Albums MIKE & Tony Seltzer - Pinball

[IronFist]

100 Gecs is about money. MIKE is making money now. You can tell because Naavin gets the racks to him. You can also tell by 10k’s concentration on physical media and MIKE's impressively lengthy and dense tours that the whole crew is trying to stack it up. This track isn't just a flex; it's a testament to the hustle, the grind, and the strategic foresight that's propelled MIKE's career to new heights.

100 Gecs has a very fast-paced yet ethereal atmosphere to it revisiting the trap-inspired sound. Ethereal is a word I would use to describe many of the beats on this project as a sparse sort of backdrop for high-tempo drum patterns inspires a sense of urgency in MIKE's flow and displays consistency in his ability to find an intriguing pocket across beats. This track exemplifies MIKE's knack for blending the ethereal with the urgent, creating music that feels both otherworldly and grounded in the real experiences of success and hustle.

On God

"Ain’t off the top, but it’s all off the noggin

I’ll do you wrong, my dog can vouch

I’m not alone, I’m lost without you

Trust, I get colder along that route"

This is the most popular song on the album and it has Earl Sweatshirt and Tony Shhnow as features. It is a song that revisits celebration and MIKE’s love for weed while Tony Shhnow carries the weight for doing the outright flexing required for victory lap EPs. The collaboration here adds layers to the track, with each artist bringing their unique flavor, making "On God" a standout piece on the album.

I like these lyrics because I appreciate that MIKE still can work in introspective points by identifying the motivations and reactions in his life. Yet and still, the overarching sentiment is that now is a time to enjoy the fruits of his labor and the floating bells and punchy synths and drums set the atmosphere perfectly. This track is a balance of self-reflection and celebration, encapsulating the complex emotions of success.

Skurrr

"Why you always by the rim, but you not scorin’?

I got thunder in this spliff, sound like God snorin’

We gon’ take off in a bit, but you not boardin’"

A more laid back track, like R&B to come later on, Skurrr has more of an R&B feel to it as the higher pitched melodies and snaps driving the tempo create a warmer atmosphere with more texture inbetween the spaces. This shift in pace allows for a moment of breath in the album, where listeners can enjoy a different facet of MIKE's musicality.

I imagine God snoring would be very loud conceptually, so it tracks that MIKE's passion for having the loudest weed would be comparable. Consider me a hater to anyone with access to affordable, quality weed. You all have it, I want it, give it to me. MIKE must have some really good weed. The humor and personal touch in these lyrics offer a lighter, more relatable side of MIKE, connecting with fans on a personal level.

Underground Kingz

"Who would’ve thought? Still be runnin’ off this dumb dream

Another artist out the sLUms, I feel like Bun B"

 

[IronFist]

This is probably the most uptempo beat across the 11 songs. The guitar licks in the back really make it come alive with an almost funky backdrop to the factpace synths that light up the track. This track feels like an homage to the roots of hip-hop, blending the classic with MIKE's contemporary style.

MIKE raps about what it takes to maintain the growth and success he has found over the past few years and speaks to more celebration. I love the sLUms shoutout and appreciate the recognition of how unique it is to really be living your dream to some capacity. Here, MIKE not only celebrates his achievements but also acknowledges the journey and the community that has shaped him, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude.

Yin-Yang

"The day that I go, the day that I shake, nikka, that be the day that I die

I couldn’t wait on the go, you playin’ your games, I be chasin’ the guap

I couldn’t fake it no more, that hatin’ and fakin’ be makin’ it hot"

This sounds like a gladiator arena type beat and I can't elaborate any further than that, but it does. This track is TOUGH. MIKE makes it clear that haters truly can be imitators by calling out those who hope and plot on his failure from arms length. It sounds like MIKE is drawing a line in the sand to stand with him or get out of his way, because standing against him might not end well. The intensity of this track, both in its beat and lyrics, embodies the struggle and defiance inherent in MIKE's narrative.

