1.
“Smoke like I’m from Cali, and I sip like I’m from Texas”
-Joey Purp
Over the past few years, the color purple has entered the wider hip-hop consciousness as a synonym for lean (cough syrup with codeine, for those not weened on UGK and DJ Screw). As such, it’s also become representative of a sound and mindset, a quick stand-in for the slowed (and occasionally chopped and screwed) sound that originated in Houston and now influences the music of ascendant rappers (A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar) and established stars (Drake) alike.
Once upon a time, the title The Purple Tape referred to the cassette only version of Raekwon’s classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.
Though Joey Purp’s The Purple Tape isn’t exactly a collision of Wu Tang and Texas Tea, it does hint at the sort of stylistic journeys young rappers are undertaking these days, marrying the soupy, bass heavy, atmospheric production that’s all the rage across the interwebs with a variety of styles ranging from classical-rappity rap to near-based freestyle excursions. The result is a cohesive (and compact–only ten songs clocking in at 26 minutes) first statement from yet another promising Chicago artist (and member of the talented SAVEMONEY crew, which features bubbling talents Vic Mensa, Chance the Rapper, and Kami de Chukwu). Stream and download the tape below (be sure to check out highlights “Carlo,” “Susie Cues,” and “Secret Based Freestyle” ft. Kami de Chukwu and Preston San).
