JWOOD – “RAW” (Mixtape Review)

Broward is the boiling pot right now for that gritty Down South music. Within a year, the Florida-base region has birthed superstars such as Kodak Black, Lil Pump, and Wisfisfuneral. Major labels vulture over the trendsetting county looking for the following new prospects ignites the Broward-native JWood to show off while all eyes are on the county with the release of his new mixtape, Raw.

Jackin for beats, JWood follows in the footsteps of the vintage mixtape presentation by freestyling over hit songs by other successful artists. While it is a parlor trick that is currently frowned upon by today’s industry standards, it is still a useful practice for an indie act with fixed resources to gain popularity. However, while the production can be upscale, doesn’t mean the sound is there to match.

Listen to Raw below:

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On the breakout single, “WildnOut”, Wood sticks to reporting the hustle around the way. JWood Throughout the 10-track mixtape, JWood’s moments come in wide gaps like on the classic Bay Area production, “I Got 5 On It” and the last two cuts “Southside” and “The Hood”. Woods is full of drive on Raw as majority of his content is a money-making scheme, caper, or negotiation.

Raw as a complete project is exactly that, unpolished creative potential. Not to say JWood doesn’t have quality to go on to become another superstar out of the South, just like many southern recording artist, he is simply acquired taste.

Rating: 7/10

Highlight: Production

Follow JWood on Twitter: @JWood