"About the Money" ft. Young Thug- T.I.

(Photo-Zach Wolfe)

I'll admit when I read the pairing for new track "About the Money", I was taken aback. Sure both of the MC's making an appearance call Atlanta home, but they're in entirely different orbits. T.I.'s an unflappable commercial rap force; the dude with enough cache to get Andre 3000 features and Justin Timberlake hooks. Young Thug meanwhile is erraticism personified; a wild-card who'll either end a line with a pinched-off scream or fade away with an exasperated sigh. Thinking it could work would be as ridiculous as saying an MF Doom/Jay Z pairing would succeed simply because they both hail from NYC. When it comes to rap collabos, "location, location, location" isn't the only thing that matters. 

And that simple fact is confirmed by "About the Money", T.I.'s latest effort that may be making an appearance on his ninth studio album Paperwork. Though the London On Da Track beat is built on a foundation of: clomping bass, rickety stereo-pans, and wobbly church organ, there's nothing shaky about the Tip/Thug partnering. They've both got money squarely on their mind. Thug's making so much he's "bustin out the bando," as he squeaks in his lead-off verse. If he's going to remain in "label limbo," he'll continue to sling for as long he can. There are no contract disputes when it comes to hustling. But if the grind were a suit and tie profession, T.I. would be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. With Thug there's a question as to who's in charge, while Tip makes it abundantly clear who the "head honcho" is. And if there's any question about his credentials, he's quick to "put some bricks in a Bronco." No matter how much they're separated by tax brackets and commercial success, Thug and T.I. can bond over being unafraid to do some serious dirt.

Paperwork is slated to drop later this year through Columbia.

"More"- Rich Kidz

 

If you're tethered to making comparisons when you talk music, Rich Kidz are certain to drive you insane. "They sound like Future" you fervently proclaim when the syrupy Auto-tuned hook comes wafting in. Confronted by the insistent half-snarl stuck in punchline mode you recast your ballot for 2 Chainz. On the other side, their frequently booming orchestral churn can't help but recall Gucci Mane's procedurals. And something about the duo's gleeful abandon invites comparisons to the eternally youthful Soulja Boy. The commonality between all these divergent interests? Atlanta.

On new track "More"; rappers Skooly and Yung Pu proudly wear the influences of their fellow ATL-natives on their sleeves. Produced by Gucci collaborator London On Da Track, "More"s chintzy synthesizers and lunkheaded bass bolt out of the gate like Roddy White in the midst of a 40-yard dash. The earworm hook revolving around "now my shoes cost more than your outfit" is half-slurred, but still potent. There's a yearning in the wavering hook, they've seen greener pastures and want over at any costs. "I need them m's" is declared with the urgency of a jacker on his last leg. A wraith-like synth floating into the mix threatens to turn "daydreams of paper" into nightmares. But the steely resolve of "forever, imma make it last" ensures longevity. Down the line, the notion of "solitary" is invoked just as audience applause dies down. However, nothing about the Rich Kidz' wide-eyed world is insular, they're absorbing everything and chasing whatever is in sight.

Rich Kidz new mixtape A West Side Story dropped Tuesday and can be downloaded here.