Lypus – Meraki the Mixtape (Album Review)

Lypus drops poetic bars in “Meraki the Mixtape.”

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TOP 3

3. Loo

What a great introduction to who Lypus is.

When Lypus raps over soulful beats, I think he’s at his best. In “Loo,” he does just that. Relying on his signature eccentric/dynamic flows, he gets lost in the song’s old-school, soulful beat, hitting us with vulnerable raps that explain his approach to music, who he views himself as, and why he embraces a grungy dressing style. He also thanks people for listening to the mixtape, even though it’s an intro.

Every single MC should open up their album this way.

2. Johnny P’s Caddy (LooMix) (Ft. Reg)

Lypus and Reg’s verses in this song are legendary.

One of my favorite things about “Johnny P’s Caddy” is how J. Cole and Benny The Butcher sound extra competitive in the song. In Lypus’s version of the track, he and Reg follow that same formula. In their respective verses, they talk about being destined to succeed, ready for smoke, and hella inspired. While Lypus chooses to dissect the beat in a very peculiar way, Reg rams through it like a bull, practically sounding unguardable. Both’s competitive fervor is on 1000.

1. Negro Spirituals

“Negro Spirituals” will have fans of gritty rap music screaming “Amen!”

Do you know how often I said “cot damn” while listening to “Negro Spirituals?” First and foremost, the song boasts a dark-ass beat that is tougher than Playoff Jimmy. Thankfully, everyone in the song meets the beat at the rim in their own dominant ways. While it’s Raw Zeta that hits us with crazy wordplay and unbelievable flows, Equityy comes with the grungy energy, and Lypus comes with the unorthodox, experimental flows. The trio all put up great punchlines and complement one another excellently.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Loo (3/5)

2. Edgar Allan Loo (3.5/5)

3. Negro Spirituals (Ft. Raw Zeta & Equityy) (5/5)

4. Jack Frost (3/5)

5. Hear (3/5)

6. Outside Two (Interlude) (3/5)

7. Applying Pressure (LooMix) (3.5/5)

8. The Motto/Raw Oysters (LooMix) (3.5/5)

9. Pound Cake (LooMix) (3/5)

10. Piano Love (LooMix) (3/5)

11.Hurt (LooMix) (3.5/5)

12. Johnny P’s Caddy (LooMix) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(D+) (68%)

I’m not sure I’ve heard an MC literally pat themselves on the back as much as Lypus does. For good reason, too; he is a very talented rapper. In Meraki The Mixtape, he lives up to expectations.

If you are new to Lypus, all you need to know is this: His lyrics are usually poetic, he has punchlines for days, he toys with unorthodox flows, and his confidence is on 1000. In this mixtape, Lypus mainly comes across as competitive. Not only does he rap over some of the hardest beats we’ve heard throughout the years, but he also calls on kill-a-rapper rappers to assist him in songs like “Negro Spirituals” and “Johnny P’s Caddy (LooMix)” and does an excellent job of really showcasing his personality to the world. While I would’ve preferred to hear a project full of all original material, I do think this one hints at Lypus’ talent.