22Gz Growth and Development Mixtape Cover
Photo Credit: Atlantic Records
Photo Credit: Atlantic Records
22Gz shines on his first compilation of the year equipped with no features.
Brooklyn drill rapper 22Gz returns with his newest mixtape Growth & Development. His latest release is a follow-up to his 2019 project The Blixky Tape.
At just 22, he’s built a bit of a following by dropping projects on his own. In a recent interview with XXL he firmly alleges, “This whole drill movement, [I came up with] a lot of the dances, a lot of the words, too.” He also shared, “A lot of the rap flows, I started it all. I need my credit you feel me?” These claims aren’t too far-fetched, on Growth & Development 22Gz has a surefire sound that’s concrete.
During a live listening party hosted on our Instagram, 22Gz spoke a bit about working with London-based producer, Ghosty, who co-produced the tape. The rapper expressed that he received an 80-pack of beats from Ghosty and went on to create the project. When touching on this, he excitedly mentioned that he liked the majority of the beats that were sent over.
Starting off strong with the intro track “Lying” he makes it clear that you’re in for a hell of a ride from the very beginning lines. This song sets the precedence for the entire tape, it’s energetic and filled with braggadocious rhymes. More standouts we liked when we previewed the project over a month ago were “No Questions,” “Careers” and “Pop Out.”
“No Questions” is the type of experience that’s great for kickbacks (after the pandemic ends). It’s also something we can imagine hearing at day parties. A video for this track dropped at midnight alongside the mixtape (check it out below). Over on “Careers,” he speaks on fathering similar rappers and how they’re currently duplicating his sound. “I give you niggas careers… you should be grateful for me,” this line sums up exactly how he feels about the Brooklyn drill scene.
Though “Blixky Gang Freestyle” previously released, accompanied by the entire mixtape it shines. The sound is equal parts gritty and morbid. On it, 22Gz defines his authority yet again as the beat rings off loudly. Honorable mention: Coming in at just above two minutes “Pop Out” is yet another song ideal for block parties or even a rooftop shindig with 20 or so friends.
In total, 22Gz latest mixtape came at the right time. Deciding against including features was the right decision, by choosing to do so, he proved he doesn't need any to prove his worth in the industry. We're hoping a debut album is what's next for the rising Brooklyn artist.
Stream Growth & Development below.
