Rilgood spits raps like he’s furious with the microphone. In “Flying Pig Theory” he boasts, “lookin’ at my rhymebook is like lookin’ at Medusa.” Indeed, his stony perspective reflects a cold and hard world and the gravelly character of his voice defies his youthful look and carries the weight of his sentiments like a freighter full of masonry. Between verses in “Flying Pig Theory” he speaks against degenerating rap values, but his raps don’t necessarily deviate from the familiar themes of guns, alcohol, misogyny and the deadly “rules of the game.” In “Chinese Chess” from the “Great Expectations” mixtape, he falls into step with Public Enemy and N.W.A. saying, “We don’t really rap, we just recollect the facts.” However, he might have to turn down his swagger a smidge if he really wants those facts to be heard.
The full results for the NYC Year End Poll’s HIP HOP/OTHER submissions are here.