At 17 years old, New York-based Lil Tecca is the latest young rapper to rise to stardom following his “blow up” on SoundCloud. Rapidly gaining popularity after releasing the catchy trap hit “Ransom” in May, Tecca drew the attention of millions of listeners and quickly amassed over one million Instagram followers by showcasing his laid-back, quirky personality in Triller videos teasing new music. His newfound fame landed him a record deal with Republic Records and pushed “Ransom” to number five on the Billboard Hot 100. With such an unprecedented rise to the top of the charts, Tecca’s debut album, “We Love You Tecca,” is the true test of whether he has the skill to prove himself as more than just a SoundCloud rapper.

The album project centers around Lil Tecca’s ascent to fame and his new lifestyle. He is clearly comfortable with himself despite his awkward, brace-face appearance, and displays his confidence throughout the album on tracks like “Senorita” and “Ransom,” where he raps, “I know I’m ’bout to blow-oh-whoa-oh, I ain’t dumb.” 

He claps back at his former haters on “Amigo,” where he recalls, “Remember when I wanna link, they ain’t wanna show up, Funny how they hit my jack, see a n—a blowin’ up.” It is clear that the young rapper’s life has completely changed in a matter of months as he shares his awe of stardom on the track “Out of Luck,” declaring, “My life a movie the way they be acting.” He later expressed his gratitude with the lines, “This life I gotta appreciate, Remember the time I ain’t have this.” While at times it seems that Tecca’s lyrics may be muddled or lacking a clear storyline, the mixtape ultimately tells the story of the seventeen year old’s come-up and gives listeners a taste of the rapper’s distinct personality. 

Lil Tecca’s unique voice is what truly sets him apart from other rappers and makes his album a must-listen. His catchy flow and ear for melody elevate his music and characterize his unique sound.  Rapping on what some may call “generic” piano-key and trap beats, Tecca’s voice is the real instrument and is what gives his music such a distinct flavor. Working largely with the powerhouse production collective Internet Money Records, led by the same producers as Juice WRLD’s breakout hits “All Girls Are the Same” and “Lucid Dreams,” Taz Taylor and Nick Mira craft melodies that perfectly complement his vocal flow and make Tecca’s voice shine even brighter. Although at times his flow can sound a bit repetitive, especially since the only feature on the mixtape  is Juice WRLD, listening to the album as a whole, each song highlights Tecca’s personality and emotional flair. 

Tecca’s fans are connected to him even further through Cole Bennet’s influential “Lyrical Lemonade” music videos for the songs “Ransom” and “Out of Luck.” The video for “Ransom” has amassed over 100 million views. Characterized by a straight-faced Tecca, unfazed by the antics happening in the background, the videos show fans the rapper’s goofy, laid-back personality that is relatable to many teens. These music videos have not just given Lil Tecca a massive, young fanbase, but also have been a crucial factor in his debut album’s success. 

From the bounce in his flow to the melodic beats on each track, Tecca’s personality shines through on his first album and makes a strong case for his successful future in the rap industry. Although his writing skills may have room for improvement, Lil Tecca’s flow is truly what makes his debut album one to listen to on repeat. His unique flavor and memorable voice prove that Tecca is here to stay and has the potential to become one of the hottest artists in the industry. Do not be surprised if rap fans everywhere are soon screaming, “We Love You Tecca!”