Steve 'Flash' JuonIf I had to tell you one thing about Bobby Shmurda it’s that he went viral just over a decade ago for the single “Hot Nigga.” If I had to tell you TWO things about Ackquille Jean Pollard, the other thing would be that he was arrested later that same year on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit murder. He eventually plead guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession, serving a combined six years in prison before his release on parole in 2021. Now that’s one way to derail a “hot” career isn’t it? I’m not wise enough to tell you if he was being targeted for getting famous so fast (by his haters AND the cops alike) or if he was really just that foolish, but that setback basically forced him to restart his career from square one after he finished his bid.
“SHMURDAGOTCASH” suggests that not a lot has changed though, nor does the video for “Gwualla,” other than the fact he’s now collaborating with lougotcash. If I had to tell you one thing about lou (yeah I’m back on that shit again) it’s that his father is Pretty Lou from the Lost Boyz. If I had to tell you TWO things about lou the other would be that his most viral song occurred while Bobby was locked up — and that would be “Thing For You.” It sounds exactly like every other heavily medicated AutoTune rap singer you’ve heard in the last decade. I’m not saying that to be a hater, it’s just a fact that it’s not unique or special in any way. I was hoping this collabo would bring more out of both men but “Foreign Shit” didn’t show me a solid reason for them to team up.
I’ll give them two good marks for the track — it’s short (110 seconds) and neither one is singing. Other than that you’ve heard plenty of people rapping about how expensive their imported cars are before. I wanted some cinematic storytelling, some over-the-top charisma, some really hot tracks or a really mind bending lyrical style. Other than “I can spit pretty fast without drawing a breath” there’s nothing to hang your hat on and Twista was doing that decades ago. If you want to hear more of lou’s singing you can find it on songs like “Love That Girl” but that’s about it.
For every rapper that survives a prison bid and comes out to release new music, there’s a potential new review waiting to celebrate them coming home. I believe in congratulating anyone who survives a system that’s been designed to target, incarcerate and denigrate black men and women. We could do so much better in this country but in the current political climate we’re undoubtedly going to do worse. I tell you all of that to say I was rooting for Bobby Shmurda on “SHMURDAGOTCASH,” but this half hour and change of music is nothing to write home about. I still want him to succeed but I’m not going to butter him up with false praise for some remarkably average music and the same goes for lou too.