Album review: Austin hip hop artist Pat G’s album Whatever It Takes deserves attention
The Austin hip-hop scene is loaded with untapped talent. For some reason, the industry machine overlooks the many adept artists who need only to be heard. However, if Austin artist, Pat G’s new (dropped in April) sophomore album Whatever It Takes is an indicator of what’s to come for the Capitol City, the hip-hop world may soon take serious notice.
The Austin MC, originally from Temple, Texas has been rhyming as an enthusiastic hobby since 2010, and decided to pursue his dream in earnest in 2017. A recent graduate of Houston-Tillotson University (2018), Pat G aka Patrick Gamble now runs a small clothing operation to push his Be Relentless brand. You can find his clothing collection on Instagram.
From the opening track, “Real Rap,” Whatever It Takes sounds like an ode to 90’s hip-hop… from the 90’s. A funky bass line, witty wordplay and a sharp delivery are layered with record scratches and samples. There’s no Auto-Tune here, just pure, unadulterated hip-hop.
The EP continues with the piano-driven “Fight On,” a track about pushing through, “…they try to clip my wing, but I still soar,” the opening bars imprint the message from the start. The song features robust background vocals from Janice Nicole, whose presence adds an intriguing dimension to the tracks she participates in. We premiered the clip last year.
Chime bells ring in, introducing “Justice League,” a number utilizing clever puns and metaphors referring to various comic book characters. It’s a fun, invigorating cut that breaks the more serious tone of some songs early in the track-listing and offers relief from the social tensions conveyed on the record.
“It’s too late,” “Monique” and “Everyday” continue in solid form, the latter containing jazzy instrumentation reminiscent of the more light-hearted rap acts from the early-mid 90’s a la De La Soul and Digital Underground.
“Broken” may be the most emotionally substantial song on the album. Pat questions himself and at the same time, the song is about reassurance. “I had wits and grit/grab life by the horns, kept losing my grip…” It’s about not allowing yourself to be “broken” by any opposing force, external or internal. This theme of resilience appears throughout the record. Aside from the lyrical skill and exceptional production, Pat G’s message is an uplifting and inspiring one.
The final track, “Sometimes” serves as an appropriate finale to the EP, employing bits and pieces of what makes each song on the collection so effective. It is carried via piano and saxophone-laden, marimba-influenced instrumentation; it’s a nostalgic listen, as is the entire record.
Pat G’s decision to pursue a career rapping is panning out to have been a propitious one, given his obvious talent. “Whatever It Takes” is beyond solid; it’s highly-encouraging; a refreshing hip-hop record in a time when much of the mainstream rap world has become seemingly diluted. At this point, Pat G remains unsigned. With proper exposure, he could break through the local realm, and represent Texas on a grand scale.
