Southern rapper
BigWalkDog began releasing singles in early 2020 after moving from Mississippi to Memphis. About a year later,
Gucci Mane drafted
BigWalkDog into the New 1017 crew and featured him on the single "Poppin." After appearing on other
Gucci Mane tracks and releasing several more singles on his own,
BigWalkDog released his first full-length,
Trick City, in September of 2022, with the extended version totaling 30 tracks. While his music doesn't deviate far from the trap blueprint, he remains highly focused and determined throughout -- essentially, he travels a long distance while remaining in the same lane. The guest appearances from stars like
Pooh Shiesty,
Lil Baby, and
Gucci himself helped pull in higher streaming numbers, but they're largely unnecessary, as the headliner can clearly hold it down on his own. The production favors ominous piano melodies and booming 808s, like most trap, and the most interesting tracks add other touches like haunting choirs ("Uncle Tommy") and hazy synths (the U.K. drill-meets-cloud rap "Beep"). "I Choose" attempts a more melodic style, and "Onion Peeler" is awash in deep gospel organs. The ten tracks added to the extended edition aren't essential, but they get the job done if the main course leaves the listener wanting more.
Trick City topped Billboard's Heatseekers chart soon after its release. ~ Paul Simpson