Okay, I’ll be real with this one. I was a bit nervous about this remix tape. Because he’s going to take on the role of one of my top 10 lyricists of all time! The man who I fucked with almost two decades ago and has captivated me since, so when I heard this would be the subject of the next remix tape, I had to prepare myself for what I was going to hear!
Latest remix tape by underground veteran Gustavo Louis and after his other project based on Freddie Gibbs/Alchemist: Alfredo 2, he did such a fantastic job now he’s back to tackle the beats on the brand new Earl Sweatshirt album!
That’s right, he’s here to replace and try out to do one of the strongest in the game. So, how does it go?
Before I get into that, as I explained with the other remix tape, I won’t be talking about the beats. There’s no way you haven’t heard the official Earl album! And if you haven’t heard the album yet, then it’s probably best to pause this and go listen to that first to understand what is being covered!
Now, to the million-dollar question. Does he do it better than Earl himself? Lyrically, I’ll say no. Only because you could put anyone in that situation (maybe besides Aesop Rock), and the answer remains no. Earl was raised by one of the biggest modern-day poets and at 16 was dropping bars more complex than most of the game period, and since he’s only improved since, he can’t really be beaten in that aspect!
BUT
What Gustavo does have the leverage over Earl
With is his charisma and personality. In those two areas, there are very few that can touch Gustavo. He’s a walking, breathing energy circuit that just decided to rap.
Every time he decides to open his mouth and spit bars, he explodes with dazzle, rizz, and glamour that comes with his eccentric style and cadence!
He’s able to incorporate those qualities into these fantastic productions and makes it his own! Regardless of if he’s winning in the vocabulary category, he’s running circles with his swagger and wavy attitude!
Across this album, you can hear the conviction, the attention to detail, the complex rhyme schemes, and fun one-liners, phrases, and detailed descriptions he’s added to this album. Again (just like the first one), he doesn’t want to just rap over these beats for the fuck of it; he wants to impress the world with his remix of it!
I find it interesting that in the intro track of this remix, he has a character admit that tackling this specific album by this specific artist is going to get you heat! But you know what, it’s one of
those qualities I respect most about him!
He has that self-confidence to challenge the greatest out there and make it his own, to go toe-to-toe with arguably the greatest lyricist of our modern era and go, ‘Let’s see what I can do against him’ is legendary status.
And considering this is arguably Earl’s most ‘optimistic’ sounding music he’s rapped on to date, it fits even more Gustavo’s over-the-top, fun, and eccentric tone! If there was ever an Earl album to remix sonically, it would be this one!
I fucking LOVED this remix album way better than the other one. I feel there’s more energy and passion across this one and his uphill battle to take on one of the undisputed GOATS and coming out this strong in comparison? Deserves nothing but respect!
https://gustavolouis.bandcamp.com/album/narco-laugh-love
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