On August 2, LATE LEE teamed up with longtime partner in crime Cody Benjamin (under the moniker Ty Vinyl) for hard-hitting single “BITCH.”
Nasty Flow & Delivery
From note one, there’s a hint of something sinister lurking in the song’s confines. Ty Vinyl is new to me. I know he’s LATE’s creative partner, but I’ve never actually heard him in action. I was impressed with his delivery. Lyrically, it’s nothing revolutionary, nothing uncommon in any song meant to do some heavy flexing. Quips about his attire and acclaim, his ability to steal a rival’s girlfriend. Even the opening line follows the same pattern of most contemporary rappers, attempting to shock with a vulgar reference–in this instance the now infamous OJ Simpson case from 1995. Lyrics aside, it was quite interesting to see this kid blast wordplay with pretty convincing flow. His marriage of scathing lyricism and a laid-back demeanor is at least an interesting visual contrast.
In the same token, LATE’s verse comes in with the same braggadocio. His biting lyricism coupled with that cheeky smirk of his no doubt does wonders for the imagination of the opposite sex. However, what’s most noteworthy is LATE’s actual delivery. There’s a marked improvement from the somewhat tentative flow from “SHOES” to what we have here. His ability to learn and adapt, to hone his craft is incredibly impressive. “BITCH” showcases just how much of a hustler this man is. He’s serious about his work, grinds day and night to ensure that he’s staying ahead of the curve.
As a result, we get songs like “BITCH,” a track that highlights just how nasty he can be if he really lets himself go. And, damn, does he let himself go! His flow is impeccable, each line measured and weighed against the other. He takes the bite of “WHO DAT BOY” and adds a layer of confidence and skill that knocked me off my feet upon first listen.
Each new track LATE releases is a new step in his artistic evolution. One can’t help but feel a sense of overwhelming pride, if for nothing else his process and his journey.
The Music Video
The music video itself is quite simple. There isn’t much in the way of a story line. No grand political or artistic statements. LATE and Ty first pregame at someone’s apartment, then meet up with their friends in the middle of a nondescript downtown area. There they more or less cypher among themselves, bolstering egos and entertaining each other with tales about one conquest or another. It’s all very dude-bro, quite frankly.
While the flex fest leaves much to be desired, the actual photography of the piece is quite interesting. With scenes of varying speeds overlaid atop each other and tricks of light, there’s an understated beauty in the direction. Thank directors Austin McCracken and Mike Breslauer for the creative vision of the piece and Director of Photography Cory Burmester for the execution.
Conclusion
“BITCH” may be little more than a means for LATE and Ty to regale their audience with tales of their testicular fortitude. But what’s special about the piece is that anyone who’s been following LATE’s journey will see just how much an artist he’s starting to become. He’s settling nicely into the role. Not only has his skill seen vast improvement, he’s also taken serious steps toward making a niche for himself. His dreams of grandeur are actually manifesting themselves in every single he releases.
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