The United States is a bubbling cauldron of tension and animosity right now. The Orange One has polarized this country to extremes not seen in generations, and things have only gotten more tumultuous as NFL players have been criticized for exercising their constitutional rights to peacefully protest police brutality against black men.
If you’re a white rapper, you’re in a difficult position. Some, like Macklemore, have let their white guilt derail them from making quality rap music. However, Rittz has no such issue. His open disdain for Trump and the country’s direction is reflected on his latest and final project with Strange Music, Last Call. Mostly, though, the album is a refreshing surge of beats, rhymes and life, albeit one that is hindered by gratuitous length.
It took Rittz a very long time before he made it as a rapper. In a recent #DXLive interview, he revealed how it took nearly a decade before he considered himself “good.” With his Strange Music tenure it coming to an end, it makes sense that Rittz is in a reflective mode.
He delves into his soul and comes up with deeply personal tales about not only himself but also his loved ones. He displays the art of storytelling done right on “Fuck Cancer,” which details friends of his who have battled the unforgiving disease and have lived to tell about it. His conviction and compassion, backed by melancholy, dramatic production, hit home, especially for anyone who has directly or indirectly experienced the effects of the merciless disease.
While life has been on the up, Rittz hasn’t forgotten his previous struggles. “Press Rewind” is a shining example of how no matter where one goes in life, their past is always with them. Relatable themes such as these make Last Call a remarkably accessible affair.
There is also a great deal of dedication on the album towards tearing into less-capable MCs. His disdain works not only because he lampoons trendy rappers with hilarity, but also because he is such a technically skilled rapper that he has earned the right to expect more from others. He absolutely bodies “Down For Mine,” rapping in impression succession: “I never thought I’d use the word ‘flabbergasted’/It’s an exact fit to explain my reaction like I’m yackin’ in a trash bin.”
His rapid-fire flow closely mirrors Tech N9ne’s. However, Rittz manages a distinct sound through otherworldly, rock-tinged production on songs like “Crash and Burn” that is more fit for a nighttime ride along the back roads of Western Pennsylvania than a lively Strange Music show.
Rittz’s lyrical superiority notwithstanding, he tends to beat a dead horse throughout the album. By the time the album’s closer hits its last note, it’s been 21 songs and more than 92 minutes. None of the songs are of poor quality, but several could have been left on the MacBook for a more potent, focused project. For instance, there are two songs — “Dork Rap” and “Reality Check” — lambasting wack rappers, while the spooky “Different Breed” finds Rittz setting himself apart from the pack. Only one of these cuts was needed to get his point across and the overkill is, at times, exhausting.
Overlong albums by supremely skilled rappers are a benchmark of Strange Music, and Strange heads love the formula. While Last Call wears on the typical listener, it still is a strong collection of soul-baring tunes from a rapper who is truly passionate about his life’s work.
Rittz is crazy with the lyrics
“The album is the shit…I would give it a listen” Sooo, did you listen to it or not?
He’s saying the person reading should give it a listen, I think.
Reading is fundamental.
This is my favorite Rittz project ever! Very technical without losing focus on the content and story of each song. I remember meeting this dude the week before Life and Times of Johnny Valiant dropped in 2013 at a Detroit show. It is so cool to see how much he has grown as an artist while retaining much of what attracted me to his music in the first place.
Dope
DOPE!!!
I’m not smashing the album but just Like every album of Rittz the first song is great and the rest of the album are new jack, pop or gospel songs… I don’t know why strange music albums became so mainstreams when they have the most hardcore rappers. RIP Strange, i like rap but I gave your albums to my grandmother and her gospel friends
Your delusional, go bang migos or whatever trash u call music.
With this being Rittz’s last album on strange, i have to say Last Call is a dope ass final release. No features, no strange artists, not alot of promotion, and it’s still solid af! I feel like SM put him on the backburner due to him fulfilling his contract but he still killed shit. Good luck homie. You got the keys to succeed, now you just gotta moving!
Good stuff but I agree. A lot of the album starts to sound the same after a while but still dope as fuck though!
Incredible consistency from Rittz, song after song, album after album
The album isn’t overlong, the standard is 16 tracks and ends with I’m Only Human. The last 5 songs are Deluxe edition and iTunes bonus tracks. I really like how this album has no features, it’s his first without Mike Posner and E-40 was the only verse I didnt like on TOTL. Really solid album. Yea some topics are the same but every song stands out to me & has a different vibe/feel. ITZ RITTZ BITCH ?
This is his best album yet, IMO . I’d give a 4.5, but the option isn’t there. So many gems on there that I can’t pick a favorite yet. I really appreciate long albums. These days, you’re lucky to see 15 full tracks on an album.
Every song is fire! I’ve been hyping this album for a minute and it still blew me away. Been on #repeat since it dropped. More ppl need here this man destroy beats and tell stories, not many ppl out here have even heard of him.
You give this a 3.9 but Blue Chips 7000 gets a 4.1? Haaaaaaaaaaaa. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an Action Bronson fan and I really like his latest project. But the lyrical skill, production, and all other aspects simply don’t compare. This is a 4.5/5 AT LEAST. Get over yourselves.
Billboard spot 43. WTF??? Strange things happening to these great Slumaricans!
This album is pretty good. Straight 5/5 for me….
1. LOJV
2. LC
3. NTN
4. TOTL
Straight Fire
He killed this album. I don’t mind the repeating of calling out whack rappers more in the spotlight. This dude only keeps getting better.
The rating is a joke. DX is a bunch of uneducated kids writing garbage and getting money for it. Shame on you bastards!
This should have been included in the year-end awards on this site. Rittz is criminally underrated.
Rittz is by far the best rap artist putting music out nowadays… the fact that he will keep growing is a given. I hope that with his inevitable growth he will improve on the one thing that is left to improve in his carreer: the production. All in all an amazing album from an amazing artist.