It’s virtually inconceivable to rely all of the rap careers which were stalled, derailed, or outright destroyed by the authorized system; far too lots of our most important lyricists have spent an unfair quantity of years incarcerated, made examples of by a racist state that desires to silence dissident Black voices. For years it appeared like New Orleans native B.G. may be one in every of these unlucky instances, a tragic story of what might have been, as he spent virtually the whole thing of the 2010s behind bars on felony weapons expenses.
After serving a protracted 11 years, B.G. was lastly freed in September 2023. Whereas there may be an inexpensive worry of being left behind by an ever-changing market, the previous Sizzling Boys rapper appears to have adjusted effortlessly to his much-deserved place as an OG within the rap sport, instantly hopping on the “Yonce Freestyle” with Kevin Gates and Sexyy Pink after his launch. The collaborative Choppers & Bricks alongside Gucci Mane marks the king of Chopper Metropolis’s first official venture since he teamed up with Boosie Badazz on 2010’s 225504.
B.G. won’t have had timeless hits like Juvenile or the mainstream crossover success of Lil Wayne — though his diamond-encrusted debut single “Bling Bling” did change the sport by birthing a brand new jewelry-related popular culture time period which was later added to dictionary — however he was a lowkey lynchpin of the Sizzling Boys, finally paving his personal approach as an impartial spitter slightly than stay underneath the stifling wing of Birdman.
Years earlier than Birdman’s authorized and monetary disputes with the likes of Wayne and Younger Thug, B.G.’s messy cut up from his former collaborators was one of many first alerts that each one was not proper inside the home of Money Cash. On some stage, the success of bluesy Louisiana rappers like Gates and NBA YoungBoy has ensured that there’s nonetheless room for B.G.’s distinctive Gulf Coast drawl.
B.G. and Gucci may really feel like they’re of various generations relating to their careers however they’re truly the identical precise age. Choppers & Bricks is sort of a particular crossover concern of a comic book e book, the place two of your favourite superheroes unexpectedly be a part of forces. There’s additionally a transparent kinship between the pair by way of their experiences of incarceration; Gucci is in some ways a super mentor for B.G. at this second in his profession, a shining instance of not simply efficiently transitioning again to civilian life, however guaranteeing his comeback is greater than his setback.
Although Gucci actively continued releasing mixtapes whereas in jail, his profession simply might have been derailed by his expenses, however he returned greater than ever as a bonafide pop star — whereas it’s tough to think about B.G. ever hopping on a monitor with Bruno Mars, Gucci resides proof that nearly something is feasible when a hustler units their thoughts to it.
Gucci’s voice may be extra acquainted within the 2020s, however B.G. incessantly exhibits him up, like on “Guwop & Gizzle,” the place B.G.’s circulate is slick and nimble whereas Gucci’s feels extra restrained in its tight syncopation. There’s a musicality to B.G.’s voice — he’s not normally outright singing, however the limber dexterity infuses an inherent melodiousness to the hooks on songs like “Idiots Worst Nightmare.” The place Gucci has a reasonably constant tempo to his supply, B.G. twists his tongue in sudden instructions, playfully toying with the beat. On “Run A Bag Up,” B.G. is firmly in pocket, breaking into a fast dash of a supply.
Although the beat is forceful and the flows are menacing, it’s unexpectedly emotional to listen to C-Homicide on “Challenge Child,” figuring out that the No Restrict legend remains to be behind bars combating for his freedom, after years of pleading that he was wrongfully convicted for the homicide of a 16-year-old again in 2002. However there’s one thing hopeful within the track’s existence as nicely — B.G. and Gucci might need regained their very own freedom, however they aren’t forgetting concerning the ones nonetheless combating for his or her lives, and it gestures towards a future the place C-Homicide may equally return to reclaim his rightful crown.
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B.G. Teases ‘Best Comeback In Hip Hop Historical past’ In 2024
December 22, 2023
If there’s something that holds again Choppers & Bricks, it’s listening to B.G. on extra standard boilerplate lure beats as a substitute of the futuristic Mannie Contemporary compositions and easy pimping sound he made his identify spitting on. However B.G. nonetheless sounds recent over something you throw his approach, regardless of the years and the mileage he’s endured, and there’s additionally a newfound depth.
Over dusty increase bap drums on “Paperwork,” he displays on the precarity of not simply his profession, however his complete life: “Each time I go searching, hood buryin’ a G/ Wonderin’ if the following week, they gon’ be buryin’ me/ Carryin’ me, on a recent white tee wearin’ me.”
Choppers & Bricks may discover B.G. totally again on his grind, however you possibly can hear the load of all of the years he spent in a cell, as he grimly acknowledges the warmth that perpetually exists across the nook for Black males in America.
RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2023
RECORD LABEL: 1017 Data/Atlantic Data
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