Beyond Bulletproof: Review

5.2.20

Mozzy Beyond Bulletproof Released 5.1.20

This Friday, Mozzy released his fifth studio album, Beyond Bulletproof. Five studio albums is a lot for a man who doesn’t get nearly as much credit as he deserves for the music he puts out. Mozzy has a super unique sound, and is one of the few rappers left who actually sounds like hip-hop. He has real stories that he tells in his lyrics, and also has to skills to make a song and the hook catchy enough to be a radio hit. ‘Line it up’, from 2017, with Jadakiss, Dave East, Trae the Truth, and E Mozzy is one of my favorite Mozzy songs to date. Him and Dave East have worked together a lot over the years. I would say they have the most similarities in their music and storytelling. Equally, I think they’re a little too street to be mainstream, while the talent is absolutely there. So I’m super excited to write this review since I am a big Mozzy fan, and I think there is some new stuff on this project that could help Mozzy break out, if it gets played by the right people.

Unethical & Deceitful

A great way to start out the album entitling immortality to gang violence. Mozzy takes us through his past with the law. His brother getting life and not really feeling any type of way about it. Mozzy himself saying if he was ever captured, he’d also remain quiet. He even throws in a bar, that could just be on topic, but with the recent release of Tekashi 6ix9ine, could be a subtle diss suggesting that 6ix9ine is not in the same life bracket as Mozzy and his crew.

“Snitches convincing n*** it's gucci, we gotta stop that”

The second verse goes on to discuss how his race is not treated equally, being unjustifiably murdered by police officers, and wrongfully put behind bars. The song ends with two cites of:

“Free the gang, any smut on his name, then you can keep him
Unethical and deceitful, that's on Jesus, we don't need him”

Here, it seems like Mozzy is claiming innocence for his friends that are locked up. You can keep them if he’s lying, he shares, which is interesting, as most would say free the homies, either way. So, I’m already believing him, and understanding why he feels this way. It is hard for some to have faith in the Lord, when they’re supposed to protect you, but life seems so unfair. I’m not going to get into religion, but a bold statement from Mozzy to close out his intro. Clearly he is ready to take on anything on his own, and we’re ready to hear the rest of what the album has to offer.

So Lonely FT Shordie Shordie

Shordie Shordie has a few hidden gems, so I’m into this feature. He starts by singing the chorus, which makes this song an instant hit. Many describe Shordie as hip-hops most turnt up lover boy, so you can get the gist of his sound, and his deal.

The beat is some basic drums with a really nice whistle in the background throughout. For sure the song makes it to my cruise with the windows down playlist. Rather than being lonely because of a female, it is more about missing the fallen homies. However, Shordie and Mozzy both describe their loyalty and readiness to be there whenever, so overall, it is a feel good song.

Body Count FT King Von & G Herbo

Not a big King Von fan, but I do really like G Herbo. So, I’m also intrigued by this collaboration. I think Herbo and Mozzy on a song is going to be killer, and maybe Von will come through with a stacked lineup.

Personally, I don’t like King Von’s verse. He makes sense for the song, because of the content, but overall, his voice just sounds corny to me, so I’m not really into it, or fully believing it. In his verse, he mentions pulling up no mask, but then staying low til he dies. So which one is it, King Von? G Herbo’s sound is deeper and more distinct than anyone’s you’ve ever heard. His past is pretty public, so he makes sense for the song as well, as one of the few authentic artists that have lived these words.

This beat is much more uptempo. Heavy bass drum, and some quick, eery keys in the background, too. It makes you feel like you’re running away from something, which makes sense for the song, that is an in-depth description of various homicide scenarios. Overall, this will be another repeat song for me off of the album.

Betrayed

This track sounds like a 90s hip-hop love anthem, only make the content violent. Mozzy sings on the chorus, which is always interesting to hear from someone who is typically straight bars and pretty deep vocals. He talks about being betrayed by a real friend. Possibly Mozzy got this friend upset over a female, or the fame. But when your best friend starts hanging around with your enemy, someone who is said to have killed your brother, that is the ultimate betrayal. Especially where Mozzy expresses his loyalty in so many different ways throughout the album, he is sharing here how betrayed he felt after the disloyalty of one of his friends.

Not a radio hit, but definitely a good one for the album, another layer of being bulletproof to the pain, when loosing so many close ones.

Bulletproofly

Bulletproofly begins with an intro discussion, of Mozzy over some light keys. It seems like Mozzy got caught up in some foul play with two of his friends, and something went wrong where one of them disappeared, and the others were locked up. Mozzy says he was even put in the same cell as one of these guys, who seemed to turn on Mozzy, and his family for good.

Another song in which the purpose is to add to the meaning of the album story. Closely named after the album, it is a really personal story of Mozzy’s past, that in my opinion, classifies him as bulletproof.

