Gustavo Guaapo - 9 Stories High (Deluxe)

Weekly Music

Gustavo Guaapo recently released "9 Stories High," a deluxe edition of his project. Now that it’s a complete body of work we can dive into it. Gustavo has been doing his thing for the past year, and his quality and consistency have been fantastic. With each release, it appears that things are becoming more established, highlighting his progression. With projects like "9 Stories High," you can really appreciate his art and passion behind the mic. The album includes classics like "Muddy," "Testimony," and "Tunnel Vision." The energy and hard hitting 808s combine to create a classic and memorable experience. Gustavo's cadence is what sets him apart; his voice and the way he mixes it are truly unique to him. Even though we've heard similar voices before, there's something about him that is undeniably his and that you can't really compare to anyone else. The deluxe edition adds seven new singles to an already fantastic project. "Again 2.0," "Muddy," and "Situations" are among the most popular new additions. His consistency throughout the project is outstanding. He maintains a cohesive delivery and cadence while varying the production and flow. His beat selection is excellent, and you can tell he has a distinct style and taste. His love for melodic and acoustic instrumentals is obvious, but he truly brings these beats to life. The production don't carry him; he delivers on them with equal quality and dedication, which is the perfect balance. One of the project's strongest points is its production. It immediately hooks the listener and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The quality of his mixing and mastering is up there with some of the best coming out of the city. Gustavo's signature sound and style are present throughout the project, and his balanced energy can be heard on the majority of the tracks. His melodic delivery complements the more melodic acoustic instrumentals, which create a slower, more emotional larger-than-life atmosphere. There are several of these beat styles throughout the album, but "Lost My Scholarship," "Tunnel Vision," and "Twisted Story" all have a slower, more emotional feel to them. Less thumpy and heavy 808s and more emphasis on lyrical and emotional content. The first few tracks of the deluxe titled "Again 2.0," "No Hoes In The Studio," and "Missed Calls & Birthdays" are some of his most unique and high energy tracks with a very versatile delivery and punchy beat selection. It is an artist's versatility that makes or breaks them. So his consistency throughout the project is amazing, and his dedication to completing it is very inspiring. The quality of his music holds its own, and his consistency is what will take him far into the deep and over populated industry. I’m excited to see him evolve and to start working with some of the best in the city this year.

Written by Maxim Bayarsky