By Odeisel
Some rappers spend an eternity trying to get to the big show and when they finally make it, the finished product is so far away from the grit we love that it isn’t even worth it. Look no further than Yelawolf’s Shady release for the most recent instance. Georgia rapper Rittz toiled in the minor leagues for years before inking his deal with Strange Music. His debut, The Life and Times of Johnny Valiant is proof that if you find the right label, you can keep your heart and drop the real you on wax.
Rittz is not an otherworldly talent, and his flow and presence are actually redundant, not only with members of his own label, but with Yelawolf (who discovered him) as well. The difference is Rittz’ insistence on being himself and telling his truth on the microphone. My Interview puts Rittz on front street, proactively explaining all he’s about with a slick style and a charming self-deprecation. Misery Loves Company raises the stakes with its rapid-fire narrative, hypnotic keyboard play and dramatic tenor.
The strings and Memphis bluesy bass of Like I Am continues that internal dialogue while attempting to create that separation from others who seem to ride in his lane. The Mike Posner collaboration Always Gon Be continues that humble self-examination as Rittz talks dreams with his girlfriend talking a future that hasn’t yet been realized in a present situation that sucks. The My Clothes interlude that follows is a bit too real for its own good but is extremely compelling.
Rittz takes a swing at weirdo new wave rappers on F**k Swag. 30 year old Hip-Hoppers and higher, regardless of their race, will never appreciate the tight jeans and hipster shit of the present generation.
Wastin Time locks in on the things people consume themselves with (drugs, street shit, trying to be cool) that lead them away from the path of success. Partying, doing drugs and drinking keep you in a time warp haze that makes it impossible for progress and Rittz’ earnest examination puts this on full display without a soapbox or the desperation of someone still caught in that trap. Big K.R.I.T. adds a crisp narrative and a rich vocal to make this track on of the true highlights of the album.
The high-powered For Real is an erratic malevolent trip that reals the Do or Die era of Twizta in both tone and delivery.
Say No More brings label heavyweights Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko with arms to bear. The Strange Music crew is dangerous indeed. Krizz Kaliko flat out slaughters the track on the middle leg with a mobile agile and hostile flow that steals the show. Tech ebbs and flows and injects some melody to provide as good an anchor verse as can be done over this high-powered production.
The Life and Times of Johnny Valiant suffers from length. There is fodder on the album that doesn’t add to the overall narrative. Heaven, Amen and Switch Lanes number among songs that could have been left on the cutting room floor. All Around the World is more of his journey but isn’t as compelling or musically credible as the other songs in that vein on the album.
Rittz would have been better served sticking to his tight narrative and including Say No More as the cherry on top. That said, The Life and Times of Johnny Valiant is a dope debut. The beats and rhymes are dope and Rittz stuck to his guns and remained true to his story. That’s a win in my book.
Out of 5
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