Let's Be Professional

MC TruthBeTold and DJ Pete, a.k.a. The Tribe, have teamed up with producer Big Cats! for another mix-tape that's available as a free download on the beatmaker's website. Last year’s free EP, Supply And Demand, proved the combination a winning one, but this latest offering is tighter and better realized.

Following on the heels of his collaboration with Guante on last year’s critically acclaimed An Unwelcome Guest, Big Cats shows his ability to meld his distinct, earthy production style with different artists. He also gets the chance to rap on “I Ride A Dinosaur To Work,” a standout track thanks to the solid production, even in the face of its playful goofiness. DJ Pete tackles some of the Dirty South-influenced, synthesized beats, and TruthBeTold's rhymes fit smoothly over anything the producers can throw at him. His thoughtful lyrics give each song a clear focus, letting the beats breathe where appropriate.

The rapping is at its best when it's confident and in-your-face, like on the shit-talking “I Been My Own Favorite,” which is full of cocky attitude, punchlines, and fast rhymes. Guests Chantz and Guante provide some highlights on the track: “Guante / It’s a long story / They on my spit like they sippin’ the wrong 40 / Michele Bachmann the game / Get on the mic, spit somethin’ insane.” TruthBeTold combines swagger and politics throughout the tape, and more often than not, it's effective. With a mix of bangers, introspective reflections, failed-romance anthems, and odes to weed, Let’s Be Professional is an album-quality release that's well worth the download.