Overall
Strictly 4 the Scythe is a Southern hip-hop [15] [16] mixtape with Memphis rap [15] and Miami bass influences, [16] containing eight tracks [17] at a runtime of 29 minutes and thirty-eight seconds. [18] The production collective,Working on Dying,produces the majority of the album [15] [14] [17] with beats not just serving as a homage to Memphis rap, [15] but combines multiple eras in various tracks,with the collective making sure to "leave an impact like their predecessors." [15] The mixtape leans experimental at times including the tracks "Hoopty" and "Up,emphasizing diverse sounds and textures. [19] Guest artists include Juicy J,Smino,454,Luh Tyler,Rich the Kid,1900Rugrat,SadBoi,and Lazer Dim 700. [18]
The project is credited by Kiana Fitzgerald of Consequence as a "love letter" to the Southern hip-hop scene in transformative glory,serving as a rebirth to his 2013 mixtape Strictly 4 My R.V.I.D.X.R.Z.,recorded back in his Raider Klan days. [15] In the collective's statement,the mixtape combines Curry's unique presence with "gritty Southern sounds" across eras. [15] While Curry consistently appears throughout the mixtape,he plays a minimal role as he lets his other members stand out,with Bktherula and TiaCorine's "bold personality",Ferg's "bursts of energy",and Nyata's "impressive verses." [19] The mixtape's musicals style sticks with a "low-frequency weight" under cracking percussion,ratting sub-bass,and keyboards in minor-key reminiscent of Three 6 Mafia's early work, [14] lyrically bsed on money,fraud,and the repercussions of engaging the collective improperly. [14]
Tracks
The high-adrenaline [16] opening track,"The Scythe",begins with a statement not to mess with the collective on its anthemic chorus [20] through Memphis rap-esque production under "ratting percussion and trunk-knocking low end", [16] featuring Curry,TiaCorine,and Ferg. [15] In a press release,the latter revealed he was the one who conceptualized the track. [20] The Bnyx-produced [16] second track,"Lit Effect",shines with an "almost Mortal Kombat-like energy". [19] Lyrically,Bktherula approaches the beat with "ice-cold composure", [19] Lazer Dim 700 keeps the track consistent with a "drowsy,carefree verse" about pulling cards and aiming jabs at men who "enjoy bubble baths", [19] and Curry admits that half of the audience still don't recognize him,raps about "saving money until it looks like pages",and finishes the track by finding weaknesses in the hip-hop game. [14]
The third track,"Phony",leans into Memphis rap-style production with "organ stabs and stripped drum patterns" akin to Hypnotize Minds beats,featuring then-Three 6 Mafia member Juicy J. [14] [15] Throughout the track,Key Nyata raps about street posers who have "no reach beyond their own imagination." [14] The track also marks a notable collaboration between an ASAP Mob member (Ferg) and a Raider Klan member (Key Nyata),who regularly feuded in the 2010s. [15] Produced with Southern hip-hop-inspired drums, [19] the fourth track,"Mutt That Bih",highlight Curry's "sharp intensity" as 1900Rugrat switches between melodic rap and "carefree flexes" on his verse and chorus [19] in a humorous manner akin to Shaggy from Scooby-Doo . [21] Lyrically,the track bases on chasing money over superficial friendships with a celebration of loyalty to dominance and success. [19] Key Nyata raps about shrinking morality,including those who take Ozempic. [14] Closing the track,he refuses to cross others who haven't. [14]
On the fifth track,"Hoopty",is a New Orleans-esque bounce track based on women twerking out of their car windows,idealizing with Southern hip-hop themes, [15] as TiaCorine raps about spending "a stack on a white tee" and telling one to "spread their cheeks" without interruption, [14] while Smino steps in with a "playful,silky verse". [19] On the sixth track,"You Ain't Gotta Lie",formed around Miami bass, [15] Curry,with Florida-based artists Luh Tyler and 454, [15] highlight themes of sex,spending,and "pretty feet",as the latter sings a hook about reminding a girl she can can go through "without pretending." [14] The seventh track,"Tan",features humorous bars from Bktherula as her alias Rue Santan,such as inviting someone to see a Spider-Man film at 8 pm,then "head at 10." [14] The eighth tack,"Up",features Rich the Kid and SadBoi and dives into the mid-2010s emo rap scene, [15] with the former reciting luxury nouns,Molly,vintage Chanel,Eliantte ice,and Lamborghinis,while the latter sings about "vibing and doing butterflies." [14] Throughout the track,Ferg raps about a breakup,wondering on reconciliation,and going to Santo Domingo from Atlanta to call her mind "the true cheat code",reflecting on their relationship. [14]
