If we’ve learned anything about Birdman it’s that he’s an opportunist. You don’t sustain a sizable empire for as long as he has without being one. His business acumen is second to none, and he is savvy enough to capitalize on even the slightest opening. This brand of industry savoir-faire has served him well in recent months: Upon surveying the Rap landscape, he spotted two gifted, Southern upstarts in two very tricky label situations and began inserting himself into the periphery just as both deals began to sour. He became a mentor to both young men and became a fixture in their respective careers until he had enough cachet to leverage their current deals into an unspoken union. It is by this fortuitous series of events that Birdman was able to bogart his way into the frame surrounding Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan, products of Atlanta’s post-Future weirdo Rap scene, and form a group.
Alas, out of the ashes comes a mixtape born from the whispers of a previously rumored collab between the two emerging rappers Birdman now sires—one that would’ve otherwise been shelved by major label machinations: The Tour, Part 1 bills the three artists as Rich Gang, a moniker that was used just last year to represent the entire Young Money/Cash Money roster, but is now being re-branded as this new entity, and they operate less like a triumvirate and more like a duo overseen by a hands-on manager. It is this level of creative control that makes the tape go; the respective crafts of Thug & RHQ are built on a semi-improvisational, melodic tone and Birdman gives them free reign to explore themselves with minimal interference.
Birdman doesn’t play much of a role in the song making, but it is clear his presence is invaluable to the group’s makeup, and with his backing, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug have produced some of the most inspired work of their young careers. The two Auto-tune artisans showcase their respective skill sets individually—Thug his unpredictable flow (“Givenchy”, “730”) and Quan his mastery of melody (“Milk Marie,” “Everything I Got”)—in breakout moments, but it is in the moments of pure synergy that they truly flourish. On “Tell Em (Lies)” Quan finds the harmonies as Thug peddles drive-by cunnilingus: “I’ma pull up, eat on that pussy, and dip.” As he sells his brand of romance they both get melismatic. They are strangely mystical in tandem; Young Thug is impulsive, almost volatile, and Rich Homie Quan’s consistency makes for an excellent complement. And, when the two rappers are in sync, their sound is strangely effective.
One thing that can’t be debated, despite the mysticism of nearly all the harmonies and melodies, is the quality of the singing. There’s a lot of straining and squawking that gets masked by Auto-tune, but in some moments it’s piercing. Even with such a crippling handicap, however, the pairing consistently churns out bangers.
It should be noted that Birdman’s two most prominent appearances on the tape—on the snap-driven “Flava” and the brooding “Imma Ride”—are solid contributions; those two songs are The Tour, Part 1’s show pieces, and it’s fitting that they both feature contributions from all three members (and Yung Ralph) filling their respective rolls magnificently. It makes no sense that Rich Gang’s The Tour, Part 1 flourishes as much as it does, particularly under Birdman’s watchful eye and with the Cash Money seal of approval. That, highlighted by a stunning chemistry between the two ATLiens, performs on a platform that feels almost big enough to convince you these guys are Billboard certified stars and not just warbling weirdo Rap staples. This is the opportunist creating opportunity.
4 stars LMAO get the fuck outta here DX
after some of the real hip-hop albums i’ve seen get 2 stars this is a joke
2 faggots that Birdman is taking advantage of financially and sexually. Weezy must be so relieved that Birdman is no longer attracted to him because he’s getting to old.
“Uncle Birdman”
ROFLMAO!!! WELL SAID SIR!
god music
Three of the wackest to ever drool on a microphone.
all I know is I listened to the song on the video and it sounds like this album probably epitomizes the reason I stopped listening to mainstream hip-hop in the late 90’s
Best comment so far.
Bruh I know exactly what you mean. I listened to the song and it broke my heart how bad hiphop has gotten.
Need me to walk you back to the old folks home?
How would ya’ll CLOWNS and GOOFIES even know what the album sounds like and you haven’t even listened to it. That’s really ignorant. I’m not a big fan of any of the three artists but why would I knock some shit I haven’t even heard? Hip Hop fans today are so damn lame!
Blame the internet and social media. Everybody and their mothers have turned into keyboard warriors.
real hiphopfans recognize real hiphop and this is crap i aint have to listen to this faggot shit.
I heard it. It’s bad. Really bad. A couple of good little beats there, but it’s just a typical southern rap album, with the same repetitive subject matter. On to the next.
Who has more credibility now? A bunch of broke haters on this site or a certified crtic? RIch Gang shaking up the game right now.
I’m ain’t broke. Kellan ain’t certified shit. Fuck you talking bout
4 stars? Get the fuck out! Kellan Miller can eat a dick.
Best mixtape of 2014
#GANG
#THUGGA
#HOMIE
#PRRR
ALBUM OF THE YEAR THOUGH
…more like wackest album of the year. i bet they kissing each other everday.
Either your trolling or delusional as hell.
