Review: Joell Ortiz, “The Motto Freestyle”

Joell Ortiz applies his humorous, punchy flow to Drake’s Bay borrowing “The Motto” and rides the T-Minus production into the ground with a thorough and entertaining freestyle.

A respected lyricist, Ortiz pours a well balanced mixture of braggadocio and self depreciation onto the speakers, which then proceeds to jump mesmerizingly to the twerk-esque beat. He snakes cleanly through some decent punchlines and turns of phrase, particularly an extended riff involving “playing on them jets,” possibly the only bars ever written connecting the NFL, coach class and Pringles in one cohesive thought.

The crowning line is one that takes time to sink in, a reference to running rap with his “legal name” which at first sounds superfluous but grows increasingly badass with time. The beat, music video imagery and Ortiz’ talents calls to mind the best sharks of the Bay; an interesting image considering it comes from a Brooklyn native and some Canadians.

Download “The Motto Freestyle” here.

“The Motto Freestlye” receives a PARL

Rating:

P…Horrible

PA…Tolerable

PAR…Good

PARL…Kinda Great

PARLÉ… Classic

Rating:

P…Horrible

PA…Tolerable

PAR…Good