If Detroit has emerged as the de facto hub for a new generation of street rappers known for deadpan punchlines and copious punch-ins, then Memphis could be considered its sister city. Spearheaded by the producer trio of Tay Keith, Hitkidd, and Juicy J, Memphis’s resurgent music scene has transcended Tennessee’s borders, cultivating a fresh wave of raunchy, irresistible club-rap anthems.
One rising star from St. Louis, Sexyy Red, has mastered the art of flipping Three 6 Mafia’s tried and true formula, creating a contender for the Song of the Summer with her steamy breakout single, “Pound Town.” This graphic and often hilarious celebration of casual sex is guaranteed to keep the dance floors packed for months to come.
Despite the challenge of following up such a hit, Sexyy Red’s sophomore mixtape, “Hood Hottest Princess,” manages to succeed by staying true to her strengths. With a concise runtime of 30 minutes and limited features, the project brims with hard-hitting nu-crunk energy and sexually explicit lyrics – precisely what fans are seeking.
The tracks “Looking for the Hoes” and “Sexyy Walk” showcase Sexyy Red’s profound understanding of creating infectious party music. Utilizing a consistent blend of plunking keys, eerie horror-flick strings, and simple drum patterns, she punctuates each song with call-and-response sections, dance instructions, and catchy hooks that invite enthusiastic sing-alongs.
While the music and lyricism may not be groundbreaking, Sexyy Red’s natural charisma and unpretentious writing make it difficult to find fault, especially when blasting the mixtape at high volume. Additionally, there’s just enough variation in the beat selection to maintain the listener’s interest throughout the entire project.
“Female Gucci Mane” takes inspiration from early Atlanta trap mixtapes, adding a refreshing twist with bars from a female perspective, an element often missing from iconic releases in the scene. The track presents a seamless conversation between the past and present, combining classic sounds with modern craftsmanship.
The experimental backdrop of “Nachos” hints at potential future directions for Sexyy Red’s evolution, exploring loopy and dissonant elements reminiscent of fellow crunk-revivalist Tisakorean. This creative approach demonstrates the potential for exciting growth in her musical journey.
However, some cuts like “Mad at Me” with its repetitive, bass-heavy arrangement begin to lose their appeal due to their simple structure. While Hood Hottest Princess excels as a high-octane statement, its homogeneity might become stale if it were any longer than its current half-hour runtime.
Nevertheless, as it stands, the mixtape serves as an exceptional introduction to Sexyy Red’s sound, which is more than just party music—it is the essence of the party itself. It transforms everyday activities like commutes, gym sessions, or work shifts into impromptu ragers for the ears.
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