Styyle - The Devil's Problem

 Since the beginning of hip-hop, rap artist have been accepted outcast in the music industry. Young rappers have always embraced being the bane of conformity.   On his latest full length album release The Devil’s Problem Styyle has taken the opposite approach. The album opens with the poignant almost motivating “Check” followed by “Danger”. The braggadocio bars are self-fulfilling without the taint of narcissism. The Spanish guitar compliments the “Like Ooh” in a head nodding homage to greats like Wyclef Jean and Young Thug. The anthem-like “Stevie Wonder” turns the energy up to 10 while keeping things cool with Styyle’s signature deep almost robotic tones. The Devil’s Problem doesn’t just settle for quasi-trap music. The surprisingly radio friendly “Think about me” and tropical afro-beat  “Work it 4 me” pulls the crowd to the dancefloor and last from high octane TiKTok dances to the more sensual slow grind granted not too much stock is placed in the crude imagery. 

When it comes to features there are thankfully few. The lyrical dexterity of “Hoe Talk” and “Cautious” serve as a reminder this is a Trap album at its core. The features here accomplish their mission: Enhance the music while introducing Styyle’s audience to wordsmiths like the rapid fire Rixh Six and the butter smooth delivery of 256 Biggz. “Ratchet Shxt!” and “Peek-a-boo” are grimy dirty speaker knockers that welcome you to the local hole-in-the-wall from the parking lot. The latter of which provides some eerily threating rhymes from the no nonsense Hasko Montana. Posse cut “Level Up” brings an earworm of a hook and provides a few stand out moments, but can’t seem to stick the landing toward the end.   

The album isn’t without redundancy. “Ballin’ on em” covers the typical “used to be broke now I’m rich” trope that’s become an exhausting hop-hop staple. “Life of a Savage” and the head nodding album closer “Bottom Flo” do a better job of expressing the same sentiment without feeling like we’ve heard it before.  “Damaged” gives us a glimpse into Styyle’s melancholy look at romance and what it means to be vulnerable. “Pain 2” serves as a statement of resilience addressing Styyle’s personal demons including the incarceration of his frequent collaborator and Powerseat Music Group label mate Hotboi Ty.

Combative opposition to societal norms have become a cliché in the industry in a way that has declawed the once feared artist, but problem children grow up. The 16 track offering may present some bloat in certain areas but The Devil’s Problem is a balanced affair rife with passionate delivery, sobering levity, and enough variety to win over fans of across genres.  

Check it out here or below!