With the Detroit music scene being kind of low-key in recent times, Tee Grizzley steps up by bringing forth his latest mixtape The Smartest. It’s clear that it’s not a surprise release like some of the other album/mixtape drops in 2020 — but it most certainly serves as an appetizer to the entree that we’ll hopefully receive sooner than later. Although these tough times in the world have been taking a toll on us, the music has been one of the few things to keep us together. Being one of the most sociopolitical projects that he’s dropped during his career, Tee Grizzley delivers quite well with this one!

“Thank you God for letting this music save and change my life”, said the Detroit rapper as he took to social media for the mixtape’s announcement. In the Boondocks-inspired cover art, Tee Grizzley is shown sitting in a classroom with other melanin-friendly students as he’s writing “I Apologize” in his notebook. While others are angry, exhausted, not focused, unbothered and worried, Tee Grizzley’s cartoon is alert and sharper than a pencil tip.

While one might overlook the cover in it’s entirety, one might also miss the messages posted in the back of the classroom: “NO ROOM FOR RACISM”, “BLACK LIVES MATTER”, and “SILENCE SUPPORTS VIOLENCE”. With us working to put an end to police brutality, racism and the evils of the world, these messages are quite profound.

Equipped with 17 records in total, Detroit’s grim reaper managed to land some prominent features with Big Sean, Meek Mill, Lil Baby and Lil Keed. To compliment, he didn’t fail to round up some thorough production from the likes of Mustard, Hit-Boy, Helluva, and the legendary Scott Storch. By now, you should already have this mixtape downloaded and ready to have in continuous rotation throughout the summer!

Tap in to The Smartest below and let us know your favorite records in the comments.