Nipsey Hussle has more than two cents worth of opinions regarding the considerable amount of acclaim his 2013 Crenshaw project received. With an attached price tag of $100, Hussle had no obstacles whatsoever in selling the 1,000 first edition copies of the tape, even auctioning 100 copies to Hova himself. Scarce is the rapper who can successfully orchestrate such a stint, especially in an age where free music is endless, but Nipsey is a rare breed. Ever since he founded his own record label, All Money In, Hussle has continued to improve upon every release, from The Marathon to The Marathon Continues to Crenshaw. Once again employing his Proud 2 Pay campaign, Nipsey announced that he would be releasing 100 physical copies of Mailbox Money to anyone willing to part ways with a $1,000.
Monetary value aside, Mailbox Money is the sort of mixtape that performs circus tricks with ease. Nipsey bypasses the often times problematic route of exceeding the expectations of long-time admirers while simultaneously extending a warm welcome to potential new listeners. Hooking up with a familiar face for the intro, Ralo provides the instrumental for the Nipsey’s commencement ceremony. The Crenshaw native assumes his customary manner — austere, energetic, and wholly cocksure while never letting the display of his humble beginnings receding in his rearview dissipate in light of his successful accomplishments. He delves much deeper into this ideology on “A Miracle.”
Nipsey is typically at his best when he fuses his animated delivery with the signature West Coast sound— cooled melodic grooves and thumping bass perfect for lowered car windows and excursions through Rodeo Drive. Tracks like “Only A Case” and “Status Symbol,” the latter featuring the soulful pulpit vocals of Buddy are prime examples. Inarguably one of most dexterous artists when working with DJ Mustard, “Where Yo Money At?” is the addictive product of two talented musicians embodying inherent chemistry. But even through less likely collaborations, such as Trae Tha Truth’s fiery flow on “No Nigga Like Me” Nipsey proves not only his affable creativity — he can get along with almost anyone on wax, especially against the backdrop of a lusty bassline courtesy of THC.
On tracks like “Between Us” and “Count Up That Loot” Nipsey crafts songs that would correspond with even the most neo-payola minded executives. On the latter Nipsey spits: “I’m Suge Knight, I’m J. Prince / Nigga, fuck the rules.”
Throughout the duration of his career, Nipsey has used his music as a vessel not only for providing high-caliber car stereo music but as a way to probe deep into worldly issues bigger than the music itself, like “Who Detached Us” from The Marathon Continues that featured a famous speech from Steve Jobs. Aside from the late 2pac, most artists struggle when they attempt to make real talk songs that touch on real issues, but Nipsey has a natural gift of delving into this territory without sounding contrived or disconnected with the streets. “That’s How I Knew” affirms his distinguished hustler disposition but interjects with a monologue on his own feelings regarding the explosion of the present-day technology revolution. “Stay Loyal,” featuring J. Stone, Nipsey toe-tags a spaced out flow on a crisp, slap-happy instrumental from THC for a penetrating testament to loyalty. But Nipsey halts his spirited lyricism in favor of explaining his own “equity” model in layman’s terms.
The occasional bumps in the pavement are the minuscule but noticeable blocks that keep Mailbox Money just shy of a true victory lap. For instance, a promising start to “A Hunnid A Show” temporarily cools momentum as a plodding beat engulfs the penetrating flow of Nipsey and the dialed-in one of Rick Ross, and the beat only meets its true sonic potential in the waning seconds. The wayward, colorless hook on “Be Here For A While” dampers one of Nipsey’s best performances of the tape and unfortunately spoils a smooth, g-funky Polyester beat.
