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Ever-so-profitable sameness
Tracks about undershirts and trouble-welcoming anthems make for a trite reverberation of rap’s truisms in Dem Franchize Boyz’s ‘On Top of Our Game’
By John Figlesthaler
Straight from the sweaty and hard-cracked streets of Atlanta rolls another Cadillac full of aspiring young and temporary millionaire voices of hard luck street life.
Dem Franchize Boyz offer up 13 shiny new cuts on the rightly titled “On Top of Our Game,” that is, if their game is pumping up and icing out themselves with as much sex, drugs and recklessness as Rick James.
Buddie, Jizzal Man, Parlae and Pimpin — or Jamall, Maurice, Bernard and Gerald by their birth names — simply know the rules of the rap game too well. Dem Franchize Boyz don’t kick down any doors here. Laying down routine verses and monotonous choruses over steady, preprogrammed drum machine tracks apparently suffices.
In an era of profitable redundancy and low standards, DFB are unimpressive status quo rap. Now coasting smoothly on giant chrome rims, their glittering purple and pink Cadillac of glory will no doubt break down sooner than later.
One must bear in mind that the generically mediocre production of Jermaine Dupri does nothing but cramp DFB’s style, which can’t afford more shortcomings. A track-by-tack rundown follows:
1. “My Music”
A good kick-off track is a call to arms, a rebel yell to rally allies and scare off enemies. DFB come out swinging, representing their Atlanta army, setting the stage and letting you know this is their turf. Dealing in alleys and burning money in strip clubs, where they are obviously at home.
2. “I Think They Like Me (So So Def Remix)”
Is overconfidence really that bad? No, rap music thrives on insanely inflated egos and bank accounts. It’s important to throw this right out front by saying “I Think I Like Myself the Most.”
3. “Ridin’ Rims”
Transportation is essential to music, rap and rock alike. Wheel size enhances performance, looks and social status, and nothing less than 24 inches will cut it. DFB are into pink Cadillacs more than Elvis, although the King didn’t need to chant about it over and over again.
4. “Bricks 4 the High”
When the rap game isn’t paying off, it’s only natural to sell drugs, right? These are the building blocks for ill-gotten fortune — or 10 years of jail time.
5. “You Know What It Is”
The first of the songs on the album for the women. DFB remind the opposite sex that they know what it is, to make sure they remember what to do with it.
6. “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It”
A classic party song, all about getting sauced up and stumbling around and having a good time. That’s about all there is to it.
7. “Freaky As She Wanna Be”
Another special song for the females. The wilder the sex the better, a formula proven by hair bands like Whitesnake, which rappers seem to be able to make just that much more degrading.
8. “Stop Callin’ Me”
When they’re done being as freaky as they can be, it’s time to break it off. It doesn’t get much clearer than a song saying, “don’t talk to me and hit the road.”
9. “Give Props”
Another ego-stroking anthem to try to get a little respect somewhere outside of their small corner of Atlanta.
10. “Suckas Come and Try Me”
In order to have any street credibility, you have to welcome trouble. The streets of Atlanta are no joke, the word is things get ugly real quick. DFB are full of wind, so of course they need a fight-inducing song.
11. “Don’t Play With Me”
Rappers need to rave about guns and violence to solidify their urban cowboy personas. Apparently pretending to be a ruthless killer gives a facade of invincibility, and that’s the essence of security in the business.
12. “They Don’t Like That”
Assuming that people are jealous of DFB, they reiterate that they couldn’t care less. Instant success needs to be rubbed in everyone’s faces before it’s gone.
13. Hidden track, “White Tee (Remix)”
A remix of a track about undershirts — no more said.
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