Oakland, California emcee, songwriter, producer, and record executive Too $hort is currently bridging the Sir Too $hort trilogy with his 22nd studio album. With a career spanning four decades and seminal works like Born to Mack, Life is…Too $hort, and Get In Where You Fit In, the veteran rapper remains a cornerstone of West Coast hip-hop. Following the release of Sir Too $hort: Freaky Tales last spring, he has returned with Sir Too $hort 2: Drink & Smoke, reuniting with Lil Jon to have the crunk originator produce the entire project.
A Consistent Crunk Vision
The album opens with “Better Pimp,” which effectively sets the tone for the project, featuring a piano-driven beat that highlights Too $hort’s signature lyrical focus. While the title track, “Drink & Smoke,” featuring E-40 and Tyga, feels like a missed opportunity due to an underwhelming guest appearance, the project quickly finds its footing. Tracks like “Back It Up” lean into a nostalgic mid-2000s aesthetic, while “Thicky” offers a solid, thematic exploration of his classic subject matter.
The collaborative spirit continues throughout the tracklist. Saweetie joins for “That’s My Bitch,” where she adopts the role of a bottom bitch, perfectly complementing the pimp lifestyle narrative. The album also features “I’m Not a Square” with Suga Free, a standout moment that reinforces their shared status as legends of the game. Furthermore, “Good Coochie” by Mount Westmore serves as a tantalizing tease for a potential sophomore effort from the supergroup.
Refining the Trilogy
The latter half of the album, including “So So So Good” featuring Snow Tha Product and the club-ready “We Came to Party,” showcases a more polished, trap-influenced soundscape. The project concludes with “5 Letter Word,” a track that reflects on the global reach of African American culture. With Lil Jon at the helm of the production, Sir Too $hort 2: Drink & Smoke stands as the most consistent installment of the trilogy to date. Despite the occasional guest feature that misses the mark, the production quality is a significant step up from his previous work, leaving fans eager to see how he concludes this ambitious three-part series.
Score: 7/10