Still awaiting a proper debut album, Dave East kicks off 2018 with a 15-track mixtape, P2. The former hoops hopeful turned rapper kept busy last year, releasing both P2‘s prequel, Paranoia: A True Story as well as the DJ Holiday hosted Karma.

While his 2017 catalog was loaded with trunk-rattlers and speaker-knockers, P2 combines East’s aggressive sound with the knack for story telling he showcased on Kairi Chanel from 2016.

Embracing loyalty on “Corey”, East calls out his failing relationship with the titular named ex-friend. “A week passed, his homie recording, he still ain’t call him back/ His homie ain’t even feel no type of way about it,” East raps, cooly jumping back and forth from Corey and his own persepective for the length of the cut.

East also unearthes fellow NY artist Lloyd Banks for the icy banger “Violent”. With production from Illmind, Cardiak and Rico Suave among others, P2 builds a soundscape of luxurious instrumentals and heavy hitting street music that harkens back to East’s Harlem roots.