Reading Time: 2 min read

3 out of 5 stars

Tory Lanez, Shooters © InterscopeCanadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez returns with a new pop-rap oriented single, “Shooters.”

Tory Lanez entered the game in 2016, dropping his debut album, I Told YouI Told You ended up being a mixed-bag, but Lanez had his moments.  The main issue with the Canadian artist has been identity.  What kind of artist does he want to be? Furthermore, if he’s a do-it-all rapper/singer, how does he distinguish himself from the likes of Drake.  He returns with a new single, “Shooters.”

“Shooters” has some solid pieces in place.  The production is slick, particularly the rhythmic strings and the synthesized horns.  Tory Lanez shows a toughness, typical of the male rapper, as well as the modern breed of male R&B artist.  For the most part, this is a pop-rap performance – a good compromise for the artist.  As aforementioned, there’s still toughness, but the listener is blessed with Lanez’s pipes. The pre-chorus and following chorus are selling points:

“All I wanna do is go out trappin’ with the shooters
Wrist game froze, you should see the way we do it
Sexy little bitch she throwin’ titties out the window
You from outta town but you know what we get into.”

For all the virtues mentioned above, “Shooters” is imperfect.  Even though it’s respectable, “Shooters” doesn’t necessarily ‘move the needle’ for Tory Lanez.  Artistically, we still don’t know his identity.  In regards to the song itself, it’s not the most memorable joint ever.  Yes, it’s okay, but will we be discussing how Tory Lanez’s “Shooters” blew up a year from now? No.


Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Shooters” is okay – respectable. Tory Lanez still has some work to do to establish himself as a distinct artist.  “Shooters” doesn’t quite get him ‘over that hump.’

3 out of 5 stars


Tory Lanez • Shooters – Single • Interscope • Release: 9.22.17
Photo Credit: Interscope

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.