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17. ST 2 Lettaz – The G…Growth & Development



It’s moot now that G-Side have gotten back together, but this is ST’s full-length solo debut (there was a short 2012 EP). I don’t feel like typing up all of my positive feelings towards ST, Block Beattaz, and G-Side. You can read my 2011 list for those. This is ST 2 Lettaz – perhaps the most dynamic rapper in the south that isn’t a member of Outkast – rapping over Block Beattaz instrumentals. It’s lovely. “Ocean” features an absolutely epic layering of percussion and ‘whoop’ sounds and wind instruments over a sampled vocal hook from a Scandinavian singer. “Wasted Youth” is classic Block Beattaz, with a guest verse from Bentley that might be the realest talk put onto a record this year: “A wise man once said you only getting what’s given/my cousin’s in prison, so mother**** your aphorisms.” “Trillmatic” is this old-school 90’s throwback beat, with ST giving some of the best college football metaphor bars I’ve heard in a while: “I bleed Roll Tide red/houndstooth bedspread/and I’m still getting head from an Auburn Tiger/so strong, I pack an Iron Bowl.”