mixtape maestro (2.0)

First off, can we just note how refreshing it is to hear a record like Drake’s “Successful” lodged amongst the ringtone-friendly goofiness currently reigning atop rap radio playlists?

The track might only be getting so much burn because Drake-mania still runs rampant across the land, but that doesn’t detract from “Successful”‘s strikingness. A pensive narrative about a rising emcee’s unflinching quest to hit it big backed by a quietly burning R&B template that does a fine job of illustrating the moody image of one man all alone in a darkened studio armed with nothing but a pen, a pad and his un-realized dreams, “Successful”‘s grasping of depth just feels so comforting when positioned against the “You’re A Jerk”‘s and “Ice Cream Paint Job”‘s, as it brings with it this small hope that mainstream rap’s future might not be so bleak after all with promising lyricists like Drizzy leading the way.

Below, check out a re-tooled version of “Successful” (newly updated with an entire Trey verse!!) that’s set to appear on Trey Songz’ upcoming third album Ready.

DL: “Successful (Version 2)” (alt)

Speaking of Trey, the ever-present R&B crooner continues his tour of taking other people’s established hits and making them better on the recently leaked “Loser”, which finds him swiping the backing track from Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” to support a witty lyric about angry baby-daddies ready to pummel him for sexing their women.

DL: “Loser (‘Obsessed’ Cover Remix)” (alt)