The Video:
Every ’90s baby grew up idolizing the Cash Money Millionaires. The Hot Boyz and Big Tymers brought a brash, Southern flair to a Hip-Hop era dominated by the East and West Coasts, flashing their bling and riding their outsized personalities to chart success. Though most of those who worshipped Cash Money wanted to be Lil Wayne or Juvenile, Atlanta rapper Ralo looked up to Cash Money label boss Birdman, 🐤*birdcall sound*🐦 as detailed in his new video “Letter to Birdman.” Premiered today by XXL, “Letter to Birdman” reveals that Ralo appreciates Birdman not for how he flaunts his riches, but for his generosity of wealth and spirit, welcoming his label signees into an extended family and treating them to lives of luxury. In the video, Ralo composes his letter in a trap house, surrounded by cash and jewelry, with interspersed clips from classic Cash Money videos. “I never wanted to be like ‘Pac,” says Ralo in the song’s intro, “I wanted to be like Birdman. I wanted to buy my n*ggas some cars. I wanted to buy my n*ggas some jewelry.”
Hosted by Birdman himself, Diary of the Streets II is the sequel to last year’s popular Diary of the Streets. Featuring guest appearances from Future, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Shy Glizzyand Birdman, Diary of the Streets II is a monument to Ralo’s stature on the streets, packed with melodic trap anthems and impressive songwriting about a wide array of topics that affect Ralo in his everyday life. With production from Southside, DJ Plugg, Weezy, and Goose, Diary of the Streets II hits the internet on August 29th.
Last week, Noisey premiered Ralo’s Future-featuring, Southside-produced banger “My Brothers,” alongside a Q&A. Noisey also premiered the Shy Glizzy-featuring “Dear Your Honor,” Ralo’s heartfelt plea for a fairer criminal justice system. Earlier, Ralo recruited three of America’s hottest rappers for the Complex-premiered DOTS II single “Flexing on Purpose,” a monstrous, lurching turn-up banger featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, and 21 Savage. Though that level of star power would dwarf a lesser artist, Ralo rises to the occasion, shining with his trademark charisma. Diary of the Streets II is a unique approach to the Atlanta sound, elevated by Ralo’s depth of feeling and force of personality. “I’m not just rapping for exposure,” explains Ralo. “I want to bring people together. I want to have a good influence on the community; I want people to stop fighting each other.”
Watch “Letter to Birdman”: https://youtu.be/5diB4Ns-qCE
Check out the XXL Premiere: http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/08/ralo-letter-to-birdman-video/
Pre-order Diary of the Streets 2: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/diary-of-the-streets-ii/id1140028800?ls=1
Please contact Michelle or Dharmic if interested in talking with Ralo.
Ralo’s’ music is a combination of ingenuity and power. He has worked with signed acts such as Future, Shawty Lo, Young Thug, and Young Scooter. This experience has given Ralo the opportunity to prove to his fans that he has what it takes to surpass some of the more popular mainstream and independent artists out today. His new project, Diary of the Streets 2, hosted by Birdman, comes out on August 30th.
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“Letter to Birdman”: https://youtu.be/5diB4Ns-qCE
Pre-order Diary of the Streets 2: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/diary-of-the-streets-ii/id1140028800?ls=1
“My Brothers”: https://soundcloud.com/ralofamerica/my-brothers-feat-future/s-lrnkt
“Flexing On Purpose” ft. Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert and 21 Savage: https://soundcloud.com/ralofamerica/flexin-on-purpose-ft-lil-uzi-vert-young-thug-21-savage/
“Bad Habits” ft. Shy Glizzy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHk91Qrcdc
“Can’t Lie” ft. Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG8Jb0XkgDI
Diary of the Streets: http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34182/ralo-diary-of-the-streets.html