The South Carolina rapper personifies lion-like charisma in his first full-length project
Photo by @cloudedfilms
While there is a hoard of creators following and repackaging trends, 23-year old Lil Turbo is fearlessly creating his own. This is commonplace for the North Charleston native, who also founded Motorsporteam, a 16-member music collective consisting of both artists and producers. To follow up on his prominent singles like “FELL IN LOVE” and “WALK DAT MF,” Turbo presents his long-awaited debut project, MUFASA.
As both an artist and producer, Turbo showcases his ear for compelling sounds time and time again. MUFASA’s domineering production is handled by an impressive lineup of producers like FiftyGrand, CuBeatz, Shiro, Fadedblackid, Lifted, Eqmadeit, Kassgocrazy, Angelus7k, and more. When it comes to features, this project is primarily a solo endeavor. Nonetheless, Turbo does enlist Neilaworld and IcedOutAngels artist SEBii for “KOCKY,” a shadowy ode toward the pursuit of success.
Braggadocio, grandeur, and a sense of power sit aptly at the center of this project starting immediately with the introduction. A nefarious flute, muffled percussion, and striking bongos provide ample room for Turbo to set the table, as he opens, “I got a .45 you got a fist, I flex so hard, got ‘em pissed.” Moving onward with songs like “ZAP!” and “KING TUT,” Turbo soars gloriously over finicking pianos and vicious drumlines. His energy is apparent as he floats above terse 808’s with ebullience: “To tell you the truth? I don’t give a fuck.”
On the harrowing “MAD ENOUGH,” he delivers messages to his haters with no shortage of aggression: “I know you envy me, lil’ boy pick up your face.” Appropriately matching the title of MUFASA, there is no shortage of warlike anthems on the project, as evidenced through “BIG STEPPER” and “ARMAGEDDON.” Yet, as an artist with countless flows and forms of delivery, Turbo has no qualm with stepping out of his comfort zones. In “TURGLO,” he swaps his characteristic grit for raspy whispers, uniting with intensifying orchestrals to craft an addictingly uncluttered bop.
“SCAR” serves as a suitable finale. Harmonious pianos and plucks duel under an operatic vocal to bring cinematic ambiance to the project’s climax. Being as Mufasa and Scar are nemeses in the story of The Lion King, the song’s energy epitomizes an epic battle between the two. As Lil Turbo primes himself toward ascension at the end of this album, he asks his envious onlookers, “You ain’t put in work, how the fuck you want a portion?”
Listen to MUFASA below.