Sample Sessions: “High Street Kid 2” by Mostack

Sam-ple Sess-i-on

1. Noun

No stops. No skips. A one-take review.

MoStack announced his upcoming mixtape on his Instagram page on 16 August 2021 with the mixtape cover artwork. No indication was provided in regards to the mixtape tracklist or featured artists on the tape, leaving an element of mystery for his fans. MoStack's prominence in the UK rap scene rose from his “High Street Kid” project which he released back in 2017 which peaked at number 16 in the charts. This mixtape was full of bangers and features from the UK’s best artists including J Hus, Krept, Mist and more.

The long-awaited mixtape sees the Hornsey rapper take it back to his routes with his unique flow and sound. The 14 track project shows a more personal side to the rapper, where he mentions the different women in his life, struggles with loyalty from friends, how he balances his love life and the attention his fame has given him. There is an element of deep emotion embedded within the mixtape as MoStack expresses his feelings across multiple songs on the tape.

MoStack is an expert at making feel-good music that you can vibe to in a car, a rave or even on your own. This mixtape highlights the rapper's strength with the production integrated within this tape fitting his flow perfectly. The diverse pronunciation of certain words and the different style of flows gives MoStack his unique quality. Like J Hus, MoStack shows that you can have a diverse sound and be successful and well-rated within the UK rap scene. The tape has guest appearances from some of the UK’s finest including Manchester’s Aitch, Mist, and singer Phoenix Laoutaris. The rapper has teased fans with hard-hitting singles from this mixtape with the release of “Bronson” and “Ride.” The two diverse tracks highlight MoStack's ability to provide us with raw rap flows which he can then switch up and give us softer melodies as seen on “Ride.”

As per the rules, no stops, no skips, no rewinds. This is High Street Kid 2.

1. Would You

This song opens up with MoStack having a conversation with a girl and questioning her loyalty to him. “I want a family, not a baby mama.” The song starts off with the rapper providing sweet vocals for what he wants in a girl. The rappers honest and hard-hitting lyricism emphasises where the rapper’s head is at in finding a life partner and whether this particular woman is loyal to him no matter what happens. A good foresight into the contents of this tape as the rapper shows that he requires something of substance at this point in his life.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 8

Delivery: 7

Highlights: Hooks and vocals

2. Righteous

“You see the money, righteous, the car, righteous, the yard, righteous.” On this second track, the rapper rightfully boasts about how well his life is going so far. MoStack talks about the perks of the lifestyle he is living and how it can cause others to envy it. The hook on this one is a catchy addition to the raw lyricism in the rapper's verses. The production for this track fits MoStack's flow perfectly.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 8

Delivery: 8

Highlights: Flow and hook

3. Readeh Ft. Aitch

This track will easily be a fan favourite as Aitch and MoStack go back to back on a bouncy beat. There is a playful element to this song, with MoStack mimicking the Manny accent when he says “Readeh.” Aitch adds his cheeky style to this song as he talks about his encounters with the women he has come across in different cities. You can definitely hear this one ringing off in the clubs very soon.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 8

Delivery: 8.5

Highlights: Lyricism

4. I Know

The fourth song on this mixtape provides more of a melodious vibe to this body of work. MoStack sings a very catchy hook for this song. An ode to his true feelings about how people are behaving around him. The production on this song is perfect and sets the tone for MoStacks laidback flow.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 8

Delivery: 8

Highlights: Hook and flow

5. Bronson

The production for this song is prominently dark with noticeable piano keys ringing in the background. MoStack shows his raw rap ability for this song as he talks about a friend in jail he misses. The rappers delivery is strong and distinctive on this song where it slowly softens as MoStack breaks into the hook. This is the strongest song on the tape so far

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 8.5

Delivery: 9

Highlights: Delivery and flow

6. The Friend 2

This is one of the deepest songs on the tape as MoStack gives us an in-depth look into his life and fake friends that surround him. “Fake friends are so evil, only holla when they need you.” The rappers delivery on this song really signifies the heavy emotion behind the lyrics. Something that a lot of listeners will be able to relate to as they listen.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 9

Delivery: 9

Highlights: Hook

7. Frankenstein Ft. Mis

The production on this song is up there with the best. Steel Banglez is behind this masterpiece and it’s clear to see why he is so highly rated in the UK scene. A star-studded performance from MoStack and Birmingham’s finest Mist. Fans will be truly blessed to see that these two rappers have settled their differences and come together to produce quality music. Mist shows his ability to rap flawlessly on any beat no matter who he is rapping alongside with.

Lyrical Content: 9

Production: 9.5

Delivery: 9

Highlights: Production and Delivery

8. Secret

"Secret" highlights MoStacks unique ability to rap on any type of beat. This song is jumpy and the rappers flow compliments the production perfectly. UK rappers have started to experiment on different beats over the years, and this song is a superb example of this experiment working to benefit the rappers and producers. It won’t be a surprise if a music video was released for this song alongside the promotion of the new tape.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 9

Delivery: 9

9. Somebody Else

Highlights: Flow

MoStack continues his theme of warming, bouncy hooks and playful lyrics with “Somebody Else.” The rapper has the ability to make a light-hearted catchy hook as he sings about a long lost flame that he managed to bump into.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 8

Delivery: 8

Highlights: Hook

10. Eye Candy (Sekcee)

Eye candy is all about the vibes, with the rapper showing that he is the king of good vibes. His delivery on this song is clear as he sets the tone for a feel-good and fun song that all listeners can sing along to.

Lyrical Content: 7

Production: 8

Delivery 8.5

Highlights: Hook and flow

11. Real Luv Ft. Phoenix Laotaris

The featured singer’s vocals add an extra quality to this song. The hook she provides is excellent which is also enhanced by MoStack’s adlibs. It is clear to see that this song will have a lot of commercial success as both artists talk about real love as they question each other on how it feels. A love song at its finest which leaves listeners with the good vibes and optimism that love brings.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 8

Delivery: 8

Highlights: Phoenix Laotaris feature

12. Tehng Style Ft. JustPapers & J Tehng

As the mixtape heads towards the end, MoStack reminds us that he really is rap royalty with “Tehng Style.” This song really shows MoStack’s rapping ability over a darker and grimier beat. A song that will really turn the heads of the true rap fans within his fan base. The features add to the tone of this song with production really empathising the hard-hitting rap style on this song.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 8.5

Delivery 8.5

Highlights: Lyricism

13. Only You

“Only You” shows the struggles that MoStack is going through in his love life with a special lady in his life. The production of this song allows for deep lyricism to be broken by telephone conversations between the rapper and another girl. The inclusion of this allows for a clearer picture to be drawn of what the rapper is going through with the girl he is rapping about. An honest rendition of dealing with his fame and whether he should place his trust in girls who may be around him because of his fame and money. Production for this song allows the listener to be captivated and remain focused on the lyrics.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 9

Delivery: 8.5

Highlights: Production and lyricism

14. Ride

The first commercial release from the mixtape by the rapper. This song pulsates with its distinctive instrumentals which is accompanied by MoStacks distinctive flow and bold delivery. This is the sound we are familiar with when listening to the rapper when he broke onto the scene with his first High Street Kid mixtape. “Would you ride, would you ride for me.” A quote taken from the hook to really emphasise the theme of this tape and the reassurance MoStack is seeking from those around him.

Lyrical Content: 8

Production: 8

Delivery: 8.5

Highlights: Hook

Final Score

8.5

By Micah Roberts