Competing With Himself - AR Paisley Vs AR Money (Album Review)
AR Paisley is an artist based out of Mississauga, Ontario, our home town. By the time we had heard of him, early in high school, he was already one of the most impressive rappers we had heard. So far in his career, AR Paisley has competed in, and demolished KOTD Rap battles, freestyled for Radio Stations across the world, and has opened for some of the world’s biggest stars. He’s now one of the up and coming stars in the Toronto-music scene, working with talents like Bvlly, French, and Nojoke Jigsaw to name a few. As we discussed in the most recent episode of FRAGMENT RADIO, AR might be one of the best rappers in the city, it was his diversity that we wanted more from. With his second project, Ar Paisley Vs AR Money, we were introduced growth, listening to AR make the best music he ever has, while conceptually and sonically “competing” with himself - as AR Paisley and AR Money.
The album starts off with AR Paisley introducing himself to listeners with “Celebration of Life”, a side of AR we don’t hear a lot of. Paisley reveals his conversations with God, asking why there’s always money on his mind, while also discussing funerals and the afterlife. Many of us know AR as one of the most aggressive rappers in the city, but with this new project, he alternates between that side of himself a more introspective side - starting with the latter.
That being said though, at this point in his career, we feel like AR is at his best when he talks his shit. AR Money presents himself on “Birdman” the lead single of the album, with braggadocious rapping and confident flows, on top of bending 808’s and smacking drums. The production mellows out into the second track as Paisley flips back into introspection with the help of Bvlly (RIP 🕊) on “My Life”. Again, this is a side of AR a lot of us aren’t used to hearing, but it’s impossible not to be impressed by what he’s saying, and how he saying it.
My favourite song on the album, “Big Shot” featuring LEO., comes next. As we mentioned, this is our favourite version of AR, right now. It’s possible that because I listen to so much emotional shit, he’s got a lot to compete within my personal rotation. However, when it comes to straight hard shit, with dope bars from the city, its NorthSideBenji and AR. Nobody else. LEO. Also kills his feature, sounding like a hook king. We’re excited to hear more from LEO. especially based on what we’ve heard so far in his career.
By the time we’re halfway through the album, the transitions between AR Paisley and AR Money become seamless, we’re not sure if that was intended, but the introspective shit starts to hit more, and the hard shit starts to get more personal. “Tellin’ Me” was the most experimentation we’ve heard from AR. Autotune Paisley was something we had never heard, but it hits over the Big Byrd production.
Another one of our favourites from the album is “10’s” featuring NojokeJigsaw, whom AR has made several dope tracks with in the past. “10’s” is an addition to what will eventually be a long list of classic records from the two. These dudes would fuck shit up with a collab tape. Just like Houdini and Benji, these two don’t miss.
Towards the end of the album is “4 The Culture”, a track for AR to do what he does best, rap his ass off. Every bar is important. Not only for us to listen to, but for AR to get off.
“AR Money” closes off the album with “Let’s Have A Toast”, and rightfully so. This is another one of our favourites because it blends both sides of AR perfectly. It is aggressive and hard, but also meaningful and necessary.
AR’s work shows that he is one of the best artists to come out of the city. If you think there’s a Mississauga bias, then listen to the album below and tell us you’re not impressed. We appreciate AR for repping the city that he’s from and will support him forever for that. We’ve listened to him for years and have noticed his growth, but we still don’t think he’s anywhere near his ceiling. We’re excited to follow his journey to the top.
Check out this dope interview he did with Cash Feelings a few months ago: