Hit-Boy has had probably the greatest careers in rap manufacturing, however these previous two years have seen the beatmaker working on the next aircraft than ever earlier than.
Between his King’s Illness sequence with Nas, 2023’s Victims & Villains with Musiq Soulchild, and two volumes of Surf or Drown (the second of which is along with his father, Massive Hit, who was just lately launched from jail), it’s onerous to determine when Hit-Boy leaves the studio. Then, there’s Paisley Goals, the challenge he and pops cooked up with The Sport after a one-off studio session changed into a marathon evening of recording.
Suffice it to say, when phrase dropped of his new challenge with Vallejo celebrity LaRussell, RENT DUE, bewilderment and pleasure have been parceled out in equal doses. [Khaled voice] One other one? Sure, and because it seems, Hit-Boy supplies the proper West Coast palette for LaRussell’s California musings — giving the MC a bevy of bouncy synths, slapping drums and creeping piano riffs that may make even probably the most hardened Compton legends shiver just a little.
There’s a tune on LaRussell’s 2023 LP (effectively, certainly one of his 2023 LP’s) MOTION known as “Pops For President” that’s fairly instructive as to what RENT DUE is all about. On that tune, LaRussell raps: “I pledge allegiance to my n-ggas and my mama/ My president was my daddy however not Obama.” LaRussell is a household man, and on RENT DUE, he pays respect to those who helped him get by way of the mud to the place he’s at now: an MC very quietly making his case because the Bay’s hottest voice.
On opener “LEAD ME TO THE WATER,” a spoken-word intro by Tietta delays the momentum earlier than Hit and Russ take over the present — although the jazz flute that accompanies the intro and runs all through is slightly calming. LaRussell raps: “My momma raised me as a G, my daddy turned me to a dawg/ Part 8, 4 bed room, runnin’ up and down the halls.” That is Russ’ bread and butter, relatable household tales highlighted by private anecdotes and observations that assist paint a really vivid image.
As soon as the fireworks begin popping there’s no turning again, and LaRussell instantly reveals that he’s bringing his A-game now that he’s rapping over beats from a determine like Hit-Boy. “ETHICS” options MALACHI and twinkling keyboards from Hit-Boy that present a melodic backdrop for Russ’ expressive voice. The bass hits onerous, making this beat the proper soundtrack for a top-down cruise, and despite the fact that he’s from the Bay Space, Russ pertains to Hit-Boy and his LA roots when he raps: “Since Nip handed, actually there ain’t a number of us left/ Who might go stroll with the suitable and lay it up with the left.”
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Preview single “ANOTHER ONE” options manufacturing help from Massive Hit, and the result’s pure West Coast magic. The piano line creeps and lurks within the background, as bouncy g-funk bass and popping snares roll by way of like claps of thunder. On the reduce, LaRussell employs a matter-of-fact circulation, tapping right into a sardonic sounding supply paying homage to different West Coast friends like Remble or the late, nice Drakeo The Ruler. He hits all of the speaking factors on the observe, delivering his greatest efficiency of the challenge. He spits: “Ain’t gotta ask me I’m from, you hear the beat, The West is again.”
After all, he wouldn’t let the observe end with out paying homage to his mother — a tribute that brings a heat cohesiveness to the whole challenge. “Hit-Boy made a blap, we received one other one/ Ran-ran up a M, I would like one other one/ I do what I would like, yeah, I’m my mom’s son/ Bitch, I’m actually him, I ain’t the opposite one,” he raps.
For somebody with nearly 30 releases underneath his belt, LaRussell has a singular present to tailor the themes of every challenge to particular concepts. He often treads comparable territory, however there’s sufficient uniqueness in these seven songs to make RENT DUE not solely a worthwhile pay attention however one of many strongest tasks in his discography.
With an all-timer like Hit-Boy on the boards, LaRussell needed to deliver his greatest pen recreation. That confidence brims from starting to finish on one of many smoothest information to drop out of the West thus far this 12 months.
RELEASE DATE: February 23, 2024
RECORD LABEL: Good Firm
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