Because I'm responsible for staying on top of the latest hip hop trends, I'm not a stranger to the group. I gave their debut mixtape D.R.U.G.S. a few listens and gradually moved forward. The project was fine, but never struck me as something that could play a huge role in our chosen genre. I had my share of doubts coming into BetterOffDEAD, and had a hard time really getting excited. At least for the time being, all my qualms have been put to rest. This is more than a trio of backpack rap fans trying to gain points with internet nerds such as myself. No, these guys know exactly what they're doing, and they're making quite the statement.
The mixtape kicks off with "AmeriKKKan Pie", a social statement that's just dying to be played live. As soon as the drums kicked in, I knew I'd be in for one hell of a trip. I wasn't sure what to expect with the lyrics, but the opener sets the tone accordingly. Meech and Juice don't rhyme with the same complexity as a Pro Era, but I wouldn't dare say it's dumbed down. The project only gets better from here, as we move into "Nephilim", one of my favorite tracks. I'm not sure it was the intent, but Erick's boom bap instrumental gives off a sense of genuine eeriness. This atmosphere is filled with borderline demented bars, accompanied by a kickass hook. The fact that they used a snippet from Carrie puts the icing on the cake. That part off the movie always creeped the shit out of my, but it fits in perfectly here. The rugged instrumentals continue through the next couple tracks, but take a detour on "G Tearz". Erick Arc Elliot throws in a hypnotizing piano loop and a bass that would make A Tribe Called Quest proud. The mixtape gets straight back to business afterwards, only coming back at "Palm Trees", another favorite of mine. The tempo is slower than we've seen from the group thus far, as they tackle the issues of haters. That last sentence is usually an eye roller, but they keep it entertaining for the most part. Juice even lays down a verse about his reliance on Mary Jane. The way these guys ride the beat and control the song is impossible to ignore.
It's easy to applaud the rhyming of each member, as it's completely justified. I just can't shake the feeling that Erick will be the lost star, at least from this project. The beats on here all feel so cohesive, bringing me to another world that the zombies inhabit. The sounds are grimy, the rhymes are twisted, and I'm in heaven. The way he brings emotion to such an intense hip hop album is indescribable. Perhaps the most impressive compositions are those that don't resemble the cookie-cutter blueprint of a beast coast instrumental. The mixture of smooth melodies and use of atmospheric vibes remind me of Ka's album released earlier this year. Moral of the story: hip hop best make way for one of the most impressive young talents in Erick Arc Elliot.
I wouldn't say anyone appeared off their game, but Meech walks away with his head held highest. His voice alone is destined for greater things. I could write a whole article trying to describe it to you and I still wouldn't be doing it justice. Not just Meech, every member has a very distinct vocal delivery, which is helpful in a genre full of similar voices. That being said, all havoc breaks loose when Danny Brown, the king of insane voices finds his way onto a song. You all know I'm a big fan, but even I've never heard him go that overboard. It seems like each member is trying to prove they sound the most eccentric, which leads to a real lack of lyrical content. The albums other feature with Action Bronson was also disappointing, but not necessarily bad. Every so often through the mixtape, there'll pop up a sub-par track, but that's to be expected with a nineteen track project.
That's my biggest complaint, though. BetterOffDEAD runs a little long and a few songs (Drug Parade, Thugnifisense) can't complete with the rest. Other than those complaints, I'm blown away. For such a young group, I've rarely heard such rage and desire spewing from each voice. It's a ride that takes you on trips of dizzying political statements, demented free-rap, and menacing instrumentals. That's completely a good thing. (Note that I've heard some pretty fucked up and twisted rhymes throughout my days) If you're willing to listen, Flatbush Zombies are sending an open invite to brighter side of contemporary music. This is a damn mixtape as well, which means it's free. If you shove it to the side, you're pretty much praying for the downfall of hip hop. As bold as a statement as it may be, BetterOffDEAD is the best project released thus far in the beast coast movement.
Rating: 4/5