Making her inexplicable rise from viral meme to sold-out shows, the rapper known as
Bhad Bhabie issued her debut mixtape,
15, two years after a fateful appearance on Dr. Phil launched her into pop culture notoriety. Titled after her age at the time of release,
15 is a defiant, tough-talking batch of serviceable,
Metro Boomin-esque trap tracks that is surprisingly enjoyable. While she holds her own on songs such as the pugnacious "Bout That," the scrappy "Shhh," and the menacing "Bhad Bhabie & Jack $hirak," she also benefits from a group of key guests recruited to bolster her clout.
Ty Dolla $ign draws out her singing voice with the Auto-Tuned "Trust Me," while
City Girls and
Asian Doll amplify the female empowerment with their respective entries, "Yung and Bhad" and "Affiliated." Elsewhere, tourmate
Lil Yachty joins
Bhabie on "Gucci Flip Flops" while
YG delivers the album's standout collaboration, "Juice." Overall,
Bhad Bhabie's flow is passable -- echoing a young
Iggy Azalea -- and she skirts by on a spunky attitude that can be borderline annoying at times. However, considering that this is an album by a teenager with a chip on her shoulder, it's assumed that the snotty brat act is part of the charm.
15 closes with the aptly titled "Bhad Bhabie Story (Outro)," which is not quite a song but a stream-of-consciousness recounting of the years leading up to her breakthrough. It's the singular moment of vulnerability and real-life honesty on
15, presenting
Bhad Bhabie as a misunderstood underdog. For what it's worth, buried beneath the posturing and obnoxiousness lies a glimmer of promise. However,
Bhad Bhabie requires some polishing and maturity if she's ever going to grow beyond a mere novelty. ~ Neil Z. Yeung