R&B

"Please don’t judge me for them scams, I was not legit

‘Fore I spent money on them brands, got my mom a crib

They gon’ test me, watch them hands come up positive

But please don’t flex ‘cause I’m a fan, but I’m not a bytch"

R&B is easily the smoothest song with a clear influence from its namesake genre. MIKE smoothly flows through the track as well, and I wanted to touch on a piece of the “victory lap” that I have been reflecting on. MIKE makes multiple mention of uppers and eludes to being faded off more than just weed or alcohol.

At the risk of sounding lame, I only want to warn those in their celebration era to be mindful of how you use these substances. As someone who has felt physical and mental impacts from extended use of certain things, it can really affect your body and health. I hope MIKE is having fun and I love to party like that as well, but moderation is important for everything. Whether it is from joy, sadness, anger, grief, or whatever, uppers can especially be a scary slope. This track, while smooth and enjoyable, carries an important message about the dangers of substance abuse in the context of celebration and success.

Shoutout to MIKE's mother and his love to her. That dude MIKE is a big dude. That would not be a fun fight. This personal note adds a humanizing touch to MIKE's otherwise larger-than-life image, reminding listeners of the personal stakes and responsibilities behind his music.

Reminiscing

"She think I’m unique, call me a freak when I be beatin’ and she get to bustin’

They see me eatin’, nikkas disgusted

Trust if he see me, he fleein’, he runnin’"

On Reminiscing, MIKE is joined by Jay Critch who Tony Seltzer has also produced for. The track dives back into a driving trap tempo where MIKE and Jay Critch rap about making womey and the women and hate that come with it. MIKE with this line is absolutely wild, and I love how this collab brought some of that side of him out. The collaboration with Jay Critch adds a dynamic energy, showcasing MIKE's versatility in storytelling and lyrical play.

You keep gettin’ beat, boy you need you a gun

This bar is fukking hilarious. You are down so bad if you are at this point bro. Just find new surroundings. Stop the violence. The humor here serves as a critique of the often-glamorized street life, pushing for a message of peace and personal growth.

Pinball

"Too much pressure in my lungs, but it’s never hurt

I found bezels in the mud, I can peep the puzzle

I’m as special as they come, I just keep it hun’

nikkas always say it’s luck when you keep it humble"

The actual pinball sound effects in the background are fire on this track, and the rest of the instrumental just sounds like a game of pinball, and I will not elaborate on that either.

I have been thinking about a conversation I had with a homie who raps about making it as an artist. I don't think MIKE is where he is due to luck and anyone seeing his career develop has seen the work he has put in to get here. I think MIKE not only put in the work, he is also skilled at what he does. I thought about my homie though and thought about his work and his skill. This track is a reflection on the journey, the grind, and the myth of luck versus hard work in the music industry.

It really made me think about how these sort of waves or spaces in Hip Hop make it so more “niche” artists can even hope to develop a following, but the actual practical nature of “making it” in the music world is not only subjective but very much based in small moments and opportunities that can alter things completely. MIKE's narrative here is one of perseverance and strategic positioning, acknowledging the complexities of success.

I wouldn't say it is a question of luck, skill, connections, or any one thing. It is an intersection of so many things that influence both the short and long term success of any musical artist. Just some rambling thoughts on a topic MIKE touches on often. His musings here are not just personal but resonate with the broader community of artists trying to navigate their path in the music world.

2k24 Tour

"I love how it smell when it break down

She be too OT, it’s too late now

I love, I hope, it ain’t hate now

I keep my live in the safe now”

Niontay joins MIKE for the closer to Pinball. This is my On God. To me, this song sounds like the most ethereal out of all of them, and it is my favorite. Niontay is not only always a great feature on a MIKE track but also is great live when I've seen MIKE tour.

"I love how it smell when it break down

OG out in Cali, ain’t no playin’ round

I love, I hope, it ain’t hate now

I keep my love, shyt be played out"

This final track encapsulates the essence of "Pinball," offering a serene yet profound conclusion to the album. MIKE, with Niontay, reflects on the transient nature of success, love, and life, providing listeners with an introspective end to a journey that's as much about celebration as it is about contemplation. The ethereal quality of this track, combined with its lyrical depth, makes it a fitting capstone to an album that explores the many facets of MIKE's evolving artistry.

 

[KingsOfKings]

@IronFist