The mise en scène of a Glokk40spaz music video often parallels that of “The Blair Witch Project”, featuring seemingly abandoned homes and remnants of human structures nestled within nondescript forests. These locations are as close to civilization as they are to deeper wilderness, creating a setting where both works convey diffuse folklore through immediate transmission. On Glokk’s latest project, “Took The Biggest Risk”, this sense of immediacy is enhanced by moments of respite, thanks to production from SenseiATL, Al Chapo, Dylvinci, and Captain Crunch. Their work oscillates between twinkly and harrowing, sharpening the edges of Glokk’s raw sound while allowing him to explore brief moments of vulnerability.
There’s rarely a warm-up period on a Glokk40spaz record. Instead of introductions, he dives straight into synth lines that seem to emerge from both swamp and space. Starting one of his tapes feels like getting into a car that’s already racing at 80 mph. However, on “Enough Ammo,” there’s nearly 15 seconds of negative space before Glokk launches into his familiar flows. This time, the synth line feels more ethereal than militant. He warns, “Take precaution when you step in this traphouse, only guns and drugs allowed,” inviting listeners into a world that mirrors the anarchic hell depicted on the project’s cover art.
True to his name, Glokk’s delivery is spastic, often moving faster than his tongue. This frenetic energy serves as the foundation for his raps, where each line feels like a full-body effort. His style is akin to an uber-athletic 6’7″ player poised for greatness. This is evident on “Face Card,” a modern take on Atlanta’s musical tradition. SenseiATL and Al Chapo blend what sounds like a church organ progression with perfectly placed kicks and snares, creating a beat reminiscent of late-aughts Gucci or Flocka. Glokk’s enunciation of “F&N on me that’s plastic” echoes the throaty delivery of Peewee Longway. The song’s hook begins slowly—“Band havin’ big ass sticks on us, come get some/Don’t talk about lil Glokk, my face card A1”—as Glokk methodically digs into each syllable. Suddenly, he erupts, transitioning into his verse with explosive energy: “I’m on the block with these bands, we having hella thirties in our pockets.”
Beyond his felt delivery, Glokk stands out for his willingness to reveal bits of his identity in fleeting moments. He offers glimpses into his tumultuous upbringing, as in “Forgot My Manners,” where he reflects, “It ain’t my fault I grew up on the Southside, fucked up grammar,” and admits he never “believed in Santa.” This openness is particularly evident in his more plugg-influenced tracks, like “3rd World,” where the vocal alterations allow him to explore a broader emotional range. “I would’ve been there for you and you picked him, that shit lame,” he croons, later describing the unsettling gift of a prison shank to a friend for Christmas. These moments of vulnerability contrast sharply with his antisocial behavior.
Still, “Took The Biggest Risk”, like most of Glokk’s projects aside from “Spaz&B”; can feel bloated and one-dimensional. The autotune doesn’t always land, as on “Blame Us,” where Glokk sounds like he’s venting without any real intimacy, aside from reflections on his friend Sumo. This pales in comparison to tracks like “I Choose Violence” or “Be A Man,” where he uses similar vocal effects to truly bear his soul. A standout moment from “Be A Man” captures his emotional complexity: “I got felonies no misdemeanor/I’m going through a lot and I mean it/And my heart broke is you gon fix it/I got love for every gun that I tote/You don’t mean nothing to me no more.” “I Got A Army” is the project’s highlight, featuring production that suggests triumph. Its key progression evokes the feeling of an underdog emerging from the locker room, ready to rise. “I’m on the block posted up with hooligans/me and the woah on that god damned stupid shit.”
Using the term “hooligans” feels like a statement of purpose, akin to Chief Keef’s portrayal of his uncontrollable inner circle in “Hold My Liquor.” A hooligan is emotionally volatile and difficult to control. On the brink of something greater, Glokk embodies a hardened kid shaped by his environment.
English