448 RASTA’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN

How a commonwealth emcee made a home on southern-styled production.

448 Rasta is back and better than ever. The co-voice of modern Virginian trap music (alongside Norfolkian, Young Crazy) has unveiled his sixth project, packaged as a mixtape that packs a punch for whoever presses play. Leading up the release of THEY LOST, 448 Rasta dropped a number of freestyles over classic trap anthems like T.I.’s “ASAP”, Big Boi’s “I’M ON IT”, and YoungBloodz’s “DON’T GIVE A F***.” I feel that this decision is important because it lets listeners know how to treat the upcoming release, much like how blog-era superstar Wiz Khalifa has been dropping freestyles ahead of the highly anticipated second installment of his coveted 2010 Kush & OJ mixtape. 

The first song on THEY LOST, “HOOK UP”, reels us in with a four-count hi-hat before bass drums drop on us like a bomb. You then hear 448 Rasta simulating the sound of a money counter with his own voice, following up with his signature slew of ad-libs. The production is inspired by classic southern trap music (the style of beats you’d hear pioneers like Gucci Mane, T.I., and Young Jeezy express their fast, gritty, risky lifestyle’s over). What is never lost throughout is the mixtape element, complete with producer tags, seamless transitions, and notable samples. It doesn’t take much thinking to understand 448 Rasta’s lines, but yet they are clever and/or relatable on a level that still makes them quotable: “You know they in, just pull up. They like ‘them boys got that good stuff!’” or “I was just at grandma’s house and now she’s tatted on my arm.”

“ALL MONEY IN” and “TENNIS SHOES” embody the bounce of “Colors” by Gucci Mane. “BLACK TRUCK (FOR YA)” has a sinister sounding flute that carries two modulations over stuttering hi-hats and snares. Rasta briefly reflects on his recent time spent away, only to say “ain’t no more ‘free me’”. He then turns his attention forward and towards the end of the song says something affirming that could be for us and for him as well, as he claims the good for him, and rebukes the bad that isn’t for him. 

“TAKE A TRIP” draws on the snap music era, where we got songs like “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It” and “Snap Yo’ Fingers.” The most momentous sample usage on THEY LOST comes at track 7 with “BIG PIMPIN’”, which is produced by ReadyRockJames. This hard-hitting song is unmatched due to Rasta’s delivery and ability to take control and maintain balance between his flows and the nostalgic sounds. “SKIMS” is a deep cut record where Rasta remains on the same couple flows over the entire tune. “VACATION” is a standout track because I feel that this is where Rasta speaks more of his thoughts, including some grievances, but more of his aspirations.

Track 12 “TRAPHOUSE BOOM” finds Rasta in a melodic bag, which isn’t new to him, but is a left turn compared to the sounds on the rest of the project. Although, in the case of this being a mixtape, having something that seems out if order is appropriate. Nonetheless, the Portsmouth, VA artist executes with a clear tone, pitch, and conveyance. “GETCHA HUSTLE ON” could be deemed a “448 101 song” meaning that if you’d never heard of him before, this song could be a proper introduction to his purpose: to inspire and motivate. THEY LOST’s closing track, “ANGEL IN DA SKY”, sonically fits right where it is placed. The soulful sample and groovy percussion makes for a fitting outro for Rasta to say all that’s left for him to rap, right now, for this moment.

Within the 34-minute run time, 448 Rasta proves that he can still  do what he has executed at best thus far, while providing significant moments of nostalgia for his fans and supporters. On THEY LOST, listeners should be able to press play and let the songs run all the way through. This is hustle music of fine quality.