Belly & Hit-Boy lock in for “Mumble Rap 2.”
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TOP 5
5. Real Lapse
“Real Lapse” isn’t the most exciting track on this album; however, it does boast some emotional lyrics.
“Real Lapse” doesn’t have the hardest beat or the most dynamic flows; instead, it has nothing but authentic bars from Belly. In his verses, he raps about his love for revenge, his pill-popping habits, and his fractured relationships. I just f**k with how raw the song sounds from start to finish; especially considering how many tracks on this album I thought sounded too materialistic.
4. De La Hoya (Ft. Gucci Mane)
Is Belly back in the clubs? B*tch, he might be (In my Gucci Mane voice).
If you were to connect me to a lie-detector test right now, I would probably admit to you that my favorite beat on this album is featured in “De La Hoya.” I love how Hit-Boy blends a dramatic violin with uptempo club vibes. Though I don’t love how numb Belly sounds over the beat, I do like the catchy-ass hook and braggadocios lyrics he hits us with. As for Gucci Mane, he sounds like his old self in the song (I’m talking ’06 Gucci). I absolutely love the way he slides on the beat, hitting us with dismissive lyrics in the process.
Gucci’s verse in this song gave me chills.
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3. Cocaine Spoons (Ft. Rick Ross)
Belly and Rick Ross are the only rappers in the game today that remind me of Biggie (Walahi).
“Cocaine Spoons” boasts a hard-hitting, almost church-ish beat. Over it, Belly and Rick Ross sound like straight playas. In their verses, they talk about blocking chicks and getting chicks to do some unholy things because they got bread. What’s cool is that Belly and Ross sound equally big-headed (Who said that assholes couldn’t be in sync?).
2. Loyalty v. Royalty (Ft. Gil Scott-Heron)
I’ll take royalty over loyalty every single day of the week (And twice on Sunday). Loyalty is overrated.
In “Loyalty v. Royalty,” I wouldn’t say that Belly sounds angry; I would say that he sounds understandably fierce and refreshingly vengeful. I mean, we can all relate to being around sheisty individuals, having enemies, and working your ass off, right?
The song’s icing on the cake is the electrifying rock-hop beat and Gil Scott-Heron’s powerful comments.
1. Ambiance
For all of my high school dropouts, just to let you know, “ambiance” is just a fancy way of saying “A nice-looking background.”
“Ambiance” is powered by a hard-hitting beat that has a bit of a wicked feel. Over it, Belly drops bars about his superior rap skills, expensive jewelry, and very cold heart. What I find dope about the track is how the “Might Not” rapper slides through it sounding like the 2023 Frank White (aka Biggie Smalls) in his verses and like Kendrick Lamar on the hook.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Capone’s Demise (4/5)
2. Ambiance (4.5/5)
3. Loyalty v. Royalty (Ft. Gil Scott-Heron) (4.5/5)
4. Heroic Villians (4/5)
5. Just Like Me (Ft. NAV) (3.5/5)
6. World Changed (4/5)
7. American Nightmare (4/5)
8. New Money, Old Devils (4/5)
9. De La Hoya (Ft. Gucci Mane) (4/5)
10. Cocaine Spoons (4/5)
11. Real Lapse (4/5)
RGM RATING
(B-)
I’m not sure there is a top-notch rapper that flies under the radar more than Belly. After dropping “Might Not” with The Weeknd a few years back, he’s released new music very sporadically. With that being said, there’s something about Hit-Boy’s beats that make dudes want to rap again (Google Nas).
Mumble Rap 2 features high-quality beats and high-quality bars; you rarely get anything in-between (Such as trap vibes or infectious melodies). So why do I think that the album is a fascinating listen based on my basic explanation? Because of how intriguing every single moment feels. From start to finish, Belly uses vivid storytelling, dynamic wordplay, and killer punchlines to speak on riveting s**t like bossing up, frivolous women, revenge, and fractured relationships. As for Hit-Boy, he develops intricate beats that tend to veer towards the very thin line between dark and triumphant.
So why didn’t I give this album an A if I had all positive things to say about it up top? 1. I didn’t love NAV’s verse in “Just Like Me.” 2. I did feel like some of the songs on the album were just a little too short. 3. I thought Belly could’ve given us raps that were a little deeper (He talked about f**king with women just a little too much). At the end of the day, I do think the project is a good listen.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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