Since his Free Crack debut in 2013, Lil Bibby has continued to pave his own lane by avoiding many of the pitfalls of artists coming from the short-lived Drill era. The Windy City-coined subgenre and the media’s notice of an uptick in Chicago violence went hand-in-hand before the sonic movement turned into what many consider a fad. Chief Keef, the de facto leader of the movement, went from having true crossover potential to being more occupied with competitive paintball. Being one of those budding stars who can still make an impact with the music, Bibby looks to build more buzz for his own personal gain with the surprise release of Big Buckz, placeholder EP.
The short eight-track project is filled to the brim with an intensity fueled by paranoia and ambition. “Came From Nothing” opens with a news clip regarding a tragic ambush recorded in real time on Facebook Live several days following the widely reported police death of Philando Castile utilizing the same technology. From Bibby’s perspective, he’s survived an upbringing where death was around every corner: “I know them fuck niggas hate it / But now my community gated.” Thankfully, he’s articulate enough with the bars to purposefully convey those chilling emotions.
Bibby’s “me against the world” persecution complex continues on “Can’t Trust a Soul.” Outside forces are the least of his problems when he spits lyrics like: “Bitch I don’t even put trust in my momma / I’m public enemy like I’m Osama.” The mistrust pops up again on the hookless rhyming of “John Snow” when he effortlessly points out “These niggas think it’s a joke, we totin’ Glocks with the beam / These niggas act like they real, but they are not what they seem.” Maybe it’s a reason why the only feature on the project is Lil Durk on “Get It out the Trenches.” Standing as the most radio friendly joint hook-wise, the track might be the best verse Durk has put out all year. And yes, that even includes the contents of his own album, 2X.
By the time Big Buckz’s sixth track “Never Go Against Family” comes along, the ideas of mistrust becomes boring despite Metro Boomin and Southside’s standout production. The rest of the project’s backing soundtrack offers some interesting changes to the standard Drill formula. The anchor track “Steph” serves as an example of how far the sound has evolved from chopped up snares, heavy bass and simple melodies.
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It’s no secret that Lil Bibby is the best bar-for-bar rapper of the Drill rap explosion. It’s just too bad his technical skills don’t compliment his lack of thematic versatility. Big Buckz is a project that has much to say, yet doesn’t show much artistic progression. Fans of Lil Bibby should find much to appreciate with his latest project. Everyone else may appreciate his lyrical abilities but find themselves bored of his redundancy.
