Coloring Book
Chance The Rapper
MIXTAPE
Lil Boat
Lil Yachty
MIXTAPE
3 years removed from his breakout mixtape Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper delivers his highly anticipated Coloring Book. A clear departure from his previous solo work, the mixtape offers insight to Chance's experiences. Coloring Book's greatest attribute is its growth however. It's apparent on songs like "Same Drugs" that may hint at a theme that would be found on Acid Rap but is actually an ode to growing up and growing distant from those we grew up with. It's one of the most beautiful moments on the mixtape along with Chance's opening verse on "Juke Jam." It's interesting how much 3 years can change, and his metaphors and lyrics reflect that maturity, regardless of how childishly he titles this project. The energy and sincerity felt on Acid Rap is somewhat absent here to the point where I feel like he is ripping styles because he knows that's what people have flocked to. For example, the world went crazy after his verse on Ultralight Beam. Not to downplay the church themed Sunday Candy (which felt extremely sincere), but his use of church choirs feels like a ploy throughout the mixtape more so than a representation of his religious beliefs. Obviously Chance has great faith, but his execution with those factors sonically doesn't turn my head as much as it squints my eyes. All in all the project is a mature and accurate show of Chance's lyrical and artistic capabilities. Coloring Book definitely shows that Chance is moving forward, and what more can you ask? RJ
Lil Yachty is such a caricature, I just knew that this tape was going to be larger than life. However, if you stumbled upon the surprisingly enjoyable experience of "Minnesota," and that was your only exposure to Lil Yachty, then you'll be at a cross roads by the end of his first mixtape. Lil Boat finds Lil Yachty- sorry, I'm cutting that sentence short because I can't take it seriously. Lil Yachty's new mixtape, hilariously titled Lil Boat doesn't even take itself seriously. It sees itself for what it is: music that makes you feel good with not much else to offer in subject matter, and that's completely fine. What makes the tape feel like you're being yanked to and away from Lil Yachty's fan club is the fact that it just doesn't feel right. His touch with the culture and ability to creatively craft such lovable tracks is the highlight of Lil Boat. However, it's more annoying to sit through the mixtape as a whole body of work than to hear one of its songs when you're on a night out. With that said, every track on this project is atleast a mediocre attempt at music. Lil Yachty just doesn't balance his weird word choice with appealing vocals. Not to say that he is a singer, because even when he's rapping the vocal affects can choke the enjoyment from the song after a minute or so of it. But for some reason, you find yourself really getting into one of its songs every once in a while. So to call Lil Yachty trash is very easy and commonly done in day to day conversation, but it isn't fair. He makes infectious songs, even with his lack of lyricism and mic presence; he just hasn't succeeded in making a good body of work yet. RJ
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