Rating: NNN
After several delays, Baltimore party starter and M.I.A. protege Rye Rye finally releases her major-label debut, which finds the club rapper cheerfully spitting her in-your-face flow over a variety of tempos and styles. On opener Drop, she proclaims, “I’m a hood girl doing white girl shit,” a nod to her transformation from underground B’more club MC/dancer to big-time pop threat supported by Akon, RedOne, Pharrell Williams and Robyn.
Unlike other rappers who awkwardly grapple with pop ambitions, Rye Rye makes no attempt to rationalize her summertime fun sensibility. She simply goes hard (and fast) with singular focus. At times it feels like she’s stuck in one gear, but her energy refreshingly and irresistibly recalls the un-cynical era of old-school breakbeat and hip-house.
Whether it’s the dark, tribal pulse of Shake Twist Drop, a Vengaboys sample on Boom Boom or vintage electro courtesy of the Egyptian Lover on stellar bonus cut Rock Off Shake Off, she consistently delivers on her action-packed song titles.
Top track: Rock Off Shake Off
