O.G. Penguin is a rapper raised in the rough city of New Orleans. His music reflects
the gangster lifestyle that he fell into in his teens and which he admits caused him a
lot of problems. Inspired by legendary rappers like 36 Mafia, Scarface and Tupac, he
began spending time in the studio and it gave him his escape route from life on the
street. He has already released the album Money Ova Bitches and his style fits the
genre of ‘horror core gangsta rap’ that remains hugely popular.
This track, Life Fight, is certainly in that category. To a melodic backing track, with a
cool vibe riff and a kicking hip-hop beat, he lays down a visceral and raw diatribe
against all he has to struggle with in life and pulls no punches in describing the
struggle of black people in society: ‘In a world full of cold-blooded flesh eating
lizards, breaking down our future black leaders into niggers…’ and refers to the
slavery of the past ‘I’m still waiting for the change, forty acres and a mule…’.
The chorus hook has an anthemic quality that anyone who has faced hardship in life
can relate to: ‘I fight and wonder how does one carry on when my family don’t
speak….I feel like I’m sliding in, I’m trying to hold on….’. It packs a powerful punch
and the following verses depict his betrayal by cheating lovers, adding to his list of
woes.
Overall, this is a gruelling listen, but it’s raw, dark emotion contrasts well with the
comparatively light melodic backing, and is compelling from start to finish. If the rest
of the tracks of the album this belongs to match this one, O.G. Penguin should find he
follows in the footsteps of his rap heroes and finds major success.
