Tee Grizzley – Scriptures (Album Review)

Tee Grizzley continues to show serious grit-n-grind in “Scriptures.”

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TOP 5

5. PREACH

In a world full of singing ass rappers and country trappers, it’s a bit refreshing hearing someone spit like he’s turning into the Incredible Hulk on a song.

“Preach” is the definition of a sinister rap banger. As soon as you press play on it, you get ferocious bars by Tee Grizzley in which he reminds listeners how different he is from the softies in the game. But damn all of that, what I love about the song is how gassed up Tee sounds on it. Not only does he drop unapologetic lyrics throughout it, but he also spits with this demonstrative approach that even Draymond Green will be shaken by.

Tee Grizzley legit sounds like a boogeyman on this song.

4. YOUNG GRIZZLEY WORLD

‘Young Grizzley World’ sounds like the name of a land in Super Mario World.

“Young Grizzley World” is hood emotional, containing passionate vocals by Tee Grizzley and featured guests YNW Melly & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. With that being said, not a single thing is sweet about the song lyrically, as each artist talks about killing n***as, fake friends and women that are willing to do something strange for a piece of change. While I am not the biggest fan of rappers that sound like they’ve been cutting onions in the studio during the making of a song, in this particular episode, what you get from them is riveting enough to keep you glued to your seat.

Anyone else cringe when they hear YNW Melly talk about shooting people?

3. LOCKED UP

On “Locked Up,” Tee Grizlley finally explains why he sounds like he’s always running from the cops when he’s rapping.

Tee Grizzley isn’t my favorite rapper, but I cannot deny how real he comes across. In “Locked Up,” one of the main singles off of this album, the Detroit native gets a chance to talk about all of the good and bad s**t that’s happening/has happened around him, including family members being in jail, sudden fame and sad thoughts. While Tee sings heavenly on a good chunk of the track, he does rap gritty here and there on his verses. The combination of the two different styles results in the closest thing to a tear-jerking song.

This is a very Kodak Black-esque song, to me (Even down to the way Tee sings on it).

2. GOD’S WARRIOR

I don’t mean this as an insult at all, but doesn’t “God’s Warrior” sound like a poorman’s version of Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares?”

You can’t listen to “God’s Warrior” with a smile on your face. First and foremost, it features this grungy ass instrumental, and over it, Tee Grizzley talks about toting big guns, terrorizing his enemies and robbing n***as as much as he can. While I love the aggression Tee raps with on his verses (Especially how it translates to consistent flows and riveting lyrics), I think I enjoy how the song changes faces throughout the most.

Tee, just to let you know, God’s Warriors aren’t about shooting people… Praying for people? Maybe, but not shooting people…

1. HEROES

Holy s**t, I was actually able to cook to this song!

Even though Tee Grizzley talks about killing people and s**t in his music, on the low, he has is capable of showing semblances of swag. In “Heroes,” Tee’s swag shows its face full force, as he glides his way through this bouncy trap instrumental utilizing a playful/loosey-goosey rapping style. Lyrically, however, Tee stays true to his opp-shooting/gun-toting/gangsta-idolizing ways on his verses, prompting n***as that wanted to test him in his fun-loving state to return to their seats.

Anytime you hear a rapper say “Ooh, Ooh” on a song, they are staring at three bad b*tches and a bowl of Popeyes chicken while they are recording their s**t.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. GOD’S WARRIOR (4/5)

2. SWEET THANGS (4/5)

3. HEROES (4/5)

4. NO TALKIN (3.5/5)

5. HAD TO (4/5)

6. LOCKSMITH (3/5)

7. SCRIPTURES (3.5/5)

8. LOCKED UP (4/5)

9. ADD ME UP (3.5/5)

10. MORE THAN FRIENDS (4/5)

11. OVERSEAS (4/5)

12. MILLION DOLLAR FOREIGN (4/5)

13. PREACH (4/5)

14. YOUNG GRIZZLEY WORLD (4/5)

OVERALL RATING

(B-)

If you were to give the same beats, lyrics and melodies you heard on “Scriptures” to another rapper, there’s a good chance that I wouldn’t have been all that impressed; that’s how much credit I give Tee Grizzley’s passion when he raps. Though he’s probably lived a lifestyle only a few of us can imagine, he keeps us engulfed in his dark hood stories through these campfire-like storytelling rap approaches. (S**t, I had a stick full of marshmallows by my side while I was listening to this album)

In my opinion, Tee Grizzley is a damn good rapper, but not because of his mechanics. Don’t get me wrong, dude’s lyrics are solid and his flows are steady, but it is his passion that drives his brand. In “Scriptures,” Tee never takes his foot off the gas when it comes to passion, at times, even going off the rails (ie “Preach”). Additionally, I felt like the “Still My Moment” rapper did a good job of delivering a solid melody when he needed to, never abusing that s**t like some rappers I know (Cough, Cough Roddy Ricch).

Every single beat on this album could be played on a rap opera. They all have bass boomin’ elements to it, but at the same time, riveting vibes that are usually created by either piano or flute notes. Because of this, what you get is a body of work that is just as gritty as it is soothing.

Tee Grizzley may never end up being one of the top rappers in the game, but when it comes to impact, I think he’s up there with the best of them. In “Scriptures,” he continues to navigate through the idea of fame, making sure he stays true to the individuals he grew up with and the fans that have expected growth from him since day one; those are two things that are very hard to balance.