Michigan rapper
DDG transitioned from social media personality to rapper after establishing himself as an entertainer with comedic videos, and within a few years of pursuing music he was already signed to a major label and collaborating with some of rap's bigger names. The 11-track mixtape
Die 4 Respect finds
DDG teaming with
Quality Control Music producer
OG Parker for a set that glides seamlessly between high-energy trap and commercially glossy melodic songs with R&B undertones. Throughout
Die 4 Respect,
Parker's production is as much of a force as rapping from
DDG and a lengthy list of featured artists. "Rule #1" finds
DDG and
Lil Yachty trading relentless rhymes over a hypnotic instrumental made up of bumping bass, paranoid trap hi-hats, and a slithering xylophone loop. A reworking of
DDG's previously released hit "Moonwalking in Calabasas" includes a new verse from
Blueface, pairing nicely with
DDG's sung hook and stuttered flow juxtaposed over the mellow guitar sample of the beat. The harder songs are offset by moments like the smooth post-
Drake R&B/rap hybrid of "Impatient" and the melodic sing-rapping of "Way You Talk." ~ Fred Thomas