Kenny Mason is a 25-year-old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Last year, he garnered a lot of attention due to the success of his debut album Angelic Hoodrat. Through his relatable struggles and versatility, many believe this up, and comer is the future of hip hop. Just a few weeks ago, he released a new full-length project listed as Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut. With a chance at solidifying his place as one of the game’s premier rising stars, will Kenny Mason seize the opportunity?
Although this record is marketed as a “deluxe” album, it feels like an entirely new project from start to finish. From its daring vocals to its mind-bending flows, Kenny Mason manages to improve on every facet of his game. The intro track “43,” sets the LP off to somewhat of a dry tone, but after its follow-up “Rih,” there’s nonstop action going forward. Kenny’s at his best when he’s rapping in his raw southern accent with a fast cadence, but he also proves he can dabble into the melodic side of the spectrum as well. While he’s yet to master this style, it adds another element to his arsenal, which ultimately results in more fun. At the peak of his versatility, we have “A+,” which shows both sides of Kenny and is topped off with a joyous verse from Denzel Curry. On the note of collaborations, “Much Money” pairs Mason with Freddie Gibbs, where the two test their lyrical and vocal abilities as they assert their dominance and flaunt on the competition.
Building on this solid foundation, Mason only continues to show off his talents. “Play Ball” shows the creative freedom of Kenny as the Atlanta star utilizes a punk instrumental to create an unpredictable rock-rap anthem that fuses the best of both genres. The rock influence doesn’t end here, as moments like “Pup” take clear inspiration from the revered genre in certain instrumental sections and bridges. The layers of depth flashed within these songs add another component to what makes Kenny such a threat on the mic. The second half of “Pup” testifies to this as through an intoxicating storm of sonic chaos, Kenny segways us into the finale, which is transcending between the spacey vocals and synth-heavy instrumental. Fortunately, the creativity keeps flowing from here with the Angel White collaboration “Titan”. Between the constant tone switches and the unforced jumps between vocally passable hooks and well-layered verses, this is the pinnacle of Mason’s artistic melting pot.
Despite the track only clocking in at 2 minutes and 26 seconds, “Breathe Again” manages to become one of the most heartfelt moments on the entire LP. The somber vocals from Ambar Lucid set the tone, and Kenny’s morphed vocals about racial injustice, depression, and self-hatred culminate to make a true gut puncher. Moving from here, “Partments” is just your run-of-the-mill modern Southern hip hop song, but this isn’t a bad thing. Kenny’s swagger shines through in this element, and this is no exception. Showcasing his rapping ability at its best, “4ever” shows us Kenny Mason, the MC, where he strings together his darkest thoughts in order to make a passionate monologue about life or death. Making for a memorable finale, the piano-infused “Storm” showcases Kenny testing his vocal limits as he raps about the challenges of living in our world.
Between the liberties taken and the incredible display of versatility, Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut is easily one of the best records that has come out this year. While it definitely has some flaws, Kenny Mason has proved he’s here to say and will only get better in time. Going forward, I’m sure Kenny’s next record will be the one to break him into true stardom, but for the time being, this will keep us excited.
Rating: 7.8/10
Pros:
- Kenny Mason proves he has superstar potential
- Rock-rap crossovers are done very well
- Psychadelic anthems are mind-boggling
- Very versatile between melodic singing and well-layered verses
- Features are all great and vital to their respective songs
Cons:
- Lacks total cohesion/idealistic depth
- Some moments feel lackluster or drag
Written and Reviewed by: Mr. Fantastic, owner and founder of Fantastic Hip Hop
