Tee Grizzley & Lil Durk – Bloodas (Album Review)

Tee Grizzley & Lil Durk are cut from the same cloth when it comes to the streets. However, they are a bit different when it comes to the musical side of things, as Tee typically decides to rap his bars with this gritty style while Durk usually chooses to slay his opponents using harmony. I’m curious to see how they mesh their styles together for a full project, especially considering how dominate each can be when they spit.

TOP 5

5. CATEGORY HOES

How is it possible one person can deal with that many scallywags?

I figured one of the twelve songs on this album will be dedicated to a woman — I also figured whatever that song was would be highly disrespectful. ‘Category Hoes’ has both Durk and Tee talking about their girls like they were objects, describing the many ways they either support them, or cause them headaches. As you can imagine, each rapper keeps it straight no chaser with their lyrics, caring less to offend.

If you are a girl and you still f–k with any of these two after hearing this song, you should submit your application to Dr. Phil ASAP.

4. BLOODAS

‘Blooda’s’ opens the album off, and as soon as it starts, you get lots of gun ad-libs, yelling, and f bombs. (Yikes)

I love the aggression that Durk comes with on this song, as he sounds like the version of himself that is still on the streets mobbin’. He does do a little bit of harmonizing on his part, which I actually think takes the song to another level.

Most of Tee Grizzley’s contributions is on both the chorus and ad-libbing side, as he is the one in the background that is emptying out all the bullets in his imaginary gun. He does spit some tough s–t when he raps though, matching Durk’s aggressiveness.

I literally started sweating while I was hearing this song.

3. WHATYO CITY LIKE

Both artists are on the same page on ‘WhatYo City Like’, as they rap with an anger that will even make the Lex Lugers of the world want to stay home.

Violence after violence is all you get on this song, as each rapper tries to outdo the other with their claims of what they saw growing up in their respective cities. The song is very fast in pace, almost like it’s running from the cops.

I can honestly say that my city is neither Detroit or Chicago, but I can at least say we got a trampoline at the cities main park though!

2. FACTORS

Everything about ‘Factors’ is passionate. It sounds like the musical version of a hood soap opera.

With Durk providing us with this hook that describes the clout needed to survive around his way, you will be drawn to his passion more than his words for sure. The verses each rapper drops echo that passion, as it feels like they approach the idea of violence with this ‘it is what it is’ type attitude. Personally, I find it sad to hear, but I do find solace in the fact that they recognize what they’re doing is wrong.

1. FLYERS

I know there is several mentions of killers wanting each rapper dead on this song, but ‘Flyers’ is still smooth as f–k to me!

Over this chilling beat, both rapper does what they do best, and that is rap with this laid back style and sing a little. While they each get equal amount of time on the track, I feel like Durk is the one that really goes off on it with his infectious melodizing! Nonetheless, the chemistry is great, as they refuse to sweat any death threats that come their way.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. BLOODAS (4.5/5)

2. WHATYO CITY LIKE (4.7/5)

3. CATEGORY HOES (4.3/5)

4. 3RD PERSON

5. FLYERS UP (5/5)

6. FACTORS (5/5)

7. RAPPERS (3.7/5)

8. RATCHET ASS (4/5)

9. OHWEE (3.7/5)

10. DIRTY STICK (4.3/5)

11. MELODY (4/5)

12. UNGRATEFUL (4.1/5)

OVERALL RATING

(7.5/10)

This album is just as raw as advertised, as both rappers approach it with their hands on their scrotums and their 9’s on their hips. It’s as street as it gets, but also very enjoyable.

I feel each rapper works really well together on this album, never stepping on each others toes throughout. You can tell they were actually in the studio together for its entire making, which I think helps in its overall cohesion.

While 85 percent of this album is on some ice cold street s–t, there is a few smooth cuts like ‘Ungrateful’ and “Melody’ that has the rappers stepping outside their comfort zone just a little. When they want to, I feel like both MC’s do have the ability to shine in different ways, I just feel they didn’t do enough of that on the album. Nonetheless, they each do what they do well on ‘Bloodas’, and certainly satisfy my lyrical appetite from start to finish.

With all the collaborative efforts we’ve been getting in Hip Hop lately, I’m not sure how much love this album will get compared to the others. I do find it to be one of the more unique projects in that category, as you combine two midwest rappers with two different styles together to create this street manual. Is it worth a listen? For sure! Is it worth keeping in your iTunes library? probably not.