Texan rapper
Yella Beezy's knack for putting together steady-burning mixtapes resulted in a stream of projects that all hit on similar levels in terms of quality, style, and overall presentation. Between 2016 and 2018, mixtapes Lite Work, Broke Nights Rich Days, Lite Work Vol. 2, and
Ain't No Goin' Bacc all ran right around an hour and highlighted
Beezy's multifaceted rhyme styles with beats that ranged from dark trap to glittery party bounce. The evolution of
Beezy's talent was one metric of progress for his mixtapes, and the increasing notoriety of his guest collaborators with each new tape was another.
Baccend Beezy continues the consistent model of his earlier mixtapes, with a few notable advancements. The short list of contributors for 2018's
Ain't No Goin' Bacc was solid, but the features here are of another caliber. Standout tracks like "On a Flight" see
Beezy and
Young Thug trading verses over a stellar trap beat built from a psychedelic flute sample. "Bacc at It Again" is a minimal, sinister groove featuring
Migos'
Quavo as well as
Gucci Mane scattering triplets, ad-libs, and a catchy hook over the wide-open beat. The song's casual swagger and playful energy make it one of the best moments of the mixtape, and a strong contender for 2019's jam of the summer. Along with the more modernized trap tunes,
Beezy also intersperses hints of old school hip-hop, from the big-pimpin' boom of "Big Shit" to the early-'90s West Coast rap throwback of "Tattoo," featuring none other than the godfather of that sound,
Too $hort. Like all of his other mixtapes,
Beezy takes his time on
Baccend Beezy, stretching out over the course of an hour to touch on every impulse that strikes him. As with much of his work, not every track is a home run, but the entire album makes space for its stronger and weaker moments to culminate into an excellent larger picture. ~ Fred Thomas