Not sure what Lito was really doing with his CM deal, anyway — he’s mentioned this record was finished like four months ago, and I don’t think it was ever in the cards to release this through the N.O. imprint (correct me if I’m wrong), and every Cash Money 12” I see sitting in record stores with Lito (All-Star) on there, they have approximately 25 copies of, so I think it’s clear neither entity was helping the other sell records.
Which is not to say that Lito is a bland rapper who’s music isn’t worth spending time with. In fact, quite the opposite. While Starlito isn’t a technically adroit rapper in the mold of other “buzz artists”, like say, Kendrick Lamar or Earl Sweatshirt, and is far more subdued than more well-known (at least in rap circles) “street” artists like 2Chainz or Alley Boy, he still brings this kind of world-wearied everyman persona to his rhymes.
Renaissance Gangster was so great not only because of Burn One’s ever evolving production chops, but also because the bars Lito spits on that tape are removed from the hollow boasts of many southern artists in 2010; pedestrian to the point where they become fascinating. Most rappers tell you about the pounds of Kush they have on deck, Lito tells you about his “Loud-Defecit”; most rappers tell you about where they’ve been and the heights to which they will surely soar, while Lito tells you that he’s just “Happy To Be Here.” And so on.
Bottom line is: when Lito gets on the right production — which is usually country rap tunes (“Alright”) or southern street records from Drumma Drama (“Extra Get It,” “I’m Sorry”) — label or not, you should be paying attention (and also paying a few dollars for the art).
Music commerce. Try it again for the first time.
Starlito - Starlito’s Way 3: Life Insurance (Self Released, 2010)
This has been forever in the making. Lito is finally free of his Cash Money deal which means… I don’t know… probably a bunch of underground tapes that will be overlooked by most. Which is unfortunate because the guy’s a compelling character and he knows how to rap well. If you care about such things you should probably buy this album.
