With “Priorities 5” Mixtape, MMG Prove The Talent Is Still Flourishing

Maybach Music Group members may churn out compilations like they’re jacked up on Red Bull but since 2011, the extensive music imprint that Rick Ross created has released three installments of its Self Made series, and since 2013 there are have been five mixtapes in the Priorities series. With Priorities numero cinco being the latest in the bunch questions of overkill are warranted.

But in short answer, this particular sequel is justified. Despite its hampering length (22 songs in total) and incongruity, Priorities 5 is still a solid collection of tunes that underlines the strength and diversity of its roster.

The mixtape’s themes represent its variety of artists, from Too $hort to Talib Kweli. Balling out, chasing women, and repping the streets all are MMG mainstay topics that are touched on abundantly. Skrilla is a solo menace on the trapping ode “Fork in the Pot” and also shines alongside Rozay and Sam Sneak on the swaggerful “Supa Cindy,” which glorifies a girl on her ‘A’ game. Yet, there also moments that allow team leaders in Wale and Meek Mill to channel their inner lyrical Hannibal Lecter, feasting on “Brightseat Road Freestyle” (Wale) and “Freestyle on Flex” (Meek Mill). The latter finds Meek vividly painting life in his hood over Jay-Z’s “Where I’m From”: “My young boy Sheebs was supposed to go the league/Started poppin’ on them P’s, runnin’ around with the fleas/All them A’s and them B’s start to turn into C’s/Go from crossin’ niggas over into runnin’ from D’s.” Moments like these keep Priorities 5from being a simple celebration. However, while the range of content is entertaining, it also creates an unfocused vibe. This is a detriment to the overall product, as songs usually don’t complement one another (say, the Bawse’s hardcore “No Uturns” preceding Stalley and Rashad’s grounded, purist-friendly “The Gospel”).

The ultimate upside is the tape gives the lesser artists the spotlight. Isa Muhammad bodies “Chemtrails and Muslim Wars (Remix)” alongside Ross and Kweli, with brilliant pro-black sentiments. Elsewhere, Rockie Fresh makes a name for himself with declarations of spiritual gratefulness on “Pray 4 Me.” The wistful soul of the record, as well as the elongated humming on “Chemtrails and Muslim Wars (Remix)” also bring diversity to a mixtape that is heavy on MMG’s signature trap drums and bombastic backdrops. This familiar sound works best on Meek’s hyped-up “Make It Work,” but is painfully beat-by-numbers on “Check” by Fat Trel, Young Dolph and Rozay. Similar to the content, the varied production is exciting but also belies a lack of cohesiveness.

Team Maybach was wise in giving Wale, Fresh, and Mill each three straight songs for instant star power, and the supporting cast make for an engaging listen all the same. The project may create a bloated effect, but there are plenty of selections worth grabbing from this buffet table.