Review Summary: Underground rap that doesn't sound underground.
There are many things that can keep a rapper from blowing up - unconventional production, lack of memorable songs, unusual subject matter, lack of talent (sometimes), etc. Whether or not it's fair, it's still quite easy to see why rappers like SpaceGhostPurrp or Lil Ugly Mane will probably never break into the mainstream. When listening to Law 2, however, it's puzzling how Shy Glizzy has remained basically unheard of even among the underground rap experts here on Sputnik (See what I did there?). The best explanation might be that Glizzy's heavy drawl quickly turns off many listeners, but one becomes quickly accustomed to this after a few listens, until the point that Glizzy's voice becomes one of the most interesting parts of the mixtape.
While you're unlikely to be blown away by Law 2, it remains a filler-free mixtape that accomplishes what it sets out to, which is being highly enjoyable rap music. While Glizzy is by no means the most skilled rapper you've heard (not even in the last week, most likely), he has a penchant for memorable and catchy hooks that will have you bobbing your head in no time. These hooks are backed up by flashy production that, while not breath-taking, is very well-executed and enjoyable. Imagine beats you would hear on a 2 Chainz song, but less laughable of course.
What really sells Law 2, however, is the strength of the individual songs. Glizzy makes each song memorable by writing each song's lyrics around a sing-along style hook that sets the theme of the song. While the subject matter explored by the lyrics here may be considered just standard fare for this type of hip-hop, Glizzy handles it in a way that is made so real by his own experience that no two songs feel like they're saying the exact same thing. Even the weaker songs (Get Well Soon, I Am DC) don't feel like filler as they are supremely listenable. If you end up skipping them, it will probably only be because you can't wait to get to the even more memorable songs (CFWM, Street Money, and Gudda which features a great verse by Kevin Gates). Law 2 is, simply put, a guilty pleasure that doesn't feel guilty, and at the end of the day is a ridiculously enjoyable hip-hop mixtape to play while you're cruising and pretending to be more street than you really are.
"Glizzy Glizzy Baby"
