I've decided to take a break from all the major billboard releases and look at some local content. First up, is a local artist's first official mixtape, The Gooniest by Jo Thrillz. Prior to the release for this FREE mixtape, Jo Thrillz had established himself as a social media maven. If you need some stats, check out his twitter page. Over 30,000 tweets, and over 41,000+ followers, with those kind of stats you can't understate the impact social media may have on anyone's budding musical career. In a music industry that is as competitive as ever, having a firm understanding of what presentation means in the long run of demonstrating your musical talent and many artists should take note of what this artist has done. That being said, you may have tweeted that you downloaded the CD to acquire it thus creating hype you still need to listen to the music to give the thumps up or the thumbs down. Again, probably through the use of social media. So we know Jo Thrillz can tweet, but can he spit?
The first track, "We Gettin' Goony" introduces listeners to the concept of "Goony". In any budding rap career, it's rather important to trump on some defining characteristic about the artist for them to establish themselves ahead of others. For Jo Thrillz, it would undoubtedly be the use of "Goony" and following uses: You could be considered a goon, be goony, have goony qualities, or ultimately be the gooniest which I imagine Jo Thrillz reserves for himself as possibly suggested in the mixtape's title. Though getting the proper usage of "Goony" doesn't define what "Goony"-ism is, it'd be better to let the song speak for itself to define the term. This lead track does though set the tone by establishing the previously mentioned "g-word", catchy production, followed by an even catchier hook and layered with introductory bars from Jo Thrillz, on who he is and where he is from. The following song, "Wizard of Bars" introduces us to the more complex nature of Mr. Thrillz lyrics. If you'd search Jo Thrillz on YouTube you'll find a couple of clips of him in freestyle competitions. Quickly you'll realize that Jo Thrillz' mind is in constant motion and ability to find the sting/punch line is not exactly a strained process for this rapper but that it comes quite easy. On the mixtape, he tries to situate himself in the rap game like any budding rapper would do but he makes sure not to turn it into some 48 minute rap battle freestyle. The overall production and lyricism provided is something any hip-hop head should consider listening to, especially if you're from Edmonton as it has been a while since (at least from my end that) a "buzz" can be created around a rapper from Edmonton.
On the track, "I Love It" the track features the only guest appearance on the mixtape from another local Edmonton artist by the name of Lee'On. The dichotomy between the two artists goes much further than just skin tones. Lee'On's smooth vocals on the hook is a seamless fit with Joel Thrillz verses. It's hard to imagine that it could work the other way as we're not exactly privy to Thrillz vocal register throughout the mixtape. Nonetheless, it shoudl be stated that this mixtape help provides an awesome glimpse of what the young MC of 21 years of age has to offer.
The meat of the mixtape goes through a usual ebbs and flows of a good match up of production with bars put down by Jo Thrillz. It would appear the best match occurs when Joel Thrillz is teamed up with producers J-Dats and Beats McGreevy. Even with the beats that might not be the best suited for him, Joel Thrillz lyrical ability provides a level of imagery and poetic vision that somehow supersedes any imperfections in the beat production.
The mixtape ends with 2 tracks that do point towards Joel Thrillz ability to make the most of what's given to him. "07 Corolla" along with the lead track "We Gettin' Goony" could be considered the most radio friendly jams and subsequently the most popular joints live. "Wheels on the Whip" has a definitive Bay Area feel to it and does a decent job of appropriating the styles of Nor-Cal.
As an opening mixtape, it provides the listener a perfect introduction to "Goony"-ism, Edmonton, and the artist himself, Jo Thrillz. Aside from the music, it would seem as if the social media presence he had created before dedicating his efforts to the rap game may payoff in the long run. Every emerging artist in the world would appreciate even half of the online presence that Jo Thrillz has and is continually improving. Hopefully these digital breadcrumbs provide Jo Thrillz success in the future.
Download the mixtape @ JoThrillz.com
Twitter/ @Jo Thrillz
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