Music Review: Troy Ave – White Christmas 2

What hasn’t already been said about Troy Ave that I can actually express? I’m not sure. We all know that he is helping to bring NY street music back to the prominence that many actually desire. Also, we know that he has no problems reflecting over his past lifestyle choices (see the nickname Harry Powder). Even more so, his New York City: The Album has made plenty of waves since its release. Now, in time for the holidays, he releases White Christmas 2 with DJ Drama.

If you want to say anything, though, please recognize that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. His brand of street rap is going to make him more popular as time goes on.

If anything can be said about Troy Ave is that, even with plenty of features, he will always shine. Take the 2 Chainz featured “Lost Boyz“ for example. 2 Chainz (with a straight forward, improved flow) doesn’t even take away from the vocal presence or voracity of Troy Ave’s verse. The same can be said for other tracks like the Styles P featured “Do It” and the ever-great Lloyd Banks featured “Your Style”. In short, Troy Ave is going to get his regardless of who is around.

The same can be said for the production. You won’t hear any of those trap beats on this mixtape. What you WILL hear, however, is NY styled production that with modern touches. “Brooklyn Shit” has that ominous street sound with heavy bass lines. With sampled violins and speedier bpm’s, Teamwork Music’s “Go Getter” keeps it gutter. Even the Statik Selektah (as expected) “Glitter and Gold” keeps it serene and urbane at the same time. It is easy to keep it “NY” when the production stays in its lane.

“You can’t look down on a dealer and praise the users; it was never cool to be a drug addict. That’s not cool, nigga. Not at all. You got bitches with weaves talkin’ down on bitches with real hair!” noted Troy Ave on “Greetings and Salutations”. This quote is absolute truth. The game done became some backward foolishness. Troy Ave, however, plans on setting things straight. With the aforementioned New York City: The Album and White Christmas 2, NY has a knight that plans on being king. Take heed, all NY street rhymers. Take heed.