After his MVP performance in 2015, Future ‘Hendrix’ has opened up the new year by giving fans a mixtape entitled, “Purple Reign”.
As you may know by now, Future often refers to massive drug usage in his lyrics. However, what if I were to tell you the 32-year-old Atlanta trap star doesn’t even do drugs.
“I’m not like super drugged out or a drug addict,” Future Hendrix stressed. “My music may portray a certain kind of image and I know it’s some people that might be super drugged out and they listen to the music like, ‘Ay thank you, you speaking for me’ and then some people that’s not that feel like, ‘Man I don’t have to do drugs, I can listen to Future and feel like I’m on something’ and don’t have to try it. I don’t do it for you to really have to live that type of life.”
So, if you don’t do drugs, why are you always talking about?
“I feel like that’s the number one thing everybody likes to talk about. It’s a catch,” he says.
Whether or not Future is a drug addict is irrelevant when it comes to his music because most of these rappers lie in their lyrics anyway.
Without further ado, let’s dive into “Purple Reign”
“Purple Reign Intro” – Um, it was just a storm mixed in with sirens, crying and “Where Ya At” playing in the background. Pretty standard and weak if you ask me.
“All Right” – This was a solid way to start the tape.
The beat is slow with an unique piano/guitar sound in the background. For people wondering if Future is going to be okay after his breakup with Ciara, he seems to be doing “all right”.
“Wicked” – Whenever Future opens up a song by calling DJ Esco “the coolest DJ on the mothaf*cking planet”, there’s a good chance it’ll be a banger.
However, this song doesn’t quite reach banger status, but it’ll definitely slap in the whip.
In the second verse, it appears Future was taking another job at Ciara.
You can’t pull a b*tch on Instagram I ain’t hit, huh
And then she tellin’ lies about me cause she ain’t sh*t, uh
She want that big-big dog status
I was in the alley with them nickel bags, tallyin’
You make the call.
“Never Forget” – Even though Future claims to not be a drug addict, that isn’t stopping him from making verses such as this one.
By the time I was seven, my Uncle Wayne was in prison
We used to take a trip once a month and go visit
My Grandma and my Granddad, yeah, they all suspicious
Just say no to drugs, hell nah I ain’t listen
And loyalty is everything, don’t ever forget it
I keep my gun everywhere I go, I never forget it
“And why your Sprite so pink?” I got Promethazine in it
“Why you drive your car nervous?” I got dope all in it
I custom made a cross from the money I made
I threw nickel bands of crack, I should’ve been in 12th grade
I ain’t make my auntie’s funeral, I ain’t never forget it
I know she know I love her and I hope she forgive me
The feel of this song brings you back to vintage trap Future. For any inspiring drug lords out there, Future is basically telling you the ropes of the game in three minutes.
Here’s the full song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb-iKDeZbUg
“Drippin” (How U Luv That) – Similar to Future’s ‘coolest DJ on the planet’ reference to Esco, he seems to have one for Metro Boomin now.
“If Young Metro don’t trust you I’m gon shoot you”.
Future used both slogans to open up this song.
During this track, Future attempts to stretch out his vocals and it doesn’t turn out too well. Grant it, the hook is pretty catchy, but he tried a little too hard to be a real singer here.
“Inside the Mattress” – This is by far the best complete song on the tape.
Everything is perfect.
Unlike the previous track, Future keeps his vocals at his normal level, which made the hook golden.
Stacks hid inside the mattress
Racks hid inside the mattress
Packs hid inside the mattress
Ganks hid inside the mattress
Vert’ dippin’ through traffic
I’m gettin’ better, I’m at practice!
I’m workin’ everyday, craftin’
I’m cool on her, I done had her
Bounce back with a millio’
Hit an island like Gilligan
Not just a regular civilian
I rap for the squad, I’m a champion
Remember we hit up the highway, we got us a stash spot
Remember as soon as we touch down, ni**a cash out
This song is so good that it would be cruel of me not to let you listen to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cIP4m8Nfgk
“Hater Sh*t” – The title is pretty self explanatory of how the lyrics go here.
Nonetheless, this track is very repetitive and it may be the least interesting song on the entire project.
“Salute” – After such a snooze fest, Future responded with an up-tempo song with all types of interesting sounds.
You want entertainment?
Well, Future made references to John Madden, God, Days Inn and a Rari all in one song.
“Bye Bye” – Another one.
It’s always fun when Future is talking reckless to say the least. For instance, check out these four bars to end his last verse.
Cool little song.
“No Charge” – When it comes to hooks, this may be the smoothest one on the tape.
Future is real comfortable here, which in return gives the listener a very soothing sound.
Hook:
Check out the sound for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYqxvrgLA1U
“Run Up” – Hold on for a second.
Check out the first couple of bars to this song.
Check this
Two cups nigga got the red in me
The Ku Klux Klan in the streets with me
Wow, Future.
Okay, besides that interesting start, this is definitely the most different sounding track on “Purple Reign”.
Traditional Future fans may not be feeling this song, but it’ll open the lane for casual fans to jump on the bandwagon.
“Perkys Calling” – Man, does this song touch the soul or what?
On this one, Future is touching several topics from having to hit licks to being out in the cold with no blanket.
This is one of those tracks you play while driving on the highway alone at 3 in the morning.
Listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggFcywrbspE
“Purple Reign” – This definitely carries off from the previous track.
Future is crying out about needing his girlfriend, which adds the sentimental element.
It’s safe to say he’s going through it right now.
Final Grade: As I said in the opening video, this mixtape doesn’t measure up to any of his 2015 projects, but at the same time, it’s hard to match that level of productivity. All in all, this is a solid tape that has a few songs for everyone to play everyday for a couple weeks or so. I give “Purple Reign” a 6.5 out of 10.