REALLY?! THREE OF THE WORSE RAPPERS IN THE WORLD! ALL THEY NEED TO ADD IS TRINIDAD JAMES AND IT WILL BE A CLUSTER FUCK OF HORRIBLE MUSIC! BIRDMAN CAN’T RAP HE NEVER COULD AND IF YOUNGTHUG CAN STOP SLURRPING JIZZ LONG ENOUGH YOU MAY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS SAYING TO KNOW HIS MUSIC IS TRASH TOO….RICH HOMIE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT EVEN HAS A SLIGHT HINT OF TALENT BUT HE STILL IS TRASH LIKE THE OTHER 2 OF THESE NUT SACK SUCKERS! WORSE MIXTAPE EVER!
neither of these guys are even signed to YMCMB thats whats funny
Thug signed 2 bad deals with Atlantic and Gucci for like 15 racks and a manicure
WTF Kellan Miller must be 18
4 stars for this bullshit? C’mon now
good
Horrible. Not better than 2 stars.
niggas b hatin.. this shit go hard 4/5
Nah it’s actually kinda weak to be honest. The beats are alright, but the rapping is absolutely TERRIBLE. These dudes got no lyrics. Repetitive ass subject matter too.
Best MIXTAPE EVER!!..we can’t just listen to lil wayne and drake everyday..Birdman took lil wayne from nothing to something why not thug and RHQ?? give them time..”THUG & RHQ” well done my niggas
IM A CASH MONEY OLD HEAD THIS SHIT WAAAACK !!!! TRY AGAIN NO SUBSTANCE
THE HYPE IS BETTER THAN THE MUSIC HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
The website has officially start dumbing down the ratings.
Rich Gang
I think anybody that doesn’t find this mixtape ABSOLUTELY AMAZING is a pure hater and doesn’t know anything about MUSIC let alone HIP-HOP. The songs are CLASSIC and the performances during the tour will be INCREDIBLE!!
Just GTFO please.
I agree. People are just hating because they’re weird but that’s what makes em dope.
Right on bruh! This shot knock! Straight up you don’t have the ear for good music if you don’t like it
Shit is trash. Get over it.
THIS MIXTAPE GOES HARD AF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL Rich Gang is pretty much the new Gay Pride Rally lol…A fag in a dress,a (Cant believe I’m Saying This) a much lamer knock-off of Future, and a pedofile…
Just bc its different doesn’t mean its bad, some of you need be more open minded when it comes to music. Cant deny these dudes don’t compliment each other well and have an unique sound
Were can I buy this CD
Same old story hoes, money, weed, cars and clothes. While niggas sound like some little Sesame street bitches on the chorus’s “Ex. Lifestyle” Industry got the whole culture fucked up
TRASH
Retard Gang…..this is the worst mixtape this year…..can’t get much worst then this.
Nope. I remember when this website used to give good reviews and ratings. This mixtape is trash. No lyrics weak concept and a simple production. Sham on you Hiphop DX for giving this crap a high rating. check out my review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_46E7U9hpM
Birdman looks like Patrick from Spongebob on the cover
I knew there would be a bunch of hate for the rating. And its a stupid rating
and we knew you were sucking Birdman’s dick too.Weezy will be so jealous.
haha look at all the angry white boys. mad for what reason? just put eminems dick back in your mouth or any emo white rappers dick in your mouth and pacify yourself. its real easy, if you don’t like the music don’t listen to it, or do and keep complaining like the faggots you are.
This is very well written!
Thug and Rich Homie’s chemistry is undeniable. These guys bouta run Atlanta, along with Migos.
how is this rated the same as NahruvianDOOM, this site is on some crazy drugs if they think they are even comparable. SMH 2/5 stars and that’s me being a nice guy.
You must not have listened to this all the way through. The first couple songs aren’t that good, but it gets better. That melodic voice both of em use goes perfect with the trap production. That’s jus my opinion
This is 5star
Word. It’s not even my style to listen to but these cats did their thing. They’re in their prime
4 Xs for this audio garbage?!
I honestly was a bit hater of both these guys. wrote them off as weirdos maybe even homosexuals that were too drugged out to make sense. BUT I took a listen to this tape and could not stop listening for an entire week. its just catchy as shit man and londons production is infectious. I got proved wront this tape is the best trap tape out in a long ass time
Im 30+ years old grew up in golden era listen to the most hippity hop you can think but this shit is hard bruh. I aint tryna listed to MF doom on friday when Im out when bitches on the way to the bar man. Im puttin this on Im sorry…lol
LMAO!
You sound unintelligent.
shit is horrible. this is NOT hip hop
they tryn hard
goodmusic leads em
dudes wearing a dress with skinny jeans and a fur in the video what the fuck is going on
I cant even understand what their saying in the video never mind the album when the English version comes out let a brotha know
birdman is such a scumbag with no class
Young Thug is a lyrical mastermind. Much better than the likes of Big L, Lord Finesse, Big Daddy Kane, or Kool G Rap. That’s backpack shit. White boy shit. Shit for nerds. Young Thug runs rap bruh. Yeah.
Jeeze this shit is fucking RETARDED. I thought Lil B was the worst rapper ever, but atleast that dude can say words.. even if they dont rhyme. everyone in this song sound MENTALLY CHALLENGED.