By K. Wright

From the smoothly delivered spoken word intro, to the ill remix of the DJ Premier-produced “Sing Like Balal” Joell Ortiz feature, Reek Da Villain’s new mixtape, The Gift plays more like a declaration than an album. Its goal is to put the world on notice that Reek Da Villain is a force to be reckoned with lyrically, and that his departure from the Flipmode Squad has no bearing on mentor Busta Rhymes’ support. 

The tape begins with a poem concerning the power that music has in the hood, and leads into the opening track, “Keep Going Reek.” Reek goes on the offensive from the outset, dropping lines like “Fuck around and use your house for a pistol range/ Like a harmonica full of fire them whistles flame, bang. Put your thoughts all over your fuckin’ mane, dang.”

Reek goes for the ladies on the Lloyd Banks- assisted “Zoooovie,” a shout out to around the way filet that plays on their vanity and ego. He stays in the lady lane with “Get Up,” getting his mack on and hipping the chicks to what’ he’s working with. Reek follows the Biggie mode of waiting till some other cat gets then full and drunk, noting “Go to him for the winin’ and the dinin’/ You can (get up) with me for the bumpin’ and the grindin.’

“One More” is a banging beat that would normally have you wishing for your favorite rapper to hop on, but Reek handles it well enough that you’re cool with it. Lil Fame and Reek tag-team “Fall in Line” over angry, rousing production. Tape highlight “Larry Davis” is by far the best track of this album. Its vivid imagery chronicles a botched crack house raid that leads to an injured Reek escaping the situation Larry Davis-style. “Bring some ice and plastic bags to wrap it/ Lift my leg, I think it’s fractured/ Every time I apply a little pressure I can feel it crackin.’”

Missy Elliot talks pussy power with “Good Shit.” The hook she provides almost makes you forget the visuals from “Can’t Stand The Rain” wrapped in a garbage bag.

The Teddy Pendergrass sample on “Close the Door” puts Busta Rhymes in Big Daddy Kane mode with fresh and smoothly delivered rhymes like “I say ‘Hello Ms. Little Misunderstood/ Come and let me figure you out and give it to your ass good/ You see the kid smokin’ and sizzlin’ like a fever/ Finger wrapped around a glass of Don Julio tequila.”

“Fall Out” features Roscoe Dash on a mid-tempo club track that displays his versatility as an MC. “Pewwmm” flaunts another ill Busta Rhymes feature along with fellow former Flpmodiane Spliff Star. Fred Da Godson powers “Fire Hydrant” while Busta mans the hook. “Bang Bang” features a surprisingly dope appearance by Waka Flocka Flame, who wiped Reek off the track.

“Promise Land” is a more uplifting joint that illustrates Reek’s poetic and introspective side without coming off as preachy or too corny to be taken seriously.  The “Mechanics Remix” hosted by DJ Khaled and featuring Busta, Swizz Beats, Cam’ron, Vado, Method Man & Nelly took an already crazy joint and pumped it full of ‘roids, producing a song that is every bit of the “gift” it was supposed to be. The contrasting styles of the MCs blend together perfectly on this one.

The aforementioned “Sing Like Balal Remix” serves as a satisfying end to a strong tape. The beat takes you back to the classic ‘90s boom bap era, and Reek reminds us why people wish for the good days.

The Gift is the kind of mixtape you would want to see from somebody trying to break into the mainstream consciousness as an MC, and it shows you just enough potential to make you check for his next drop. With all of the mixtapes droppin’ on the holidays, Reek presented us with his gift in a way that’ll make any true Hip-Hop head listen.

Out of 5

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