By now, it’s safe to say Nipsey is not in the game to cash in on a couple of ringtone downloads. His resolute demeanor is meticulously infused in every passionate bar. Mailbox Money is a tale of a man with an unquenchable ambition not only to reach the highest financial plateau possible, but the highest stage imaginable to secure a big enough venue to share his myriad social insight with the world . Fittingly enough, Nipsey and Rahlo link up for the finale “Overtime,” where the rapper succinctly reinforces his ambitious psychology over a minimalist instrumental: “Maybe me, I’m too ambitious/ Or maybe this a new dimension/ Maybe them they do religious/ Maybe that just my intentions/ But either way I’m on my mission.” The line is not only a gift-wrapped blurb of who Nipsey Hussle is, but ultimately what Mailbox Money comes to represent when all is said and done.
i give a perfect five.
This dude is all hype. Hope he’s not over-charging his fans for this too.
Well to the people that want a physical copy he’s charging $1000 bucks.
FIRE
words of true achievements in life motivation to tha fullest
Crenshaw = Doggystyle….Mailbox Money = Tha Doggfather. Mailbox Money was solid but he set the bar high for himself artistically and didn’t hit the mark with this one. People gon fuck wit it because they’re into the story. They’re rooting for him. I’m rooting for him. But let’s be honest people, Mailbox Money will be quickly forgotten once Victory Lap drops. Believe dat…
You’re really putting Crenshaw and Doggystyle in the same sentence?? Smdh….
Mailbox Money is just an appetizer before the main course
Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap is his debut album , i wanna hear it and see what it sounds like , let’s see if it’s better than Kendrick Lamar GKMC or Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron debut albums . Nipsey’s flow is kinda boring and simple but he makes some decent songs here and there . I’ll check his debut album out when it drops .
*****
Moneyrap over weak beats equals FAIL!
hussle
shit is garbage, not even mixed and mastered properly and he asking people to pay for it lol.
^
Nipsey the greatest rapper since Pac since Eminem he ain’t never took no deal he needs a partnership #respect
Tru shit I say he da modern day Pac an da realest nigga independent
Classic
great promo for the album
Keep doing your thing homie. I rated your album a 5/5 because it really touched my soul. I respect and admire what you’re doing, both with the music and the market techniques. The commentary on your tracks tell me exactly where your heart and mind is. I’d love to see some features on the Victory Lap from some artists who are getting a lot of media recognition right now. I wanna hear people blasting that Nip Hussle everywhere! I understand that it’s a balance, but this is what you’re in the game for. #AllMoneyIn #TheMarathonContinues #DisruptiveMultimedia #TakeItToTheNextLevel
great review, i like when writers clearly care about the music and culture. We need more reviews from kellan miller
Very Dope Album! I think this is definitely a step up from “Crenshaw” and look forward to copping “Victory Lap”. Real Hip-Hop Sh*t!!
MC EIHT AND CMW 4 LIFE
Y’all R fu3king Brazy Nip is one of the hardest artist no seem like a real genuine soldier if u real bout that field u would realize the art deserves 5 stars and I en3ourage anybody that rates or judges this treats as su3h ART nd Analyze the true distinct nature of AUTHENTICITY in his lyri3s apart from the nonsense that pollutes our great hip hop culture- [[ Ea5t5iiD3 BrA3kiiN ]] –
Very Very solid. One of the best project of 2014. Very consistent project as a whole
Dope album. Keep doing what you doing bro.
great album, great review.
I’m from Harlem, I rep Harlem to the fullest but real chop since Homie dropped the Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series I’ve been dialed in. One of few since the greats of the 90’s who actually picks beats that actually accentuates his flows. A true hip hop head knows the lyrics and between should mix like Hen and coke.
We need that Hussle
Fire.
This album is dope
Nip hasn’t disappointed since ‘Killers’ with Drake back in the day…There is no one fuckin with the blend of street and intelligence nipsino brings to the table every damn track. The marathon is why I graduated from college; Crenshaw and Mailbox Money will be the reason I make a mil before 24
Worth the wait … ALBUM TIME
Great listen….Victory lap gonna b fuckn fire
Great work…. Motivation music
Nipsey a fuckn beast motivation music to da fullest…..overtime my shit
I’m late the game but the music was on time…. This is a Great piece of art! RIP Team! Forever a Fan….