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TOP 5
5. D1
Hey, D1 athletes make money now, so saying you’re balling like them is accurate in every way.
Do you know what Lil Tecca often does? He tries to prove himself to women he could probably impress easily if he just pulled out his wallet. That said, in “D1,” he goes all out. Over a smooth, bass-heavy beat, Tecca lays out all the ways he can upgrade a girl’s life and make her happy. He also makes it clear that none of his opps are a threat to him. What I really enjoy about the track is how Tecca raps with a dismissive tone, showing that even guys with glasses can pull them if they really want to. Plus, the chorus he delivers is super catchy!
4. 4U
Lil Tecca steps outside of his comfort zone for “4U.”
If you’ve been following my posts for a few years, you know I love picking the most complete tracks on an album as my top picks. In my opinion, it doesn’t get much more complete than “4U.” In this track, Lil Tecca experiments with different melodies (including a vintage reggae one), showcases his singing skills, and reveals some real vulnerability. Additionally, the groovy island beat is unexpectedly random but totally enjoyable, and the hook is undeniable. Overall, I had no idea Tecca had a track like “4U” in his repertoire!
3. NUMBER 2
These days, being number 2 seems better than being number 1. I’m not trying to chase after a girl that everyone else wants.
“Number 2” is a dedication to all the women who are comfortable with being Tyrese Maxey, aka a second option. In other words, in the track, Tecca asserts he’s more focused on casual connections than committing. He also tries to convince us that he’s the type to steal other men’s partners. I find the chorus he lays down to be excellent, and his carefree delivery is inspiring, especially when paired with the mesmerizing trap production.
2. BAD TIME
Lil Tecca mentioned Wemby’s name in this track… By 2034, those two will be my son’s idols, not my funky ass.
“BAD TIME” is a total vibe. The track starts with a hypnotic beat that blends a smooth tempo with subtle trap elements. Lil Tecca steps in with a melodic rap flow, bringing just the right mix of passion to connect with listeners while maintaining that laid-back hipness that will resonate with the playas of the world. Lyrically, Tecca talks about living life without a care in the world, mainly because he’s stacked (and yes, I’m talking money here—no need to pause) and seasoned when it comes to dealing with flings. Overall, “BAD TIME” further proves that Tecca is still one of the coolest in the game.
1. I CAN’T LET GO (Ft. Don Toliver)
Don Toliver kills everything these days. My goodness.
Don Toliver delivers a 40-point triple-double in “I CAN’T LET GO.” With an action-packed, glitchy beat that perfectly suits his style, Toliver unleashes an unchained vocal performance that matches the rockstar persona he showcased on his last album. He’s definitely the driving force of the track. But don’t sleep on Lil Tecca’s contributions—he drops what I believe is his best rap verse to date. He rides the beat flawlessly, rapping with more confidence than I’ve ever heard from him, all while delivering his lines in a relatable, sly manner. Together, these two artists create absolute heat.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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RGM RATING
(C) (74%)
Who knew Lil Tecca was cooler than half the people walking around?
The Lil Tecca we heard on “Ransom” is a whole different person from what we get today. The current Tecca clearly understands the formula he needs to leverage for success. So, what’s that formula? It’s obvious he’s mastered this slick, playa-inspired sound. That said, throughout PLAN A, Tecca makes it a point to show that he’s regularly pulling chicks, never getting played, and raking in more money than his opps in ways that are sly as hell. He occasionally touches on some violent themes, but that’s pretty rare.
For the most part, Tecca sticks to his signature melodic rap style, which some say he picked up from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. However, he showcases different flavors of that style depending on the production he’s working with. Take “VOGUE,” for instance—here, his melodic approach feels a bit darker thanks to the gritty backdrop. The beats throughout the album mostly have a bounce to them while also maintaining a captivating, slightly trap vibe. They’re definitely dope.
So, were there any aspects of the album I didn’t love? Yes, the choruses didn’t quite hit for me. While some were catchy, others felt too complicated to fully enjoy. I also didn’t love the tracks in which Tecca experimented. Like, I didn’t need this Pop Smoke version of Tecca in “SELF2SELF.” Nonetheless, these are small gripes you shouldn’t read too much into.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this album by Tecca outsells some of the projects from artists you thought would perform well, like Big Sean’s (Update: It outsold Big Sean’s last album).
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
