Album Review: Starlito and Don Trip- Step Brothers Two

In case you forget what album you are listening to, there are many times throughout the course of Step Brothers Two where Don Trip and Starlito remind you—“Step Brothers” they say, often at the beginning of a song, shortly after Drumma Boy reminds you that he is responsible for the track’s production.

Following up Step Brothers, an aptly titled 2011 mixtape, Memphis rappers Don Trip and Starlito have re-teamed for a proper “album.” Given my recent track record with contemporary hip-hop releases this year, I went into Step Brothers Two uncertain as to what I should be expecting. Aside from the cover art alone of the original Step Brothers, I knew nothing else about it.

The nod and wink to the awful 2008 Will Ferrell/John C. Reily comedy of the same name continues with the cover concept for Step Brothers Two, however because this is a legit retail release, we are spared any dialog snippets from the movie—although the track name “Bunk Bends” obviously references this scene.

Neither Don Trip nor Starlito are household names, but for fans of mixtape circuit rappers that may never put out a proper LP, it seems like they are pretty successful based off of the amount of sold out shows they are playing in support of Step Brothers Two, as well as managing to place somewhat high last week on the iTunes hip-hop and rap albums charts.

It’s really tough to say if I like Step Brothers Two. I certainly don’t dislike it, and after my debacles with albums from A$AP Fergand Earl Sweatshirt, I find it incredibly more palatable than both of those, but it’s certainly no My Name is My Name, and for some reason, I’m having a difficult time not holding every contemporary hip-hop album to that standard right now.

Production wise, Step Brother Two, relies heavily on trap drums, along with very cinematic, swirling, paranoid sounding synths. Lyrically, the album is pretty dark, with the comic relief coming in the forms of throwaway lines. Both Starlito and Don Trip are talented performers, and it seems like they are genuinely having fun with this project, but there are moments where the tracks lack enough energy to keep them going.

One of the flaws I found in Step Brothers Two upon multiple listens is that some of the songs become incredibly monotonous—“Shut Up” being one of them. Another problem is that occasionally, the interplay between Don Trip and Starlito just doesn’t really work—stylistically their delivery is as different as night and day. Starlito’s sounds at times like he’s on the verge of tears with his cadence, while Don Trip can get ahead himself, with a southern drawl and a somewhat angry flow getting in the way.

Even though it’s inconsistent, Step Brothers Two has some high points—the appearance of vocalist Robin Raynelle on “Open Your Eyes” makes it incredibly sincere and heartfelt; the NBA Jam referencing “4 x 4 Relay” is a very concise track, showcasing the lyrical skills both Don Trip and Starlito have; and both “28^th Song” and “Paper, Rock, Scissors,” are strong opening tracks, setting the stage for the album to come. It’s just that the album to come occasionally loses steam.

If anything, Step Brothers Two is an introduction to both artist’s solo work, as well as a glimpse of their collaborative process continuing to grow.

Step Brothers Two is available now in the iTunes Store.