GOD BODY BINGO makes this declaration 20 seconds into the intro and title track of his sophomore album, Last Name First, as pounding 808’s rumble like rolling thunder and triumphant horns blare like flashes of lightning. If it sounds like a king’s welcome is supposed to sound, then the gifted Houston wordsmith has set the tone properly. This is royalty and loyalty rap for those who honor the ancestors and live by the code.

Bingo’s music has always touched on universal themes dealing with family, faith, loyalty, and legacy. His 2021 debut, Off The Books, was a raw and honest tribute to both his recently released from prison older brother, as well as the northwest Houston neighborhood of Acres Homes that raised him and shaped his values. However, to say that LNF is picking up where OTB left off would be an understatement. Over three years have passed between the two records, and just one listen is all that’s needed to know that LNF is not simply a mere continuation. It’s an evolution in every sense. A realization of vision and purpose that has led to an artistic rebirth.

From the opening notes until the last beats, not a second of the 43-minute record is wasted. Each of the album’s 13 songs is brimming with urgency and certainty, as Bingo weaves hunger-filled verses with hypnotic hooks over dynamic soundscapes ranging from soaring bangers (“While It’s Good,” “Scorsese”), to reflective testimonies (“Whirlwind,” “Limelight”), to swagger-filled anthems (“Issa Rae 2,” “Phil Knight”) and more. Transitions are deliberate and often layered with live instrumentation, such as the dreamy keys that end “Happy Weight, Pts. 1 & 2,” or the chilling violin solo that concludes “Scorsese.” Guests are used sparingly but always to great effect; Bingo and B Val infectiously bouncing off each other on the chorus to “Til We Up” to create the feel of a classic Houston freestyle session is one such example.

But no matter the track, Last Name First is an album that never loses its focus and intent. So, after taking the journey through GOD BODY BINGO’s mind, the listener need not wonder why the moving outro, “Deeper Than Rap,” concludes with the following pledge:

My father died without a dime to leave his grandchildren

But I told him I would play my hand different

I put that on my last name and my rap name

GOD BODY BINGO is an artist who’s not only willing to hold the torch for his family. He’s ready to hold it for the game.