Gambino appeared on Bennett ’ s second tape Acid Raps , which marked his takeoff . The tape showcased all the elements of Bennett ’ s developing style — the quirky humor , the organic-sounding instrumentals , the street advocacy , especially potent on the hidden track “ Paranoid ,” where he discusses the murder spikes that take place during Chicago summers . “ They murking kids , they murder kids here ,” he spits . “ Why you think they don ’ t talk about it ? They deserted us here / Where the fuck is Matt Lauer at ? Somebody get Katie Couric in here / Probably scared of all the refugees , look like we had a fuckin ’ hurricane here .”
The tape had a huge critical reception , earning him the title of Spin rapper of the year , a diamond certification from the Datpiff mixtape site and a spot in XXL ’ s 2014 freshman class . Labels came clambering to sign Bennett , but he turned them down , feeling it was more important he enjoy artistic freedom than a fat paycheck .
“ I ’ ve got to really flex that unlimited capability of an independent artist ,” he told Billboard . “ I can do whatever videos I want , I can play whatever shows I want , I can release when I want , talk how I want , freely , about any subject .”
Issue 1 YAUDIO Magazine