I usually don’t listen to Trap Rap because I can’t relate to the storylines being told in the Music. However, a local artist from my city, Baltimore, gave me his latest Mixtape. It struck my interest, because not only was the posters of the mixtape plastered everywhere in East Baltimore, but the artist, TNT was out in the streets promoting his music. It takes effort to do that, whereas some artists expect results to be handed to them. TNT isn’t that artist. He is up on his grind.

Now Coke No Cola was released in mid October of 2015. So why I am just writing a review now? First, I took a short break from writing, but I listened to the mixtape the same night I got it. Second, I missed the old days where journalists would get an album and get a chance to sit with the album and really listen to it from lyrics, production and features standpoint. So I decided to do that. Thirdly, just because it was released in October, it is still new to someone who hasn’t heard it. That’s the beauty of the independent hip hop scene and social media marketing.

So let’s get into Coke No Cola. First, the title is clever and the artwork for the mixtape is super dope. It’s self explanatory; so I knew what to expect from this mixtape. “1st Line of Raw” is a great way to start the mixtape. With the hard hitting beat and strong wordplay, this track grew on me as a first time listener. Things went downhill with the next three songs, “Different,” “In Da Field,” and “Nothing On Me,” which all sounded the same and wasn’t like “1st Line of Raw.” I felt like it was mediocre at best. But, no worries, Coke No Cola picks up with “GottaGetIt,” like a new hustler’s anthem. “Yeaddamean” is a standout track and is a cool turn up song. The track starts out with TNT’s shouting “Cochize, this a banger!” Not only did Cochize laced a dope beat, but he did his rap feature justice. I liked this one.

One of the bigger hip hop names in Baltimore’s local Trap Music scene is Young Moose and he’s featured twice on this mixtape. The songs are “Step On the Scene” and “F*ck Up a Check;” however, the latter was the better song. “F*ck Up a Check” is a hood-fun song about blowing money on material things. It’s definitely a stunt song, but the collaboration with TNT and Young Moose works best on this song.

Overall, even though I’m not a fan of Trap music, it’s safe to said that TNT has potential and is headed in the right direction as far as lyricism is concern. Trap rap grew on me a bit, plus I have to support the local music scene in my city.

Respect the hustle.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD Coke No Cola here:
www.datpiff.com/3StripeShawty-Coke-No-Cola-mixtape.740742.html