Although a veteran in the internet music industry, Lady London, who has recently seen a rise in popularity, expressed a sentiment that has spread across the sea of female rap fans. London stated, “Lately, it’s been empty as the head that wears the crown.”
In the ‘90s, female rap rose in popularity, establishing a true cult following and a pedigree that is not easily dismissable. In 2024, audiences are seeing a variety of female rappers coming into the mainstream and trying to find that unique sound and stage presence that made pioneers like Roxanne and Missy Elliot so believed.
Latto may be the first member of the newest generation of female rappers to find her voice and sound; although there is room for refinement. With Latto’s release of her album “Sugar Honey Iced Tea” on Aug. 9, 2024, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rap Album Chart. The album has gained constant praise from fans and listeners since its release.
The album shows off Latto’s versatility and great influence in her southern background. This is seen most outwardly in the visuals for her song “Georgia Peach,” where she represents her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Latto uses visual elements like a truck with rims, gold-plated necklaces, individual mouth jewelry and her winning headshot as Ms. “Georgia Peach” to pay homage to black-southern hip-hop culture.
The visuals give a beautiful and serene setting to the song. While it isn’t a club banger, it definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album including how southern-focused it is.
The low-paced atmosphere of “Georgia Peach” continues into “Big Mama.” This happens until the middle of the song, when listeners are introduced to the style that has inspired Latto’s newest name. A familiar feeling that Latto has cultivated in some of her other songs like “Sunday Service,” whose remix is also featured on the album, reintroduces itself to the audience.
This fast tempo is carried into many of the songs on the album, and many are some of Latto’s best songs yet. “Blick Sum,” “Chicken Grease” and “Liquor” all have a mix of ‘00s and ‘90s pop-gangster rap. “Chicken Grease” uses a sample from T.I.’s “24s,” a defining song of the ‘00s Atlanta rap scene.
“Sugar Honey Iced Tea” has many amazing features from a myriad of Southern music artists. R&B singer Ciara, a Texas native, is featured on “Good 2 You.” The track mixes the feelings of Ciara’s “Level Up”* and “Goodies” in a very upbeat DJ-pop mix. Teezo Touchdown, who has made headlines for his fluid musical style, shows his multifaceted style on “Prized Possession.”
Latto’s features with Mariah the Scientist (“Look What You Did”), Megan Thee Stallion (“Squeeze”), Coco Jones (“Ear Candy”), and her solo songs “Brokey” and “S/O To Me” are some of the most beautifully curated songs on this album. Each shows off a certainty in Latto’s music creation. She has found her sound while also showcasing her ability to adapt, collaborate and keep her listeners on their toes.
When first listening to the album, it is a welcome surprise how distinctly different the execution of every song is. In “Copper Cove,” featuring Hunxho, Latto takes on an R&B melody and shows us her singing skills. “Settle Down” and “There She Go” use slow-paced trap beats reminding you of UGK’s “Int’l Players Anthem” featuring Outkast.
“Sugar Honey Iced Tea” is a tune-in for anyone who has listened to music inspired by southern rap, specifically if you grew up listening to Nelly’s classic album “Country Grammar.” While the album brings a fresh sound to mainstream female rap, there is still much to be improved on — especially in the content of her songs.
While Latto is a gifted artist and entertainer, her lyrical prowess as a rapper was not showcased much in this album. Many of the songs’ messages are extremely repetitive and lack the caliber set by the rest of the musical elements. From visuals and beats to Latto’s flow, there is a bar set that the message of the songs just does not meet.
The unique styles of storytelling from Southern rappers are what made Southern rap of the ‘90s and ‘00s so groundbreaking. In their Southern dialects, they made songs about driving down the street with their speakers up while telling you about cultural aspects specific to the region. And while the visual elements are a nice addition, there was not a need for it to convey the story of a song. At times, it feels like certain parts of Latto’s album, like “Georgia Peach,” feel dependent on these elements.
Despite these negatives, “Sugar Honey Iced Tea” is still a must-listen. It is, by far, one of the better albums that has come out of the hip-hop sphere this year, and it could be a great contender for album of the year.
Rating: 3.9/5
