21-year-old Atlanta rapper Lil Keed is the latest Young Thug dread to prove he can survive on his own. Keed has always been viewed as nothing more than another YSL product with aux potential, so the concept of Keed delivering one of the most enjoyable projects of 2019 was one that never crossed even the most optimistic of minds.
The success of his track "It's Up Freestyle" along with the buzz generated from his Slime Language appearance on "Goin Up" sparked an interest in seeing what YSL had planned for Keed now that he had more eyes on him than ever. It's safe to say YSL and Keed delivered, as what once seemed like a label of Young Thug clones is shaping into an Atlanta rap all-star team.
Lil Keed's development of his ability to alter his voice to swerve in-and-out of flows is easily the best quality of Long Live Mexico. Keed's high-pitched yet controlled delivery feels like a fusion of two of YSL's biggest names, Gunna and Young Thug, best qualities. That unorthodox delivery allows Long Live Mexico to keep your attention, despite a mediocre at best subject matter. Look no further than the hook of "Child" to see the type of life Keed's experimental delivery can bring to a track.
As with any major YSL project, Long Live Mexico has a star-studded cast featured. Appearances range from YNW Melly to Moneybagg Yo to Lil Uzi Vert. The most compelling part about the features is how well Keed meshes with each, as if they had been rapping together for months.
Long Live Mexico has a few too many filler tracks to be a trap classic, but, nevertheless, this project gives Lil Keed the potential to take off like Gunna did with Drip Season 3.
Listen to Long Live Mexico here: