Roddy Ricch, the 24-year-old rapper hailing from Compton, exploded onto the scene with his breakthrough album "Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial." He quickly gained comparisons to 50 Cent and brought the sound of Atlanta to the forefront. However, his follow-up, "LIVE LIFE FAST," failed to match the same level of magic, leaving fans and critics wanting more.

Determined to return to his roots, Roddy now presents "Feed Tha Streets III," a project he touts as a return to form. The album is succinct, with a runtime of under 39 minutes, and has a mixtape vibe. Roddy addresses criticism in the intro track "Just Because," setting the tone for the remainder of the album.

Roddy's music is driven by catchy beats and melodies, but his lyrics have often been criticized for being unoriginal. On "Feed Tha Streets III," he stays true to his signature sound, rapping about women, money, and his rise to fame. However, tracks like "Heavier" and "Letter to My Son" offer glimpses of his introspective side, showing a more personal side of Roddy.

The intro track is a good start, with Roddy's signature guitar and solid production, but it's forgettable. "King Size" and "Heavier" highlight Roddy's strengths, with short bars and memorable melodies over upbeat beats. "Blue Cheese" may be repetitive, but it fits the overall mixtape feel. "Favor for Favor" lacks inspiration, while "Twin" with Durk is ominous but lacks a memorable chorus. "Aston Martin Truck" is formulaic but effective, and "Get Swept" showcases Roddy's versatility in exploring new genres. "Belly of the Best" is emotional and nostalgic, and "Stop Breathing" stands out with its jazzy elements and impressive rhyme scheme. "Fade Away" is slow and dull, but "Pressure" picks up the pace. "No Rest" has a relaxed vibe, and "Letter to My Son" is a powerful end to the album, with personal subject matter and a great guitar beat.

In conclusion, "Feed Tha Streets III" is a decent album, but may not be the comeback that fans were hoping for. Roddy excels in his delivery and beats, but his lyrics still lack the depth to set him apart. Despite these flaws, the album is an enjoyable listen, and Roddy is at a crossroads, trying to balance fan expectations with his own artistic vision. For his next album, Roddy should focus on being himself, instead of trying to emulate the success of PEMFBA. He should continue to do what he does best and improve production quality, incorporating more diverse genres such as R&B, love songs, and anthems, with a focus on writing relatable lyrics. Additionally, he should pay more attention to song sequencing to avoid monotony. Despite any shortcomings, Roddy's talent shines through, and I have no doubt he'll figure it out.

Songs to Add to Your Playlists

King Size

Heavier

Aston Martin Truck

Belly Of The Beast

Stop Breathing

Pressure

Letter To My Son

Apex Rating

3/5