BDAY TUNES 3 X ROD PREVAIL

 

And we are back with another official review! As promised, below are our metrics for our reviews. To see our previous review of THE PRICE OF TEA IN CHINA X BOLDY JAMES X THE ALCHEMIST,
click here. 

 

This review will be a little bit different, as it is our first formal underground artist review. 

 

BDAY TUNES 3 X ROD PREVAIL

Release Date: 8.23.2020

Number of Tracks: 9

Duration: 21 MINS

Favorite Track: High Stakes

Rotation Tracks: Same as above

 

The year was 2008 and a young, 18-year-old Oracle took his first steps inside of Georgia State University’s rec center. That same rec center held a host of many legendary battles in the ensuing 4 years, many of which were between Rod and myself. I think I speak for both of us when I say there is not much we would not give to get some of those days back. 

 

So when Rod hit me up a few months back to spin his tape, Study Break, I was thankful for the time that had passed since those days. Back then, I would have been more inclined to roast then listen, but in these times, it cannot be overstated how important it is to support your people. I listened intently as requested, and gave feedback, though none of it formal. This brings us to today, as Rod Prevail drops his latest tape, Bday Tunes 3. This is will be the first formal review I do for someone I know personally, so it is noteworthy to mention that the criticism should be taken objectively, and not personally. 

 

I also recognize the challenges an independent artist faces, so as opposed to looking at this project under the normal lens, we will simply try to offer our best views on the takeaways, and what the artist could do to try to make it to the next level. 

 

So with that, we will get right into it. 

 

 

It has been well documented that we here at ORR do not care for the skit tracks, but personal bias aside, the skit employed in the intro does not do the tape any favors. If you are going to employ the use of a skit, it should be used to set the tone of the tape, or perhaps even to tell a joke or a story. A good example of this is the Skits used in A$AP Mob’s Cozy Tapes, Young Dolph’s Rich Slave, or Dave East’s Survival. This skit sees someone threatening to kill someone over a siphoned pack of 5 gum, which I suppose was meant to be a joke, but feels out of place in 2020. 

 

The change of pace presented by the first real track in Umm, however, is a welcomed one. Rod gets right to the bars and unlike the skits; this is exactly what we are looking for here at ORR. 

 

“Check the stomach nigga we been eatin- yall been fastin.” 

 

We also praise consistency, and Rod’s flow is a steady carry over from Study Break, however, there is a noticeable difference. This time Rod Prevail’s flow feels much more confident, as if he has convinced himself that he does in fact have the talent to rap. ORR deems this to be the correct assessment. 

 

Features on an independent project are always a toss-up, and while none of those on the tape are noteworthy, they also do seem to add a lot of value to the project either. What does hold the project back, however, is the length. Clocking in at just 21 minutes, it is underwhelming in that sense. In addition to that, nearly 4 and a half minutes are burned up with the tape’s lone experimental track. And while we understand the concept behind Shadows in the Moonlight, it does not seem to fit with the rest of the album. 

 

“Cuz I’m black and tall ask me why I ain’t playin ball for the nation – I’m Offended- I can run the nation.” 

 

On the other hand, as soon as High Stakes hit the speakers, I found I could not stop my head from nodding. As for the production, it fits well with the overall feel of the tape. While we were not blown away by any of the beats, we certainly didn’t find any that we needed to skip either. The track Jerry Mars Interlude, is a soft sample from 88 Rising and Famous Dex’s Japan (thought we would not notice but we did,) and gives the tape a smooth, consistent feel. 

 

Overall, Bday Tunes 3 is generally, what you want to see as a developmental follow up to its precursor. And while it is held back by the lone skit, its overall length, and a seemingly misplaced experimental track, it is still very deserving of your 2020 pandemic spins. Lighthearted and smooth, Rod’s flow rides the wave set by his production choices, and does improve in his artistry overall. With all the music that has dropped this year, there really is but one track that makes it in our rotation, but with a total runtime of just 21 minutes, there is not much left on the table. Rod Prevail can sit back and be proud of his new tape, and ORR definitely recommends you give it a spin.

 

8.28.2020 – The Oracle