Quality Control officially started its winning streak a few years back after Migos blessed the trap with “Versace.” Since then, the house that Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas built made OG Maco rap’s favorite unhinged rock star and made Young Greatness lots of “Moolah.” Like any label worth its salt, they’ve spent time attempting to develop other artists as well. This includes Skippa Da Flippa who always seemed like the most straightforward rapper in regards to QC’s stronghold on modern Atlanta rap tropes. He’s one of the few individuals out of New Atlanta who doesn’t even attempt to be melodic. This is more noticeable on “1000 Bars” from his most recent release I’m Havin 2”, the sequel to its 2014 predecessor. The hookless track opens with impressive bars: My mother she trapped off the beeper / I am no Nas, but this is my ether / I cop Margiela’s like niggas buy sneakers/Mess with the chopper but Flippa’s no preacher/ Hot Boy like Juve, my chains are a freezer.”
It’s easy to dismiss the project on a surface level, especially those already turned off by anything that comes from the city’s Hip Hop scene. However, there are significant nuances that really sets I’m Havin 2 apart from the current crop of controversial talent coming from Atlanta. By the end of “1000 Bars,” comical brags like “I passed all my classes cause I fucked all my teachers” transitions into spouts of “don’t listen to losers and watch out for leechers” wisdom. I’m Havin 2 continues that level of energy without giving much off throughout its 13 track completion. Even “Sportscenter” proves how much he can stay focused thematically on one subject without straying passed the catchy hook. “I catch me a TD like I’m Ginn Jr /
I been stackin’ money and that is no rumor / I’ll bet on the Thunder, I’ll bet on the Sooners / Trap Madden and I am the user,” are just a handful of interesting athletic references permeated through the Trauma Tone’s heavy production.
Fighting hard to become the standout hook on the project and possibly the year, “Fuckin Witcha” again, never comes off as a confusing moment of slapped together verses before the catchy moment. Getting in Skippa Da Flippa’s good graces comes with real nigga benefits as he successfully rides the 30 Roc beats at various delivery tempos. Themes of trust and loyalty show up more, later on I’m Havin 2 through “Ride.” This is more than questioning the faithfulness of day-ones, but also his own. “Would you take a charge for one of your brothers / Could you be loyal and true to your lover /Do anything for your mother /I ride for my family and my hood and no other /I’m down to ride” is a heavy hook that continues. By the track’s end, Skippa Da Flippa is advising new hustlers on the basics of survival through trustworthiness.
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The hood monotone accent of Lil Yachty is an interesting contrast to the turn-up of “Get Loose” When Skippa wants those melodic moments, he wisely allows Migos’ Quavo handle those duties for trap fans on “Mr. Perfect.” Somewhere, the younger members of Curt Hennig’s estate are probably smiling at this track. By any other means, “Drugs” would be a cliché subject in this context. Leave it to Skippa to really make it his own. Sports analogies pop up again on “Rose.” The interplay between sports and the streets are even more pronounced this time as Skippa Da Flippa spits: “Hit her in the morning like I’m Alonzo Chickens mixing’, windows gotta know they tinted / Smash her in the rental she get sentimental / They say Flip Go D-Rose on instrumentals.”
“Same Bitch” features 2016’s most hilarious bars of “I bend her right over while she read her kindle / You think it’s mental it’s just not that simple.” While the actual art of rhyming took a back seat to catchy hooks and sing-song raps that lends itself more to vibes than lyrical dissection in terms of trap, the self-proclaimed creator of America’s short-lived dance movement, The Dab, has revealed someone who understands both animalistic and human segments of street life. One of the year’s standout mixtapes, I’m Havin 2 should cement Skippa Da Flippa as the most lyrically talented unknown to come from the trap.
