Tampa Bay artist Taz Money has shared his debut EP Rookie of the Year after building anticipation from a series of engaging singles such as the infectious “Damaged” and “No Luck.” A versatile rapper who draws influence from the bouncy Flint sound, sample-drill, and southern hip-hop, he continues to flex his commanding mic skills and ear for vibrant, addictive production on this latest offering.
“Rookie” opens the project in a grand fashion, with glowing horns that ring out briefly before powerful percussion and twisting vocals samples merge together to create an exhilarating backdrop for Taz Money’s vocals. He enters with rapid, dazzling verses that enhance the adrenaline-pumping feel of the instrumentation, and keeps the listener on their toes with dynamic rhyme schemes throughout. “Taz Lopez” completely flips the vibe of the EP with instrumentation influenced by Latin music that includes heavy percussion and booming 808s that shake the floor. While “Nobody” flips a classic sample into an addictive trap groove as Taz Money tackles the beat with heart-racing ferocity. The final track “Gamble” closes the project out with a smoother, slower pace as buttery samples centred around uplifting vocal samples and warm keys play out. Here, his vocals take on a different tone as he touches upon heartbreak, loss, and hope for a brighter future atop the wistful beat.
An energizing EP from Florida rapper Taz Money, Rookie of the Year showcases his versatility with a refreshing sound palette that draws influence from a variety of hip-hop sub-genres. Considering this is his first project, the young rapper gives us many reasons to be excited about what may be coming next from him across this set of seven tracks.
