Right around the tail end of his acclaimed run with Nas, the producer known as Hit-Boy seemed intent on officially rebranding himself as a rapper. On 2023’s SURF OR DROWN and subsequent releases like the collaborative GOLDFISH, opposite The Alchemist, the Southern California native proved his lyrical mettle, often executing his verses with an unflinching candor. On HITStory 2, a sequel of sorts to his 2012 mixtape, he wastes no time in perpetuating that impactful aspect of his MC rep with “SUCCESS IS A DIRTY WORD.” The rest of the project, including the decidedly Southern pair “FRANCHISE BOY” and “NATIONAL TV,” showcases his dexterity both on the mic and behind the boards. Guests like Ab-Soul, DOM KENNEDY, and Quavo offer opportunities for him to stretch out even further, though cuts like the Jazze Pha-infused “S&V” and the James Fauntleroy-featuring closer “WATCH IT COME TRUE” unearth less-known sides of Hit-Boy as a vocalist.