Milwaukee’s Chicken P has been on a hell of an over the last couple of years. As the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene has continued to grow and thrive, Chicken P has soared as well. He has always been a catalyst in the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene and helped cultivate the style of Slap music from this city sweeping the nation right now, so it is awesome to see him get the notoriety and recognition he deserves. After making waves for several years in the underground Hip Hop scene, Chicken P has come closer to the forefront in the 2020s. His current run of success started in 2022 when he released the first iteration of his BussaBrick album series. He has released three BussaBrick albums over the last couple of years, with 2023’s BussaBrick Vol. 3 arguably being his biggest release to date. This project contained tracks such as ‘Rollin’ and ‘People’s Favorite,’ which did numbers on social media last year. Chicken P continued his momentum in 2024, having released another enjoyable album called Hardest N****a Livin in May. Songs such as ‘Shark’ and ‘Ain’t Runnin Out’ have been popping off from this record, furthering his stake as someone who needs to be paid attention to. Chicken P has not stopped grinding in 2024 at all, as he recently released the EP 4evaLit, which I recently covered on this blog(go read that write-up when you are done here if you have not yet). The highlights from this project, ‘Back’ and ‘Low Life Rich N***a,’ are among my favorite songs of the year and have been on heavy rotation for me recently. Chicken P is not done working in 2024, as he just dropped yet another EP, titled Still Bussin. Here is how I feel about this latest project from Chicken P. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about this new EP by Chicken P, and also comment the names of any other Milwaukee-based or independent artists you think I should look into!
Chicken P’s last release, 4evaLit began with a couple of songs that had a bit of a lighter tone to them that showed a slightly different side to Chicken P’s artistry. Still Bussin, however, begins with a tone that is a lot closer to what most people would expect to hear from Chicken P. ‘Pyrex’ is a bit more low-key and nonchalant than most of Chicken P’s music. It does not have one of those intense, high-key Slap music beats he has come to be known for. The tone of ‘Pyrex’ is very harsh and dark, though. This is the kind of song to listen to before you are about to go hit a lick or beat the shit out of someone(or on a lighter note before you go work out or turn up). The melody for this track is so mean. The keyboard riff that drives this melody is simple yet foreboding; it has a tone that makes it feel like something bad is on the horizon. Chicken P’s rap performance on ‘Pyrex’ fits the energy of the instrumental so well. His choppy flow and tone are just as eerie as the melody and really make the song hit extra hard. ‘Pyrex’ is a great opening track for this EP that fans of Chicken P’s most baleful music will love. ‘Look Like’ slows things down and smooths things out a considerable amount. This song has a tone that is somewhat similar to those aforementioned songs that began 4evaLit. The melody for this song is so groovy. This is the kind of melody that will give you a stank face when it comes on. The beat for ‘Look Like’ is not necessarily that massive or bold, but that is okay. Its more laid-back nature fits the melody very well. Chicken P’s vocal performance on ‘Look Like’ is pretty different from what most would expect from him. He sing-raps in a pretty breezy and light, matching the easygoing nature of the instrumental nicely. ‘Look Like’ is not the most riveting song I have ever heard, but I appreciate the variance in Chicken P’s artistry that songs like this prove. ‘Double Up’ has a sound that almost feels like it combines elements of the first two tracks. This song has a groovy R&B-infused melody with a very charming tone. The piano riff that drives this melody somehow sounds melancholy and uplifting at the same time. ‘Double Up’ has the kind of melody that feels like we may be in the midst of dark times, but positivity is definitely on the horizon. The beat for ‘Double Up’ is pretty punchy and upbeat. The harder-hitting nature of the beat fits in more with the energy of ‘Pyrex,’ and it gives this song a gruff element that I dig. Chicken P’s rap performance on this one is tough and gritty, but also a bit subdued. His tone matches the nature of the beat, but the emphasis he raps with fits in more with the feeling of the melody. This is a cool delivery for this track, as it gives ‘Double Up’ texture. ‘Double Up’ is a song that combines some of the best components from the first two tracks on this EP, giving it a bit of variance.
‘Rich N****a Timin’ is a track where Chicken P truly returns to his roots. This song has the kind of sound that one would expect to hear from Chicken P if they knew some of his other music. The melody for this track is dim and dirty. The synths that drive this melody are so grimy and have a daunting tone to them. The beat for this track is intense, bouncy, and past. It is the kind of beat that absolutely pounds and has a tempo that will get anyone moving when it comes on. Chicken P’s rap performance on ‘Rich N****a Timin’ is scattered and intense. His off-kilter flow and high, raspy tone amplifies the already harsh energy of the track and takes its energy over the top. If you are really into some of Chicken P’s toughest music, this is a song you will love. Chicken P closes out this EP with ‘Hate Me Too,’ which has a pretty similar feeling to it as ‘Double Up,’ in my opinion. The melody for this one is pretty charming and bright, but the beat is fast and bold. I really like the twinkling nature of the melody on this one. The melody of this song makes me feel like I am floating. This is such an interesting sentiment because the beat is so grounded and certainly brings me back to earth. Like the previous track, Hate Me Too’ has the kind of rapid-fire beat that makes me want to move when it comes on. As I sit here typing this and listening to the track, I am literally having a tough time not getting up and dancing around my apartment. Chicken P’s rap performance on this one is pretty even-keeled. His tone on ‘Hate Me Too’ is pretty low and raspy, and his flow is very collected. The way he rides over this beat with his vocals makes the track feel so suave. ‘Hate Me Too’ is a cool way to close out Still Bussin, as it combines some of the best elements that we have gotten from Chicken P on the project into one succinct and fun sound.
As I stated in the introduction, Chicken P has had such great momentum over the last year or so. It seems like he is coming into his own, as each release shows new elements to his artistry that show he is still expanding his sound. Still Bussin is yet another release from Chicken P where this is the case. Similar to his EP from a couple of weeks ago, 4evaLit, this project has elements of Chicken P’s signature sound while also including new things that we do not usually hear from Chicken P. If you just want the hard-hitting and brash Milwaukee Drill and Slap music that most people would expect from Chicken P, you do get some of that here. There are a couple of songs, however, that show a bit calmer side to his artistry that I can appreciate as well. The coolest moments may come in the last two tracks, which have lighter melodies but also have tough beats, giving us the best of both worlds. Chicken P also shows a bit of vocal variance on this EP as well, proving he is not a one-trick pony in that regard. It is cool to see Chicken P growing in this manner this late into his career, as it proves he is not close to settling. Still Bussin is yet another high-quality release from Chicken P in 2024. I would be surprised if he is done this year because I am sure he wants to continue his momentum; I am excited to see what Chicken P does next!
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