air, intensifying their flow with each verse. This is our first taste of the amazing chemistry these two artists share, and how they can push each other to create some of the best performances of their career.
Let it be known that Yelawolf and Caskey have created a successful joint album in today’s rap era where artists often don’t attempt joint albums out of fear of being upstaged by their partner on the project. Yelawolf Blacksheep dispels any need to have an argument comparing the two rappers as both artists sound distinct, hold their own, and even bring the best out of each other over the course of the project.
Yelawolf has, refreshingly gone back in time to reclaim the flow that originally put him on the map with his major debut album Trunk Muzik 0-60. Although Caskey is less well known, and clearly younger, he has a cool confidence, and steadiness to his flow that is a stark contrast to Yelawolf’s style but just as captivating.
After the explosive title track the album shifts gears several times with varied production that paints a different mood for each song. Album highlights include tracks such as “Been a Problem” where the duo practically succeed in blasting the listener out of a larger, more powerful cannon than the intro track. “Billy and the Purple Datsun” combines an aggressively sinister beat with grim verbiage from the two rappers, creating a track equivalent to a more energetic Griselda track from Benny the Butcher. Track “Turn up in Tijuana”’ sounds exactly how the song’s title would suggest; a sun drenched and boozy day party south of the border.
Both artists also manage to get personal about the price of fame, haters, friends turned enemies and their rough pasts on tracks like “Daytona”, “C’est La Vie” and “Million Dollar Deal”. These introspective tracks clearly don’t reinvent the wheel with their subject matter, as these waters are well tred, but they are highly relatable due to the artist’s earnest delivery in these moments. The more introspective tracks do offer a respite from the braggadocio bursting from the seams of the other tracks.
The finished album is far from one note and both artists showcase their distinctly different rapping talents to give the album layers of texture. Not all of the album’s production will transport you and not all the lyrics will entertain you, but even the worst tracks on Blacksheep, such as Cookies and Tat Shop are still decent. There are few complaints to be had on this album if you take the album for exactly what it is and that’s a damn good time.
Favorite Tracks:
- “Just the Intro”
- “Been a Problem”
- “Billy and the Purple Datsun”
- “Turn up in Tijuana”
Final Score: 8/10 : Certified Fiyaaah!!!
TrashFire 