Big Hit is a 52-year-old rapper from California who has the distinction of being the father of one of the most in-demand hip hop producers we've seen in recent memory: Hit-Boy. Found guilty and convicted of a hit and run resulting in serious bodily injury nearly a decade ago, he was wrongfully sentenced to 12 years and 4 months in prison including a 5-year GBI enhancement in connection with count 1. This February, his application for writ of habeas corpus and was released a few weeks before his son's 36th birthday. Hit would make his father join forces by doing Surf or Drown 2 a collaborative effort timed for Father's Day weekend and now just under two weeks until Christmas, they're still rolling in except for Hit-Boy fully producing his father's official full-length solo debut album.
The title track is a symphonic opener for the album and talks about keeping it gangsta so I've got nothing to hide, while “Red Lotion” featuring Jay Worthy & RJ finds the trio boasting that they're on fire and burning for always at the top of it a sample of soul without drums. “Load 'Em Up” featuring the Baby Stone Gorillas starts loading his sticks, spinning the block, loading them up and pulling them into the Lotus truck leading to “Take Some Off of That” taking to the turf with co- produced by Rogét Chahayed who calls out those who are not cut from the same cloth as him.
“Extra Clips” gives a smoother edge to the instrumental describing the way he lived on the streets, declaring the Los Angeles County Sheriffs worse than the feds shortly before “Wigglin'” with Mozzy shifting gears by laying down a chilly backdrop with hats. And even a g-funk beat switch at the end of it, as they both admit they're trapped again, but then “Broke the Mold” lavishly trashes all the copycats here these days.
Big Hit's son is joined by his dad on the mic for the dynamic “A$AP Chauncey” who wants to step it up while “Boo Bop” works those strings and later keys accompanied by hi-hats that throw braggadocio into the lyric forehead. “Shoppin' Monster” featuring Snoop Dogg combines elements of trap & g-funk so both can celebrate while highlight “Man, I'm Rollin” gives off a more jazzy flare thanks to The Alchemist rocking shit that is fresh. showroom floor.
“Breaking the Ice” featuring Half-a-Mil & J. Stone weaves piano chords with kicks and snares so everyone can handle their business, while “The Pain is Deep” brings out a g-funk vibe for once again admitting that if this is heaven, then he doesn't even want to see hell. “Inspiration” featuring Figg Newton & Killa Twan is a decent trap track dedicated to all you catchers, while “Speaking in Codes” featuring Benny the Butcher sounds much better, advising that sharks need to learn finesse.
Penultimate track “Stay On” featuring Big Tray Deee ex of LBC Crew & Tha Eastsidaz finds the 2 joining forces over a funky boom bap beat as they both make it known that they have paid their debts to society after serving time back. bar before “G'z Don't Cry” closes out Big Hit's debut LP, nearly a decade in the making, soulfully admitting that the title rule is actually a lie.
Now for those of you who just got into Big Hit this spring when he came home and released Surf or Drown 2 with his son next month for Father's daythere's no way you won't go far The Truth is in My Eyes I like it more, since you get to see better who he is artistically and personally. Although some guests are disappointed, the overall sound ranges impressively from boom bap to trap & g-funk over the impassioned performances of Big Hit.
Rating: 7/10
