Written by David Turner (@dalatudalatu)

The issue with “Clappers” wasn’t subject matter—strip club anthems have recently been one of rap’s most creative grounds—the problem was Wale. Juicy J and Nicki Minaj, an underappreciated combo, do their best to raise some singles for the sorry song, but it’s hard to enjoy throwing racks with Wale saying “Shawty got a big ole butt / O Yeeeaaaah,” in the background. It’s been a few years since “No Hands” allowed Wale to trade his hipster reviews for a MMG chain, yet his not-so-sensitive club persona still falls apart despite the few times it does work (“LoveHate Thing”).

The remix of “Clappers” could’ve been dramatically boring—calls up 2 Chainz, but instead the song is broken down and rebuilt into a fairly unique club song. The song gets a full facelift production remix from Hit-Boy that makes the song go from “Go-Go” to “Trap.” Usually not a cause for praise, the world doesn’t need Wale on another Trap beat, but with a line-up of Rick Ross, Fat Trel and Young Thug it made sense to switch up the home field advantage.

Rick Ross for what he truly does lack in persona it’s hard to deny that he’s a solid rapper when he gives lines like “I walk around my estate like I’m Bel-Air.” The song knows the most interesting rappers on the track, because Wale follows up Ross allowing the youngsters of Fat Trel and Young Thug to hold up the track’s back end. Fat Trel should’ve been on MMG back in 2011—imagine Fat Trel in place of Pill—for that signing to have done anything positive for his career; but his compelling lumbering slurred style remains and that vocal sleaze makes Wale’s “Shawty got a big ole butt,” even sound like a decent rap lyric. Then Young Thug comes slurring more than Fat Trel and at multiple points the beat become undistinguishable from his *inaudible grunts*. It’s great! If I come around on Young Thug in 2014, Wale will deserve a clap clap clap for that.

*The artwork from Linshuttr is far better than any rap remix artwork every need be.