Country Fresh: Yelawolf Releases New Mix-Tape, ‘Trunk Muzik Returns’

Yelawolf, hit my radar about two years ago after he re-released the mix-tape Trunk Muzik 0-60 with a few additional tracks. I loved that EP and have played it over and over. The tunes on that EP are tight, and the grooves are infectious, and show the unique styling of the Gagsden, Alabama based rapper. Since the release of Trunk Muzik 0-60, Yelawolf has been keeping a busy schedule including recording a full length for a major label, promoting his music through live performances, and releasing another mix-tape this summer called Heart of Dixie. Last week Yelawolf kept his busy pace up by releasing a new mix-tape entitled Trunk Muzik Returns.

The mix-tape starts off with the track “Firestarter.” Just from the title you’d think this would be a fast track, but to my surprise it’s a slower song which is emphasized by the lyrics telling you to relax. Next up on the mix-tape is the track, “Way Out.” “Way Out” is a good track that starts off with a synth part that is followed by a verse by Yelawolf that has a very space like feel. Then the beat drops in and Yelawolf comes in with a verse that is tighter than the first verse.

“F.A.S.T. Ride” is the third song on the E.P., and is one of the tightest songs on the mix-tape. Yelawolf shows off his excellent flow on this song especially on the verses. This song is a real return for Yelawolf especially when it comes to the tight rhymes. “Box Chevy Part 4” is also another return to form for Yelawolf, as we know his favorite thing to do is riding around in his Chevy and rapping about his Chevy. Musically the track is different from anything I’ve heard anywhere, There’s a part that’s very trance like that I enjoyed. Yelawolf also shows his singing pipes off on this song, and he can sing.

“Hustle” is the next track and it features Texas’ finest rapper, Paul Wall. Wall starts the song, and gives the listener a good verse, but then Yelawolf comes in and delivers his signature fast paced southern rhymes. “Catfish Billy” is the next track on the mix-tape, and it’s an odd track that starts with a conversation, but then it tells the story of Catfish Billy one of Yelawolf’s aliases. The next song that really caught my attention was called “Fame,” and it has a very slow and etheral feel at the beginning, but Yelawolf then comes in with a verse that brings the song up a notch. “Tenesse Love” finishes off the mix-tape, and is another one of my favorite tracks. Yelawolf’s narrative voice is very strong on this very mellow track. Yelawolf shows his singing voice off on this track too, and it sounds awesome especially mixed with the very country influenced pedal steel guitar.

I loved Radioactive, but I have to say that I am even more impressed with this mix-tape. Check it out, I don’t think you’ll be sorry, especially if you’re a hip-hop fan. And it’s free so what can you loose?

-B. Harlow

Download and/or listen to Trunk Muzik Returns  HERE

Yelawolf Preps New Free Album and Releases New Track, “Way Out”

Yelawolf is by far one of the best rappers in the game right now and has the work ethic to show he’s worth all the attention. Yesterday, Yelawolf release a new track that will be featured on his upcoming Free Album, Trunk Muzik Returns. The song is called “Way Out” and it has all the key features of a Yelawolf song especially when it comes to Alabama, Chevys, and Jim Beam.

“Way Out” is a good track theat starts off with a synth part that is followed by a verse by Yelawolf that has a very space like feel. Then the beat comes in and Yelawolf comes in with a verse that is tighter then the first verse. Then the chorus comes in, and this is not a sing a long chorus like “Lets Roll,” but something off Heart of Dixie.

Be sure to check out “Way Out” and download Trunk Muzik Returns when it is released on March 14^th.

-B. Harlow

Yelawolf and Travis Barker’s Monster of a Collaboration, ‘Psycho White’

If you were to get a copy of Travis Barkey and Yelawolf’s new EP that comes out today, you’d understand how the pair got the title of the EP, Psycho White. From that moment you put on the record on you understand why Newport said that the EP was “Man, that’s some psycho white boy shit.” Psycho White, is an odd mix of music, but to the seasoned hip hop listener you’ll see that the combination works.

