Mixtape Review: DJ Nappi/ King Mike - RAMBIS

The first thing I want to say about this mixtape is that, for all intents and purposes, it isn't one. This is a true compilation album that does a great job of showcasing much of the local talent in San Antonio. Rambis, names after after the LA Lakers' workhorse with the John Holmes 'stache and the short shorts, plays alot like it's namesake. Hard and to the point. Pause. If I had to choose two things that make Rambis stand out from alot of albums as of late, it would be this: First, it succeeds at being diverse without being random. Two, it allows the Trendsetters, specifically King Mike, to promote their premier artist, Greg G, who has a legit shot at stardom with his progression over the last few years.

Cool Kids aficionados will immediately grab the sample on the lead-in track "Hustle Hard Like". It's a fitting lead in, heavy on rhymes and light on choruses or a whole lot of exposition, each rapper touches and the subject matter and rolls into their verse with their respective styles. The simple, yet poignant production is a win here. "You Can't Stop Me Now" may be the most radio ready 210 song to date, and nice rap/r&b collab from 3rd Degree Mainstay Kyle Lee and local songbird KiiKii Star. Yung Fyngas' Production is damn near perfect, in the vein of "I Need a Girl pt. 2" Street cuts like "Real Ish" "Slow Down" and "Deuce Dime" succeed at being believable, whereas alot of "hard" songs I've heard locally tend to border on cartoon comedy.

One song that really worked was "Big Man". Chop, an artist I'm not too familiar with, exudes confidence to the point that what would be an average song tends to be fun and catchy. As far as club anthems go, "Hit The Flo" is a song that delivers, with Noe spitting a great verse in terms of both intensity and delivery.

Rambis benefits from only being a rap platform, but fully embracing San Antonio's R&B singers. The Aforementioned KiiKii Star is also featured on "He Likes It" along with Xavier. The AJ Hernz assisted "Aye" is a show stealer, with Gab (who will tell you he doesn't sound like Rick Ross) and Hernz doing a great "Best of Both Worlds" homage to the ladies.

The Best Moments on Rambis come from familiar faces. Greg G Technically pulls triple duty on the album, rapping, signing and producing. His best verse comes on "My Own Lane" where producer Da New Kid cleverly flips the sample from Jay-Z's "Encore" and uses a Kayne sample to boot. Every artist on the song seems to be at least part acronym, with Greg G riding alongside MOC, LD and H.I.G (say that three times fast!) Griffin's production on "Believe" one of the last records features local favorite B. Smith, along with D-Cypher and Gab, on a song that is probably what "All the Above would've sounded like if Maino could rap (I'm just sayin'.)

Start to finish, this was a great listen, where many different artists from similar territory got a change to work together and to really test their skills against the best. Even the songs that aren't exactly my style ("Ridin Boy", "Boys Talkin Down") weren't bad songs, they just weren't really my thing. But the beauty of Rambis is that it appeals to a very broad audience, so everyone can find something to latch on to. Greg G. is the best all around talent in San Antonio, with his complete skill set being unmatched. The Trendsetters hung their hat on a winner. What to take away from this is that the city has alot of talent, and that DJ's looking to put out mixtapes, THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

Rating: 8.9/10