Trunk Muzik Returns

Trunk Muzik Returns
Mixtape by Yelawolf
Released March 14, 2013
Recorded 2012-2013; Nashville, Tennessee
Genre Hip hop
Label Slumerican, Shady
Producer WillPower
Yelawolf chronology

Psycho White
(2012)		 Trunk Muzik Returns
(2013)		 Love Story
(2015)
Singles from Trunk Muzik Returns
  1. "Way Out"
    Released: February 5, 2013
  2. "F.A.S.T. Ride"
    Released: February 26, 2013
  3. "Gangster"
    Released: March 12, 2013

Trunk Muzik Returns is the sixth official mixtape by American rapper Yelawolf. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on March 14, 2013 on his Slumerican website and other mixtape hosting websites. It features production solely by WillPower of SupaHotBeats, and guest appearances by Paul Wall, ASAP Rocky, Big Henry, Raekwon and Killer Mike.

The mixtape was promoted with three promotional singles, "Way Out", "Gangster" featuring ASAP Rocky, and "F.A.S.T. Ride", which also had music videos released.

Background

During an interview with DJ Skee he revealed that a sequel to his 2010 mixtape Trunk Muzik, titled Trunk Muzik Returns, would be released in August 2012 after "the dust settles on the Heart of Dixie" but since then it was delayed.[1] In December 2012, Yelawolf addressed the status of all of his projects in an interview.[2] Yelawolf stated that Trunk Muzik Returns would hopefully be released in February 2013.[3]

On February 5 Yelawolf released the first song from Trunk Muzik Returns with "Way Out" and announced a release date of March 14, 2013 for the mixtape.[4] On February 26 Yelawolf released a second song from Trunk Muzik Returns titled "F.A.S.T. Ride".[5] On March 12 a third song from Trunk Muzik Returns was released titled "Gangster" featuring fellow rappers ASAP Rocky and Big Henry.[6] The mixtape contains ten original tracks and features guest appearances from Raekwon, Paul Wall, Killer Mike and ASAP Rocky. The album was also entirely produced by his go-to producer WillPower for SupaHotBeats.[7] The music video for "Hustle" with Paul Wall was released on October 15, 2013.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Exclaim! 6/10[9]
HipHopDX (mixed)[10]
Vice (positive)[11]
XXL 4/5 (XL)[12]

Trunk Muzik Returns was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, with most praising it as an improvement from his major label debut album Radioactive. Vice named the mixtape "Mixtape of the Month" saying, "Trunk Muzik Returns may very well be the best thing he's ever done. It's concise, shows an astonishing lyrical growth on Yela's part, and most importantly sounds like very little else out there."[11] NMB of XXL gave the mixtape a positive review saying, "Trunk Muzik Returns is a return to the form that won his fans over. Unlike some of the uncomfortable attempts at pop songs found on Radioactive, Yelawolf is raw and uncut here, which has always been the basis of his appeal."[12]

Peter Marrack of Exclaim! gave the mixtape a six out of ten saying, "Technically, his bars sound sharp as ever; even to a critical listener the double-timed, crisp-as-a-typewriter flows sail over your head...Trunk Muzik Returns is badass, amped-up music to ride to — songs that make that suburban town car cringe when you pull up next to it at the light."[9] David Lee of HipHopDX gave it a mixed review saying, It sounds cool, but it’s bogged down by so many missed opportunities. Check out “Catfish Billy,” “Gangster,” or any of the hooks on this project to see why you shouldn’t give up on Yelawolf. He’s a true artist and he should have room to experiment, but this just wasn’t it."[10]

On December 24, 2013, XXL ranked it at number 25 on their list of the best mixtapes of 2013. They commented saying, "Re-exploring the sound that made him a household name, Trunk Muzik Returns find him doing lyrical acrobatics over superb production by Will Power of SupaHotBeats. He holds his own with renowned spitters such as Raekwon and Killer Mike, while giving us a taste of his country roots in songs like “Tennessee Love.” Technically, Yela kills it in both flow and rhyme schemes, indicating that his next LP should be worth the wait."[13]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Firestarter"   4:01
2. "Way Out"   4:02
3. "F.A.S.T. Ride"   5:08
4. "Box Chevy (Part 4)"   5:11
5. "Hustle" (featuring Paul Wall) 3:51
6. "Catfish Billy"   4:22
7. "Gangster" (featuring A$AP Rocky and Big Henry) 4:49
8. "Rhyme Room" (featuring Raekwon and Killer Mike) 4:13
9. "Fame"   4:21
10. "Tennessee Love"   4:57

Personnel

References