The albums,West 1996 and West 1996 pt. 2 are linked. Therefore it is important to know about, West 1996 album first before I mention West 1996 pt. 2.
West 1996 seems to tell a story about Lute while West 1996 pt. 2 talks about his rise to fame especially joining Dreamville Records. Both albums seem to sound like rap music during the 90's.
West 1996
There is one reason why I said his rap albums seems to sound like rap music during the 90's. According to sputnikmusic: Review Summary: "Praise the RZA" by lancebramsy, March 8th 2012, it states that:
"Lute claims that,as a child who grew up during the 90's in Charlotte,he was exposed to genres such as blues,jazz and rock. Sure he also claims some of his biggest influences as Common,Nas, and even the RZA,but blues and jazz seem to be held very close to his heart. Lute, philosophically speaking,actually seems to be stuck in the past entirely. This would explain why he named his album West1996 commemorating the moment he listened to his first hip hop album. His style and flow harken back to the 90's, arguably the golden era of the genre".
From my point of view, the information above has revealed that this album has genres such as blues,jazz and rock. Moreover, the fact Lute is stuck in the past entirely because of genres such as blues and jazz is another reason why both of his albums sound like 90's rap music. Since the 90's is known to be the golden era of the genre which in this case is hip hop, it probably explains why both albums have 90's rap music.
Now that we know where Lute got his sound,let's look at the tracklist for the album West 1996.
The Track List:
Intro
80 Proof
Queen City Slummin' (feat. Ry)
West Nine (feat. SchylerChaise)
Real2Real
Upper Room (feat. Ry & SchylerChaise)
Carolina Folks
Success
That's How It Goes
Letter 2 (feat. 9Mil)
All About The Money (feat. JimmyKelso)
From the track list above, I will only explain some of the songs and how they tell a story about Lute.
On the song, Intro, Lute is opening up about his personal life. This is shown where it says:
"..I'm from the streets where niggas lust for shit they can't afford
Life on the fort, I have a nigga pushing for more
Get that old school Chevy mounted up at the store
That match my Hot Wheels set back in '94
West side, and every day I thank the Lord.."
From the lyrics above,Lute has mentioned that he's from the streets where niggas lust for things they can't afford. This shows that Lute is a storyteller who wants his listeners to relate to where he has come from. Moreover,he has mentioned he's from the west side, probably where he comes from. This could be the reason why the title of the album is called West 1996 and why his rap music sounds like hip hop during the 90's. This is why I said West 1996 seems to tell a story about Lute.
On the song, Queen City Slummin' ,Lute mentions that his music is real and he shows that he is not ashamed of where he comes from. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"See this music is real
Kill beats like I ain't used to a deal
We eat tracks like we ain't used to a meal
West Side till I die,boy,thats just how it is"
From my point of view,the fact that Lute has mentioned his music is real is making reference to him talking about his personal life, that he is proud of the music he makes and he is proud of being from the West Side. This is why West 1996 tells a story about Lute.
On the song, Real2Real, Lute gives a perspective on how you can tell if someone is real or not. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"You can tell the real by how the real interact
Be surprised who inspired how a real nigga act"
From the lyrics above,this helps us to understand how we can tell someone is real with us through their actions. From my point of view, I believe Lute wanted everyone to understand what is real and what is not real.
Moreover,the fact that Lute mentioned,"Be surprised who inspired how a real nigga act" is probably showing that Lute has surrounded himself with people who are real which explains why West 1996 tells a story about his life.
Out of all the songs I heard from the album West 1996, there is one song that stood out. The song is called That's How It Goes. The song is talking about Lute's past. This is shown where it says:
"Yo, I remember days when niggas ain't fuck with me
Dropped that mixtape,that was the first time they noticed me
Mama always told me to be the fuck who you supposed to be and never claim the streets
Cause you would die tryna reach a peak
So I rep that West side, no place I'd rather be.."
From the lyrics above,Lute had mentioned that people started noticing when he dropped a mixtape(West 1996). This proves that there is no such thing as a life that's better than yours because there are some who will only talk to you for their own benefit. Moreover,the fact that his mom told him to be who he is supposed to be means that he had a very close relationship with his mother.
The song also shows other issues faced in his community. This is shown on the lyrics where it says:
"Shit, get it how you life,shawty,college don't come cheap
They laying everybody off,it's hard to make ends meet
Unemployment tripping,rent due in about a week..."
The fact that Lute has not only mentioned about his personal life but also issues faced in his community shows that he wanted his music to relate to anyone facing challenges and that it's not too late to change your life like he did. This is why West 1996 talks about Lute.
Lastly,the album art shows a picture of a boy who is probably Lute. Moreover, we see a house in the background which proves that the album West 1996 is focusing on telling a story about Lute. West 1996 was released on February 22, 2012.
West 1996 pt. 2
According to Wikipedia,it states that,West 1996 pt. 2 is the debut studio album by American rapper Lute. It was released on September 29, 2017 by Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. The album serves as the follow up to his first solo mixtape, West 1996 (2012).
Moreover,Wikipedia mentions how Lute was signed to Dreamville Records. It states that,"Lute originally intended to release the project as a free mixtape in 2014, but he said that he got a call from rapper J. Cole hours before releasing it,he said Cole asked him to hold on to it for him, that he wanted to help him get the project into the right hands. Lute eventually signed to Cole's Dreamville imprint in 2015".
From my point of view, I believe the mixtape West 1996 is one of the reasons why Cole was interested in signing him to Dreamville Records. Moreover,the fact that Cole signed Lute reveals that Cole is all about authenticity which I believe Dreamville Records is all about.
