LaRussell and ReeceBeats are perfectly in sync on “1994.”

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TOP 3

3. What The Paper Made Me

LaRussell dips into his singing bag on “What The Paper Made Me,” sounding like a modern-day Mo B. Dick from the No Limit days. It really sets the tone for the track’s deep bars, which revolve around making it big, staying true to himself, and giving back. When you combine that with the soulful production and confident raps, you get something meaningful and memorable.

2. A Hunnit An Occasion

Is it me, or does LaRussell sound like the sweaty-ass dude who sang the “Gangsta’s Paradise” chorus on this track? It doesn’t matter, though—the track is hot. Not only does LaRussell nail the hook, but the production is fire, featuring amazing synths, some nice bass, and sunny vibes that might make his homies want to leave the Bay and hit up a city in Florida.

The song has some meaningful lyrics, too. LaRussell talks about learning right from wrong from the wrong people, focusing on music to get out of the streets, and finally getting the things he’s always wanted through hard work. Overall, I think this track is a major hit.

1. Who Want It With Me?

If you thought LaRussell was unlikable, you’ll feel that way even more after hearing “Who Want It With Me?” Throughout the track, he talks about his major come-up, the big shows he’s headlining, and the bad-ass women he’s putting through mattresses these days. Here’s the kicker, though: His hard work earned him all of it, so f**k how you jealous people feel.

What’s interesting is that the track starts off sounding dramatic as hell before turning into something hyphy, bouncy, and hard. All in all, this is a great intro.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

Who Want It With Me? (4.5/5)

Nothing With Me (4/5)

Need Somebody (4/5)

I Got It If You Want It (4/5)

What The Paper Made Me (4/5)

RUN ME THAT! (4/5)

A Hunnit An Occasion (4.5/5)

Don’t Step On My Crocs (4/5)

It’s All Live (Ft. Tietta & Splash) (4/5)

RGM RATING

Apparently, having “Russ” in your name comes with a complimentary group of haters. LaRussell has his share of backlash, although some of it came from his own questionable comments after gaining buzz. If those comments turned you off, I get it. But if you’re here for the music, “1994″ gives you plenty to enjoy. The man is still a helluva rapper.

ReeceBeats deserves a lot of credit for how good this project sounds. The beats have soul, bass, undeniable Cali vibes, and enough punch to keep everything lively. At the same time, they know when to fall back and let LaRussell do his thing without leaving him responsible for all the energy.

LaRussell takes advantage of that setup with extra confident bars, clever punchlines, and lyrics about his come-up, current success, and love for music. He sounds proud of what he’s built, and the personal reflections help explain why. The melodic moments and catchy hooks also give you more to latch onto than the verses alone.

Tietta and SPLASH! join the closing track, but the chemistry between LaRussell and ReeceBeats is what holds everything together. I also love how quickly the tracklist moves, with most songs running two minutes or less. “1994” is solid. Give it a legitimate chance, even if you don’t f**k with dude.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.