Every time a new rapper (read as: white) breaks onto the scene, there seems to only be two parallels. On one end he could have the imagery and lyrical talents like the most mainstream, white rapper: Eminem. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum, he could have the infamous lack of rhythm and flow similar to Asher Roth.

I have nothing against white rappers. More mid-range rappers have been appearing, making the divide a little smaller between Em and Asher. White rapper Mac Miller will open tonight at the BJC for friend and mentor Wiz Khalifa. Miller has already begun to dominate the iTunes charts with his recent hit “Knock Knock” and is sure to keep on climbing.

There was a reason for the above rationale. Mainly so when you hear a new rapper and you like the music, it won’t matter if he’s some up-coming white kid; he may still have a story worth hearing. I’m talking about Penn State sophomore @Falatek610, better known as rapper Greg Falatek.

Falatek released his new mix-tape, “The State Gatsby” last week on his (and many others) favorite green holiday, 4/20. If you’re curious if you’ll like the music and don’t know what holiday I’m talking about, then most of Falatek’s stuff isn’t for you. Think of Falatek as a younger, more collegiate Wiz, yet with the same passion and love of Mary Jane.

“The State Gatsby” is Falatek’s follow-up to his debut album “Higher Education,” and of course follows some similar drug preferences. All of Falatek’s recent music and news can be found at The Ivy League, a blog devoted to to his music as well as his other musician friends.

I can already tell you “The State Gatsby” is a good burn-ride album. It’s solidly produced and sounds better than any other local rapper I’ve heard in the past few years.  But, if you want to know a little more before you slow down the wireless you’re stealing from the neighbors, here’s a brief breakdown of the best tracks off the mix-tape.

Ratings are out of 3.

1. Can You Feel the Love (Intro)

-Okay, so at first I thought it was a little cheesy rapping over a Disney song, but after hearing it a few times, it actually made me realize this opener is at least original.  +1

2. Dank Fantasy

-Even though Falatek makes the song a bit different, I’m already sick of all the references to the chorus of “can we get much higher,” when it comes to weed. I dig the verses, not to mention the recorded coughing in the background. The best lyric of this track is “I fill the sluts with Bacardi,” but this song could be a lot stronger with better last verse from Falatek. +2 (would be +3)

5. Rainy Days [Produced by Spadez]

-This became my favorite song off “The State Gatsby” after just one listen. It has a good medium-tempo feel to it, and with lyrics like “the rain is/so heinous/i rap until i get famous/the ladies all want to play this/so come inside it’s raining,” this song is most-certainly going to be added to my Summer play-list. ++3 (yeah, two +’s)

6. I’m Ballin’ [Produced by Swollen Drumz]

-Falatek rapping over top of Phoenix’s “1901” and it doesn’t suck. You just have to hear this one for yourself.  +3

10. Forty Ounces to Freedom [Produced by Hop Hobson]

-This song gives an homage to stoner band Sublime, but also gives a little closer connection as Falatek raps, “everybody at Penn State is loving it.” My only complaint is that this song is too short, but I think a ‘Part 2’ or something could continue the chorus and the great flow of the song. +2 (give me ‘Part 2,’ please)

11. Good Time

This song doesn’t particularly fit my fancy, as it’s a slower, more sexual jam. But this kind of song is worth an addition to that “get some” mix. The best part of this song is where Falatek calls out the guy who made the beat, but doesn’t associate with anymore. I don’t know what they did to piss me off, but with a blatant “Fuck H4TV Productions, Bitch,” I’m sure it wasn’t just a disagreement over who’s rolling the blunt.  +1

14. Simply Lemonade

“It’s a fucking weed crisis in State College,” Falatek opens as he starts rapping about drinking Vlad and lemonade. It’s songs like these that students can relate to not only at Penn State, but everywhere that prefers some dank and a drink rather than studying.  The piano beat is different and shows Falatek doesn’t need generic rap backings to make decent songs. +3

16. Philadelphia [Produced by DJ Corbett Blacklight Music]

No rapper can ever go without dedicating a song to their hometown, but let’s be honest, we all fucking sick of Pittsburgh. It’s time for the City of Brotherly Love to step-up and reclaim it’s throne. This song could be a little more upbeat, but for anyone that is from, or just loves Philly, this song will take you back those days of wandering South Street after a blunt or two. +2

The highlighted tracks are the only ones that I was really into upon a few listens. The whole album is growing on me, but check it out for yourself if you don’t believe me. All the tracks tend to follow the aforementioned “green theme,” and from the sounds of it, Falatek probably helps run State College on blunt purchases alone.

What do you think? Asher Flop or Em style? No matter what you think, Falatek is making some catchy music to keep your heads bobbing during those day-longs. Who knows, he may be there spitting some rhymes.

As Falatek says: “Keep one twisted,” or better yet, twist two up and smoke one while you download “The State Gatsby” and then of course the other while you’re listening.

Check out Falatek’s music video for “Get By” featuring DJ Corbett x Blacklight Music.

-You might recognize some of the students in the video or may even recognize the apartment building it’s filmed in (hint, it’s on Beaver Ave.).