Review Summary: A sequel that destroys the original.
Illusions of Grandeur 2 is the sequel to the second most respected Lil B mixtape (the first being God's Father) and really does deliver. With great lyrics, interesting flow, and legendary beats, the BasedGod creates a mixtape even better than the original.
On this mixtape, you don't get much of the Lil B that people know him for: the swag songs. Besides one funny song at the end, most of this mixtape is lyrical and thought provoking, unlike his "Wonton Soup" raps about ***ing multiple bitches and collecting swag. This is a more serious listen, and he does this style perfectly.
Lil B talks about a variety of subjects on several songs on this mixtape. "The Working Man" has Lil B telling a story about a man who is trying to get out of the ghetto by working hard and converting to a positive lifestyle with a great old school sounding beat. Another song, for example, "Can't See B" has BasedGod speaking on how people think they know how he lives, but he never shows it to the general public. This song also has a great sample and some sweet percussion work. Battery Acid talks about how hot he is and how he controls his situations so easily.
Another great thing about this mixtape is the beat selection. They range from Keith Sweat samples to Super Nintendo RPG sounding instruments. Some songs with amazing beats for example, are "Broken Levee," "Lost," and "Talkin' That Based." However, every beat on here (yes, every song) is simply impassioned. Every beat has an emotional connection with your soul with the ardent samples.
The mixtape flows well together, and you will probably look for more lyrical B after this mixtape is listened to. Every song blends in with each other and retains that soul touching feeling. The only songs that may (to some people) break the cycle are "Hood Played Out" and "Bitch Dont Lie." The ladder is a joke song with the intention of a comical relief at the end of the tape after hearing a lot of real lyrics. The song is funny and fun to listen to, but to some people may be decidedly on the weak side. "Hood Played Out" is just strange, and has some weird lyrics that don't really make much sense. But the song is still good.
Overall, every song on here is at least good to simply breathtaking. It's more like a 4.7, but as an experience front to back, the whole mixtape is good and you won't want to skip a track. Such an amazing album.
BEST TRACKS: Can't See B, Battery Acid, Talkin' That Based, Don't Forget About Me
WORST TRACKS: Hood Played Out, Bitch Don't Lie
