"1 Umbrella-a newly formed group of regional stars ALLBLACK, 22nd Jim, Lil Bean, Zaybang, and Lil Yee-seems to be in that mold, if a little more intentional. The idea is to generate a moment big enough that it expands outside of the Bay Area rap bubble. The music doesn't really live up to that, though; it feels more guided by EMPIRE's marketing strategies than any real chemistry within the clique."
"Take "One of Those," a going-through-the-motions posse cut with no memorable punchlines (though I like when ALLBLACK imagines himself as Baker Mayfield) and a boring-ass triumphant horn beat fit for a Madden loading screen. It's like they're all in the studio just because they don't want to be the one to back out, like they hit "going" on the Partiful invite too early."
"The saving grace is Lil Yee, who is having a ball getting his vocals off on the hook. I was humming his groove in my head all day yesterday. Other than that, though, I can't imagine going back to 1 Umbrella."
1 Umbrella is a newly formed collaboration between Bay Area rappers ALLBLACK, 22nd Jim, Lil Bean, Zaybang, and Lil Yee, designed to create a moment significant enough to transcend regional hip-hop circles. However, the project feels driven by EMPIRE's marketing strategies rather than authentic creative synergy. Tracks like "One of Those" exemplify this disconnect, featuring uninspired production and forgettable lyrics despite competent performances. The group appears to have assembled out of obligation rather than genuine artistic vision. Lil Yee emerges as the standout performer, delivering an engaging hook that carries the track. Overall, the project lacks the memorable qualities needed for lasting impact, feeling more like a contractual obligation than a meaningful artistic collaboration.
Read at Pitchfork
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