Pill

Atlanta, GA rapper Pill has struggled to live up to his hype since being crowned one of XXL's freshmen in 2010. The rapper recently split with Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group, so The Epidemic serves to re-establish Pill's forte: balancing hood narratives with frank introspection. He handles street tales ably (i.e., Twista-aided banger "Parkin Lot"), but Pill truly thrives when he muses about harder times, his hunger palpable through his throaty bark. "It's So Hard" and "Memories" feature Pill reflecting on his fond and not-so-fond recollections of a rough childhood over dusty, wailing soul loops. The rapper sounds pained kicking game on "I'm So Player" and "Chill Out," so earnest "dear mama" dedication "Why It Gotta Be Like Dis" comes as a fine corrective. Provided Pill can maintain this level of quality, his long-delayed debut album should silence all doubters.