Gucci Mane released his latest mixtape I’m Up to the internet and world at large this past Friday. Initially when this release was announced my anticipation level was “turnt up” but as some selected songs began to hit the blogs, doubts began to creep into my consciousness. With Trap Back being one of the best releases of the year, the (fish) scale was set high for his follow up and the feature heavy leaks made it seem like this project was something hastily pasted together for the sake of keeping the buzz going.
So after living with I’m Up for the weekend what’s my conclusion? Well it does seem like a pasted together project using leftovers from Trap Back spiced up with emailed in verses from people who you thought you might wanna hear but really don’t bring it (Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz) and people that you probably don’t want to hear (Jim Jones, Fabolous). However, I’m Up is not just 20 tracks swimming in mediocrity. There are moments of greatness that are strong enough to keep the feeling of disappointment away.
Since you may have a life I saved you the time of going through the entire mixtape and am giving you the highlights of I’m Up. But if you want the whole mixtape, you can download it here.
“Brought Out Them Racks” ft. Big Sean prod. by Drumma Boy
Endearing opening line by Gucci (yes, she sure is a “people pleaser”) starts off this creeping Drumma Boy track. Big Sean has one of the few voices that actually sounds cohesive with Gucci‘s.
“Get Lost” ft. Birdman prod. by Detail
Gucci displays his ability for taking white people words/phrases and making them sound cool (see “Gross”). Gucci also has a line in this track about making so much money that people think that he plays for the Chargers. Maybe it’s just coincidence but Gucci had a song recently entitled “Philip Rivers”, who is the starting quarterback of the San Diego Chargers. Either way, Chargers General Manager, AJ Smith is not know for handing out big contracts so Gucci may want to pick a new team to use for money metaphors.
The Detail produced track sounds like something El-P could of used on Cancer For Cure.
“Spread The Word” prod. by Lex Luger
Extra, Extra read all about it…Lex Luger updates his sound, “Spread The Word”. I can just hear Gucci‘s Mom at family dinners, “You were such a cute trap boy and now you a grown dope man.”
“Scarface” ft. Scarface prod. by Mike WiLL Made It
The Mike Will produced track starts off similar to Future‘s “Dirty Sprite” (which he also produced) but takes a much darker turn. Scarface sounds like he’s been listening to some Tyler, The Creator although it’s Face who is the original “Mind Of A Lunatic”. Gucci delivers his best line on the entire project with “Like Revenge Of The Nerds, I got a room full of squares.” Trap Lambda Lambda
“It Ain’t Funny” ft. Yo Gotti prod. by Drumma Boy
Best track on this mixtape. Gucci and Yo Gotti should consider doing a collab project, their distinctive drawls sound like cocaine and baking soda together. Cold-blooded raps with equally icey production courtesy of Drumma Boy who is the stand-out producer on I’m Up.
