"Subtle and unassuming, his work seems intended to draw as little attention to how truly creative and clever it really is, at once dense with artful wordplay, but emotionally naked and open"
-Complex Magazine
-Complex Magazine
Rapper Jermaine Eric Shute, better known by his stage moniker "Starlito," is a rapper from Nashville, Tennessee. Previously signed by mega artists such as Birdman and Yo Gotti, Starlito is a well-rounded, lyrical MC whose discography has stood the test of time. His most famous projects include the recently released "Starlito's Way 4: Ghettout," and three "Stepbrothers" albums he released with frequent collaborator Don Trip. Starlito's music is an intimate peek into the soul of a troubled, conflicted man who constantly fights against himself. Unfettered by radio plays and the media limelight, his artistry focuses on the self, communal advancement, overcoming personal demons, and the dangers--not just the glorification--of living a fast life in the streets. In the words of Kevin Gates, Starlito makes "reality rap."
(Talk about Ghettout in this paragraph)
(Talk about Ghettout in this paragraph)
Starlito makes cohesive, well-put together projects that are strikingly honest and brutal. He does what many artists fail to do in the rap genre, and that is confront mental illnesses. While he doesn't do this explicitly in a lot of his albums, his exploration of the topic is something that is sorely missing in the genre. His 2012 album "Mental Warfare" is a dive into personal as well as social ills where his raspy voice croons over a diverse range of production and instrumentation. He raps about drug use and the overwhelming feeling of love "Nortriptyline," attempting to find love amidst heartbreak (Hope for Love), as well as the more typical aspect of rap albums such as the hardcore anthem "Live From the Kitchen," and the pro-promethezine anthem "L.E.A.N." Mental Warfare never lets the listener bask in rap gluttony without giving a dose of reality. The tracklist and ordering of the album gives proper justification to the name "Mental Warfare." The album doesn't know what it wants to be. It either functions as an aggressive, violent, womanizing display of masculinity, or a brooding, schizophrenic lament about the stressors that life brings.
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As a way of paying homage to the trailblazers of Houston rap, Starlito entitled his 2015 album entitled "I'm Moving to Houston" features fellow rap-mate Don Trip, but the guest features are primarily from underground artists such as Propain and Killa Kyleon. "I'm Moving to Houston" establishes Starlito as a prominent figure in the underground rap scene. His breadth of guest features and celebrity co-signs has no doubt cemented his importance in the rap game. This project is far from Starlito at his best, but it shows his willingness to use his platform to broadcast and promote other talent. He does the same with his 2017 summer album "Hot Chicken" (which obviously is an ode to the popular dish Nashville Hot Chicken) which strictly features local talent within the city. Regardless, I'm Moving to Houston contains all the elements that make Starlito the introspective genius he is, but the moments feel microwaved and lacks the consistency of other albums.
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(More about Starlito's personal life, his connection to fans, a little controversy, his impact in the community
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