It's hard to say that the West Coast rap is back, because it never really left, however, it is definitely apparent that the West Coast music scene for hip hop hasn't been this lit since the likes of Tupac, NWA and so on. Thanks to rappers and labels like TDE and Iamsu!, and more, LA has finally taken it's place back on top of the thrown of elite rap regions. Within the dense region of Southern California in the sprawling city of Los Angeles, a would be rap revolution is going on an it is being led by a concentrated group of aggressive artists infusing a new era of street culture with the long standing traditions of G-funk and West Coast style.
Within that array of artists is emerging act Rodney J. Brown Jr. aka RJ, aka Mr. LA. RJ burst onto the scene in 2013 with his debut mixtape O.M.M.I.O (On My Momma I'm On) and has since garnered recognition far beyond his stomping grounds in Los Angeles. Though he has only been active in the game for few years, there is no shortage of his music as he has released seven official projects including his Taking Niggas Beats and O.M.M.I.O mixtape series' and his debut album Mr. LA, released on May 26th 2017.
Now the rapper is ready to make his run at taking over the world stage and it seems that there is nothing that can stop him from steam rolling the path to becoming an international artist. With his impending takeover inching closer and closer everyday, we took the time out to review some of RJ's most essential tracks to provide background on the Los Angeles rappers ultimately ferocious rise to stardom.
RJ
"Ride With Me"
To start off the list, we find ourself knee deep in the lead single from RJ's debut mixtape O.M.M.I.O. "Ride With Me." The project was largely produced by DJ Mustard and was released on Mustard's 10 Summers record label.
"Ride With Me" is a gritty dialogue that serves to best describe the harsh realities RJ is all to used to including hood politics, gang activity and the woes that come with the come up. This record has a textbook West Coast formula with an eery piano rift and bounce all too familiar with the G-funk era. RJ really takes this track to the next level with his endless energy and fiery mantra. The remix with Nipsey Hussle and YG is extra dope too.
Peep both records below.
"Crips, Hoovers, And Bloods"
In 2014 RJ released his second mixtape Taking Niggas Beats, a compilation project of himself rapping over different industry beats. A stand out track from the project is his remix to frequent collaborator YG's Drake assisted track "Who Do You Love" titled "Crips, Hoovers, And Bloods."
Once again, RJ brings his tirelessly arrogant an dominant flow on this track and pretty much ethers this joint with a heavy handed yet high quality approach.
"Hoes Come Easy"
On the second installment of his O.M.M.I.O. series, RJ continues to build onto his increasingly growing stature and gifts his fans with the perfect balance of stret bangers and radio hits. "Hoes Come Easy" is one of those tracks that plants one foot within the streets and the other in the studio as RJ showcases the new developments of his flow and ability to craft catchy and efficient hooks.
This record is a straight banger and is definitely a necessity for any playlist curated with RJ in mind.
"Warning"
Around the time that RJ's O.M.M.I.O. 2 and Taking Niggas Beats 2 mixtapes dropped, DJ Mustard and YG merged their existing imprints, 10 Summers and 4hunnid to create the label 400 Summers and signed RJ as the first artist of their roster. This is also right around the time that RJ really began to pop and started flooding the radio airwaves.
"Warning" is a ridiculously hype cut from his Taking Niggas Beats 2 project that really shows the burgeoning talent RJ has an expertly illustrates the bottomless pit of energy this guy raws from on every single record he lays down.
Plus the switch up on this record is bananas and needless to say, a very essential track to have in your back pocket to pull out the next time your turn is up on the aux cord.
"Watch What You Say"
Piggy-backing off of the last gallery, we revisit RJ's O.M.M.I.O 2 mixtape for the standout track "Watch What You Say." Again, around this period of time, RJ really started to pick steam and build onto his popularity and it's largely due to incredibly successful songs like this.
This track is straight G-Code/Pimpology an RJ gives us the game with expert precision.
"Get Rich"
With the release of his O.M.M.I.O. 2 project, RJ saw his career hit new heights and "Get Rich" is the physical representation of the new peaks the rapper was climbing. Though the record didn't chart, it was received with widespread acclaim an is quite possibly his most widely know track.
RJ consistently gifts his fans with increasingly impressive flows and "Get Rich" is definitely one of those instances that had many thinking, "Damn, RJ is going in!" On top of that, RJ and IAMSU! go together so well that it would be disrespectful to not give a nod to their undeniable chemistry. West Coast stand up for this one!
"OMG"
By this point in his career, RJ has carved out his own lane from the success of his O.M.M.I.O. branded mixtape series. You would think that by now, there isn't much he could do to keep existing fans interested, but RJ delivers with a thunderous fury again on his O.M.M.I.O 3 project.
"OMG" is easily one of the hardest and most well know tracks off the project and it's easy to understand why, as this record is a new extension of his savagely coastal mantra. RJ really killed this one!
"Thank God" feat. Blac Youngsta
As we delve into RJ's debut album Mr. LA, we find a new and improved RJ that brings a certain versatility coupled with an even higher level of tenacity that puts this project over the top. Records like his Blac Youngsta assisted "Thank God" prove that this dude is forever lit and can bring the heat track after track.
If you haven't got on this yet, crank the volume all the way up and mob out to this one time because it's pretty much obligatory considering how litty this track is.
"Is It Mine" feat. Ty Dolla $ign
As mentioned above, RJ really attempted to expand his horizons with this release in all aspects of the saying. We got to hear him on different types of tracks and beats and got to see how he works with different artists. Probably one of the most unique tracks on the album "Is It Mine" featuring Ty Dolla $ign is a testament to that versatility we see on this album.
Though the record still bangs, RJ seemingly softened the punch on this one to do something special for the ladies. Drop this record at the function and take your pick because odds are likely to be in your favor once the beat drops.
"Not To Be" feat. YG
While it's true that RJ stepped out of his comfort zone with this album, it is also true that this album wouldn't be a complete body of work without a dummy banger and "Not To Be" is definitely that golden record. It's a given that RJ and YG undoubtedly have chemistry, but this go around they take it to the next level.
It will be interesting to see how this record does in the coming weeks after the album drops as it has major potential to be a viral summer hit. For now though, sit back, relax and enjoy the track.
Honorable Mention: "Hennebeeto" feat. Schoolboy Q
To round out this list we give the Honorable mention to "Hennebeeto." This record is more that just a party track, it's a testament to RJ's skillful ability to understand his lane and fulfill it. RJ is hear to stay and it appears for sometime as he continues to build onto his niche sound and discography.
Long story short, RJ is killing it, and if you need proof, peep "Hennebeeto" an stay tuned for more from Mr. LA himself.