I swear I’m getting spoiled.
Big Kev hit me up on Instagram and asked if I’d listen to his upcoming mixtape, Lyrical Exercise, and give him feedback. Um… yes, please, because I LOVE MIXTAPES. They let me hear an artist outside the structure of an official album or a record label’s “direction”.
That freedom is exactly what makes Lyrical Exercise work so well.
Seven tracks. ZERO SKIPS.
No cap, I’ve had this thing on repeat. And tomorrow it’s finally debuting.
Mixtapes have always carried that carefree energy. They’re about sharpening your pen, flexing your delivery, paying homage, and reminding people you are legit. From beginning to end, Lyrical Exercise feels playful, confident (but not cocky), and loose in the best possible way while never sacrificing technical ability.
Big Kev Continues To Raise The Bar
One of the reasons I keep coming back to Big Kev’s music is because of the consistency. His delivery is always smooth, his Barry White-deep voice makes every track easy to sink into, and his breath control is ridiculous.
(Fun fact: he actually practices breathwork while working out. Yes, I asked because I am all about technicalities.)
More than once, I caught myself replaying sections just to appreciate how effortlessly he carries long verses without losing control.
Speaking of that…
“Rapping Rapping 2” deserves a notable mention because Big Kev suddenly kicks his delivery into high gear. You already know I had to rewind it a second time, partly for the bars and partly because I was paying attention to the breathwork from his speedy delivery. Impeccable.
Favorite Tracks
Thank U ATCQ immediately grabbed me. Rapping over A Tribe Called Quest’s “Award Tour” is already a fun choice, but Big Kev manages to make it feel fresh while paying respect with “R.I.P. Phife.” Then he starts taking shots at lazy lyricists with lines like, “Take your concerns to the booth,” “Stop bitching, just rap,” and “Last name not Durant but I might just pack a burner.” The whole track has that playful mixtape energy while still reminding everyone he came to rap.
Big Little Brother rides an incredibly smooth beat and sounds like an artist who’s done waiting for permission. My favorite line has to be, “22’s make you Jump Street. No sequel.” It perfectly matches the confidence of the entire track. Big Kev isn’t asking for the spotlight anymore. He’s owning it.
Try Me circles back to one of the recurring themes throughout the mixtape: stop talking and start rapping. Prove yourself. Once again, he’s calling out lazy lyricists while making it sound effortless. And yes… I also caught the Mel B references. I see you, Big Kev.
Listen to Lyrical Exercise
Lyrical Exercise drops August 11, but you can listen to the full mixtape right here. School is officially in session. PRESS PLAY. 🎤👇
Go Get Acquainted With Big Kev
Lyrical Exercise drops tomorrow, August 11, on Instagram, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and YouTube, so make sure you give it a listen.
And when you’re done, head over to Big Kev’s Spotify profile. This mixtape isn’t being released there, but his catalog absolutely deserves your attention. Spotify still hasn’t given him the “This Is Big Kev” playlist he deserves, so consider this your sign to go fix that yourself by following him and diving into the rest of his discography.
Las Vegas continues to produce artists worth paying attention to, and Lyrical Exercise is proof that sometimes the most fun projects are the ones where an artist simply gets to enjoy the craft.
I’ll have Big Kev’s Instagram and Spotify embedded below, so go show him some love.
