Had the opportunity to listen to DUB’s first solo rap album this week. A little back story on Dubb. I had the very first opportunity to meet him a few years ago at a family reunion that I was properly invited to. At the time I had no idea that the 25 year old knew how to rap let alone put out a mix tape because the only thing that seemed to be on his mind was telling jokes and grapping a plate of food. Not just jokes about past family reunions and things seen on tv but actual good jokes that made everyone laugh. I think he may be a future comedian but that’s something to review about for another day. Today we are reviewing the mixtape titled “On Go” by DUB. This 20 track mixtape is full of impressive bars, different rhyme patterns and a solid message which already sets him apart from most rappers. Representing for Selma, AL he is definitely putting on for his city. He uses his deep raspy voice to personify southern life as he knows it on top of cool bass beats that deserve to be played through subwoofers. His first track “On Go” definitely needs to be played through car subwoofers. Through his raspy, aggressive voice you can tell he has seen a lot, but has gotten used to his surroundings. This as he explains on “Da life I choose (feat. Jitt) and “Home Town” (ft. E-heard& P-air) [produced by MarkJoe]. He refuses to allow himself to sucked into the street life by filling his addiction to getting money the legit way, without selling drugs. Trying to live his life as legit as possible, but running into problems with women that are untrustworthy and liars. As he explains on “I’m Through F*cking You” (feat. Fred P& Jitt). This track was a more relaxed, soft r&b beat that shows the rapper is not afraid to connect with his emotions. He also raps about the shady style of women on “Lied to Me” [prod. Bruh N Laws]. The lyrics are clearly understood and have a nursery rhyme added by a dope LIGHT trap beat. As a strong listener of hip hop I can really appreciate the use of his honest storytelling.
I definitely do not think that this is the last that we have seen of DUB. It seems to me as though on his outro he recognizes how the life of others that are very close to him has changed his life because they have been killed and that he Is very much lucky to be alive and living life. One of his tracks “Please Come Home” (feat. Roddy Moe) also has Roddy Moe explaining how he hustles for his family and how he knows that one day his life can be taken from this mode at any moment. This is definitely one of the better albums that I have heard all year from new and coming artist and that makes me very excited to witness the direction that rap is going in. All I can say for now is that I hope it continues.