Psycho White starts off with the track “Push ‘Em.”  Push ‘Em’” is a good track, to keep up with Barker’s fast paced rhythms, Yelawolf lays down a tight performance, and spits with authority on subjects including cars, boozing, and raging. The song also features appearances from Skinhead Rob and Tim Armstrong. Tim Armstrong also makes an appearance on the second track, which also happens to be my favorite on the EP, “6 Feet Undergound.” This track is a great song that starts off with a creepy hook, but what makes the song is Yelawolf’s great reggae inspired verses. It seems as if though Yelawolf is trying to move into other areas, and by doing this shows us his vast influences. The next track on Psycho White is the track, “Funky Shit.” Now this song sounds like it could have been off Yelawolf’s Trunk Muzik. It has that dirty southern feel that Yelawolf is famous for. Barker’s drums mix well with the slow electronic beat.

“Whistle Dixie” is the second video single off the EP, and this song is by far the second best on the collection. It features a whistled part that is looped throughout the song, but what I enjoyed the most is the odd production techniques that make it sound as if Yelawolf and Barker’s drums were all the way back in the mix. The final track on the EP is called “Directors Cut,” and this is a great conclusions, and shows Yelawolfs excellent storytelling abilities in his lyrics.

If you like Hip-Hop and Rap that is unconventional then Psycho White   is perfect for you. Go check out this awesome collaboration between Yelawolf and Travis Barker.

-B. Harlow

 

Yelawolf and Travis Barker Release “Push ‘Em”

If you’ve kept your eyes on this site you can tell that one of our favorite rappers is Gadsden, Alabama’s, Yelawolf. Yelawolf is also growing into one of the most popular rappers in the music business expanding into clothing, skateboarding, and even doing promotions for his favorite auto company, Chevy. But let’s get back to his latest musical endeavor, an EP that is collaboration between  Yelawolf and Blink-182 drummer, Travis Barker entitled Psycho White. The EP is set for release November 13^th, and will feature five new tracks including the track, “Hard White”

“Push ‘Em’” is a good track, but if you were expecting a hybrid of Yelawolf’s dirty southern rhymes and Blink-182’s feel good pop punk, then this is not the track for you. If you were expecting something like, “Let’s Go” of off Barker’s solo album, Give the Drummer Some, you would be a lot closer because this song is rhythmically intense. To keep up with Barker’s fast paced rhythms  Yelawolf lays down a tight performance and spits with authority on subjects including cars, boozing, and raging. The song also features appearances from Skinhead Rob and Tim Armstrong.

Be sure to check out Psycho White because I’m sure it won’t be like anything you’ve heard before.

-B. Harlow

Struggle’s Hybrid of Hip-Hop and Country

Nashville based rapper Struggle has been playing the underground hip-hop circuit since the early 2000’s. Only recently however has he received national attention with his flawless mix of hip-hop and country, “Outlaw Shit.” The interesting thing about the track is that the chorus is sampled from the Waylon Jennings song of the same name. Jennings also happens to be Struggle’s maternal grandfather and famed guitarist Duanne Eddy is also his other grandfather. Struggle’s grandmother is female country singer, Jessi Colter.

To me Country and Hip-Hop are on opposite sides of the spectrum, but on further examination the things the Jennings, David Allan Coe, and Willie Nelson sang about, are the same things that many modern rappers rap about. Subjects such as family, love, violence, hard times, and good times are shared throughout both genres, so it would be no surprise that in the future we may see a very potent mixture of the two. That’s what Struggle attempts in this song, and by all measures he succeeded.

The song starts off with a verse by Struggle which is very deep about the struggles of his life. Then the chorus kicks in with the sample of Waylon Jennings’ classic song. The next verse talks about his hustling lifestyle, and again the Waylon’s verse comes in. Yelawolf is up next and he sings his verse in a very smooth manor, and again Waylon’s chorus comes in, and ends the song.

-B. Harlow

Yelawolf’s New Mixtape, ‘Heart Of Dixie’

Alabama Rapper, Yelawolf has seen his world change in the last couple years, especially after getting signed to Shady/ Interscope records. Even though recently Yelawolf has expressed some hostility towards Interscope records and their ability to release and promote singles. But even with that frustration he’s back with another mix-tape, Heart of Dixie.

