Mac Lethal knows a thing or two about tiger blood.

One of the most quick-witted and media-savvy figures in popular music, the Kansas City area hip-hop artist’s prompt parody of Charlie Sheen’s infamous “winning” interview quickly racked up tens of thousands of YouTube views earlier this year.

The video showcased Lethal’s impressive lyrical and technical skills. It also succeeded because Lethal seems to possess a disturbing level of personal insight into the concept of bi-winning.

Assuming the role of a self-destructive artist comes easily to Lethal. Although he’s a celebrated battle rapper, his hyper-intelligence and mastery of social media have not yet translated into mainstream success. He addresses his unhealthy habits and questionable career choices on the riveting new “North Korean BBQ” mixtape (which doesn’t include a song about Charlie Sheen).

“When you’re at the top you feel alone,” he confesses on “I’m Odd.” “So every year I kill the king and let another person take the throne.”

Several similarly brutal self-assessments riddle the 13-track mixtape. So much emotional blood is spilled that “North Korean BBQ” resembles an agonizing therapy session. “Citrus,” an analysis of an oppressive relationship, is just one of several songs that reference tears or crying. Although he wears a brave face as he clowns on the bouncy “My Favorite Song,” Lethal sheds the tears of a clown.

“I’m probably like, absolutely fucking colliding my career into the ground but I don’t give a shit,” he suggests after confessing his love for a woman on the shockingly candid “inohowutheenk.”

Lethal bristles at the characterization of his music as emo-rap, but it’s an apt description of “North Korean BBQ.” The dichotomy between Lethal’s sensitivity and the thuggish world of hip-hop torments him.

“Just because I got the white boy voice and some big words don’t mean I’m a poet,” Mac claims on the harrowing opening track. “I’m a gangster.”

Maybe so, but only when Lethal attempts to flex his muscles does “North Korean BBQ” fail to ring true. A beef track, the petty “Little Mac,” is probably of little interest to anyone outside of Lethal’s immediate circle of friends. Complaints about his peers also seem needlessly provincial.

“I’m trying hard to break away from underground hip-hop,” he claims on “I’m Odd.” “’Cause 99 percent of y’all are gossipy bitches.”

He’s not fooling anyone. The imaginative and wildly varied music featured on “North Korean BBQ” bears no resemblance to mainstream hip-hop. Lethal’s willingness to flout hip-hop’s conventions makes “North Korean BBQ” his most consistently honest and listenable release.

“I feel so fucking naked in my music,” Lethal admits on “Feel It in the Air.” “But I cannot survive if I lied to the public.”

Although Lethal’s imperfect 10-year recording career has yet to produce an unconditional masterpiece, “North Korean BBQ” mixtape comes tantalizingly close to reaching that elusive goal.