Tee Grizzley - 'Activated' Review

Last decade, Eminem was carrying the torch for Detroit and giving Hip-Hop a glimpse into his life. His vivid storytelling and satirical passages helped him rise to rap’s upper-echelon. Years later, he’s easily regarded as one of the best selling artists of all time.

Hip-Hop is the language of the unheard.

Eminem gave the world a sense of what it was like to grow up as a poor white male in a single parent household. Perhaps without meaning to, his music connected marginalized people.

Yet since then, the Detroit rap scene hasn’t had a premier voice for the voiceless. Tee Grizzley may just be the voice to fill that void.

After collaborating with Lil Durk on Bloodas, he’s putting the game on notice. His debut album Activated features production from Helluva, Chopsquad DJ, London on Da Track, and more. Guest appearances come from Chris Brown, Lil Yachty, Lil Durk, Jeezy, Moneybagg Yo, YFN Lucci, and Jeezy.

From the onset, Grizzley wastes no time. The album’s intro is brash and energetic; Grizzley “saw the money and got activated.” Right from the beginning, it’s hard not to feel connected to his mantra.

In this way, Grizzley is a motivational speaker. Albeit, one who never comes across as preachy. His rap style is relentless, his vocals heavy from carrying a chip on his shoulder.

He parallels Meek Mill in this way: their gritty stories humanize them to their listeners; while their current success gives people from their areas something to aspire to.

“My whole life I saw everybody else get shine,” he stated about the album.

Yet now he’s glowing next to his peers like Lil Yachty. “Light” is one of the best collaborations on the album. The chemistry between these two is unbelievable—so much so that Grizzley shouts him out on other tracks he isn’t even featured on.

Elsewhere, he’s reflecting alongside YFN Lucci about his humble beginnings. He “used to carry bottles to the store/ thinkin’ to myself like I can’t do this shit no more.” These bottle machines only spit out a few coins, amounting to only a few dollars.

His transparency cuts deep. Like any writer, there are moments of exaggeration; but overall, he gives listeners a window into his narrative. His descriptions make you feel like you’re standing there with him.

The cutthroat gangsta rapper archetype has its shortcomings though. There’s an unspoken rule that street rappers must maintain their tough exterior, and show no signs of vulnerability. If they’re singing, they can’t sound “soft.”

Grizzley defies this stereotype vehemently on tracks like “Robbin” and “Bag.” The latter of which is a dark, melodic trap banger rife with flute and bell instrumentation. He doesn’t have a whole lot of range, but it’s easily one of the most impressive moments on the album.

“Time,” featuring Jeezy, feels like a passing of the torch from a trap music pioneer to a new trap influencer. Grizzley makes it clear that he can’t “waste no time”... so other rappers best be on your grind.

Essential Tracks

• “2 Vaults” ft. Lil Yachty
• “Light” ft Lil Yachty
• “Don’t Even Trip” ft. Moneybagg Yo
• “I Remember” ft. YFN Lucci
• “Bag”
• “Activated”
• “Robbin”
• “Bloodas 2 Interlude” ft. Lil Durk
• “Keys To The Street"
• “Set The Record Straight” ft. Chris Brown

The Verdict

The Detroit native didn’t need anyone to pass him the torch—it was waiting to be snatched, and he’s running with it. He brings out the best in his collaborators like Yachty, while rapping with a voracious ferocity. Interestingly enough, he proves he can sing a little as well.

Activated is motivational trap galore from one of Hip-Hop’s most talented rising stars. B+.