Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Mixtape Review: Master P – The Gift (The Return Of The Ice Cream Man)


Mixtape Review: Master P – The Gift (The Return Of The Ice Cream Man), Courtesy of Kasai Rex
With “The Gift,” the world-famous DJ Swamp Izzo brings something so fresh and so clean from Master P. “Y’all gonna quit before we quit… Told y’all it wasn’t No Limit,” P. Miller lays out on the Drumma Boy-produced “What You Thought?” This right here is the Return Of The Ice Cream Man, and P hasn’t lost a damn step. This one’s cover speaks volumes, like that No Limit tank’s been patiently waiting in the wings to tear shit down and make souljas from coast to coast salute.

Over the course of 21 tracks, P has effectively jumped into the twenty-first century, name dropping TMZ, Trayvon and Instagram just in case you thought he was slumped up in a home somewhere, recounting the glory days of The Tank like Uncle Ruckus. Never that.

Swamp Izzo helps kick out a total headtrip, leaving me feeling like I’m hoopin’ in my boy’s backyard in ‘97, smokin’ Swishers, drinkin’ huggies mixed with vodka and listening to “Ghetto D” on a busted jambox. And with those flows laced over the indelible outer space Dr. Robotnik flow of 21st century hip-hop production, this is what the game’s been missin’.

New school guests like Fat Trel, Yo Gotti, Nipsey Hussle and Alley Boy further the cause, with Percy swerving in and out of the production like a burnt-to-a-crisp frat guy driving home from Mardi Gras with the headlights off and a Corona between his legs.

Master P’s brother and No Limit lieutenant Silkk The Shocker proves black don’t crack, not even on the mic, on “Real From Day One,” and proves that even in a recession, you can still “Charge It 2 Da Game.”

On “23,” with backup from Rick Ross, Percy proclaims “I ball like I’m two-three!” And even though we know P didn’t quite ball like number 23 for the Hornets or Raptors, we can’t stay mad at him, like that old uncle who admittedly peaked a bit ago but can still stunt with the best of ‘em. “Coulda been Michael Jordan, but I took the Master P route,” The Game spits on “Is There,” and he ain’t never told a lie right there.

Never in a million years could I have imagined that Master P could deliver an album as perfect now for rollin’ through ‘Nolia projects in the Abu Dhabi gold Dodge Viper sittin’ on BBS rims as it was back in the day, on that Back To The Future tip. This right here is “The Gift” without a curse. No Limit. Forever.

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