DJ Dephtone & Trick Daddy: The Product 7

Before Flo Rida had everyone gettin’ low and Rick Ross had fat dudes walking around with their shirts off (Women ONLY find that attractive if you’re a millionaire, stupid!), the notion of Miami thugs were associated with a man named Maurice Young or better known to the hip-hop world as Trick Daddy. In the early '00s, Slip-N-Slide Records was becoming a force to be reckoned with, and Trick was the main component to its success. He had Gs all over the hood boppin’ and grooving to “I’m A Thug” and “Take It To The House” while still maintaining their G’d up composure. “I’m A Thug” was straight drive-by music to some of my nuccas. Trick had the gift of gab on a track and his charisma made him a fan favorite for a while. But then Flo Rida, Plies and Rick Ross blew up and Trick fell back. Last time we saw Trick he looked like D’Angelo’s mug shot, which in turn looked like ODB (R.I.P.), but Trick was missing half his nose and patches of skin. It looked like someone literally beat the black off him.

But then I came across this mixtape recently and I was curious to see what Trick’s been up to since getting Tina Turnered. Listening to him spit, “Since when back when at age 10, nigga I’ve been certified/you still ain’t certified/(nigga!) you damn near 35/stay strapped with a 45/and peep this, niggas I eat with be gettin’ rich off of dirty pies…I’m a cowboy getting’ mo’ dough than Romo!” on “Certified” convinced me that Trick ain’t change anymore than the color of a Penny has in our lifetime. Never a super lyricist, but always a clever one, Trick is the type of rapper to just tell it how he sees it and use a patterned flow to make you feel him when he says, “We under attack by fuckboys and rats/they tryin’ to end thug life, but I’m bringing it back/matter of fact, I’m issuing gag orders to all you fuck ass informants/with cha half plea bargain ass lawyers/don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time/you ain’t gotta respect that nigguh! But you gonna respect my mind!” on “Keep It Gutta."

He even held his own on against Kanye West on “Can’t Say No.” But Trick isn’t alone on this one. He may be the brand name, but this mixtape just as much belongs to his homies The Dunk Ryders (I guess they rob ballers). I’m not too familiar with them but from listening to them on this mixtape I can say is that Icerberg sounds like Alpa Chino from Tropic Thunder (Booty Sweat!) and Bad Guy sounds similar to Horse from the Bravehearts. They’re like a rapping version of Rob & Big or something. They had their moments on “My Money,” and Gangsta Music,” but ultimately Trick outshone them something horrible.

To this day I never understood why Trick never got his just due. If not for being one of the most creative and entertaining rappers of our time, then at least for putting on his city, Miami. His flow is nuttier than Lil' Kim’s mouth when Big was alive and his rhymes and lyrics are above average. And though you’d think he’d be all about making Miami party music to get back on the mainstream, The Product 7 is probably more street than your favorite southern rapper’s album right now. With Rick Ross’ credibility in serious question thanks to Boo Boo and his new boo, Tia, now’s a good time as any for Daddy Dollars to reclaim the South Beach Throne and put these fat cats on a diet.-The Infamous O

Hottest Joint: “Certified”

Weakest Joint: “My Niggas”