‎MOB by Babyface Ray on Apple Music

Babyface Ray’s January 2022 LP FACE, an album built on exotic boasts unfurled through the MC’s supremely unbothered delivery, brought Ray a level of visibility he hadn’t known prior. MOB, which involves listeners lower than a yr later and functions as a natural counterpart (Face Mob, in spite of everything, is considered one of Ray’s aliases), is a continuance of the MC’s mission to ascertain himself a cut above the remainder of Detroit’s obscenely wealthy rap talent pool. And he needn’t do much to accomplish that. Tapping frequent collaborators Pooh Beatz and Space for the lion’s share of the album’s production, Ray delivers lyrical exercises (“Waves on Every Chain,” “Crazy World,” “Corner Suite”), collaborations with rap heroes of the day (“Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” featuring Lil Durk), affirmations of his proudly independent rise (“Rap Politics,” “Masterpiece”), a love song (“Spend It”), and, in the best abundance, the uniquely Motor City flexing we’ve come to know and love him for (“Nice Guy,” “Brand Latest Benz,” “Spend It,” “Hallelujah”). Actually, if there’s anything Ray doesn’t give us on MOB, it’s a sign that he’s anywhere near slowing down.