The Top 10 Songs from Tory Lanez’ Chixtape Series
If the 2015 breakout hit “Say It” was your first introduction to Tory Lanez, you were considerably late. By then, Lanez had earned a cult following with a flurry of mixtapes — the most notable being his R&B-hinged Chixtape series. Even Before Bryson Tiller coined the phrase for his debut, it’s feasible to consider Lanez a forefather of trapsoul, an R&B sub-genre best described as an inverse of it’s older cousin New Jack Swing: “mentally R&B, roughed out on the Hip-Hop tip with a street feel, appeal to it.”
With its best offerings, the Chixtapes (and trapsoul in general) form a unique ecosystem among fans and artists, especially in the music-streaming age. Older fans are reminded of timeless favorites that may have slipped through their playlist cracks. Younger fans are left with breadcrumbs to discover legacy R&B acts and songs — and catalogue-diving these days is as easy as opening a new Safari tab rather than opening a door to walk into a record store.
So far, the energy from the Chixtape ecosystem has been flowing and growing, albeit underground, as fans have spent years begging for the series to be platformed on major streaming services. The most likely roadblock has been the sample-clearance nightmare that would cause — and probably explains the delay between Chixtape 4 and 5. But if the already-released details surrounding Chixtape 5 indicate anything with it’s Ashanti-cover reveal and T-Pain-assisted first single, it’s that the project has cleared all hurdles.
For the unwitting fan curious about the hype and short on time, we’ve compiled a list of the top-10 songs from the Chixtape series.
Honorable Mention: Junior High (Chixtape 1)
There’s a good reason no songs from the first Chixtape installment appears on this list. With its more dated sound and traditional R&B vocal performances, the project mostly offers a window into Lanez’ influences instead of a glimpse of the growth to come on the second Chixtape. Still, “Junior High” is a pleasant, Lloyd-ish tune worthy of mention for its marshy and mellow piano-driven beat if not for its sincere, nostalgic lyrics.
10. R.I.D.E. (Chixtape 2)
In the three-year stretch between Chixtape 1 and 2, Tory had completely revamped his R&B vocal styling with an Autotune mix tweaked to a signature preset. Chixtape 2’s first song is the tone-setter for the novelty that built the cult following of the series: repurposing the sometimes forgotten, mostly under-appreciated 90s and 2000s R&B hits for a new audience. On “R.I.D.E.,” Lanez updates Genuwine’s “Pony” with as much passive-aggressive flair as the original.
09. S*M*N (Chixtape 3)
Lanez stays on theme in this alternate-perpsective flip of Destiny Child’s “Say My Name.” Though the track relies heavily on the original, the vulnerability shown is too good to skip over.
08. U.N.I.T.Y. (Chixtape 2)
Queen Latifah earned a grammy for the Crusaders-sampled “U.N.I.T.Y.” — and Lanez’ remix earns a top-spot nomination with its intermittent bass stabs and dragging tempo that begs for appreciation of the jazz horns. Though the track is interlude-length, the replay value remains high. For a slightly longer, pumped-up version, check out PromNite’s (remix of the) remix.
07. Summin (Chixtape 2)
Chixtape 2’s sixth track could’ve easily been a radio hit. In this Jon B.-sampled cut, Lanez showcases his radio-ready writing chops that foreshadow the success of his biggest song “Say It.”
06. Juvenile Freestyle (Chixtape 3)
Slide this track into any N.O. bounce mix and it works. Lanez keeps the original “Slow Motion” tempo, leaving mix DJs plenty of transitional and blending leeway.
05. All That (Chixtape 2)
Nickelodeon’s mid-90s sketch comedy show “All That” is the epitome of the 80s-baby-millennial childhood. It gave us Kenan and Kel. Musical guests ranged from Craig Mack to Aaliyah. And TLC sang the theme song. Fumbling a sample of such an iconic tune would be an easy feat. Thankfully though, the track’s slowed hook and rumbling drums is the perfect playing field for Lanez’ melodic talents and provocative verses. R.I.P. to your childhood innocence.
04. Slow Grind (Chixtape 4)
Jacquees holds the title as the first R&B artist featured in the Chixtape series. As with this track and future features, the assist could be seen as mutually beneficial. With the cache of creditability the series has accumulated among fans, a Chixtape spot could serve as a cosign for up-and-coming singers while also further solidifying Lanez’ R&B rapport (if said artist proves themselves over time). Jacquees’ feature ticks both boxes, and “Slow Grind” remains a definite standout.
03. Proud Family (Chixtape 4)
Solange and Destiny’s Child made it a hot theme, and Lanez made it a hot song. This Proud Family flip confirms Tory’s ability to repackage any R&B/hip hop-tinged theme into a serious tune without corn or cheese.
02. Slow Down (Chixtape 4)
The Bobby Valentino-sampled “Slow Down” is another Chixtape canon that continues Lanez’ tradition of nibbling from R&B favorites and then adding a refreshing flavor with satisfying results. Given the song’s content and overall replay value, “Slow Down” honestly deserved a slot on Lanez’ debut I Told You.
01. N.A.M.E (Chixtape 3)
“N.A.M.E.” stands firm as the best song from the entire Chixtape franchise. Producer Play Picasso’s flawless chop of Alycia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name” is “40”-esque in its pace and precision. For his part, Lanez whips through several melodies with a particular finesse that should ultimately warrant “N.A.M.E.” being recognized as a future trapsoul standard.
Chixtape 5 drops November 15.
