Waka Flocka Flame, Lebron Flocka James 3

It’s been just over a year since the release of Flockaveli, Waka Flocka Flame’s visceral curb stomp of a debut album. Now, on the heels of his second studio album, Waka gets crunk with Brick Squad label mates on his latest mixtape, Lebron Flocka James 3.

Waka gets his bark on from the get-go, delivering his unrelenting aggression on the mixtape’s opener, “You The Type.” “Brick Squad Monopoly! Get your head knocked off, disrespect this fucking company!” the Queens native threatens. Other memorable cuts include a collaboration with Jadakiss and Styles P ("Lightz On Remix") and the Lex Luger produced “Round of Applause Remix” alongside Drake. Whether the subject matter is skull crushing or ass shaking, it’s prototypical Waka throughout. And while it’s nothing new, it’s what he does best.

To knock a Waka Flocka Flame project for its lyricial content would be to miss the novelty of his music. The real problem with Lebron Flocka James 3 lies in the overwhelming amount of features, particularly those of his Brick Squad compadres. While they share Waka’s lyrical range (or lack thereof), they don’t possess the unbridled belligerence that embodies Waka’s appeal. Ultimately, a collaborative mixtape can only go as far as the talents of the supporting cast, and here, Lebron Flocka is surrounded by a team reminiscent of the Cleveland days more than that of the Big Three in Miami.

On the bright side, Waka hasn’t lost an ounce of the intensity that his fans have come to love. This bodes well for him as he builds up the anticipation for his upcoming LP, Triple F: Friends, Fans, and Family. —Neil Martinez-Belkin