Yelawolf, Radioactive
After signing with Shady, a successful mixtape, a XXL Freshman cover and plenty of buzz, Yelawolf releases his Alabama-rooted debut album, Radioactive…
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Yelawolf’s road to stardom wasn’t paved in gold. The Alabama native trudged through back roads, dark clubs and, at times, a whiskey-induced haze, to make his way to the top. On his proper debut, Radioactive, Wolf combs deep into his past experiences, backed by slick production by way of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Diplo and Jim Jonson, among others, to twist a tale that’s every bit as satisfying as poppin’ the top on a cold one after a long day.
Throughout Radioactive, Yelawolf utilizes a barrage of double-time rhymes over brooding beats with bottom-heavy drums. He impresses on the Fefe Dobson-assisted “Animal,” a pocket of lyrical bravado. “Trashy White, pass the mic, Yeah I’m doing em dirty,” he spits over the bouncing synths. “Fists start pumping when I’m in the lights, like I’m rapping in Jersey.” On the menacing “Throw It Up” with Eminem and Gangsta Boo, Yela doesn’t yield on the mic. “I got two cars in the yard that don’t run, so why the fuck would I break shit down for you,” he sneers before moving out of the way for Em, who puts on a rhyming clinic. “My, Yelawolf and Gangsta Boo came here to, show you a thing or too/About sign language, middle fingers aimed at you, so we don’t have to scream at you.”
Next to another veteran, Mystikal, Catfish Billy slows his flow, for a measured take on life (“Get Away). Likewise on “Slummerican Shitizen,” with Killer Mike. Here, the two swap stories on depravity and second-class citizenship. “I’m on the sidewalk with this fuckin’ skateboard and these dirty ass jeans,” Yela raps. “I’m the boy that stole a pack of Twinkies And a bottle that’s green.”
Overall, Radioactive is sonically cohesive; in addition to the bigger names, Ghet-O-Vision in-house beatsmiths craft a dynamic set. At times, however, Yela revisits themes, (“Good Girl,” “Hardest Love Song In The World”) and feels like the secondary participant on a number of tracks. But more than not, the album is a standout effort that introduces the full-range of his talents as an MC with crafty songwriting abilities and deft ear for a sonic palette. Hazmat music. —Jayson Rodriguez
Solid debut album worthy of a xl u rappers better start fearin the white MC. WHITE DAWG GET EM!!!
Soild debut album deserves an xl u rappers better start fearin the white MC. WHITE DAWG GET EM!!!
How did this only get a l for originalty? I dont hear any other mainstream album that sounds like this.
tha hell u talkin bout, theres nothing original about this shit, if this guy wasnt signed to shady u better believe people would be rippin this shit to shreds
Do you know how freakin stupid you sound. The dude was makin major waves on the underground scene, and gettin all kinds of love from industry cats, wantin them on his songs. He was official before he signed with Eminem, dope.
The album is hit and miss for me there is some really good songs and a few so so songs but over all it was a solid debut into the mainstream, not as good as his underground shit but he can only get better with major backing from here on out.
Yeller holleratchee, catfish is the real deal and killin most of these new wave sorry ass rappers out right now. Listen to good music or get laughed at.
no shit how the hell does this only get a large for originality explain yourself??!!
I also agree with jason and jake…it should be XXL for originality, for gods sake at least XL. And I also think the lyrics are stronger than the rating…great rhymes…I’m hearing something different every time I repeat a track
if anything should only be “L” it would be the beats…originality definitely XL. But not a bad review. Really good album, only problem is some of the hooks flat out suck, kinda like recovery, great lyrics over slightly above average beats and sub-par hooks
How the hell do Radioactive and Take Care get the same rating for Lyrics? That right there shows that XXL’s reviews mean sh*t these days. Pathetic excuse for a magazine
this album blows chuncks, if this was anyone else not signed to shady there would be sellout accusations galore, cos thts ecacytly what he did.
ight bud u clearly listen to lil b or some whack shit stop hatin. yelawolf is tooo nice BAMA
the reply of the moron who has nothing else to say. clearly im a yela fan but not a shady dickrider and thts why i can see the album objectivley and see tht it sucks and is a cop out. he switched up his whole style, he was original, now hes not. hes the only person i can legitematly call a sellout.
Just because it’s not a carbon copy of trunk muzik doesnt mean its garbage. Great album overall with a few tracks that could have been left out.
exactly*
Fuck Yelawolf
Alright we get it your a hater, go back to your moms basement now, and practice rhymin and maybe you can sell records one day too.