Talking truth with his lead single "I Don't Get Tired," major-label rapper
Kevin Gates continues to work the underground hard with
Luca Brasi, Vol. 2, his second entry in
DJ Drama's
Gangsta Grillz series of mixtapes. Previously released yet high-profile numbers like "John Gotti" (a slowly grinding gangsta song with production from Red on da Track) and "Out the Mud" (a hypnotic,
Three 6 Mafia-styled night track with
the Runners in charge) land here, while new cuts like "Talk on Phones" (a weird, wobbly number featuring
B.o.B) and "Word Around Town" (
Rich Homie Quan joins for a superior trap anthem) draw just as much interest. The casual fan might find the release too fat and loose, but
Gates' mixtapes always bring bigger names and bigger beats than the competition, and
Luca Brasi, Vol. 2 is no exception. ~ David Jeffries