Many words have been spent analyzing Riff Raff, everyone from L.A. Weekly to Pitchfork has spent countless hours analyzing this rap game mystery. Riff Raff is a polarizing figure in the hip hop community. Reviews often note his skin color, penchant for absurd punchlines and on again off again beef with James Franco. All of these things are important to his character, but many of these people fail to focus on Riff Raff’s actual music. Neon Icon, the newest album isn’t breaking any new ground. Riff raps about cars, women and how he is the “rap game *insert noun” and that is probably what I found to be most disappointing about this new album, stagnation.

When I first heard Riff Raff, it was the song “Orion’s Belt” with Kitty Pryde. Kitty had finished being a twee princess, and another figure joined her on screen. This figure was wearing leopard skin pants, 90s style Xtreme shades and had permed out/frazzled hair. When he rapped, I couldn’t believe it was real. It wasn’t even good, but I was hooked. I had to find out what a “Riff Raff” was.

Research into the subject alternated between humorous and disappointing. Disappointing is generally a negative term, but I’m using it in a more positive way. I was disappointed in the disparity between tracks. Some I personally found to be “amazing”, not in an ironic sense, but some tracks showed an extreme amount of potential with more practice/time. Over the next few months, I had to check out every video Riff Raff put out; much to the chagrin of my friend Ryan. Ryan cannot STAND Riff Raff, but he always gives it a try. Back to Riff Raff though, for every dud, a song like “Bird on A Wire” comes out. Riff Raff has a surprising work chemistry with Queens rapper Action Bronson. “Wire” produced by Harry Fraud was on all of my Summer playlists last year, if someone doubted Riff Raff, I would play them the song as an example that he wasn’t awful when he tried.

Since then, Riff Raff has become a more mainstream figure and reigns as the clown prince of rap. Is that a bad thing? no. Riff Raff has endorsment deals with at least Neff and sells out shows nationwide. He transcended his status as a Worldstar joke and became a Mad Decent success story. The Riff Raff character has grown 100 fold while the music has suffered for it.

Neon Icon isn’t a bad album per se, actually it is extremely fun. The production is top notch and many of the songs are extremely listenable. My main problem with the album is that Jody Highroller has lost some of his manic, wildcard energy. The lines are now more formulaic and less experimental. From listening to his music, I already have a general idea of what to expect. The party tracks with the crazy punchlines are still enjoyable, but the “real rap” is missing. While he is now more popular than ever, I feel Riff Raff has stopped trying to reach the levels his potential talent could take him too. Neon Icon was more than willing to settle at the joke status level that rap critics had ascribed to him.

Recommended Tracks: Introducing the Icon, Versace Python, How to Be The Man