What a time to be alive! At least, that’s what fans are saying after Atlanta’s superstars, Young Thug and Future, surprised the world with their latest joint project, “Super Slimey”. This project was released on October 20th. The two Atlanta rappers foreshadowed the tape on Twitter just hours before the release. Super Slimey is now available on Apple Music, Soundcloud, and all other streaming services.
Super Slimey contains 13 tracks, in which Offset is the only guest appearance on the whole tape. This mixtape is laced with some of Atlanta’s best producers such as London On Da Track, Mike Will Made It, Wheezy, Southside, Zaytoven and many others. Most recently, the two artists have both collaborated together. In Thug’s last album, “Beautiful Thugger Girls”, Future was featured in their hot new single, “Relationships”.
— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) October 20, 2017
While it’s not hard to draw comparisons and group them together, there has not been much collaboration between them prior to this project. The reason given for this tape to have taken so long is because they have both endured some tension between them in the past. It has been said, Future actually had plans on signing Thugger to Freebandz for $1.5 million, but the deal was never finalized. Later, fans were thrown off in hearing they were beefing on social media. Allegedly, the drama all derived from a comment the Atlanta producer, Metro Boomin’ made, in which he was praising Future’s work ethic in comparison to other rappers. Although the producer never threw any direct shots at Thug, he took offense to the comment. Young Thug tweeted in response:
Boy slow down dropping all that BS music…😭😂✌🏾️
— Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) February 3, 2016
While all this occurred back in 2016 and their differences have now been settled, this explains the huge time gap in music between the two. A collaboration like this has been longed-for by their fans. Was it worth the wait?
Now, let’s get into the tap. Future sets the tone from the beginning with his signature cadence flow he’s most famous for in, “No Cap”. Sequentially, Young Thug comes in on the same track with a nostalgic cadence flow similar to “Haramabe” on his 2016 album, “JEFFERY”.
Most memorable lyric: “I send my Ethiopian to pray at the temple // I flood her heart with diamonds just to pray – it’s so expensive // She’s testing holy water // So for me it’s beneficial // She caught the Holy Ghost when I gave her the presidential.”
They both balance themselves in the intro but not throughout the whole mixtape. As much of a shocker as it may be, it seems like the mixtape lacked chemistry between the two. The whole mixtape within itself seemed anticlimactic. The intro sets up the listener to have high expectations for this project.
Super Slimey begins with a very high, upbeat tempo, then dies down a bit at “Drip on Me”, and “Real Love”. The beats pick up a little on “4 da Gang”, then dies back down on Thug’s solo, “Killed Before”. While we can’t necessarily expect a full-on trap mixtape, there were few transitions for the listener. But, I guess the beauty of a mixtape is having full creative freedom. The difference is some tracks gave off the impression that they were throwaway songs.
On the next few tracks, “Three” and “All da Smoke”, Future and Young Thug continued to go back and forth between verses. In these songs, the two artists seemed to have more chemistry between each other. They complimented each other very well in sharing the verses and hooks while adding their own individual flavor every time. Then, Young Thug takes it away in his solo, “Cruise Ship”. In this track, Young Thug’s main message seems to be that no matter what path of life he would have chosen, he would have still been wealthy.
Lyric: “If I wouldn’t have rapped, I’d still be rich”
He speaks of his successes, wealth, expensive jewelry and luxuries, and steering clear of any female who could pose as a distraction. If you weren’t aware, Thug recently spilt up with long-time girlfriend, Jerika Karlae. The two have both made it very clear on social media platforms they are not together. They have been known to be on and off from time to time, but for now, they are both single. Therefore, his vibe and lyrics in this song just transpired his post-breakup mentality. He’s doing fine and is only worried about his career and finances.
Next on the list is Super Slimey’s only feature song and possible new hit single, “Patek Water”, featuring Migo member, Offset. In this song, Future initiates the intro, following Thug and leaving the best for last, Offset. Future is mostly responsible for maintaining the hype throughout the song, as Thug adlibs. Then, Offset sets off the track by inserting his verse at the very end. The song is definitely a fan favorite and by far, the best song on the mixtape.
Most memorable lyric: “Hold it down, ’cause the plug is illegal (Plug) // Ride around with a dub and a Eagle (Brr) // I heard that money get evil (Ah)”
With a few more songs following, “Patek Water”, the biggest highlight within the remaining tracks would be, Future’s solo, “4 da Gang”. For those who may not know, this track and the whole mixtape was dedicated to Future’s long-time audio engineer, Seth Firkins. Seth Firkins, who worked with Future for 6 years and has collaborated with artists such as Young Thug, Jay-Z and Rihanna, passed away last month. Seth Firkins died in his sleep and this mixtape is in honor of him.
Missing my bro SETH..rest up big dog 🦅
— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) October 22, 2017
Through his solo, “4 da Gang”, Future grieves his pain in losing someone whom he’s worked with for such a long time and considered a brother. This song took me back to Future’s, “Kno the Meaning” track on, “DS2”. In both songs, they speak on life struggles and fighting through the pain by creating music.
Most memorable lyric: ” I look my demon in the face // I’m booted up the worst way // I can’t grieve, ’cause ain’t none of my grandma bills late.”
In all, the album is a solid 8/13. Perhaps with time, some songs off this project may come around and grow on me. But for now, I stand firm on this response. We look forward to seeing more from Future and Young Thug, together and individually. Atlanta and the rest of the world is waiting for the next, “Slime Season 4”, “Rich Gang Mixtape 2, or even a sequel to What A Time To Be Alive. Until then, be on the lookout for our next review on “Without Warning” soon.
