Repping for the East Bay, Big Tone has been doing his thing since the early ‘00s, dispensing gangster wisdom over funk-laden, traditional Westside production. On Sav It Out Vol. 4 (named after his independent label), he shares the spotlight with a gang of affiliated homies, including Lou E Lou, Big Rhino, Lil Raider, Beast Boy, and King Locz, as well as more established Cali rappers like Mac Mall and Philthy Rich. This 20-track collection touches on the usual subjects like stacking dollars ("Get That Doe"), overcoming life's many struggles ("Rough Road," "Pains of the Game"), and holding down your spot ("N'z on the Block"). Tone and friends bring enough lyrical diversity to keep things interesting, and the beat—a steadily banging combination of moody keyboards, gooey bass lines, and hard-knocking drums—is a perfect sonic accompaniment to the G'd-up tales. Check out "Really Mobbin," "Streetz Be Watchin," and the over-the-phone closer "Live from New Folsom."
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