Stizz’ first bars on Suffolk County are: “There ain’t really much to do around here so we just really into gettin’ money/There ain’t really much to do around here but try to stay high and outta trouble/There ain’t really much to do around here we try to triple-stack and flip the money/Everyone around they held me down yeah that’s why they’re right here gettin’ it” and that’s the theme throughout. Money, drugs and real life street tales about him and his peers.
Cousin Stizz is a star. Period. And his debut mixtape “Suffolk County” is a classic mixtape. I understand that now.
When Suffolk County dropped I knew it was hard. I knew it was dope. I knew it was wavy. I knew it was refreshing. But as time passes I realize more everyday how valuable the ‘tape actually is.
Here we are close to the end of the year and Stizz’ wave continues to spread like wildfire. My boy said he’s like a “more-wavy Dom Kennedy”. I didn’t disagree but I always looked at him more as a “more-street A$AP Rocky”. Both are extremely fair comparisons to me. Yet and still with sounds reminiscent to the Dom Kennedy’s and A$AP Rocky he’s 100% Stizz.
Perhaps it’s the infectious cadences in the production or the hypnotizing flows with the audience friendly lyrics.. Whatever the case may be, Stizz got it and it’s highlighted throughout his ‘tape.
As far as Suffolk County’s impact in the hip hop world? Wild. I mean it’s one of the hardest, jiggiest, most well-received projects of the year across the masses. It’s gathered cosigns from industry heavyweights from Just Blaze to Chance The Rapper to Drake and many many more inbetween. The impact Suffolk County had on the city was crazy too. Kind of seemed like right after it dropped things in the Boston/New England area started shakin’ even more than they already have been. Not to the mention the love the tracks off the ‘tape gets when it’s performed in the 617. Stizz reps his city to the fullest and the city gives it back. For sure, for sure.
If you listen closely to Suffolk County then you can hear the sounds of the MBTA Red Line.
If you listen closely to Suffolk County then you can hear Cousin Stizz growing into himself and a star right before our eyes (and ears).
If you listen closely to Suffolk County then you can hear Boston on the rise.
If you listen closely to Suffolk County then you can hear approximately 46 minutes of dopeness.
Dull moments on the debut project from Stizz? Very non-existent. There’s 13 tracks of top-shelf wave music provided by one of Boston’s Finest. Of course you have the anthems like “No Bells”, “Dirty Bands”, and “Bonds”. But also floating around are joints like the viral-smash “Shoutout” and hidden gems like: “No Explanation” and “Jordan Fade”. His confidence and swag behind the mic combined with perfectly-picked production resulted in a bunch of fuego MP3 files.
Worthy to mention that one night he sold out the upstairs section of the Middle East venue in Cambridge and within a two-month span he assisted Michael Christmas in selling out the downstairs section. True 617 legend, already.
Why is Suffolk County classic tho’? Like I said it served as a revival for the city. The replay value is through the roof. It’s authentic. It’s not too much, it’s not too little. Contagious lyrics and rhythms, high quality beats, and just a smooth, easy listen straight-through. There’s nothing it sounds like. It’s jiggy. There’s no filler. You get the idea. Suffolk County has all the ingredients for a classic project.
