Key Glock 2nd album Son of a Gun. May 22, 2020
Memphis rapper Key Glock's music resides in a realm where extremity is the norm. There's no artificial dichotomy between realism and myth; everything feels perilously on the brink. On his new mixtape, Son of a Gun, following February's Yellow Tape, he presents more autobiographical glimpses spanning from childhood to the present, veering from heartfelt to disturbing. While the themes seldom extend beyond growing up, striving, earning money, and purchasing ostentatious luxuries, the airtight focus of his narratives and the richness of his language expose a writer capable of elaborate world creation.
"Cream" echoes the Wu-Tang Clan's song of nearly the same title. Many have paid homage to the Clan's classic, but Glock brings his own self-assurance. Portraying a day in the life of a hustler, the 22-year-old depicts getting out of bed, saying his prayers, and promptly counting his money. A declaration such as, "Came up out the dirt, now I got diamonds around me" might seem overly trite, but Glock counterbalances it with witty wordplay: "And ever since I was ten, my best friend name was Ben/Franklin, nigga, what you thinkin'?" He rarely strays beyond his narrow purview – there's no space for guest rappers – but Glock's delivery is confident enough to rejuvenate even the most hackneyed street-rap clichés.
Contributing to the coloration of Glock's universe is his unconventional taste in beats. Son of a Gun is characterized by a collection of tightly wound instrumentals featuring booming drums, peculiar samples, and a degree of murkiness that brings a noir ambiance and a high-art polish to the proceedings. The classical-music sample of "Son of a Gun" and the repetitive acoustic riff of "Money Talk" (both provided by frequent collaborator Bandplay) are among the most audacious pieces of music over which Glock has rapped, but his flow – identifiably Memphis in its swagger – remains perpetually fluid, multidimensional, and oozing with a natural confidence that compels every beat to yield to his will.
Glock's most powerful display yet might very well be "Rich Blessed N Savage." He flows with a natural sense of melody that makes every line pleasing to the ear: "Bitch, I ball, it's necessary/I'm cool as Ben & Jerry/If you don't like me, blame my parents/Sit down if you can't stand me." The next step for this talented young rapper is to incorporate some new hues into his palette, even if only in the form of mild modifications to his current formula. Nevertheless, by remaining wholly attentive to the next dollar to be earned, the current watch on his wrist, and the impending threat to his well-being, Key Glock reinforces his strengths on Son of a Gun, affirming his position as a distinctive rising star.
