Growth infused with Real Detroit Street Music

I was looking forward to this album ever since Payroll announced it. I’ve been a fan for years, and in my opinion, he’s been the best rapper from Detroit for the last decade. While not every project has been flawless, they have been consistently good (or great). There has also been some discussion online about whether Payroll should be considered a “Lifestyle Rapper.” I can see reasons for and against this classification, so I wanted to further assess that with this album.

Payroll starts the album off with the title track, “If Not Me Then Who,” where he raps about his newfound focus, his grind, and what made him the man he is today. He raps with conviction when he says, “on my way to get what’s mine, I made my mind up / that I’m a focus on myself and step my grind up / so much on my back I had to lift my spine up / ain’t proven shit, time will fuck these niggas’ lies up.” The next several tracks hit just as hard, especially the D-Boy anthem “Inner City Rich Niggaz” featuring fellow Detroit rapper Peezy and the laid-back banger “Lately,” produced by Cardo.

Later, we hear Payroll talking about his hustling past and how moving work is a way of life where he comes from on the speaker-knocking tracks “Maybach Paths,” “Still Buddies,” and “Memory.” He effortlessly smooths things out with laid-back classics like “Get Money & Mind My Business,” “Don’t See,” and “Flights & Reservations.” Payroll transitions from that vintage Detroit street music to smooth “Lifestyle” bangers seamlessly, and hopefully, he’ll continue to do so.

With that being said, Payroll easily fits in with street rappers such as Freddie Gibbs, G. Herbo, Mozzy, and EST Gee. However, he also has a place in the “Lifestyle” lane occupied by Curren$y, Larry June, Premo Rice, and others. The production on this album is handled by Cardo, DJ Fresh, Helluva, AK, Genius, Wellz, DamJonBoi, ReulStopplaying, and Payroll himself.

Payroll has recently been receiving major love and shout-outs from several industry peers, including LeBron James, B. Dot, and others. It’s about damn time that people start recognizing how talented he is. As his stock rises, he clearly isn’t switching up his music to fit into the latest trendy sound. If you’ve been a fan since the early Doughboyz Cashout days, you can still hear that vintage flow and sound, just from a more updated perspective. His ear for production remains top-notch.

I highly recommend this album; it’s easily the best project he has dropped in a minute.

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (9/10)