The Rundown: Young Dro, High Times
Was the ATL rapper's long-delayed album worth the wait?
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The Rundown: Young Dro, High Times - Young Dro’s long-awaited sophomore LP, High Times, has finally dropped on eOne Records and it proves the Hot-lanta spitter didn’t lose a step during his seven-year absence. Riding the success of hit single "FDB" along with the reemergence of T.I.’s crew, now known as the Hustle Gang, Dro made the most of his moment with an album that will remain in rotation for the rest of 2013. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of the highly anticipated follow up to Best Thang Smokin’. (Photo: Atlantic Records)
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"Odds" Feat. ForGeeAuto and Mac Boney - You can immediately sense the Bankhead native has plenty vent up creative energy he’s ready to unleash after seven years in between projects. He attacks the album’s first track aggressively, while flowing perfectly over a booming production. "Kill him for breakfast, I’ma eat his home boy for lunch," he spits rapidly over booming 808’s. Some listeners will likely wonder why he let his homies ForGeeAuto and Mac Boney get a piece of the action rather than dine on this dish by himself. (Photos from left: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Radio One, ForGeeAuto via Instagram)
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"Power Up" - Unlike the previous cut, the spotlight solely belongs to Dro on this bouncy Lil C track that complements his gruff baritone. The Polo Don showcases lyrical acrobatics that borrows a little from both Trick Daddy and the Migos as he reminds the competition that he spent much of his hiatus prepping for this very moment. (Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)
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"Strong" - This project wouldn’t be legit if it didn’t include a song that endorsed the album title. Over a slappin' DJ Mustard-produced banger, the distinct bass line and chants are so infectious here, Dro lights one up for the smoking section. Sonically the song has potential to go further, but the ATL rapper fails to capture the same magic with his clever one-liners that other hits of past ("Shoulder Lean") and present ("FDB") created. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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"Bad B----" Feat. T.I., Spodee and Problem - Hustle Gang boss, T.I., young upstart Spodee and L.A.'s hit-maker-on-the-rise Problem join Dro as they wax poetic about the fairer sex. “I got plenty money all I need is a bad b----, She ain’t gotta have a dime,” Dro explains on the hook. All four MCs handle the concept cleverly as they explain the level of cooperation they expect from their ladies. “You ain’t even gotta pay rent but you talkin’ s---?” Dro exclaims at the climax of his standout verse. (Photos from left: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images, Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images, John Ricard/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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"FDB" - While this acronym sums up the battle of the sexes for many, Dro turned his bitter sentiment for an ex into a sleeper hit of 2013. The humorous cut played a large part in creating the buzz for High Times. This club banger’s light keys and heavy drums fit Dro’s skills perfectly, giving him one of his best commercial tracks since 2006's "Shoulder Lean." (Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)
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"Djuan and Spodee" Feat. Spodee - Once again Dro steps back and gives his young homie a chance to shine. Dro (born D’Juan Hart) teams with his ATL partner-in-rhyme, Spodee, to showcase new age Bone Thugs-N-Harmony melodies on the hook and the Down South flow of the moment in an impressive display of their musical chemistry.(Photo: Wauketia Chestang / Splash News)
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"Hammer Time" Feat. Spodee - Dro drives all over this standout track as Spodee joins him on Stroud’s pulsing beat. With super slowed-down guitar licks and Dro’s deep drawl, “Hammer Time” defies the genre sonically. But Dro gives some of his roughest most introspective rhymes. "I took a .45 to the stomach, can’t kill him," he brags. Recalling the moment he was shot at the age of 16. (Photo: WENN)
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"Hello" Feat. Natasha Mosley - Dro and Natasha Mosley switch up the 808-driven pace on this trap-music-meets-pop experiment. While Dro plays the underdog who made it out of the impoverished Westside in Atlanta, Mosley pushes things beyond his normal comfort zone with her airy pop-infused vocals. (Photos from left: Kat Goduco/WENN.com, John Ricard/BET Networks)
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"Nope" Feat. T.I. - Dro connects with the Hustle Gang boss T.I. for this menacing banger. Though both give good reason as to why they “don’t f--- around like that,” T.I. got the upper hand on his old homie, breaking out a flawless flow that will have fans anticipating more of the same on his next solo project. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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