Chase N. Cashe, The Heir Up There

After dropping a few visuals and tracks over the past few months, Chase N. Cashe finally releases his lingering and anticipated DJ Drama-hosted project, The Heir Up There. The mixtape serves as the New Orleans rapper’s follow up to last year’s Gumbeaux and comes just before he embarks on a national tour with Drake, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar.

Featuring production from the Surf Club representer himself, the tape’s beat line-up also includes Tha Bizness, Araab Muzik, Hit-Boy, Megaman and more. Unlike his previous mixtape, THUT is strictly a solo project with no artist features. THUT opens with Chase-produced “I’m the Man,” showcasing a catchy hook and thumping beat that foreshadows the rest of the project.

The production on this tape knocks and compliments Chase’s charismatic flow and delivery, which remains consistent throughout the tape, especially on bangers like “Show & Prove,” “Don’t Worry,” and “No Meaux.”

While most of THUT explores the rapper/producer’s love of women, adaptation to fame and fortune, and odes to his Trill lifestyle, standout cuts like “Lights Down” and “Take a Look” reveal an introspective side of the MC.

On the Maxwell-sampling “Lights Down,” Chase addresses the effects of street life in New Orleans, venting “Take a look at all the change that’s happening daily/Shorty only 15 and having a baby/The homie only 16 facing 25/He used to have big dreams and now his vision died/And ain’t no guidance in the hood, see they all confused/On how he graduated to prison instead of school/Life can be testing, believe in your blessing/hold your head high, no stressing.”

“Take a Look” fittingly samples Anthony David’s calming vocals from “As Above So Below” and features the rapper talking about issues like failing friendships and his relationship with his girl.

While there is a slight lack of diversity and creativity in its lyrics, The Heir Up There serves as a great follow-up for the N.O. native, and comes at an ideal time, with the Club Paradise Tour starting tonight. Though he dropped “I Wish I Was In Vegas,” “All In” and “Daily Routine” prior to the tape’s release, Chase N. Cashe manages to stay trill and give the fans 14 previously unreleased records. 2012 is off to a good start for the Surf Club member—the year has just started, he’s got a tape, a tour, and he’s still chasing cash. —Rachelle Jean-Louis (@RJL24)