RapReviews | Review: Trinidad James – 10 Pc. Mild
For all intents and purposes, I’m STILL sure that Nicholas Williams is a nice guy. His on-stage persona, Trinidad James is STILL making people feel a certain way about him and the state of hip-hop. The jokes are STILL plentiful, but James is STILL getting the last laugh – all the way to the bank. In the year that has passed since “Don’t Be S.A.F.E.” was initially released, James’ profile has certainly increased. He’s doing live shows in some of the biggest venues and making guest appearances along this side some of the greatest in today’s hip-hop stratosphere…not to mention the major label deal from Def Jam. The video for “Females Welcomed” was actually filmed in Trinidad & Tobago and directed by legendary photographer, Jonathan Mannion. A great number of people have labeled James as a one-hit wonder, but he’s going to keep riding that wave until the tide dies down.
So what’s all the fuss about this time? Well, Trinidad James is back with his latest offering “10 Pc. Mild.” The title is a reference to his favorite meal from American Deli and true to its name, the project is ten tracks deep. Production is handled by the likes of Childish Major, Travis Scott, J. Padron, Kyle King, Villo, Young Chop, K.E. On The Track, Jack Donaghue, XXYYXX, Westwood and Young Roc. This time around the featured guests include some big names like Cyhi The Prince, Danny Brown, Childish Gambino and Gucci Mane, to name a few. When asked about the feel of this project, James basically said that it was a tape filled with real turnt up music, a contrast from “Don’t Be S.A.F.E.” which James described as “chill.”
Things open up with “WutElse” which is comprised of a short medley followed by a mellow Trinidad James speaking over soft piano keys welcoming the listener to the affair before turning up and taking aim at any would-be naysayers, as he raps:
“I do this for my mama, I don’t do this for you niggas
I do this for my fans, I don’t do this for no pictures
I do this for my friends, treat them niggas like my family
Y’all niggas was hatin, but them same niggas was fans of me”
“Material Things Hard To Deal With” follows and features Cyhi The Prince as the two pontificate about the finer things in life – hoes, clothes and that money, of course. If nothing else, “Shut Up!!!” has the potential to get the club crunk after things have dulled down some. The vibe is decidedly more mellow with “Hipster Strip Club.” At first listen, the song has a sonic feel to it and with subsequent spins, the question becomes just what is going on here?
