To go as a companion piece to my 727 Classic Album Reviews, I wanted to shed light on some of the essential projects to come out on the other side of the bridge the 813. I thought what better than to start with a collab project from one of the best lyricist in the entire Tampa Bay Hip Hop scene Gat$ and the most gifted producer to ever come out of the Tampa Bay Area with Jxpvtty behind the boards. On “2 Live 2 Robb EP” Gat$ and Jxpvtty set the standard for 813 Hip Hop.
I am a huge fan of one MC one Producer projects. This allows the producer to craft the world in which the artists paints their picture in. Before this project not to many collab projects of this style existed in the scene.
The production from Jxpvtty on the project reminds me of Owl Pharaoh era Travis Scott but coming from a much more focused placed than those beats. The explosion sounds on the opening track “2K Express” are definitely a vibe and add so much to the beat. Gat$ is one of the best in the game when it comes to bars. His line referencing the film “New Jack City” was a favorite.
I love the tribal drums provided by Jxpvtty on “Immigrant Bread”. The way Gat$ flows on the beat makes it feel like a march through the jungle. I really dug all the money references Gat$ made in his verses, especially all the different ways he said money.
That bass line doe! “Nelly” is on those old school Southern Hip Hop vibes. I love the small hints of the piano towards the middle section of the track. This is probably my favorite beat on the project. The references to band aids and pimp juice bring the song full circle, with all the Nelly references Gat$ sprinkles throughout the track.
“Posse” is on some FLA Trill shit. The slugged out production allows Gat$ to get his message across. This is my favorite hook on the project from Gat$. I feel the more and more I replay this one it is slowly becoming one of my favorite Gat$ tracks.
Despite the project only being four tracks, Gat$ and Jxpvtty raised the bar when it comes to one MC one Producer albums in the Tampa Bay Hip Hop scene. Be on the look out for more 813 Essential Album reviews coming soon.