You know when you've been waiting for Christmas so you can finally open that gift you've been eying all month? And you've waited so long that when you finally get it your brain goes crazy, your limbs don't cooperate and no matter what you're doing you can't focus on anything except for unwrapping the gift? Well that's the moment I just experienced when i finally got my hands on the Highly Anticipated Mixtape from Cleveland's Own Chip Tha Ripper (@Chip216 on Twitter) "Gift Raps." I Don't remember when I first heard the buzz of this mixtape but I do remember the anticipation I felt when I got the news. I couldn't wait to hear this...I've been bumping Chip Tha Ripper since like '07 I believe and he hasn't disappointed yet.
Have you ever heard someone say, "So and So think they God's Gift to the world!"...well this mixtape is Chip's Gift to Rap. Literally. This 13 track concoction of creative, hard knocking beats and crafty, swift, intelligently composed rhymes makes for a very nice gift to the rap game. But more than anything I think it makes for a very nice gift to Chip's fans and every native of Cleveland, rap fans and foes alike. He "Puts On" for the city, plain and simple. Coming from Cleveland where we never quite get what we deserve, the credit that's do or the breaks that's needed, Chip makes the industry wake up to our city.
From the very start of the mixtape with "The Entrance," (Prod. By Chip, Duke & Julio) Chip Tha Ripper's delivery is so attention grabbing that you can't help but to stop whatever you're doing and pay attention. And the next track "Light One Up," does the same. But the third track, "U.A.F." does something different all together. If by the time you reached the third layer of this present, if you still found yourself sleep this "U.A.F." track pours ice water in your pants and forces you to wake the f**k up! U.A.F. which stands for Ugly Ass F**k is a very cleverly composed track which is a very smart song when you think about it from a marketing stand-point.
Think about it, whenever you have a song that says anything about pretty girls standing up, or ugly girls shutting up you sort of instantaneously have a hit on your hands as a rapper...well for appealing rappers anyway. Because this sort of track is very attractive to women and even men who may not necessarily care about lyrics, word play and delivery. This is the type of song that will be a hit just because, if nothing else, people will react positively to the message of the song just because they don't want to be the ones considered U.A.F.
"The Big Bang" and "Everyday Chillin" fits nicely where "U.A.F." leaves off. "The Big Bang," sounds like the title. The banging drums in the beat and tough but smooth delivery Chip has on the record is like an audible climax. "Everyday Chillin," is a nostalgic record with a head knocking beat that makes you bob your head unknowingly. "The Coldest," starts off with a sick beat that teases you a bit before Chip's distinctive tone overlaps the sounds and begins seducing ladies with his traditionally flirty rhymes. "Life," (a personal favorite) is a great song with incredible production that gives it a mid-90's Texas-styled, UGK feel. And Chip really shows versatility and depth on this particular song. Not to mention his delivery on the song....magnificent.
"DynoMan," comes of more production based, Chip only raps about 1 minute and 23 seconds into the song before he stops and let the rest of the beat play out. Which is a Neptune-ic, Futuristic sounding type of beat. It sounds the way I imagine being high off Weed feels. "Jumanji" and "Hang Out," also showcases some good beat production to go along with the cutting edge rhymes Chip displays. "Hang Out," reminds me of some like '07-'08 Classic Chip Tha Ripper. In "Plural," (co-Prod by Blended Babies) is a cool, summer-time feeling type of track where Chip The Ripper creates lyrical visions of him pretty much enjoying the company and pleasures of having two women (and blunts) at once. Very relaxing beat and laid back enjoyable song.
"UnderDogs," is thee anthem for anyone creeping on a come-up! The beat, again, is sick with boastful, encouraging raps from Chip. And then the gift is completely unwrapped once we come to a conclusion with "The Bio," which is pretty self-explanatory. Chip Tha Ripper goes on an lyrical assault with his delivery in 3 minutes and 15 seconds of quick paced, tongue twisting lines conveying his life story over a beat. Utter satisfaction. Pleasureful. Fulfilling. Chip Tha Ripper delivers.
In the end, "Gift Raps," lives up to its title. This mixtape is a gift to the game, the ears, the senses, and stereo systems. Chip shows measurable growth from previous works and showcases his undeniable rapping talents. A for sure 5 star mixtape. So I highly recommend any fan of Good Music and Better Rapping to cop this joint. Shoutout and #Salute to Chip Tha Ripper, if you live under the stupid tree and are not hip...Google him. Also you can follow him on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Chip216. Also big shoutouts to everyone involved in the making of "Gift Raps," especially Chuck Inglish who is credited as being the Producer of this mixtape as well as Johnathan Keller who gets Engineering credit, according to Livemixtapes.com. Cleveland Stand Up!
Signing Off,
In(F)amously Me,
Shanelle...@InFamousNelle
