While Southern artists like Jeezy, T.I. and Lil Wayne have achieved multiplatinum success with their studio albums, their real fans know that they arguably wouldn’t be anywhere without their bread and butter: mixtapes. With series like Trap Or Die and Gangsta Grillz:Dedication, the Atlanta heavyweights cemented their street legacy before making their mark in the big leagues. Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz haven’t made the major label draft yet, but their Serve & Collect mixtape series has solidified the crew—rounded out by J Dawg, Dre Day, Lil Ray, Mug, Black & Les—as much more than also-rans of their established solo leader. With the third addition to the franchise, they keep their rep in tact.
As a group, Boss Hogg Outlawz work on all cylinders. Slim Thug has the most imposing mic presence, but that doesn’t mean that the other members don’t hold their own. With charismatic deliveries and to-the-point rhymes, the Boss Hogg’s cohorts help their leader connect the dots from opening lines to final notes—a notable feat for a mixtape with only one song that features guest appearances outside of the crew. Topically and lyrically, the group wisely stunts and thugs in its street lane, with occasional detours to remember deceased loved ones (“No Moe Pain”), give to the needy or pray for forgiveness (“Helping Hand”), and reminisce successful hustling (“F#%ing This Game Up”
). Still, the latter song admits: “I’m a gangster, I don’t ever change up,” and they stay true to that template throughout. Thankfully, that formula works here. The Boss Hogg Outlawz don’t falter by wandering into unfamiliar territory, the highlights are enjoyable, and a tolerable track length avoids extra space.
Still, the real stars of Serve & Collect III are Mr. Lee and G Luck. The two producers each handled the sounds for 14 of the mixtape’s 16 songs, and their fresh batches of sonic treats give the album its trunk appeal. G Luck employs gun sounds and rapid snares for percussion on “Bang,” while “Concrete” and “Turn My Knock Up” are more straightforward. Mr. Lee’s repertoire is slightly more expansive, but just as effective: he uses a brawny bassline to direct BHO to handle “Biz,” steady synths to fuel the triumphant “On Top Of The World,” and simple string plucks to help the crew “Shut Yo Hood Down.” While the production meshes cohesively, SC3 avoids monotony with solid sequencing and car-ready bump.
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Serve & Collect III won’t blow listeners away with complex rhymes or elaborate concepts, but in their specialty of street music that plays while running them, they do their job. Here’s hoping they can use those skills to make the next step.