Lastly,on Wikipedia, they provided evidence about what the album, West 1996 pt. 2 is all about. It states that,"Lute spoke on the album within his Still Slummin' documentary,he said:
"My album is a accumulation of chapters and events leading up to Dreamville signing me. It's a window into the last five years of my life...the obstacles,the challenges,the changes. It's also motivation to not let people or circumstances define who you are. My only competition is the person I was yesterday. I've been patient and very appreciative of this platform and now it's time to show what I'm capable of ".
This shows that West 1996 pt. 2 not only talks about his rise to fame,but also the challenges Lute faced to become who he is today hence why it is linked to the mixtape West 1996.
Now that we know what the album West 1996 pt. 2 is all about, let's look at the track list:
The Track List:
Morning Shift
Still Slummin'
Home (feat. Elevator Jay)
Ambitions
Git Up (feat. GQ Slaughter)
Juggin'
Ford's Prayer (feat. Cam O'bi)
Crabs In A Barrel
Premonition (feat. EARTHGANG)
Birds & Bees
Livin' Life (feat. High I'm Ry)
Before signing to Dreamville Records, Lute wanted to give up on rap music because he wanted to take care of his daughter. This is shown on an article by Yoh Phillips. According to djbooth.net: "Hustle & Flow: Lute's West 1996 Pt. 2 Is a Gift to Patient Dreamers by Yoh Phillips, it states that,"Before signing his life-changing deal,Lute had come to terms with West 1996 pt. 2 serving as his final project. The decision was inspired by the birth of bis daughter and the understanding that the role of a providing father was more information than the pursuit of rap dreams". This shows that Lute is a caring father who would do anything for his daughter.
Moreover it says, "There's no rap glitter or industry glamor ,no big features. J. Cole's only vocal contribution is some backing vocals on Still Slummin'.
As stated by Yoh Phillips, Lute did not have any expectations for a successful rap career which is why the album West 1996 pt. 2 doesn't have any big features, rap glitter or industry glamor. From my point of view, this explains why on some of his songs he mentions his daughter and his life of before being a rapper.
However,despite Lute not having expectations of being a rapper, Cole decided to sign Lute to Dreamville Records. This again probably explains why Lute mentions Cole on his song, Still Slummin' because Cole has given him hope to become a rapper and at the same time being a provider for his daughter. This is why I said, West 1996 pt. 2 mentions Lute's rise to fame.
Now lets look at some of the songs in the albun, West 1996 pt. 2.
On the song, Morning Shift, Yoh Phillips has mentioned that,"the first voice we hear on West 1996 pt. 2 isn't Lute, but rather a job supervisor who called the rapper and asked him to arrive to work earlier than scheduled". Moreover Yoh Phillips said,"The call serves as a tone-setter for the entire album. Lute's situation is far from pleasant, but because of his daughter,all he can do is grit his teeth and head to work". This is shown on the lyrics below:
"..My daughter call like, 'Why you leave me so late?'
Ain't no road where daddy headed so he paving a way
But in your heart, I'm every step of the way.."
From my point of view, where he said,"I'm only human,never defined by circumstance",I believe he wanted to show his listeners he had a tough life but he did not allow it to define who he is. In this case he is telling his story before his rise to fame.

On the song, Still Slummin' ,this talks about how people around Lute are encouraging him to link up with J. Cole to promote his music. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"..See you should be laying tracks with J. Cole and who knows
Maybe he sign yo ass.."
The fact that his cousin encouraged Lute to lay tracks with J. Cole is probably the reason why Lute is signed to Dreamville Records.
Moreover,someone called Brother Pooh also encouraged him to promote his music. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"..Brother Pooh called me up,he told me stay consistent
'The fact that you yourself is what makes you different
Like fuck the gold chains,diamond rings
Keep your eyes on the prize,that don't make a difference
Cause you're still a young king without the bling
Keep your eyes on the prize,shine on these niggas..' "
From my point of view,the fact that his cousin and Brother Pooh encouraged him to promote his music is one of the reasons why I believe Lute is signed to Dreamville Records. Moreover the fact that Cole contributed in some backing vocals on Still Slummin' is prove that Cole believed in Lute becoming a successful rapper which is why the song is featured on the album, Revenge of the Dreamers II. This shows Lute's rise to fame.
On the song, Git Up, Lute mentions that he lost his job and he hopes that rap music will pay off because he has to provide for his daughter. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"Woke up late this evening,yesterday I got laid off
Really hope this rap shit pay off.."
Moreover,despite what he's going through,he still rises up and hustle to make ends meet. This is shown on the chorus:
"Sometimes you gotta get up off that high horse
Sometimes, you gotta put in those extra hours
'Cause lately I been thinking 'bout my struggles
So nigga just get off your ass and hustle
Gotta get up,get out,get something..."
From the lyrics,this serves as a lesson to everyone that no matter what challenges you face,you gotta get up,get out,get something. In this case never give up to succeed in life.
On the song, Premonition, Lute comments on his society and community that is consistently affected by violence and the potential a struggling city has for change and growth. This was mentioned by Genius. Moreover Genius said,"Growing up in Charlotte,North Carolina near fellow Dreamville rapper J. Cole,Lute has witnessed the disparity his hometown has been experiencing and hopes to bring attention to this through his music". This shows that Lute's music not only focuses on him but other issues faced in his community.
In conclusion, I believe West 1996 and West 1996 pt. 2 are mainly focusing on Lute's past and his challenges. Although on the album, West 1996 pt. 2 mentions something about Lute's rise to fame,Lute still focuses on his past life before being signed to Dreamville Records.
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