Although East Atlanta rap standout Gucci Mane remains consistent on ‘Evil Genius,’ mixing up the script wouldn’t have hurt in the least.

Post-incarceration, southern rapper Gucci Mane has been among the most prolific artists regardless of the genre. First, he dropped Everybody Looking during the summer of 2016. Later, in October 2016, Woptober arrived, featuring the utterly infectious banger, “Bling Blaww Burr”. The Return of East Atlanta Santa close out 2016, before Mr. Davis would hit the shelves in 2017.  Now, after countless number of ‘tapes and albums, everybody’s favorite mush-mouthed MC returns with an album’s worth of bangers on Evil Genius.   The wheel is not reinvented, and there is definitely a shortage of ‘innovative spirit,’ but all in all, Evil Genius is consistent.

“Off the Boat”

Evil Genius commences with ✓ “Off the Boat,” which is a flex-fest to the nth degree.  Gucci boasts on the hook, “My bitch came off a boat, boat, boat, boat / I’m never goin’ broke, broke, broke, broke / It look like we sellin’ dope, dope, dope” – you get the picture.  Foreign chicks, plenty of money, and ample swagger.  “By Myself” follows up one banger with another, anchored by a malicious backdrop and trap percussion. Nothing new comes courtesy of Gucci or the record, but it’s totally characteristic and decent.

Gucci Mane gets a big-time hit with ✓ “BiPolar”. “Bipolar with the check / I just put somethin’ crazy ‘round my neck / Go crazy with your ex / I just might go crazy with my bitch.”  As the aforementioned excerpt from the chorus suggests, Gucci Mane is reference bipolarity in regard to money.  Therefore, given the early appearance of the chorus, it’s easy to deduce that the song is a flex track.  On the first verse, he’s clearly ‘crazy’ when it comes to all things ‘material.’  Featured guest Quavo isn’t left out of the flex-fest. Naturally, he’s a fitting collaborator for Gucci, not to mention this ‘balla’ cut.  He rides the minor key production with incredible finesse, which probably isn’t an appropriate characterization given lyrics like “I fucked her, then get out of my face, that’s that bipolar shit.”

“Just Like It”

Bangers keep on rolling with✓ “Just Like It,” featuring 21 Savage.  The script remains the same – mean-sounding production, and ‘ice-cold’ rhymes from Gucci and 21.  21 Savage is traded for YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who is quickly becoming ubiquitous when it comes to rap features.  Like much of Evil Genius, Gucci continues exude confidence (and cockiness), something that YBNBA does brilliantly in his own right.  Three brief solo tracks follow: “On God,” “Father’s Day,” and “Outta Proportion.”  Again, the script is predictable, but ultimately, there’s nothing egregious here.  Quavo returns for his second and final ‘solo’ appearance on another brief joint, “Lost Y’all Mind.” “BiPolar” proves to be the better collaboration of the two.  Still, the production continues to be strong throughout the course of Evil Genius, even where the rhymes and themes fall flat.

“They love my drip, you know I’m statin’ facts (I’m not goin’).” There’s plenty to rave about ✓  “I’m Not Goin’”, arguably the best record from Evil Genius. First and foremost is the eerie, production work – the hard-hitting beat, and mysterious, chilling synths perfectly complement both Gucci and featured guest Kevin Gates.  Following a brief intro, Gucci blesses us with one of the better hooks of his career. Gates continues the flex-fest on the first verse, adding some toughness with his distinct, deep vocals, riding the beat well.  Following another iteration of his sick chorus, Gucci delivers his sole verse, continuing to flex like the boss he is.

“Wake Up in the Sky”

Following the crème de la crème is hard, but with Bruno Mars (Kodak Black too) along for the ride on ✓ “Wake Up in the Sky,” Evil Genius lands yet another hit record.  Mars is awesome on the carefree, swagger-laden chorus:

“I drink ‘til I’m drunk, smoke ‘til I’m high

Castle on the hill, wake up in the sky

You can’t tell me I ain’t fly (You can’t tell me I ain’t fly)

I know I’m super fly, I know I’m super fly

The ladies love luxury

That’s why they all fuck with me

Out here with the moves like I invented smooth

You can’t tell me I ain’t fly (You can’t tell me I ain’t fly)

I know I’m super fly, I know I’m super fly.”

Both Gucci and Kodak Black handle their respective verses soundly, backed by smooth production.  Early, brief single “Solitaire” follows, featuring the services of Migos and Lil Yachty. “Solitaire” features cloudy, hazy sounding production on the intro.  Ultimately, the mood and the vibe set are sensational. The production becomes clearer and more stable, once Gucci drops the incredibly catchy, infectious hook. The record is clever because it’s clear that Gucci is playing on words, particularly when he spits, “I was just sittin’ in a cell playin’ solitaire,” which references solitary confinement.  Following the hook, Takeoff appears on the first verse, rapping about ice, while Quavo continues the glacial nature of the rhymes on the second verse. Lil Yachty takes the third verse, while Gucci delivers the fourth and final verse.

“This is the Night”

Solo Gucci Mane returns on the so-so “This the Night,” which is more vibe than anything else.  Lil Skies joins in on “Mad Russian,” providing a higher-pitched, melodic, youthful contrast to Gucci’s bassy, mush-mouthed vocals. Doesn’t change the game or even the trajectory of Evil Genius, but more intriguing than the track that precedes it. Three more brief solo joints follow: “No Hard Feelings,” “Lord,” and “Money Callin.”  None are game changers.

The final track, “Kept Back”, enlists the services of another quickly rising, ubiquitous rapper, Lil Pump. Like the aforementioned “Solitaire,” “Kept Back” arrived months before Evil Genius was ever announced.  Similar to the Lil Skies feature, Lil Pump provides a more energetic, youthful contrast to Gucci’s slower rhymes – “Got a lot of ice on my neck man / Damn man, hundred bands hangin’ on my backpack / Wrist so cold need a ice pack / Put four hundred bands in the mic stand.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Gucci Mane remains consistent throughout Evil Genius.  His ‘mush-mouthed majesty’ remains potent. That said, other than the sparks that come from the likes of “I’m Not Goin’” or “Wake Up in the Sky,” there’s not much that’s thrilling per se regarding Evil Genius.  It’s good, plays to Gucci’s strengths, but there’s nothing that goes beyond the expected, making this a bit more predictable than it should be. If you’re a fan, or especially a ‘Stan,’ Gucci Mane has got you covered.  Otherwise, you might yawn at times – “Thank u, next.”

Gems: “Off the Boat,” “BiPolar,” “Just Like It,” “I’m Not Goin’” & “Wake Up in the Sky”

Gucci Mane • Evil Genius • Atlantic • Release: 12.7.18

Photo Credit: Atlantic