Here is a brand new mixtape from San Gabriel Valley, California emcee Wildcard. Coming up almost 2 decades earlier off the debut Dark Night of the Soul, he’d go on to build up an impressive discography for himself from there whether it be The Odyssey & The War or Shadow Work & Change in Cabin Pressure. His last couple albums Western Promises & The Zodiac Project produced by C-Lance have both become his greatest yet, returning to drop off The Secret Tape in time for spring.
“The Natural” comes out the gate with this sample-based trap instrumental explaining that he makes music for those specific kind of people whereas “Take Flight November” aggressively talks about growing up to become a screwup. “Janice Rossi” featuring Celph Titled maintains the trap vibes so they can get on their hardcore shit together lyrically while “Carmona Cocaine Phase” compares being talented & broke to a torture device.
Matty Boy’s appearance on “Ghost Light” was average to me although I appreciate the shift towards a boom bap sound & the reference to WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson leading into “The January Flame” produced by Johnny Slash carrying over the rawness for a dedication to all the kids who’ve been through Hell & back. “Wine” on the other hand talks about all the things he tried to tell the person he’s addressing prior to “Half Moon Bay” finishing the 1st leg of the tape with a cloudier beat refusing to give up.
“Fire Ants” gets the 2nd half going issuing a warning of possibly winding up in prison after getting revenge on one’s enemies while “Abby” occasionally sprinkles some rock undertones in so he can make something that the woman who can be heard at the beginning can dance to. “Hitchcock” talks about another night cruising around his street feeling like an O.G. while “Smallpox” passionately assures that it’s never too late to make a fresh start.
C-Lance hops behind the boards during “Sunny Day in October” talking about not wanting to lose himself to the fray while “Endless August” treads the trap waters once again making something that any abused stepchild can relate to. “Adulthood” winds down The Secret Tape’s last few minutes passionately talking about the hardest travelled road being the changes made to what he knows while “The December Shelter” finishes with him detailing his & his wife’s experiences of having PTSD.
Gearing up for a 4-month national tour set to begin next weekend & lasting until the end of the summer, I wouldn’t consider The Secret Tape to be on the same pedestal as Wildcard’s last couple full-lengths were although that’s not to say I disliked it. It’s less conceptual than The Zodiac Project was & I like that he toned down the amount of guest appearances, but the primarily trap-oriented production feels less interesting compared to that or Western Promises.
Score: 7/10