Florida rapper
Denzel Curry
delivers the long-awaited sequel to his 2012 mixtape
King of the Mischievous South, Vol. 1
with 2024's
King of the Mischievous South, Vol. 2
. Taking notes from his original Raider Klan sound, the versatile MC uses this mixtape to return to styles he's used throughout his career, evoking a specific nostalgia for the sound he first came up with. He anchors his Southern roots with guest appearances from the likes of
Kingpin Skinny Pimp
,
Project Pat
, and
Juicy J
. The highlights are many, but "Black Flag Freestyle" with
That Mexican OT
sounds like a direct homage to Memphis greats
Three 6ix Mafia
. "Sked," with
and
Kenny Mason
, relies on intense distorted bass and horrorcore atmospheres, and "Hot One" aims to merge the past with the present, part screwed-up samples and thick grooves, part atmospheric trap production. The upstart 15-track set was issued on
Loma Vista
in July 2024 and peaked at 81 on the U.S. Billboard charts. ~ David Crone