Twisted Black

Street Fame isn’t going to help Twisted Black convince anyone that his November conviction on drug-dealing charges was undeserved, as nearly every track refers to the pistol-packin’, lean-sippin’, double-crossin’ world of a Texas dope boy. But it should convince any doubters that the Fort Worth rapper deserves to trade in his street cred for mainstream fame.

On disc, at least, he’s confident that will happen despite his legal troubles, boasting on “S.W.A.C.” of a “dream team of lawyers who specialize in appeals.” He’s also unrepentant about his dirty deeds. “I don’t want to stop just because/These crackers got the feds watching us,” he admits in “Hustler’s Prayer.”

The first half is chock-full of club bangers. “Throw It Up” opens strong as Black shamelessly brags about hustling over a slow, deliberate beat and foreboding minor-key bassline with guest coke-dealing boasts from Yo Gotti and Chyna White.

Just as the relentless boasting starts to grow tiresome, a pair of moralistic story tracks adds some interest; the jailhouse epistolary “New Boot” tells a gut-wrenching story about Twisted’s teen son, and “Coldest Summer Ever” weaves a tale of murderous triple-crossing dope dealers. “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” is a nostalgic look at the tough childhood that made him the hustler he was.

The inclusion of flute-looping Dirty South anthem “Fool Wit It” makes Street Fame a Texas classic. Buy it. That dream team won’t be cheap.