Artist Name: Lil Dream
Album: Sink or Swipe

About Lil Dream:
Lil Dream is a Washington, D.C. based rapper who is starting to make waves in the industry with his music. On top of being a skilled rapper, he also produces some of his own records and has recorded and mastered the entirety of his latest project, “86 Nights.” Lil Dream has gained both local and national attention for his music and has even gotten the support of Grammy-nominated rapper GoldLink.

Link to the album:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7KIiLBWHk5sVPhF6lwCLM2

Other links:
https://www.instagram.com/1lildream/
https://twitter.com/1lildream

Can any good thing come out from the Nation’s Capital? One may ask this question as much as hip hop is concerned.

But there is someone that is out to make us believe, and in short, respect the hip hop sound that comes from D.C, and is none other than Lil Dream.

Lil Dream is one rapper that is making waves in the music industry. Sink or Swipe is his latest album, a piece of art—a musical masterpiece that’s coming on the heels of his highly successful EP, “86 Nights,” another of his latest works.

Now, there is something I find interesting about Lil Dream that makes it necessary to review the Sink or Swipe album, and that lies in his vocal renditions and lyricism that looks like T.I. incarnated.

Well, don’t take my word for it, let’s have a brief review of what each track in the album has for us.

Track by Track review of the Sink or Swipe Album

1.)         Sermon PT 2

From the moment I listen to the sound of this track, I fell in love with it because it reminds me of T.I.’s “Big Things Poppin’.” The beats and psychedelic vibe flow deliver a typical urban strategic rap theme that defines the genre itself. With wordings like “I’m on fire, let’s get higher..,” Lil is making his intentions known on the Sermon. And as he flows with Johnny Caravaggio bringing his mark to bear on the background, the Sermon isn’t a bad song for an album opener. It is the type of flow that wants to make you hear more from the next track. The only downside with this track is that I didn’t get to hear much of the wordings. All the same, it was dope.

2.)         P.O.H

This is one of the best tracks in the entire album. The beat on this one is well-rounded, and the whole mix-ups give you a side view of understanding the “scam rap” that Lil Dream is out to expose with his style of lyricism and rap flow.

The best part of P.O.H is the chorus, which is very well arranged. The track talks about Lil Dream’s quest to attain happiness as his promising career takes off in prominence. You get the picture when he lyrically postulated that “I’ll be fine when I get rich…” This is a great track.

3.)         DIPLO

Well, this is the typical declaration of the lifestyle of a hustler who give no dime about anyone when it comes to making his money “long.” Here, the raw side of Lil Dream was very visible, and you can see that in his choice of words. The rap in this mix is deliberately slow from the onset, and the lyrics give you a tip of what is inside the rapper’s mind—weed, sex, big booty ladies, and what have you. But, the real deal was when he asked the question, “If being broke was right, then tell me how can I get wronger.” Classic!

While Diplo isn’t my kind of rap song, it wasn’t at all bad for fledgling artists.

4.)         Above The Rim

For those who love “highness,” as a motivational hyperbole to get rich, here is an anthem for y’all “Above The Rim.” This track is full of pun and it once again reinforces Lil Dream’s postulations that it’s only the strongest that gets rich. With words like “Crank it to the max,” I be getting dollars,” you know this fella is out to make it in full gear.

5.)         Innit

If rhyming and lyricism are what define rap, then this track should get Lil Dream walking the red carpet of fame. “I just hit for some racks innit. Triple double my trap innit..” are wordings that exemplify the excellent lyricism that defines the genius in Lil Dream. The rap is fat at each verse of the song and the bridge-like chorus capped up a wonderful lyrical sequence flow. I like that Lil’s vocals were clearer on this one. You can easily sing along most of the lines even without reading the lyrical outline.

Ask yourself, are you innit to the end for the money?

6.)         Lean Wit It

Lean Wit It is a great piece of lyrical works from Lil Dream. I like the cut sounds on this one, capable of contesting in this neo-trap era.

With wordings like “..a young nigga gon’ die rich,” and “Ok now lean wit it, rock wit it..,” you know you’re listening to the hustler anthem who is out to enjoy what life brings to his hustle even if it will cost him his life. Who doesn’t want to die rich these days?

What a great lyrical rendition from a great rapper and producer.

7.)         Merci Beaucoup

Honestly, this is one of the weirdest songs on the album. The beat at the starting makes it feel you are listening to a typical funk song with a soulful vibe. But with words like “She say she like my style,” you know this is another of Lil Dream’s lustful, sexual appeals enveloped in self pride. Well, it isn’t my kind of song, but it does flow well.

8.)         Mike Jones

Now, this is one track I think is really up to the interpretation of the listener, because of its unique approach. The vocals on this one are not that clear enough for a first-time listener to decipher quickly. I think this was done purposely, which is fine, because it works for a track like this. Even though I know who Mike Jones is, it might make others wonder who Mike Jones is. The beat (which is also a bit low key and not as vibrant as other songs which rap is known for) aside, this track, to me, is decent. Give a few listens to get accustomed to it and you will like it.

9.)         RAWR XD

Here is one of the tracks with the most motivational lyricism, with beats and super chorus interflow that touch on the money hustling thing and the definition that comes with it. I like the beats and the supporting voice in the background. It is a great song that is worth repeating several times.

10.)     Michelle Kwan

For the souls that lust and want to get buried in between a woman’s thighs, this is a Broadway anthem for y’all. Here, Lil Dream talks about women and being on top of the money. The sexual Bragado and his usual love to play with words give him the edge as a great rhyme king. While the beats and his vocals look good, this isn’t my kind of music either.

11.)     Outkast

Now, for the second time in the album, (after the opening track “Sermon,”) Lil Dream is sounding old-school original rapper. Here, the rap is more matured, with deep, bass-like and pushy vocals. The in-between reverb and background repetitions make it sound like a typical “OG” hood track. The intro sound is lovely and is cleverly designed as a hook that motivates you to listen to the end. Great song, Lil Dream.

12.)     Sermon Part 1

What a way to round up a good piece of work for an upcoming artist. The sermon is a continuation of the historical scenario account Lil Dream was talking about in the opening track. The beat is great and everything was quite in place. The sonic on this one is a bit dense and is like reminiscing when you hear wordings like “back in the day…”. I dare say that this part of the Sermon is much better and appealing than the opening one in track 1.

In a nutshell, the Sink or Swipe album isn’t a bad one at all. In short, it does show that Lil Dream has what it takes to etch his name in rapping lyricist hall of fame.