Joey Purp - iiiDrops - Mixtape Review
- Juan Hernandez
- Jul 28, 2017
- 3 min read
Chicago rapper, Joey Purp, surprises and delivers with his 2016 mixtape.
Yes I know that this mixtape came out about a year ago, so let's get that out of the way. When I first saw the album cover and by judging by the name of the project I was expecting this to be a mess of a record. I was only expecting bangers, only shit that would bump in the whip and whatnot. The track list also helped my hysteric thoughts, but for Gods sake there are songs called "Morning Sex", "Girls @", and "Money & Bitches".
But if you thought like I did when first glazing upon this album, then you would dead ass wrong to call this a meaningless project. The album opens up with "Morning Sex", the blazing horns hit you like a slap in the face and immediately grab your attention. Joey shares his story of growing up in Chicago, witnessing murders and drive-by's. It's the type of song that gets you pumped up, but leaves a sad taste in your head when you think about what Joey raps about. The song leaves you thinking that maybe this album will have a more serious taste, but after "Morning Sex" the project shifts focus and gets straight to a banger, "Girls @". Honestly I'm still wearing the hell out that song upon reviewing this project. The song has such an infectious beat and you really can't help but sing along to the chorus, "Where all the girls at? With the credit cards and the high heels, The Mercedes Benz with the big wheels, When they hear this jam, they can't sit still, Yeah they know what's up". Chance The Rapper gives a verse thats more comical than Joey's, however both artists do their job respectively and with swagger.
"Money & Bitches" has a triumphant feel to it. Again on this song horn samples can be heard like how on "Morning Sex". Joey Purp and Mick Jenkins talk about religion, money, women, and the black community. Honestly I did not like the sample that was used for "When I'm Gone", it just drags on for way too long. Luckily after that track Joey uses an odd sound for the track "Photobooth". On this track we hear Joey sounding really comfortable, "They call me young purple, young Jimmy, young Rasta, Big Willy, bitch call me big papa". The bass behind that song is incredible, one of the highlights of the album. One of the more emotional moments off the album, both lyrically and sonically comes at "Conerstore". Here on this track we hear shit about robbery, poverty, and flaming Cheetos, an odd mix that somehow works. Ambitions, dreams, soul, and emotion flow through this track, and neither of the two features from TheMIND & Saba deteriorate anything from the track. "Say You Do" is again one of the more lighter tracks on the album, discussing lady problems with the comical twist.
The third act of the album is where Joey get much more deep and heavy. On "Godbody" Joey spits bars about betrayal within his community. While hearing this track you can feel the frustration and anger within Joey's voice, besides it cracks multiple times while the song goes on. After this, another dud arrives, "Kids". This song is too unbearable to hear just because of Joey's annoying singing that he tries on here, and the distorted bass really doesn't help either. It's kind of funny when you think about the entire track list, just because it gives off a different vibe. Joey proves himself on lyrically capable on "Winners Circle". On the track he speaks about how he's seen how change has caused turmoil with friends, and how friends screw each other over small things. Joey's seen it all, speaking about how he's seen friends selling drugs to their own friends, friends falling off, snitches selling out, you name it. However it's not like Joey ends the album on a somber note, if anything he runs a winner circle. On "Escape" he talks about how things have changed in his native town, and how he has bigger things aimed for himself. Joey leaves listeners impressed on the final track and one can't help to feel excited for his next project.
This project has funny moments, but has far more serious moments that outweigh it. On this project we hear an up and coming rapper that has something to say, and if this is what Chicago's rap scene has to offer, then West Coast get ready.
Best Tracks: Girls @, Money & Bitches, Morning Sex, Cornerstore, Winners Cirlce, Escape
Worst Tracks: Kids, When I'm Gone
8.5/10
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