Review by Loose Cannonz

DJ Whoo Kid/Twista - Tailwinds: Mobstas Anthem

Now that Twista is famous due to his association with Kanye and the commercial classic "Slow Jamz"-took the Chicago native long enough didn't it?-ain't no better time than now to present his longtime partnas-in-crime the Speedknot Mobstaz. If you remember the debut effort, and I give you credit if you do, you'll remember some poorly produced, even generic Dr. Dre remakes (though I must admit the title-cut "Mobstability" was hot for its time), with Liffy and Mayz failing to keep up with Twista on the rest of the CD. But today is a new day, and this new Whoo Kid joint (one of six new entrees this week) is out to prove these Speedknots can keep up or at least try. And if they don't quite keep up, they deliver much less annoying flows and improved mic cadences; in fact even going the lengths of meshing with the speedier Tung Twista to musical highs. The acoustic strings and wind breezing drum patterns of "My Homie" prove that. The heavy-hitting "Real Love" and the freestyle drums of "In Love With the Game" should capture mainstream appeal with its soulful Lionel Richie-influenced vocals, engaging production (Twista got that new advanced quality audio on lock this time!), and head-whirling flows. Want something harder? Check the flawless bars of business on the Cassidy-remake, "You A Customer." Don't worry; you'll be able to recite every line of Twista's on this one. Normal or double-speed, man is dope, and awfully underrated. As for the Mobstaz, I notice their vocals blending together more cohesively as a group this time around, complimenting Twista and working with the extreme talent rather than eradicating the quality.

"Life of a Hustler" uses the same beat as a recent Spice 1 track (and I mean recent like 3 or 4 years ago), as Mayz and Liffy keep up with Twista on some pistol-peddling shit. "Don't Get Shot Up" is classic Speedknot Mobstaz-a new term, I promise you-packing an addictive flute loop and cinematic backdrops, as the track elevates the typical gangsta rhymes to new heights. Sometimes these same old themes of mugging, fucking, and shooting just need a good soundtrack. So far, there are no beat problems on Tailwinds to complain of. Let's face it. These Chi-town dudes aren't going to rap about anything else. At the very least I hope they do it with some authority or effort. And as hungry as you'd expect them to be, it shows on the tape. Even better, Whoo Kid mainly stays out of the picture, almost presenting this mixtape in album format, with Tailwinds going so far as to pack more direction than Mobstability. This hardly seems like merely a collection of work with all new songs, very few covers, and very few drops-if only more of Whoo Kid's tapes were like this. Then again, there isn't a high demand for Speedknot Mobstaz mixtapes, now, is there? There's something about the generic track "Mobsta Anthem" I'm not feeling. Perhaps it's the lack of umph the other beats had. A surprisingly dope addition tho is the 3-minute plus dedication to DJ Whoo Kid in the studio from none other than the Speedknot Mobstaz themselves. The rest of the tracks on the mixtape are recently-released tracks and freestyles that cross between that fine line of pimping and pushing. Hopefully with this second chance, the Chi-dangerous trio'll be able to push more units as promoted.

- In the Deck

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Step Ya Game Up
	Diehards only
	In the Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Mixtape Classic