Rating: 3/5 stars

Hip-hop fans everywhere were delighted by the surprise release of the long-rumored and never-confirmed collaborative project from two of Atlanta’s biggest superstars. Future and Young Thug dropped “Super Slimey” on Friday for audiences’ listening pleasure.

The tape features production from some of the rap game’s biggest names, including Southside, TM88, Mike Will Made It and London on da Track, among many more.

Thug and Future have two solo cuts apiece on the album as well. Their chemistry in past joint efforts such as “Who” and “Relationship” has been undeniable. Couple that with the snippets that surface on social media of the two together in the recording studio, and you get a bunch of fans salivating over a potential full-length project.

The two did exactly that, coming with high energy on each and every track. They are two of the most melodic voices in rap. The auto tune is abundant, and the hooks are infectious. The tape is not without its flaws, as these are two of the names most often associated with “mumble rap,” and they do not do anything to shed those labels. Say what you will about Thug’s delivery, but he exudes charisma and passion every time he steps to a microphone. Future’s delivery is unique in his own way, his muddled lyrics full of pain and anguish. Both artists bring a variety of flows, voices and liveliness to each track.

The mixtape has only one feature, as fellow Atlanta native Offset joins Thug and Future on “Patek Water.” While Offset continues to prove on every solo feature that he is so much more than just a member of Migos, the track as a whole was a disorganized disappointment. The Southside beat was lackluster, the hook was a flop, and what at first glance looked like an instant hit went out with a swing and a miss.

It felt like the perfect time for a collaborative project between these two. Future was coming off of “HNDRXX,” by far his most commercial project to date. Thug was fresh off a departure into the unknown with his singing album “E.B.B.T.G.” It was the perfect time to get into the studio and remind their fan bases where they came from. Unfortunately, the solo songs stood head and shoulders above each collaborative effort, which seems to defeat the purpose of releasing a joint project. “Feed me Dope” is a Future-only, bass-heavy song that sounds like it was taken straight from “DS2” and given a new home on “Super Slimey.” However, Young Thug’s solo cut, “Killed Before,” is the standout of the mixtape. The acoustic sample, the crooning auto tune and the way Jeffrey still sounds incredible when purposely off beat, then catches it again perfectly when the bass hits again, make this one of the best Thug songs ever.

While the collaborative songs are good, there does not seem to be much replay value to them. It is a shame that they will be overshadowed by the outstanding solo songs by each respective artist, but those are the songs that will stand the test of time off this mixtape, while the rest will simply serve as fillers in between.

Photo: Adrian mustredo via flickr