Typically, when an overeager teen offers his rap mixtape for free, he is overlooked without remorse. I mean, let’s face it, every kid wants to be the next Lil’ Wayne and we all know that mixtapes are approaching sickening levels of ubiquity.
But overlook no further, Chris Barz is here. At the ripe young age of 18, Barz bursts out of the wannabe mold with his free (downloadable) mixtape “Do You Know Him?” The EP showcases an impressive mix of eclectic rhymes. He accompanies his lyrical talent with samples from across the board, from OneRepublic’s hit “Apologize,” to Camp Lo’s old-school joint “Coolie High,” and even Outkast’s untouchable classic “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.”
The mixtape begins with the intro track “A Couple Words,” which initially seems like just that — redundant bits that lack any hint of originality. But don’t be quick to judge, as the last verse will leave you wondering if a southern rapper sans ego actually walks the earth. And wait…he dares to deviate even further from the crunk mold with lyrics that (gasp!) make sense.
His slow, heavy-breath flows are only the beginning, though, as he transitions in the song “Da Art of Rhyme” to a style reminiscent of early Lupe Fiasco (whose break, incidentally, came after doing a series of underground mixtapes). Mr. Barz — the self-proclaimed poet — digs deeper still, moving from a Midwestern style to downtown neosoul in “Conversations,” which begins with snap-applause fantasies about his dream girl and ends on a distinct 90s bump-’n-grind note.
He doesn’t stop there, dropping the sofa jam “Regular Day,” a tune fraught with cheeky lines (“cooler than a ski slope”) that leave listeners yearning for that golden era, old-school vibe, like sipping frosty lemonade on a hot summer day with Tribe playing in the background and the smell of charcoal in the air.
Not content to rest on his lyrical laurels, two self-produced tracks are part of the package, telling the world that a double-threat is lurking.
Make no mistake: Chris Barz is a breath of fresh air for underground and mainstream heads alike. This young emcee is sure to win a diverse fanbase with “Do You Know Him?” If you didn’t before, now you do.
Don’t sleep.
