Born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Rittz was raised in a suburban household in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Rittz stated in a 2013 interview with HipHopDX that he came up working various “nine to five” jobs including restaurants during his life. Rittz also went on to say that he commonly told people he was a rapper, even when he was not active. Rittz’s big breakthrough was on Yelawolf’s 2010 album track “Box Chevy”. Rittz has gone on to do many collaborations with Yelawolf since, and also toured in 2012 together on the Slumerican Tour. Rittz is also widely known for his 2011 mixtape “White Jesus”. In 2012 he took his favorite songs from White Jesus and added a few new songs and re-released it as White Jesus: Revival. Rittz signed with Strange Music in 2012.  Rittz and Tech N9ne immediately started working together and released the popular collaboration remix of Rittz’s “Bloody Murdah” shortly after Rittz joined Strange Music.

Track listing

1. Intro

2. My Interview

3. Like I Am

4. Fuck Swag

5. Wastin Time ft. Big K.R.I.T.

6. Goin In

7. Always Gon Be ft. Mike Posner

8. My Clothes (Interlude)

9. Amen

10. For Real

11. Sober featuring Suga Free

12. Say No More ft. Tech N9Ne & Krizz Kaliko

13. Switch Lanes ft. Mike Posner

14. Misery Loves Company

15. Heaven ft. Yelawolf

16. All Around the World

Track by track review and rating

1. Intro- A nice intro track.  The music backing is minimal which allows the tone of the album to be very apparent.  7/10

2. My Interview- This track has a simple beat but once again is allows the lyrics to shine.  He raps in response to an interviewers questions which makes for a unique and enjoyable concept.  This track also gives people less familiar with him a look into the most commonly answers to interviewers questions.  8/10

3. Like I Am- The guitar in the intro is a nice lead in to the beat.  The track has a very old school vibe to it.  It reminds the listener of the classic days of rap with that blend of 70’s funk sound and 80’s beats.  The verses are well done and the hook is decent.  7/10

4. Fuck Swag- Rittz’s answer to the swag generation.  The lyrics are very deliberate and pointed at the new generation of rapper.  The hook while stating the title is a little hard to hear.  The verses are well performed and the mix is nice.  9/10

5. Wastin Time ft. Big K.R.I.T.-  The albums ode to drug use here.  Another simple slow beat makes the track flow well but the listener would enjoy a more upbeat track and change of pace.  The hook is simple but accomplishes what it is supposed to.  Big K.R.I.T. adds a nice change of pace to the verses.  6/10

6. Goin In- A much different sound to this beat, although still slow.  The speed of the verses distracts from this and the hook is well put together.  7/10

7. Always Gon Be ft. Mike Posner- A complex beat backs this track.  The hook adds a new twist that is a little unexpected but it works.  A nice track with a solid message.  8/10

8. My Clothes (Interlude)-  Interesting interlude.  A message left on voicemail.  No real track or purpose really.  N/A

9. Amen- This track chronicles the life of a drug user.  A nice beat lets the message come through.  The hook is simple but it works with the tone of the track.  8/10

10. For Real- The verses don’t stand out in comparison to one of the most original hooks on the market.  Not a bad track overall.  7/10

11. Sober featuring Suga Free- This track will appeal to more mainstream fans.  The hook and verses are well done.  All about parties and the events that take place now that Rittz has made it.  Autotune is used but not offensively.  6/10

12. Say No More ft. Tech N9Ne & Krizz Kaliko- Great features on this track.  Rittz holds his own with Tech and Krizz.  A really nice collab track here to change the pace and keep the listener tuned in.  9/10

13. Switch Lanes ft. Mike Posner- Another slow jam.  This track would fit well in the 90’s R&B sound.  It has a catchy hook and is definitely a chill track.  7/10

14. Misery Loves Company- The beat has a nice piano and guitar backing which varies it enough but becomes distracting in the hook.  Another good message in this track.  The verses are well written and push the title hard.  8/10

15. Heaven ft. Yelawolf- The fast verses are once again countered by a slow chorus.  Having Yelawolf on the track adds a good change of pace in the verses which aids in that contrast.  7/10

16. All Around the World- This track rounds out a CD of mostly slow beats with fast verses.  This track is about touring and his respect level for this business.  He gives props to Strange and all the fans who helped him get to where he is.  A very good message to end the album with.  8/10

Overall Album Rating: 7.5/10

Conclusion-  Rittz’s debut album on Strange Music is definitely a solid release for the label.  It is easy for the listener to get lost in the CD because the overall tone and flow of the album is similar to a fault.  If you are looking for an album to kick back and chill to this is a good one.  If you want something with a few more changes in pace and a wider variety of sound you may want to look elsewhere. 

 

 

Favorite Tracks:

1. Fuck Swag
2. Say no More Ft Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko

Length:

• 59 Minutes

Record Label:

• Strange Music

Release Date:

• 04/30/2013

Purchase:

• iTunes - $11.99

Websites:

• Strange Music

Reviewer:

• Juggalotus