Heart of Dixie is a great mix-tape, and is a return for Yelawolf to his Trunk Muzik  sound which is completely different from the overly produced mainstream debut, Radioactive. I mean Radioactive had some great cuts, but Yelawolf’s stripped down dirty southern sound was what drew many of his early fans. It turns out DJ Frank White hosted and M16 produced project is a sample of what’s to come on Yelawolf’s forthcoming album Trunk Muzik Returns.

There are some great tracks on this 10 track mix-tape. The first track, “Howdy” is a great track with many in depth lyrics that make the listener think. What particularly stuck out was the line, “Passionate like a political poet in an artist lounge. /Hungry like a poor daddy with a gun and a starving child.” Another great track that stuck out was the second song on the mixtape, “Let Me Out” which stylistically is a real return to form for Yelawolf. Another stand out track was the eighth track, “Out My Face” which features Rittz and Shawty Fat. I particularly enjoy Rittz’s verse, but also enjoy Yelawolf’s verse about Tyler the Creator. In my opinion the best track on the album is “Father’s Day” which is an ode to fathers and the struggles of being a father and an artist.

I loved Radioactive, but I have to say that I am even more impressed with this mix-tape. Check it out I don’t think you’ll be sorry especially if you’re a hip-hop fan.

-B. Harlow

Check Out The Mix-Tape HERE

RITTZ – White Jesus

Coming out of the Gwinnett County a little ways out of Atlanta, Rittz is one of the most promising underground rappers in the game. Rittz had humble beginnings growing up in a musical family Rittz was around instruments and music studios. It was no surprise that in 1995 he began rapping, until the year 2003 when he took a slight break. In 2009 Rittz returned to the rap game and in 2010 was featured in Yelawolf’s “Box Chevy” off of his mix tape Trunk Muzic 0-60. Since this guest spot and signing to Slumerican Records.

In 2011 Rittz released the mix tape White Jesus and in 2012 he re-released the mix tape which was dubbed White Jesus: Revival. White Jesus: Revival features 17 songs, including guest spots from Big K.R.I.T, Nikkiya, and Yelawolf. Rittz provides great lyrics on all the tracks which paint a picture of his southern up brining. Another constant theme throughout the tape is relationships especially the track “Sleep at Night” whose lyrics talk about a significant other who decides to leave for another person. One of the best tracks on the album is “High Five” where Rittz shows his spitting ability verse after verse. Another key track is the title track “White Jesus”, ‘but don’t trip cause this aint blasphemy’ lyrics one should consider before listening to. The track is a testament to who he is as an artist.

-B. Harlow

Check out Rittz and download his Mix Tape HERE.

‘Bama’s Finest: YELAWOLF- Radioactive

From Yelawolf’s music you can tell he’s proud to be from his home state of Alabama.  You can also tell that well he likes spitting verses, he also has an appreciation for Chevy’s, Lamborghini’s, and a good party.

A follow up to Yelawolf’s very successful mix-tape ‘Trunk Muzik 0-60‘(Ghet-O-Vision), ‘Radioactive’ ( Shady/Interscope) is a collection of 15 thunderous tracks. Starting with the introduction track to the last track ‘The Last Song’ the album never stops.

‘Radioactive’ features many twists and turns and many tracks that show a strong emotional side, not seen on previous mix-tapes. Some of the highlights include the track ‘Lets Roll’ which features Kid Rock on vocals and ‘Hard White’ featuring Lil Jon. And the collaboration between Yelawolf, Gangsta Boo, and Eminem ‘Throw it Up’

However the best track on the album is the autobiographical ‘The Last Song’ in which Yelawolf talks about growing up without a father and how he overcame all his struggles. The track almost seems like a letter to his absent father, telling him he doesn’t need him and is just fine now.  Overall the album is a solid major label debut and shows that Yelawolf as a bright future ahead of him.

Check out the music for Yelawolf’s ‘Lets Roll’ music video Ft. Kid Rock: