Yo Gotti effectively sets the tone for his ninth proper album with "Betrayal." The opening track covers not only disloyalty but ruthless revenge ("Off with her head, I really mean take it off -- literally") while reminding listeners why his environment is called the trap ("Can't leave these streets because they paid me"). For most of the album's duration,
Gotti switches between candid depictions regarding drug trafficking and flaunting his assets, peaking toward the end of the first half with consecutive street-prowling anthems "Rake It Up" (which incorporates the classic bassline of
Too $hort's "Freaky Tales" and features
Nicki Minaj) and "Juice." Given
Gotti's delivery -- understated, plainspoken arrogance with a touch of remorse -- it's not easy to catch clever proclamations like "Red or blue, it don't make a difference/I flip that white to get that green." Smartly sequenced,
I Still Am concludes with the drug trade in
Gotti's rearview mirror ("Don't Wanna Go Back"), and then the whole planet becomes his playground ("Around the World"). ~ Andy Kellman