Travis Scott - Days Before Rodeo (2014)

I have so much to thank Kanye West for. Somehow, his release Yeezus was what got me interested and excited by music. It made me realize that albums were more than haphazard song compilations, instead they could be something rich and cohesive, even if they have lyrics like "I be speakin' swagheli".

Part of what made Yeezus such a sonic departure was the no-name producer/rapper Travis Scott. He's a credited producer on three of Yeezus' tracks, and to say he has parallels to the former Blueprint/College Dropout era West wouldn't be incorrect. Like West, Scott's a producer and rapper with a sound of his own. He's also got a mischievous streak.

This tape, Days Before Rodeo, is mythic and intimidating. Word is that this tape caused Kanye to scrap most of his LP (So Help Me God) last year. Days Before Rodeo had dang high standards to live up to.

Considering the free price on this thing, it's a superb release. Honestly, I would've shelled out some money on this had I known it was gonna sound like this. Scott's sound is weird, but undoubtedly dope. It's certainly a rodeo of sounds, from synthesizers on "Quintana Pt. 2", trap snares, autotune, and the overall Southern influence. Days Before Rodeo doesn't feel 100% clean or polished, but it's grit and grime that makes Scott feel honest.

The crux of the tape is that its subjects have been done to death. Sure, not many others sound quite like Scott, but there's a disappointing lack of originality in what Days Before Rodeo is about. There's themes of love, drugs, and haters, all products of Scott's environment. Lyrically, there's nothing either that really surprised me. It's not bad, it's just not distinctive (Though "She swallow my kids like a Slurpee" on "Sloppy Toppy" made me gag a little, it might vie for the worst line on the tape, by far).

The second track, "Mamacita", is a great Rich Gang reunion thanks to features from Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan. It's probably a better "Mamacita" than the one on Outkast's Aquemini (at least its got a better hook than it). The standout track though is "Don't Play", featuring The 1975 and a verse by Big Sean that keeps corniness to a minimum. Seriously, "Don't Play" is so fire.

Really, Travis Scott is a fantastic up-and-coming producer/rapper. I've got to listen to the recently released Rodeo again. Days Before Rodeo is a great mixtape because of bangers and a distinct sound.

8/10

(listen to Days Before Rodeo for free here)