Cory Gunz, Son of a Gun

He’s a Son of a Gun, and one that’s loaded and ready to spit fire at the drop of a dime. That’s Cory Gunz on Son Of A Gun, his long-awaited mixtape, which has him shooting tongue-twisting flows and mind-boggling wordplay on 25 tracks produced by the likes of Nottz, Cardiak and Dot N Pro.

Cory sets the tone for the compilation on the “One Of A Kind” opener, warning, “Young Money Militia, going out for my Euros/And anybody F with I, get the Fuck up out of my bureau." The YMCMB signee keeps the heat coming on “Speed,” which has him spitting so fast and lyrically exercising so well that Busta Rhymes would likely be left raising an eyebrow. The son of New York rapper Peter Gunz then slows down his flow and raps with more intent and nuance on joints such as “Bedtime” and “Know my Name,” proving he can create conceptual songs, not just the dizzying displays of wordplay he’s known for.

The tape is a bit too long, tallying in at 25 tracks. Most are short and sweet, though, as only one clocks in at more than four minutes. Still, if this were a new listener’s first taste of the Gunz entrée—after, say, having their appetites whetted by his “6 Foot 7 Foot” verse—it may feel like a lot to bite off.

Overall, Son Of A Gun, showcases how Cory Gunz has plenty of ammunition locked and loaded in his chambers, and previews that perhaps the best is yet to come for the young lyricist. —Mark Lelinwalla