Logic, Bobby Tarantino II | Album Review 💿

Logic, fresh off a monstrous year in 2017, returns with ‘Bobby Tarantino II,’ the follow-up to his 2016 mixtape.  Generally, there’s more ‘turn up’ and less ‘substance.’

Logic had quite the year in 2017.  His third studio album, Everybody, debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  He was nominated for a Grammy for top-five hit, “1-800-273-8255”. Everything seemed to click.  After dropping mixtape Bobby Tarantino in 2016, he returns with the follow-up, Bobby Tarantino II in 2018.  The tape has its highlights, but it is indeed a mixtape as opposed to a studio album.

“Overnight”

Following outlandish intro “Grandpa’s Space Ship,” Logic initiates the ‘turns up’ on “Overnight.” His flow is intact, with some pop-rap infused moments, spitting over optimistic synths and hard-nosed drums.  “Contra” switches from major to a minor key, with a darker sound and more impressive rhymes.  Again, he incorporates pitch, but his straight, unpitched rhymes are where his “bread is buttered.”  The soulful backdrop of “Boom Trap Protocol” is perfect fuel for his fire, perhaps save for the autotune…

“Yuck”

“Yuck,” the record receiving ample buzz upon the tape’s release, appears to address his beef with Joyner Lucas.

“Talkin’ shit ‘bout Logic, I never respond
I'll let success talk, ‘cause a word of advice:
More achievements for yourself and less talk
Cats beef with Logic, yeah, they prayin’ I respond
If I ever did, I dead you in this game with no respawn
Peace, love, and positivity that's all I want with you
But you push the issue ‘cause I give you more press than your publicist could ever get you
Hell nah, fuck rap, fuck beef, anyone that hate me, I wish you success.”

At the end of the brief record, Logic plays a voicemail from Elton John, congratulating him on his Grammy performance and trying to set up a collaboration.

Weed anthem “Indica Badu” keeps the momentum going strong.  It benefits from its smooth, soulful sound, not to mention a respectable feature from Wiz Khalifa. 

“Midnight”

“Midnight” seems a bit predictable at first, but a beat/production switch keeps things interesting.  Logic is more compelling during the second half of the record, particularly the straight, unpitched rhymes.  “Warm it Up” features Young Sinatra – one of the rapper’s alter egos.  The old-school, dusty groove stands out, exemplifying the East Coast rap sound.  The hook is catchy.

“Fuck that rap shit, this that trap shit (Bobby!)
This world is my contraption (Bobby!)
I was born and raised in the trap, son (Bobby!)
Talk shit, get kidnapped, son (Bobby!).”

“Bitch, I’ve been runnin’ my city like I am the Wizard of Oz.” After going old-school on “Warm it Up,” Logic returns to the 10s with the contemporary sounding “Wizard of Oz.” He enlists 2 Chainz on the confident “State of Emergency,” which features some of the best production of tape.  2 Chainz drops a memorable line when he brags, “Cause they know I’m ballin’ hard like the ACC.”  He trades Chainz for Big Sean on “Wassup,” which sounds familiar, tapping the same sample as “Mercy” from Cruel Summer (2012).  While the record sounds hard, there’s ultimately little substance.  That said, that’s the sentiment of the majority of Bobby Tarantino II.

“Everyday”

The two singles released in advance of Bobby Tarantino appear at the end.  The first is “Everyday”, produced by Marshmello.  The production is slick, with Marshmello sometimes opting for smoother sounds, while at other times, opting for a harder, punchier palette.  Among his arsenal of sounds are hard drums, gentler pads, biting synths, and an anchoring bass line. In regards to Logic, he’s profane from the start of the sung chorus.

“I work hard every motherfucking day
I work hard, I work hard every day…
But today is my day, it’s my day
And no matter what they say, it’s my day…”

What’s notable about the rapper’s performance is his melodic approach. The sound is reminiscent of the pop-rap oriented sound of his more meaningful hit, “1-800-273-8255.”  He does break from his melodic flow in spots, delivering his maddening, incredibly agile rhymes sans pitch.

Depth hasn’t concerned Logic throughout the course of Bobby Tarantino II.  That continues on excellent closing cut, “44 More”, a banger that serves as the follow up to “44 Bars” off his Bobby Tarantino mixtape. “44 More” commences with eerie, foreboding, and malicious production work by 6ix. The extended instrumental intro sets up the rapper to go ‘H.A.M.’ He delivers his typical agile, versatile flow. He’s ‘turned up’ from the jump. He name drops numerous people, including David Blaine, David Aames, and Kevin Durant.  An excellent production switch-up occurs when he spits, “Who you know dropped the album back to back to back to back to back again?” He concludes with the lyric, “Gave ‘em 44, now here’s 44 more.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, like Bobby Tarantino, Bobby Tarantino II has more than its share of enjoyable records.  Given Logic’s skill, this is a tape worth the listen.  That said, the rapper doesn’t break new ground or serve up anything of substantial depth.  Anyone looking for a continuation of the social issues that made Everybody a notable affair will be disappointed with this mixtape. What is clear from the start is that Sir Robert Bryson Hall II can rap his butt off.

Gems: “Contra,” “Yuck,” “Indica Badu,” “Warm It Up,” “Everyday” & “44 More”

Logic • Bobby Tarantino II • Def Jam • Release: 3.9.18

Photo Credit: Def Jam