"Lifestylion" Is @TTGO17's Reminiscent & Well Deserved Debut Album

In January 2019, TTGO came back onto the music scene and explained his absence from the hip-hop community. He also announced Lifestylion, his debut album, at the same time. The 11-track project dropped on the first of March and TTGO has been basking in the love of his fans ever since.

Prior to the album release, the former The Hustle contestant released the similarly titled single of the album, “Lifestylion.” To an extent, this release gave listeners and understanding of what sound would come out of TTGO this time. The single was trappy, with the rapper adopting a melodic flow, without increasing the pace of the overall song. 

To go back to the first track of his album, TTGO plays around with the word “immortal.” Throughout the intro, he describes himself as immortal, and upon listening to other tracks this opening line becomes more meaningful. Listening to anything from TTGO after his extended period away from music is noteworthy. This is more punctuated by one’s understanding of the fact that he was once hailed as a musician with potential to go far after The Hustle. However, after “falling off” the rapper is still confident and charismatic enough to dust his shoulders off and try again. 

An album can always be complimented in some way by a well placed interlude, and “Drugs” is TTGO’s interlude for the album. He blends an American woman’s voice commenting on an overdosed patient to his own lyrics. This track is quickly followed up by “High;” a song about not wanting to be under the influence anymore. The song is heavily auto-tuned, however it works in a way. For those who don’t like the sound of autotune, the track may come across as annoying, however for TTGO it makes sense. Granted, there were moments where his lyrical wordplay could have reflected slightly more depth, but the simplicity of TTGO’s lyrics for the track also amplify the subject of sobriety more.

The production on Lifestylion adds to the rapper’s style of music well. He enlisted support from like rappers like Focalistic, Stilo Magolide, Flex Rabanyan, and Bhuga Bhengu. Even with his collaborators having their own flow and style, TTGO never came across as a guest on his own album. His sound is consistent throughout the project, but more importantly his subject material sees variation from track to track. 

The last song that truly stands out is “Thank You God.” This is also the final song before his hit “Gorgeous,” Lifestylion’s bonus track. Nevertheless, TTGO changes his flow completely with “Thank You God.” The rapper’s beat is slow, punctuated, and smooth, and his delivery matches. If one were to consider this track the closing song, in context of the album’s intro and development, it would be safe to celebrate this debut album as a well deserved win for TTGO. 

After hearing this ode to God, "Mfana Pitori" is clearly contemplative over the life that he’s lived, the challenges he has overcome, and feeling blessed to stay the course of life. Lifestylion is TTGO’s first album. If he continues to grow in subject material and flow, it will be one to remember as he progresses in his career.