RAWview: M1llionz - Ghetto Life

M1llionz is currently the best rapper in Birmingham—and beyond! That’s how I’m starting this review. The man has witty wordplay, an incredible flow, detailed storytelling, and a solid range in his subject matter. Call me old school, but this is the holy grail of talent. M1llionz wastes no time showcasing his abilities on this album. From Track 1 to 17, not a single bar is wasted. Let’s get into it.

Track 1 – "WHA GWAN" ft. Dexta Daps: M1llionz is a proud British Jamaican, and his heritage has always been part of his identity. If you follow him on social media, you know he spends a lot of time back home in Trench Town and beyond. So, teaming up with Dexta Daps for the intro just makes sense. A talented UK based artist crossed with Caribbean roots artist going back-to-back with Dexta laying down a smooth hook. A 10/10 start.

Track 2 – "GHETTO LIFE (WARLORD)": Here, M1llionz slides into Jamaican patois over a drill beat before switching back into his venomous Brummie flow. He’s mastered this switch-up, and it sounds effortless. The way he flicks between the two keeps your ear engaged. This is a solid track to keep the momentum going, and it sets the stage for more UK rap to follow. 8/10.

Track 3 – "ABERDEEN" ft. K-Trap: K-Trap on the 0121 signing! We’re so back. K-Trap, as usual, delivers a clean verse, while M1llionz handles the chorus and holds his verse until the second half. When he comes in, his lyrics hit hard. The beat breaks down nicely towards the end, building up the drama—it feels like we’re heading into something huge. 9/10.

Track 4 – "SUMMER SUN": Didn’t expect to hear these smooth keys so early in the album, but I’m here for it! M1llionz switches up his delivery here—smoother, more controlled, more reflective. There’s a vibe of cruising with the roof down, M1llionz sharing his thoughts as we ride along. It’s a welcome change of pace. I’m liking how this tracklist is shaping up. 8/10.

Track 5 – "BESTY" ft. Ruger: This one’s for the ladies, and it follows nicely from Summer Sun. It’s got that smooth Hip-Hop/R&B feel we heard 50 Cent perfect in the 2000s, and DBE reinvent in recent years. M1llionz adapts his flow perfectly to fit the mood, while Ruger delivers an easy-on-the-ear hook. It’s a good track, but not my personal favourite. 7/10.

Track 6 – "RS11" ft. Mozzy: This is the one I’ve been banging hard! Mozzy has been my go-to West Coast artist since Nipsey Hussle passed—and even before that, he was second only to Nip! The beat choice is perfect for Mozzy, with the keys and drum pattern setting the vibe. M1llionz opens calmly, then delivers a strong chorus, but Mozzy’s verse is where the track explodes. No gimmicks, just straight fire. West Midlands trenches to West Coast hoods! 9.5/10.

Track 7 – "7.62" ft. LD: How do you follow a track with one of the hardest US rappers? Easy, you bring in one of the UK’s toughest drillers—LD. Another shift in tone and pace, and I’m loving it. This is a joyride through the hood with thumping bass and bouncing drums. M1llionz and LD are going back-to-back, and it’s an instant reload! UK gold. This is what we do. M1llionz is in top form with his signature rolling flow, and LD cuts through the beat like a z*mb*e kn*fe. GOATED. I could write about this song all day—too many quotables. We need a joint EP from these two! 10/10.

Track 8 – "FACTORY SET" ft. Blade Brown: The legendary run continues—Mozzy, LD, and now Blade Brown? “How Greeeedy!” But the jokes stop as soon as you hear Blade’s commanding voice. M1llionz switches up his flow once again, floating over the beat and letting the lyrics do the hard hitting. Blade sounds like the seasoned vet that he is. It’s always a pleasure hearing him, and he only jumps on tracks for artists he respects. This one’s solid, with big replay value. 8/10.

Track 9 – "CONTROLLING" ft. Sean Murdz: After all the intensity, an interlude or skit would’ve been nice here—just something to give the ears a break and absorb everything we’ve heard so far. Even a cliché voicemail message would’ve worked! Controlling is good, but skippable compared to the others. 6/10.

Track 10 – "JAH KNOW": The keys suggest another pace switch, and the drums reveal a Jersey/Grime hybrid. M1llionz brings back the skippy flow he burst onto the scene with, but this time it’s refined. He’s delivering a positive message instead of the criminally brilliant lyrics we’re used to with this flow. It’s got the same vivid detail and energy, but the crescendo is motivational - Don’t give in to weakness. I loved the juxtaposition, and the incorporation of Jamaican ‘message music’ into this genre is genius. 9/10.

Track 11 – "ANGIE": Angie sees M1llionz reflecting over another top-tier drill beat. This track is reminiscent of the old-school M1llionz, but the lyrics dive deeper, blending criminality with vulnerability. He’s taking us up north, showing us the anxiety and trauma that come with a life of sin. M1llionz’s songwriting has evolved—he’s in full control of his craft, making music that resonates on a deeper level. 9/10.

Track 12 – "HDC 2.0": A masterclass in what M1llionz does best. This is what die-hard fans have been waiting for—menacing, laser-focused, and unstoppable. No one does it like M1llionz. 9/10.

Track 13 – "WADUM": M1llionz drops another signature drill track, with a catchy hook and that classic flow. It’s what we’ve come to expect, but still impressive. 9/10.

Track 14 – "STILL OUTSIDE" ft. Mwoo: A decent track, but it feels like filler. By this point, we’ve heard enough back-to-back features. 7/10.

Track 15 – "FAST LANE" ft. Nafe Smallz & Chip: Now we’re talking. North London’s Chip steps up, and he and M1llionz trade smooth, braggadocious verses. M1llionz counters everything Chip throws at him with ease—at times, it feels like Chip is slowing him down! This track further cements M1llionz’s status as one of the best to do it. 8/10.

Track 16 – "IMPOSSIBLE": One of my top picks from the album. M1llionz goes introspective over an emotive hip-hop beat, touching on world politics, hood poverty, PTSD, materialism, and drug abuse. His pen is sharp here—delicate yet fearless. It’s raw, but with the polish of a seasoned artist. A standout track. 10/10.

Track 17 – "BLOOD ON MY HANDS" ft. Tiggs Da Author: The perfect track to close out the album. Tiggs delivers a timeless, classy chorus, while M1llionz maintains the Birmingham rap flow we know and love. The hook elevates the track to something special—a beautiful way to end the project. 9/10.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a project from outside London that’s this cohesive and well-executed. Sure, it’s slightly long with a couple of fillers, but that’s more of a personal gripe than a reflection of the project’s quality. The beat selection is top-tier, the rapping is flawless, the subject matter is broad and vulnerable, and the features are masterfully executed. M1llionz has made a statement with this 17-track project, and the message is clear: if M1llionz isn’t one of the best, then who is?