If there’s anything Logic, known best for his song “1-800-273-8255,” wants you to take away from his mixtape “Bobby Tarantino II,” it’s that a) he’s married, b) he smokes weed, c) he works hard and d) there’s a difference between “album Logic” and “mixtape Logic.” Okay, so he’s not exactly married anymore — he and his wife announced their separation less than two weeks after this mixtape released on March 9 — but that’s beside the point.
The mixtape is a sequel to Logic’s, or Sir Robert Bryson Hall II’s, 2016 mixtape “Bobby Tarantino.” It starts off with the hilarious skit intro “Grandpa’s Space Ship” which features the characters Rick and Morty from the show “Rick & Morty” — go figure –— discussing the differences between “album” and “mixtape” versions of Logic. Rick thinks that while album Logic focuses on “messages about how I can be whatever I want or… equality and everybody,” mixtape Logic is about “throwing stacks” and some “good ol’ ATL style club rap.” Basically, Logic’s music varies and he’s got different songs for different moods; Bobby Tarantino is the perfect combination between Logic’s feel-good songs of empowerment and the kind of rap that makes you want to “turn up,” as we kids say.
Much of Logic’s previous work is darker or inspirational, depending on the album. “Under Pressure” (2014) focuses on Logic’s dark past and childhood living with a drug-addicted mother and fickle father. Later albums like “The Incredible True Story” (2015) and “Everybody” (2017) focus on uplifting others and striving for equality. All of those albums are great, as they spread messages of positivity and/or emphasize overcoming adversity, but that doesn’t make “Bobby Tarantino” or “Bobby Tarantino II” any less great, as both mixtapes are Logic’s well-deserved pat on the back for his hard work, success and crazy flow. I mean, this guy can freestyle while solving a Rubik’s Cube; he deserves some bragging rights.
Some of his most lyrically impressive songs on the mixtape are “Indica Badu,” “Warm it Up,” “Wassup” and “44 More,” a follow-up to his one-verse, 44-bar song on his “Bobby Tarantino” mixtape appropriately named “44 Bars.” Logic released this song first, saying, “I wanted people to be like ‘The suicide guy raps?’” On this mixtape, indeed he does.
“Indica Badu,” which features Wiz Khalifa, is basically an ode to smoking pot, and is appropriately mellow while remaining lyrically clever and demanding. “Wassup” featuring Big Sean is similarly masterful, as both Logic and Sean show off their lyrical prowess over a mellow beat. One of Logic’s biggest strengths is his ability to make you want to simultaneously bob your head and have an intense rap battle with your friends.
While Logic’s most mainstream work might paint him as humble, Bobby Tarantino “brings the facts,” as he says in his song “Yuck.” Logic assures you throughout the mixtape in songs like “Overnight,” “Contra” and “State of Emergency” that his success is hard-won. The rapper’s ability to confidently acknowledge his skills and success while maintaining his motto of “peace, love and positivity” is impressive. He avoids beef with other rappers and simply emphasizes his own talent as he raps about being the greatest alive.
Logic is cocky in this mixtape — as most rappers are — but not in an annoying way. He celebrates himself and his hard work, just as listeners celebrate themselves when they listen to it. I challenge anyone to listen to “Everyday” on his or her way to work and not feel empowered to kick some serious butt for the rest of the day.
