RESET

On his third release of 2018, Memphis’ prolific mixtape king amplifies the strengths that got him this far. Progress is sharper on every level: topics, beats, mentality, even ad-libs (seriously, does any rapper work harder on his ad-libs?). His ability to express thug love—think of “Luv Cycle” from *Bet On Me*—continues on “In Her Voice” and “Tryna Do.” He presents life lessons on “7even,” a track that bears 2Pac’s imprint both spiritually and via two sampled quotes. Yet despite the inward thinking, Bagg is quick to flash his treacherous side like a pearl handle (“Oh Fuck,” “They Madd”), calling out fakers with impunity (“Industry”). Success and hard work put him in good company, and *RESET* travels cross-country for features: Future helps keep the rap tradition of flaunting luxury brands alive on “Chanel Junkie”; YG compares coastal grind strategies on “Curry Jersey.” But the biggest get here is a rare J. Cole feature—on a *trap* song, even (“Say Na”). It would have been easy for the Memphis rapper to cruise in the mixtape lane, but *RESET* shows that comfort is the enemy of progress—word to P.T. Barnum.