03 Greedo - Netflix & Deal

A California rapper locked behind bars and a producer at the height of his sonic ascent launch an unprecedented cinematic epic long before life dictated its own prisoner's script. Netflix & Deal, released on November 22, 2019, is the culmination of a project conceived under duress and later traced in a documentary that lends a mythical dimension to this unexpected artistic encounter.

An audacious concept: the album as a feature-length film where each track is a scene inspired by cinema

The intention of both artists is clear from the first seconds: transforming this 13-track record into a coherent soundscape film. Each song draws its inspiration from favorite films or actors, creating a through-line that unites it all. This isn't just a compilation of flows and beats, but a narrative structure where the life of dealer 03 Greedo becomes the main pretext to illustrate an existence made of cinematic imagery. Kenny Beats orchestrates this vision with surgical precision, forging an immersive universe that leaves no track orphaned from the global concept.

Kenny Beats, the sonic director: a production that transforms incarceration into urban legend

Kenny Beats's signature is omnipresent and forms the unshakable foundation of Netflix & Deal. This visionary producer adds his distinct touch to every track, ensuring that the transition from one song to another remains fluid while maintaining constant energy. The production serves not just as a backdrop; it acts like a true director guiding the listening experience. The album stands out for its ability to present an unprecedented collaborative project between an incarcerated rapper and one of the major producers of the moment, creating a unique tension in the 2019 musical landscape.

Freddie Gibbs, Vince Staples, and Maxo Kream: the heavyweights of modern rap westerns

While most tracks feature solo performances, six songs incorporate voices that bolster the project's scope. Freddie Gibbs appears on Disco Shit, anchoring the song in a heavy, respectful California tradition. Vince Staples contributes his vocal uniqueness and distinctive attitude to Blue People to illustrate an imagined film. Maxo Kream shines on Beg Your Pardon. Other collaborations punctuate the album: Key! on Aye Twin, OhGeesy on Payback, and Buddy (21) on Soul Food. These appearances are not mere figments; they serve the cinematic concept by bringing varied sonic registers and complementary energy that dynamizes the whole record.

Traffic, Disco Shit, and Dead Presidents: The Three Acts of a Perfect Narrative Trilogy

At the heart of this sonic symphony, three tracks stand out for their ability to capture the spirit of the project. Traffic, the first track on the album, immediately sets the mood with an introduction that evokes the road and movement, serving as a prologue to the plot. Further down the sequence, Disco Shit distinguishes itself through its collaboration with Freddie Gibbs, offering a powerful contrast that recalls genre classics. Finally, Dead Presidents, which closes out the list of standout tracks here, delivers a strong and resolved final note to this narrative exploration. These songs are not merely musical compositions; they embody key scenes from a film that the listener discovers as they listen.

From Cell to Studio: The Mythic Genesis of an Album Released After 03 Greedo's Incarceration

The story behind Netflix & Deal is just as fascinating as its music. Created before 03 Greedo was incarcerated, this project was executed under conditions that seem impossible for an artist in confinement. The album's trajectory, released by Interscope Records and Alamo Records, illustrates how constraint can become a source of intense creativity. This record, followed by Load It Up Vol. 01 in August 2020 for the rapper, marks a specific step in his discography where real life was integrated into the artistic imagination long before the events were made public.