Cory Gunz & DJ Drama - Heir to the Throne

This cover looks like it was straight from Ca$h Money, circa 1999...

Cory Gunz & DJ Drama - Heir to the Throne

Cory Gunz is a monster. I will wholeheartedly endorse that statement. However, the people he entrusts with his career are not so hot. Believe that. That's the only way that such a good lyricist could collaborate for such a disappointing mixtape. When I found out that Cory Gunz was releasing a Gangsta Grillz mixtape, I was excited because I knew it would be a legitimate cosign. Now, I feel like he's going to be relegated to the battle / hood rapper lane, when he should be going in with the rest of the Freshman class (who's up for 2010, by the way? I'm curious). Now, that's not a bad thing. But why limit yourself Cory? For someone as talented as Cory, there should be a plethora of beats. This whole mixtape sounds the same. Cory spits battle raps, shoot-em-up lyrics over hard-ass beats. The last time I checked, repetition doesn't get you anywhere (ask Wale's old flow). Versatility is what makes an artist blow.

No, Cory will never be Drake, the industry golden boy, but some fine-tuning on his versatility would do the man some good. Even with all of the DJ Drama drops and lack of content on the mixtape, lyrically and flow-wise, Cory Gunz is bounds ahead of where he used to be. He officially has one of the best vocabularies in hip-hop and is always showing the most subtle humor ever in his punchlines. And, NEWSFLASH: he now knows how to turn off his rapid-fire flow and ride a beat. That, in and of itself warrants some praise on his part. I just wish he would have extended that change to his beat selection. Check my picks, some loosies and videos for your viewing pleasure...

Cream of the Crop:
Let's Move
Plenty Money Freestyle
A New Day
Drug Raps (ironically)
Big Noise

Cream of the Crap:
Crew in the Spot
Bomb Day
Bust a Nigga Head

Loosies:
Cory Gunz-How We Set Em Straight
Cory Gunz-Stick Up