Three 6 Mafia samples are everywhere in 2018, to the point that the obvious references are now depleted. Cardi B's "Bickenhead" moved a step deeper into Memphis rap history by sampling the collective's regular collaborator Project Pat. A$AP Rocky's "Gunz N Butter" sees that Pat sample and raises it a Tommy Wright III and DJ Squeeky. The result is a wash of Memphis textures, both vocal and instrumental, with Juicy J collaborator Crazy Mike and UK experimentalist Dean Blunt joining the production team alongside Rocky and Hector Delgado. Sometimes it's hard to get a grip on which way the song is going, but that's all part of the fun, and Rocky loosens up his vocal style to fit the shape-shifting feel of the record throughout.
Rocky's new album, Testing, is his first album in 3 years. It features guest appearances from Frank Ocean, FKA Twigs, Kid Cudi, Skepta, and French Montana. Listen to it here.
Quotable Lyrics:
Mama warned me pop was on me
Acid shorty
Get get gettin' guap before
When I was fourteen Glock was forty
Bounce your jaw for plottin' on me
Hot bologna grits with
Problems copper hoppin' on me
Cheese from government-ment
