“You knock me down, I’mma keep fighting to the death.” – Trae tha Truth
I don’t think this was what the PTB had in mind when they banned Trae tha Truth. A nationwide ban, a close shave with death, and two crew deaths in seven months are enough to end a career. But Trae keeps on trucking. No matter what life throws at him, he remains cool and calm, confident that things will work out in his favor. “I’m a king, sitting on my chair/Try to take me off, I dare ya,” he roars.
Trae has good reason to thump his chest. The Blackprint, his latest batch of songs, is pretty damn good. And what’s a Trae mixtape if not album-quality collaborations and whip-ready beats? There’s little in the way of surprise here if you’re an ardent Trae fan. One thing his windy journey brings, though, is added perspective. Trae is now massaging those familiar tunes into a full and fleshy message with lots of soul and maturity. Enjoyable from start to finish.
