MIXTAPE REVIEW “Magic & Bird” by Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed

Randy Bazile
Oct 24, 2024
4 min read

Revised in 2024. Originally Written in 2017

Under Reach Records and Miner League, Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed have dropped their long-anticipated collaboration mixtape “Magic & Bird”. The name derives from famous basketball legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who were a dynamic duo in the 1980s, hence the sports reference of the album cover and singles they dropped promoting the project. Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed have collaborated a lot ever since starting Miner League. From “Martinelli” & “LAY UP” (the bonus track on the mixtape) and Andy appearing on Wordsplayed’s song “Wah Gwan” and appearing in the “Sammy Sosa” music video. A compilation project was meant to happen!

The mixtape opens up with a funny skit by Andy Mineo that uses the voice of a vintage basketball video game announcer, taking us ‘90s’ kids back to NBA Jams (if you don’t know that game, you just showed your age). The intro moves to Andy voiced as a coach named Coach Girthman. He talks about the importance of teamwork and uses a lot of funny metaphors and similes to get his point across. With the funny voice and motivation, it got me excited to continue listening to the mixtape! The other skits “DISQUS” & “METRO” are all hilarious! “DISQUS” is a speech by Andy about not giving up, just like how he didn’t give up throwing a discus, which is something like a heavy frisbee used in the Olympics. Metro is about losing a MetroCard (a MetroCard is what New Yorkers use to get around the city) and then coming to a place of trusting God. All these skits are funny with great messages.

The first song of the mixtape is their single “KIDZ”. Andy went from doing it for the Friends & Family to doing it for the “KIDZ”! The production is amazing! My only critique about the song is that although Wordsplayed started off the song with great energy, it died down as his verse was going. I felt like Andy had to pick up the energy when his verse was next.

“DUNK CONTEST (MAGIC BIRD)” is the title track of the mixtape. This song is full of punchlines, bars, wordplay on sports, and turn-up production! The rappers share each verse as they go back and forth with their bars. Who do you think won the “dunk contest”?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVqmKLkwKXI

"Dunk Contest" Music Video

“SAY LESS”, a track produced by Gawvi is a New York anthem! “SAY LESS” is common New York slang often used when you understand someone fully and clearly and you don’t need any of their further explanation.

Tracks like “R.U.T.S.” (Run Up The Score) & “BREAK BREAD” are both tracks about the grind & hustle. “R.U.T.S.” is about pushing through the grind in the process. The field of rap is a very competitive sport. A lot of people don’t stay in it. This song is great for aspiring rappers and creatives alike who are amid the grind! For those who weren’t paying attention, Andy’s verse is from the Stranger Things remix he dropped last September Upside Down, with added production. “BREAK BREAD” is the celebration of the grind! Andy & Wordsplayed shares their grind stories from selling merch from garbage bags and building up their brands individually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pdDNDJJqyQ

R.U.T.S

The message of these songs? ANYBODY can win! There should’ve been a skit about that…just saying…

I love the way “JUDO” starts! The sample Gawvi created was pure genius! The song is a metaphor for the Japanese martial art Judo. It’s fun and full of punchlines, bars, and metaphors. “DANCE (YOU SEE IT)” is another fun song. Andy destroyed this track! No knock on Wordsplayed, but Andy came, heard, and conquered!

“TEAM” is a continuation of the first skit “HI-FIVE (LOADING)” when Andy’s character Coach Grithman was talking about the importance of teamwork. Reggae artist Beam takes the first verse of the track over the mellow part of the production, into the chorus. Then Andy’s verse brings the bass, hi-hats, and kicks in, adding the intensity of the track. The transition was dope! Beam’s chorus refers to scriptures if you pay attention. When he said:

“Two put ten thousand to flight”

it’s a reference to Psalm 91. And when he said

“A three-stranded cord holds its bind”

it’s a reference to Ecclesiastes 4:12.

“LEGEND” opens up with a skit from Andy and Wordsplayed as coaches with a motivating speech about showing the evidence of the grind, hard work, and labor. In the words of Andy:

“If you want the glory, you gotta sweat!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ArcOKfbqU

Legend

The chorus features a sample with DJ scratches, giving that old school vibe. Andy and Wordsplayed rap about their success becoming legends in the making. The track ends with Wordsplayed as Coach Boomer continues on the sweat showing evidence of the grind.

The bonus track is “LAY UP” It was released years ago after the release of Andy’s 2014 EP “Neverland.” It fits the mixtape enough to not be a bonus track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8quGc8x2bzg

Lay Up

Overall, “Magic & Bird” is a fun mixtape to listen to and workout to! Every song on the tape could be added to anybody’s workout playlist. The only thing I didn’t like too much about the tape was most of the songs sounded the same. This mixtape does not have a lot of memorable moments except all the hilarious skits to make it a classic in my opinion, but it’s a mixtape you can work out to and have fun with!