You know, as someone who has done literally 365 reviews this year alone, I often question myself ‘what separates the underground from the mainstream?’ And I’m sure you could ask 100 people and get 100 different answers, but for me, the main thing I’ve observed is ‘aura’. The independent and underground naturally have a special vibe about them because they can’t afford not to. They don’t have corporates that will throw money at them and surround them by ‘yes men’, while the underground have to maintain their 9-5s, then find the time to make music afterwards. In that respect, we have an album by two of the most aura farming cats I’ve heard all year! Let’s go!
So, this is the May collaboration release by MC Tabz SOS and Producer DJ Blkluos, and with 8 tracks, 2 skits, and 20 minutes of content, these cats don’t have the luxury of fucking around on this record, and they don’t! This shit is as raw and flashy as can be!
Let’s start with the production. The way DJ Blkluos utilises and amplifies these beats and turns them into something grand and powerful is something to witness!
From the very opening track, we hear those deep horns played over that brief speech sample, which then transformed into this crisp OG Drill beat mixed with these distorted strings that come in and out soft and louder on a loop. This is the perfect way to start an album. It’s brash, loud, gritty, and at the same time polished, mastered, and refined to the highest standards!
As the album continues, it only gets sharper with tracks like ‘NO REST’, which features these swaying back and forth strings/notes that quickly evolve into this skeletal beat that has this bass so powerful that it will knock your earlobes off if you ain’t careful!
Each track on this record is banging with gorgeous production and larger-than-life instrumentation that makes you feel like you’re listening to a mainstream-quality record but in the underground! It’s truly magnificent!
This album does feature two skits. I’ll be honest, and I ain’t censored about my feelings on skits. I hate them; I think they are just album filler, never found the hype of them, but I can say it does feel like he’s utilising his ‘early-mid 2000s’ era with that first skit. The classic ring the radio station and the back and forth normally in traffic. I did find it funny though, how it’s called ‘Stay Dangerous Help Line’, but he roasts the guy for calling the girl a bitch! I’ll admit that made me laugh, but yeah, if you’re a fan of skits, you’ll love them; if not, they don’t affect the replay value of the album!
Now, onto the MC side of things because we have the main man Tabz SOS, who I’ll admit is a newcomer to me, and his performance on this record made me a believer and then some!
What I found really interesting about this guy is his combination of raw, deep-toned monotone aura combined with his enthusiasm, swagger-filled, passionate raps! It’s as if he’s able to embrace the best qualities of an introvert and extravert and combine them to make this perfect being who can utilise both!
I can hear his tough, ruthless, and lethal lyricism side, and then on the same breath, I can hear his introspective, smooth, and charismatic side on the forefront! I can tell you right now someone who can access both perspectives of this character and personality in the booth is not normal, and it’s something I fear people might overlook when listening to his music!
Across this album, there are features such as ‘93G, BIG R’Z, LA.
And this trio of names do help elevate the 20 minutes into something more special and original! Their features do add substance to the record, and sometimes three names can do 8-10x more than a whole roster of features on one album!
Overall, a fantastic showing of both production and performance and is a classic example of ‘quality over quantity’. Check it out now!
https://open.spotify.com/album/6298Cg8eycBxHGBOaCFDji?si=IzOlgynTTnyYf5CjYYmy3A
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 