In the years between solo albums, ever-prolific Atlanta trap godfather
Gucci Mane took the time to foster his 1017 label roster, issuing a pair of 2020 compilations under the So Icy banner. Unsurprisingly, he kept his streak going in 2021 with his 15th solo full-length,
Ice Daddy, yet another installment of expertly crafted, party-starting trap anthems. Even though Guwop remains front and center, he's still a shrewd label boss, giving rising stars
Pooh Shiesty ("Posse on Bouldercrest" with a surprise appearance by
Sir Mix-A-Lot and the baton-passing showcase "Like 34 & 8") and BigWalkDog ("Poppin") some time to shine. Elsewhere,
Lil Baby,
Lil Uzi Vert,
2 Chainz,
Young Dolph,
E-40,
Project Pat, and
Peewee Longway drop by to lend a verse or two, but
Gucci keeps all eyes on him with an entertaining balance of exaggerated boasts and clever bon mots. While each producer on the project does a fine job --
Southside,
Zaytoven, and
30 Roc deliver standouts --
Mike WILL Made-It handily takes the crown for the most booming thrills. In addition to the aforementioned
Pooh Shiesty cuts, he floods "Fold Dat Money Up" with creeping dread and hypnotic intensity; transforms the already evil Freddy Kreuger lullaby "Gucci Coming 4 You" into something more menacing with a cacophony of gun cocks; and gifts
Gucci with his best bid for a mainstream crossover hit on the heroic "Bust Down," a horn-packed showstopper with an addictive singalong chorus. These highs push
Ice Daddy into the upper echelon of
Gucci's post-2015 efforts, joining 2017's
Mr. Davis and 2019's
Woptober II as one of his best. ~ Neil Z. Yeung