Aight breh. I got you. Just listened to the whole thing twice and I'll break it down like you did in the original post
What do we need to work on? The overall vibe I got from the mixtape was that it sounded like a bunch of friends chilled together a couple days and made some songs. Like it didn't have that seriousness to it, but that has an appeal in itself cuz it showed ya'll were having fun which is cool, but it might not be for everyone. Didn't really feel everybody's rap voice like that and although ya'll picked beats that go with ya'll style, it kinda got boring after a while. Most of the songs had that nikkas is just randomly spitting vibe to 'em. Step out of ya comfort zone and get a a lil variety in the production. It sounds like ya'll going for that 90's hip-hop/tribe called quest type of vibe and there's definitely a lane for that because you still have people who appreciate that sound. Just sharpen it up.
What was good? The chemistry everybody had was good. The chill laid back vibe was nice as well. The beats were nice too. Nobody sounded wack, but nobody really stood out like that either. Although I'd prolly say the Mungotti nikka was the best overall. He had the best blend of voice, flow, lyrics, and delivery. The only thing is sometimes he'd sound like he trying too hard especially with all the "Ehh adlibs" and shyt after some bars. When you give that vibe nikkas gon expect you to be super dope and will judge you harsher. Wale got that problem now. Dude is pretty decent but the vibe the nikka gives makes it seem like he's a prime Canibus/Big L and he's far from that so he turns some people off.
What was horrible? Nothing was horrible really. If somebody were to tell ya'll that ya'll are wack, then they prolly hating. Ya'll can definitely get better, but most emcees prolly could as well. You guys seem like ya'll already found ya'll lane, just dominate it now.
How were the lyrics? They were straight. Nobody blew me away in that dept, Pretty good wordplay though.
Any advice? Just keep grinding. If everybody step up their delivery the lyrics will improve. Some of ya'll had some dope lines, but ya'll didn't sell them enough with the flow if you feel what I'm saying. Sometimes it ain't what you say but how you say it. The last track (Lately) seemed to be going into that direction. Should have thrown that in the middle to change up the pace of the mixtape. I'd also suggest spitting with a lil more passion/emotion on certain tracks cuz that also makes a difference in how the songs/lyrics sound.
All of this is coming from a nikka who spits as well, so hopefully this helps. One thing you gotta remember when it comes to hip-hop is that everybody ain't for everybody. shyt, I feel that I'm dope as fukk and every once in a while I'll come across a nikka that I don't impress
but that's how it is sometimes.
Keep doing ya thing though breh.
