Memphis street poet Finesse2tymes doesn’t waste any time baring his soul on his 2024 debut album, Art of War. The artist, who made his major-label entrance back in 2022 with his mixtape 90 Days, is a straight shooter who isn’t scared to fire from the hip and ask questions later. On “They Won the Battle,” the first track on the album, Finesse spits over a dusty soul sample and choir snippets with his punishing low-end rumble, giving the song an intoxicating energy. The backstabbers in rap are to be expected, but Finesse sounds at his lowest when recounting the personal betrayals. On “Down Bad,” he raps, “I thought you understood me/You went and crossed mе out the blue.” The Bluff City spitter celebrates a career milestone on Art of War, but what’s the point of winning if there isn’t anyone to celebrate with?