‘Mr Sunshine’ doesn’t sound like his name might suggest. The Full Force Mixtape is definitively hard, filled to the brim with punchy, aggressive, and resounding lyrics. It’s production, oscillating between ominous and laidback, plays second fodder to a style of hip-hop that values lyrics and flow first and foremost. This new piece of music is a perfect introduction to the artist’s diverse stylistic approach and ability to make music that isn’t just catchy, but also emotionally powerful and incredibly diverse. The talented producer enlisted the help of a host of collaborators who all add a different energy, combining to make a hip-hop project that never once feels like its stagnating.
Each song is its own style, something you’ll immediately notice from the drop off in Time for War to Rescue You. The former is almost a drill piece, a war call that’s thumping and in your face. The latter couldn’t be more different, a slow lo-fi jam that’s perfect to lay back and enjoy the vibe while sparking something to. It’s in that middle ground, between old-school rap and modern lo-fi, that Mr Sunshine is able to carve a niche as a producer who can seamlessly bridge the gap and commit to either corner with ease. The supporting cast, which includes Chedom, Dogman Rukus, 2nd Generation Wu, KingOsiris and Feez, each bring something uniquely special to the table.
Perhaps the best is saved for last, with ‘One Day’ being one of the album’s most impressive track start to finish. It’s an all around magical piece of hip-hop, with lyrics, bars, flows, and production to complement it all. Uplifting but heavy, it showcases in a single piece the full breadth of talent that Mr Sunshine and his collaborators bring to the table. The ‘keep your head up, during the hard times’ section on the song’s closes is a definite peak hip-hop moment of the year for me.
If you even have a fleeting interest in hip-hop, Mr Sunshine’s latest project is undoubtedly a must listen. While it may not be the kind of autotune, spaced out style that modern hip-hop does tend to fall back on, it’s still incredibly diverse and filled with stylistic choices that combine a myriad of influences together. There isn’t a dull moment, with each piece feeling different from the previous. It is a true mixtape, and one that’s bound to have you vibing.
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