Tory Lanez flips some of our favorite R&B hits in “Chixtape 5.”

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TOP 5

5. If You Gotta…

“If You Gotta” flips Fabolous’s “Can’t Leave You Alone” hit from the early 2000s.

“If You Gotta” feels holy, high-octane, and extremely lyrical. From the moment you press play on the track, you get nothing but hectic bars from Tory Lanez and featured guest Fabolous, as they do their best to let their chicks know that they are marveling at their killer wardrobes, unbelievable asses, and porno-like sex moves.

Hold on, wasn’t “Can’t Leave You Alone” a cute hip-hop track back in the day?

 4. Yessir

One of the hottest songs on this album is the one without a guest (I knew this would happen).

“Yessir” flips Pretty Ricky’s classic “Your Body” track. I’ve always loved the original song’s tempo and sly rap styles, and Tory makes sure he keeps those elements the same. What Tory does differently than Pretty Ricky is come across as way more blunt, explicit, and skilled.

Tory re-did raps by four different people and sounded better than them all.

3. Jerry Sprunger (Ft. T-Pain)

Being sprung continues to be cool in 2019.

“Jerry Sprunger” emerges as the perfect introduction to Chixtape 5. It showcases captivating vocal performances from T-Pain and Tory Lanez and seamlessly integrates elements from the former’s iconic track “I’m Sprung” into its overall platter. When you add the two artists’ scandalous, anti-f**k-boy, and romantic lyrics into the equation, you end up with an anthem that has some hard truths, dance vibes, and nostalgia.

2. The Fargo Splash

Ludacris puts up one of his best verses on this track.

“The Fargo Splash” is both insanely smooth and unapologetically gangsta. With the track being powered by this flipped version of Ludacris’ “Splash Waterfalls” beat, Tory and featured guest Ludacris get the complimenting, bigging up their girls’ head game, clean vajayjays, and willingness to eat at dusty fast food joints.

Tory’s melodious vocals may initially captivate you, but Ludacris’ clever wordplay, consistent flow, and impactful punchlines will truly impress and leave you in awe.

1. The Take

“The Take” flips Chris Brown’s “Take You Down” hit from back in the day.

Although “The Take” has pure R&B vibes, Tory Lanez and Chris Brown come across as unrestrained, reminding their girls that they are the only ones that can beat their punanis up like it was Mason Rudolph’s head. I love how Tory and Chris have moments in which they toy with feverish flows and moments in which they sing as smoothly as any other singer in the game.

“The Take” is too dynamic to ignore as number 1.

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Jalissa’s Back! – SKIT (N/A)

2. The Trade (Ft. Jagged Edge & Jermaine Dupri) (4/5)

3. Jerry Sprunger (Ft. T-Pain) (5/5)

4. Beauty In The Benz (Ft. Snoop Dogg) (4/5)

5. Blowin’ Mines // Leah’s Introduction (4/5)

6. The Take (Ft. Chris Brown) (5/5)

7. Broken Promises (4/5)

8. The Fargo Splash (5/5)

9. Luv Ya Gyal // Love Sounds (3.5/5)

10. Yessir (4/5)

11. Best Of You // Busted – SKIT (3.5/5)

12. The Cry (Ft. Mario) (3.5/5)

13. Still Waiting (Ft. Trey Songz) (3.5/5)

14. A Fools Fairytale (Running Back) (Ft. Ashanti) (3.5/5)

15. Thoughts (Ft. Lloyd & Lil Wayne) (3/5)

16. If You Gotta… (Ft. Fabolous) (4/5)

17. Room 112 (Ft. Nyce & Slim) (3/5)

18. Last Love Letter – SKIT (N/A)

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OVERALL RATING

(C+) (78%)

R&B enthusiasts globally will find Chixtape 5 a refreshing listen. Tory Lanez not only revives some of the classic hits from our past but also enlists the original stars to imbue each track with nostalgic vibes, taking us on a journey down memory lane.

Tory Lanez may not match Mariah Carey’s vocal prowess on Chixtape 5, but he certainly shines in his passionate singing and adept use of autotune. Tory elevates the melodies attached to the original songs with dynamic, exhilarating, and sometimes overly emotional renditions. Additionally, Tory seamlessly blends tenacious rapping with soulful singing throughout the album, blurring the lines between rap and R&B.

In Chixtape 5, Tory Lanez delivers content that blends elements of being sex-crazed, braggadocious, and slightly romantic. This combination results in a body of work that feels bold and upfront. While I appreciate the kick-ass and in-your-face vibe of the album, part of me wishes Tory would have included more soulful street cuts like “Watch Your Soul.” However, I understand his decision to stick with the lovey-dovey theme for this project.

The production we get in Chixtape 5 is amazing. I love how Tory collected instrumentals that slightly borrowed (Not completely borrowed) key elements from the songs he was trying to copy. It made s**t sound pure and organic, but at the same time, nostalgic.

The features on Chixtape 5 are appropriate and undeniably cool to listen to. Hearing artists like Chris Brown and Trey Songz revisit their biggest hits adds an exciting dimension to the project. Additionally, the performances by guests like Fabolous, Ludacris, and Lil Wayne add hard-hitting elements to the overall stew.

Compared to previous Chixtape projects, this one feels less pure. With Tory Lanez’s increased fame and influence, the innocence and simplicity that characterized earlier installments seem somewhat overshadowed. While the album remains entertaining, it also unintentionally veers into more commercial territory, losing some of the charm that made the previous releases special.

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