Boyz To Men

Love the beat to this track. Big bass and percussions, which is really fun and pretty upbeat. The song tells the story of his troubled past, but is delivered in a more playful way. This is enjoyable to listen to when you’re just hanging out having a good time, rather than when you’re listening to something super deep and serious. It’s a great addition to the album, where we’ve heard the story played out a few different ways, in some serious manners. ‘Boyz to Men’ is more quick paced and light spirited, depicting how his hard past changed him from a boy to a man.

I Ain’t Perfect FT Blxst

Blxst is an R&B artist and former producer who is determined to make it cool for people to love once again. The intro beat of this song, could be mistaken for a country song with the twangy, one-string on a guitar sound, but once Mozzy comes in, the tempo picks up with additional bass and clapping sound bites to make the song more R&B-esque.

Blxst sounds like a less distinct Chance the Rapper when he is singing. Mozzy gets in his feelings, for the first, but not the last, time on this album. Anyone can try to sing on their hard trap song, but actually sounding good and making a whole love song, that’s different. I really like this song. Add it to your “Cruising with Bae” playlist.

Can’t Let You Go FT Eric Bellinger

This might be my favorite song on the album, just because it brings me back. The song pays homage to ‘Can’t Let You Go,’ from Fabolous back in 2003. The beat is similar with some changes that make it just a bit more quick and upbeat for today. The chorus is also the same, just slightly tweaked to be a bit more harsh and direct, because Mozzy is no softy.

However, Mozzy does get let his guard down here to share a real hip-hop love song. Bellinger kills it on the chorus, but I wish I got more out of Mozzy, because it is so good. Mozzy shares two verses, but they’re quick. Really talking about him finding his rider, but keeping his reputation in tact. My favorite kind of a love song, is a hood love story, and this makes it high on my list.

Pricetag FT Polo G & Lil Poppa

Pricetag dropped about a week ahead of the album, and is this week’s ‘Song of the Week’ on For The So[U]le. Polo G has a ton of hits out right now, and is bound to make the XXL Freshman Cover for 2020. Lil Poppa is a twenty-five year old rapper from Florida, who has done some work with Polo in the past.

This is track is undoubtedly the top banger of the bunch. Polo G and Lil Poppa are a great duo. Their sounds go together really well. One is slightly more high pitched than the other, but they’re pretty similar. They really just make you want to have a good time in the club with your friends, even though they’re talking some pretty serious stuff.

Mozzy is a bit older than these guys, so I think this is another track showing off his versatility. You don’t see many rappers whom have been around for a decade plus, going off and collaborating with the new kids. Mozzy did that here, and put out a smash record. Definitely proving he can get in with multiple fan crowds, and that shows a true, versatile artist right there. I’m telling you, the man is one of the most underrated in the game.

The Homies Wanna Know

The homies want to know where you came from, who you are, what your deal is. Can you hang with us? This track is a classic Mozzy track, a peaceful beat just preaching about the tragedies in today’s society. He speaks on the passing of Nipsey, and many others he was close too. Then goes off to share how close he was a with his family, but felt betrayal by some of his closest friends. The homies want to know, can you handle this life?

Overcame

Overcame has actually been on my repeat list since January. The piano starts the song with a steady pace that is foreshadowing an intense pick up once the beat fully drops. Mozzy uses this track to make positive light out of his harsh past. Of course, he discusses all of the negative aspects of his life that he overcame. Whether it was family drug abuse, gang violence, a non-successful search for love, or anything else, you made it through, you overcame it.

This is really a positive song for anyone going through anything at all. I’ve heard this song on some of my XM Sirius radio stations, but deserves to be a hit across all charts.

Off The Muscle FT Celly Ru & E Mozzy

E Mozzy is Mozzy’s twin brother, and Celly Ru is a hometown friend who is signed to Mozzy records. This is one of the more fun songs on the album, where each artist shares their bar-for-bar rap skills.

E Mozzy’s voice is pretty distinct himself, but not nearly as deep and raspy as his brother’s. Celly Ru is pretty deep, and has the slightest hint of old Nipsey in his voice. A for sure inspiration for the Sacramento artist. He also ends his verse rapping, “M-O-Z-Z-Y, that s**t is more than letters on a chain.”

I did not really know much of these guys prior to this track other than a few features from the past. But the dynamic is crazy, and the love is clearly there. This is for sure in my top five favorites of the album.

Big Homie From the Hood

The beginning of the song sounds like Marios’s ‘Let Me Love You’ from 2004. I’m loving the throw back vibes across the board on this album, and this song takes us out on a thoughtful note. This is not another love song, it’s more a song about his life growing up in the hood.

I like that the outro shares a vast overview of everything we heard throughout the album, while taking us out on a positive note, with Mozzy giving us those dope singing vocals. I think it is just one last reminder that he has the skills to do a lot with his music. He even for the first time on the album, Mozzy claims himself King of Sacramento in this song. Not that he has much to battle within this one specific city of California, but I think it’s safe to say he wears that crown.