M-Burb
The Syndicate
The Captain’s latest offering gives you 19 tracks produced majorly by Lexxi Banks and 5OhTrez (Shouts out to the 5 Foot Assassin what up B?!). Features include Bucky Dolla (what up cuz?), Taya Jae, Money Bagz, and KB The General.
Since it’s such a large offering of music, I feel it’s better to give a synopsis of the tracks that stood out in my mind and give my overall take at the end. With that said… Leggo.
The Syndicate Prod by Cash Hits
The title track sets the mood for the album. He comes out hungry reflecting on both past and future self. Burb rhymes seamlessly over a track laced with low bass high synths. The Syndicate is a Burb showing his braggadocio. He is boastful and throws subtle jabs at his haters with lines like: “small like, better tho, you niggas’ll never know/ you just suckin n ridin, nigga who you think gon’ blow?” Even though The Captain may be small in stature, he’s determined to let you know you’re still in his shadow.
3 The Hard Way Prod By 5OhTrez
I really feel the concept, three P’s (paper, pack, and pussy), reminds me of similar songs with the same feel (see Kendrick Lamar – The Recipe, and A$AP Rocky feat Schoolboy Q – PMW). But the feel in this one is grimey more gulley. His style and versatility is shown here with his ability to go spit double time and recover smoothly to enunciate his point at the end of the bar.
Rackin Up Prod By ArjKnoxx
I like this joint because it’s straight to the point. Bass knocks and Burb basically is letting y’all know (with only 8 bars per verse have you) how he’s getting it. The line: “Your pack be on library/how I get it? Dirty Harry.” That line to me can be viewed two different ways, first the obvious, your ‘ish is quiet while mine goes loud. But the other meaning I see here (whether it was the artists intention or not) could be related to money, and how others are basically renting it and giving it back, paying interest and what not while he is on his ‘Dirty Harry’ did he make 5 or did he make 6, in all the excitement he lost track of the money himself. This no holds barred attitude and demeanor will definitely keep M-Burb relevant.
On My Set (Feat. Money Bagz) Prod. Ayodilo
My man, that’s how you start a track off! If only that gunshot ad lib wasn’t in the middle of it… I had to rewind that joint a few times. The concept of this joint is basically ‘by any means’, the beat has that Young Jeezy Trap or Die feeling to it. In my opinion this is the most complete track on the album, he sounds so determined on this track like his intention was to have his words melt the microphone.
Overall this mixtape is solid. I view it as a form of unsigned trap music; party music with heavy bass that more than one market can relate to. The low points of the album were definitely that annoying horn that scared the shit out of me on more than one occasion. Also, some of the tracks sounded like the vocals and percussion were put on a whisper and made the music sound uneven.
Subject matter is consistent to his joints with Bucky Dolla, and he has his own lane. I would like to see more concept driven songs that have a deeper meaning and maybe use your experiences and give me a track that tells a story. Broaden your base a little bit and gain more fans by showing how versatile you are on the mic.
Given this is an underground artist who Is grinding with no label support I got to give him props with this release. It’s worth a listen from start to finish. Probably one of the first mixtapes I didn’t skip though. Keep doin your thing cousin.
Beats: 8
Rhymes: 7.5
Life: 8
