Seems like Bucky Dolla and I have something in common, we both took a little time off but please believe we’re back and giving you more reasons to listen.
Almost a year to the date, I reviewed a mixtape by his counterpart M-Burb the Captain which was a very gifted offering by a young talent out of the DMV. Bucky Dolla is no exception to this, following up a 2 year hiatus from the rap game with his new mixtape King Amongst Pawns. The album cover is with a ‘bred’ color way. It seems as if he’s looking to make a statement with the title of the mixtape and its generous offering of 21 tracks.
I'm going to run through a few of the highlights from the album and give you more than enough reasons why you should also.
Well Alright!
One Day feat. J Beale (Produced by Chrisbeatz)
The first track should always set the tone for the album. And hearing Bucky’s voice over the synth with the statement ‘My niggas move like kings, you and your niggas move like pawns’ lets the listener know from the jump that while other cats are looking only forward one space at a time; he’s coming at you from all angles. And while he can’t move all over the board just yet, he’s watching his front and his back at all times. One Day is full of introspect, but not without retrospect, it’s a mature sounding record.
Didn’t Ya Know (Produced by Chrisbeatz)
I’m a sucker for this J Dilla sample, shouts to Chrisbeatz, respect on the flip. This joint is just smooth; you can see how cohesive Bucky is over the beat. He uses a different tone in his voice and even slurs his words to conform to the beat. The second verse is full of regret and struggle which humanizes the track, and keeps it in the same vein as its sample from Erykah Badu.
Dead Prezies Feat. Money Bagz (Produced by Curtis Tull)
Obligatory THIS JOINT GOES! B$ has a great ear for production. This track is face paced and the lyricism takes a turn for the better using a rhyme scheme that is more upbeat and drawn out. Money Bagz comes thru and laces the track nicely adding his own personal perspective to the game and how he hustles. He has a line ‘Doing wrong to live fair’ that stuck with me. It’s like even though he’s out there grinding he’s still not where he wants to be, but it’s the only life he knows.
Hustler Lullaby Feat. Rio and PTfromtheYT (Produced by Sergio Cortez)
This track is as far away from a lullaby as you can be! If this song puts you to sleep you must either be deaf or dead because this joint bangs. The end of the second verse is exceptionally a great way to leave em: ‘Every night I be prayin but not fond of the church / but the Lord understand cause he know my worth.” It has that ‘you might not like me, but you will respect me’ feel. I don’t know if it’s Rio or PTfromtheYT rapping the third bar but I’m feeling the slow flow cousin.
Make A Way (Produced by Nick Rio)
You can tell this is a personal record. He’s putting his life on wax. The beat isn’t too complex but it complements what I think Bucky was trying to achieve. It was more about the message. I ain’t gonna ruin the record, just give it a lesson.
Aint No Love Feat. Hank Diggs and Yung Rahz (Prouduced by Nfinit3)
This is hip hop. Modern day crime dramas told 16 bars at a time. Probably my favorite track on the album. Hank Diggs comes thru and blesses the track, his voice shadows over the track and gives you a feeling of Big Pun/Large Professor. Rahz has great story telling ability and tells ends the track perfectly. Don’t sleep.
Doing Thangz Feat. M-Burb the Captain (Produced by Ysonthetrack)
Chemistry is something that is developed over time and these cats got it. The track sounds like something you would hear at the club and the bass knocks. What’s an Bucky Dolla tape without a M-Burb feature? Great way to end the mixtape, they came in the game together and even after two years off the mic, it sounds like he’s never left.
Bucky Dolla has an ear for beats and doesn’t disappoint with this offering. The tape had tracks about life hardships, his own short comings and personal issues, storytelling, and even a joint for the strippers. Subject matter stayed consistent throughout, Bucky has found his lane and will stick to it. All in all this is one of his best mixtapes and I think the time he took away from the mic allowed him to regroup and come back with a deeper perspective and love not only for hip hop, but for life in general.
Beats: 8.5
Rhymes: 8
Life: 8
B.O.B. - No Genre 2
Chuck Inglish - Convertibles
Common - Nobody’s Smiling
Cormega - Mega Philosophy
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Pinata
Fat Trel - Gleesh
Girl Talk x Freeway - Broken Ankles
Isiah Rashad - Civilia Demo
Issa Gold - Conversations with a Butterfly
Kevin Gates - By Any Means
Mayday x Murs - Mursday
Mobb Deep - The Infamous Mobb Deep
Open Mike Eagle - Dark Comedy
