STOKELEY

The deceased XXXtentacion and the still-with-us rappers Kodak Black, Lil Pump, and Ski Mask The Slump God best rep the South Florida rap scene. Ski Mask always seemed an oxymoron, spitting intelligent motormouth rap, yet willing to dumb down and mumble when it suited the mood. Whereas Ski Mask The Slump God’s last two albums You Will Regret (Reloaded) and BEWARE THE BOOK OF ELI peaked some of my interest, with its frenetic variety of styles - which displayed diversity in either flow or instrumentation, for all of his talents and energy, this South Florida rapper was also a chore to listen to. It’s like ADHD Trap. I can’t take away what people feel for dude, so I basically respected his work without liking it much. Well, on his latest STOKELEY, there is a clear evolution, with more cohesive beats and more defined flows in my opinion, though even in this, the goofy odd ball theatrics are intact – which you will either love or loath. I found the album to be nonetheless better because of it’s more serious quality.