“4EVER $hittin” triumphs as Stanwill’s tour de force, equal parts a high point and a victory lap. Cemented as a formidable solo artist, he displays a self-determination that was only hinted at in last year’s “Still $hittin.” Readers might nose-laugh at these album names and disregard him as mere punchline rap, but he occupies a space larger than wisecracking tomfoolery.

There are two main layers to the underground rap scene’s ignorance of Stanwill. His geographical region — the Midwest’s place in the shadow of its coastal counterparts — and his subordinate role in the trio Shittyboyz. I was first introduced to them in 2019 with the song “3-Peat,” the scam-rap trio launching an onslaught of pop culture references, wordplay and punchlines. Stuffed with indiscreet lines about conning helpless grandmas and ridiculously juvenile lyrics about walking around with bazookas. They jest even further with offbeat, dragging flows and chorus-less songs, rapping against the beat with back to back comedic jabs.

But, perhaps as a response to cultural changes, they are breaking off into more earnest solo releases, balancing their memetic comedy with something more regionally authentic and emotional. See the line on “Make it Last,” where, like the title suggests, he ponders his legacy: “I’ve been taking off now it’s time to see how far I land.”

In other places, he calls back to his more playful eras — eschewing the overthought pretentiousness of self acclaimed “lyrical” rap and opting instead for wit: “308’ll blow a opp to smithereens / He ain’t got no motion dawg a figurine.” Other tracks like “Neverland” and “Los Santos Customs” brim with clever punchlines and cultural references, inviting listeners to replay it to catch them all. The product of it all is an expert sense of meter, and with almost 5+ years under his belt — he has a deft hand at balancing time-attack barrages with more composed flows to let the beat breathe.

Now, with “4EVER $hittin,” he stomps out from the shadow former group, solidifying his place in the rap pantheon. The album serves as a testament to Stanwill’s growth as an artist. While his previous effort, “Still $hittin,” was a raw but adolescent delivery, “4EVER $hittin” presents maturity and refinement. Still showy and full of braggadocio, the second swing demonstrates improved lyricism and songwriting by leaps and bounds.

The production brings out the sumptuous strokes of Michigan’s greatest producers (Danny G, LandoBando and Blue$trip) with tracks like “Paramount” and “Standing Ovation” exemplifying a mastery of arrangement and structure. This Detroit sound is characterized by fast paced, thrilling, ‘80s heist style scores, sonically paying homage to Moog bass synths and invoking the aura of the era’s cocaine dealers in a car chase. The sound redlines on this album, each beat meticulously crafted — from that delicious fretless bass slide on “Standing Ovation” to the ambient marimba-toned piano that sounds like Wii menu music on “Smithereens.”

Rappers from the mitten do this thing where they stop rapping mid beat and reiterate one line until it sounds right (see Rio da Yung Og and YSR Gramz). Sometimes it’s because they said it wrong, sometimes it’s just to flow better. They are literally interrupting the flow of the music, but it ironically works. Like on “Icy Ass Buffs” from last year’s album, where he starts the song like: “Icy ass buffs, I got (b*tch)… Icy ass buffs, I got (huh, damn!)… Icy ass buffs, I got *chuckles*…” until finally starting the song with “Icy ass buffs, I got carats on my nose like a snowman.” The decision to include a fourth-wall peek into the editing process lends itself to greater relatability and a compelling stream of consciousness style.

In sections, Stanwill pays homage to his Milwaukee allegiances, embracing the frenetic energy and club-forward beats, with a clap on all 4 beats, characteristic of the region’s style. “Brothers” stands out as a trunk-rattling joint effort with his Milwaukee counterpart Certified Trapper showcasing their synergy with switch-offs and tag-teaming. Stanwill’s cohesion with his larger region demonstrates his versatility, marketability and adds local authenticity to his repertoire.

At times, “4EVER $hittin” may veer into long-winded territory, but in today’s streaming landscape, this is forgivable. The album’s filler tracks serve as necessary punctuation marks, allowing listeners to catch their breath before diving back into Stanwill’s lyrical onslaught.

“4EVER $hittin” is a declaration of Stanwill’s artistry and a testament to the enduring spirit of Detroit. With its blend of intricate lyricism, sumptuous production, and undeniable charisma, it cements Stanwill’s status as a rap icon in the making.

Order 4EVER $hittin by Stanwill HERE