One look at the cover of XVâs latest mixtape Popular Culture (which couldnât have been designed any better by graphic artist Mina Kwon), and itâs clear that the Wichita, Kansas emcee is preparing a nostalgic expedition down memory lane for his peers and listeners.
All references aside (and there are many), XV is in lyrical mode right from the beginning. Recounting his achievements after being included in last yearsâ BET cypher lineup on âAndy Warhol,â XV makes it clear that his sights are set on glory over financial success (âThe money was finally talking and often I heard what it was saying / But I was more âbout making history than conversationâ). Similar sentiment is met on the retrospective âOne Of One,â in which he quips, âSee everything you do, you do for yellow meets with blue / I do for him, her, me and you, âtil Iâm the three subtract from two.â
Whereas his most recent projects displayed an impressive alliance with veteran Midwest producer Seven, XV switches up the formula here, giving his cousin/tour deejay The Awesome Sound the reins. A tough assignment to undertake, The Awesome Sound does a commendable job in composing the audible landscapes for XVâs narratives. This is spearheaded by tracks like âWonkavator,â which fittingly bounces throughout, and âAaahh! Real Monsters,â a laid back cut that pits XV alongside ScHoolboy Q and B.o.B. Though the concept of the latter record is predictable (yes, theyâre all monsters in the recording booth), the trio of emcees lyrically validate themselves as Hip Hopâs new guard.
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Surprisingly, that bevy of talent on a single track doesnât even take the cake as the albumâs highlight. That goes to âHer Favorite Song,â an affectionate ode to XVâs significant other. Backed by a radiant performance by up-and-coming singer Raja, a dedicated Donavan declares, âI always said my first love would get my last name / But I know this long road drives you insane / But just know, I will never go from Tin Man to Scarecrow / Trading in my heart just to get brain.â Slightly awkward granted XVâs usual lyrical bravado yet sincere in execution, âHer Favorite Songâ delivers the perfect blend of R&B and Hip Hop, which is no small feat in todayâs scene.
As solid as Popular Culture is, it doesnât possess the polished depth that Zero Heroes exhibited last year. This is due in large part to a handful of tracks that slow the mixtapesâ momentum, such as âMary Kate & Ashleyâ (all bark and no bite), âJedi Knightâ (two words: synth overload) and the jaded musings of âZombieland Rule 32.â Still, given the freebies that Vizzy has released, anticipation for his Warner Brothers debut The Kid With The Green Backpack is at an all-time high. Squarians everywhere are throwing their L-7âs up, as you should too.Â
DX Consensus: âEP-worthyâ
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