If you’re not hip to Alabama rap yet, Big Yavo‘s On God II is the perfect entry point for you. The album is his first of the year and follows the success of regional bangers like “No Pen” and “Dumb Ass”. Yavo is one of the biggest names among a crop of rappers that have sprouted up and perfected a flow unlike any other street rap scene in the country. Many of their instrumentals are dominated not by 808s but hollow, spaced-out drums that give the artist space to manipulate the beat in any way they want.
“Freestyle”, for example, prioritizes simple piano keys, claps, and skittish violin lines instead of banging 808s. You might expect this style to leave the song without the punch it needs but Yavo delivers plenty of energy turning “Freestyle” into one of the most notable songs in Alabama underground hip-hop.
However, Yavo isn’t afraid to experiment with his instrumentals. “Urgent”, arguably one of the best tracks on the album, almost sounds like a Lil Baby type beat. Yavo demolishes the track with punch-in flows that beat the instrumental into submission.
Yavo also isn’t afraid to put fellow Alabamans on with features from rising stars like GMF Fatboy, Lil Bam, Cracroc, and others. The album also showcases production from Lamarcus J and Tav whose beats have dominated the Bama rap scene for the last two years. Stream On God II below!
