takes the Lil Wayne “No Ceilings” approach on “Purple Reign.”
Itap not that the “DS2” rapper is aiming to put out his best raps here; he’s rounding up his most used concepts and flowing new rhymes over hard production. Itap a simple formula and one that has worked for Future in the past when he’s needed to release a burst of new songs in a short amount of time.
“Purple Reign” dropped as a surprise mixtape one month before the kickoff of Future’s tour with Ty Dolla $ign and should act as solid promotion for the tour. On “DS2,” he talks about making “Beastmode” when DJ Esco was away on an international prison bid, proving he works best when under pressure.
As a surprise release, though, there was no expectation for “Purple Reign.” Future isn’t offering any new concepts here — he still loves dirty soda, fast cars, stacks of money and women who are down for whatever. He’s still not over his ex, pop singer Ciara, nor his love affair with Percocet. He sounds a bit like Travis $cott on “Alright,” Fetty Wap on “Drippin,” and finally, himself on “Inside the Mattress.”
The trap-rapper is all over the place and thatap the point. On the aforementioned “Inside the Mattress,” he likens his years of selling dope to practicing for his big moment in the rap game. DJ Esco and Metro Boomin, for their part, know exactly how to craft the right beat for Future, the a rockstar with deceptively troubled lyrics. “Purple Reign” is no “DS2,” but when it comes to Future, it’s better than nothing.
