Freestyle of the Week Review: 2 Dash Tone, Niggas in Paris

With the indisputable success of The Throne’s “Niggas in Paris,” the legion of remixes was inevitable. What sets 2 Dash Tone’s apart is his somewhat unique viewpoint; the Harlem bred rapper currently finds himself living in the Eternal City of Light.

The cut is a continuation of sorts of his last tape, Music Is My Mistress; several elements of his flow that rose to the surface there reappear here, while the Parisian imagery is toned down but undeniable–chandeliers and candles set the mood just fine. Tone applies some aggression to his voice, seemingly aware that this is a track which demands presence and respect. Normally at home on more soulful, East Coast-centric beats, he adjusts well to the Left Bank, raising his game to assume control of a somewhat unwieldy and already thoroughly trod upon song.

Tone’s penchant for homophone rhyme returns (“With the top down/And a girl pretty/In all pink like Hello Kitty/Her skin is light/When it hits the light/And it’s all pink like Hello Kitty”), though with less ferocity than on some of his other tracks. While he makes a run through West and Hit-Boy’s cold vein production that does not deviate too far from the original’s path, a listen to the instrumental shows how tricky a different path would be; indeed, most remixes follow a flow similar to Yeezy and Hov.

Recognizable and vicious, a remix to “Niggas in Paris” should not be in the cards for every rapper. But with his adopted city taking an unexpected turn in the limelight stateside, Tone takes it upon himself to rep for all those really in Paris; not just to record, but to live.

Download the remix: here.

“Niggas in Paris Remix” receives a PARL

Rating:

P…Horrible

PA…Tolerable

PAR…Good

PARL…Kinda Great

PARLÉ… Classic

Rating:

P…Horrible

PA…Tolerable

PAR…Good