I live by a pretty simple rule: if it’s produced by Bronze Nazareth, I fuck with it. This is the occasion here. I didn’t, however, expect to go on this roller coaster journey that this record took me on, emotionally and lyrically, but that’s the fun of discovering new artists. You’ll never know what you’ll get! Let’s talk about it!
This is the latest collaboration project between MC 4ize and Producer Bronze Nazareth. Together, they dropped 14 tracks running a total of 40 minutes and featuring the likes of:
-J.Reu
-Tommy Nova
-El Da Sensei
-Number 2
-Khujo Goodie
-A.O.S
-Killah Priest
Now, right off the bat. Let’s talk about the MC first. Because he had me engaged from the very first track to the end. The way he rapped legit reminded me of prime ‘Black On Both Sides’ Mos Def.
How smooth he was, his precision on the beats, his god-level lyricism, intricate and interesting wordplay, and untouchable pen game were one of the most entertaining listens of the whole year.
What made his verses so fucking fascinating was the subject matter! It’s as if this album was tailor-made for me and all my favourite topics!
-History
-Conspiracy Theories
-Serial/True Crimes
-Weed
-Social Politics
He literally had a song for everyone I study in my free time. Whether that be the history of Mansa Musa, or conspiracies such as ‘Pyramids In The Grand Canyon’ or ‘The Mandela Effect’ or even ‘Tartaria’
Serial crimes such as ‘Human Trafficking’ are a topic he has plenty of verses on. This man is a fountain of knowledge, wisdom, and insight unlike any other lyricist going right now! I also absolutely loved the outro (which sounds like an edited clip of JRE’ talking about debunking the legitimacy of Africans being brought to the US by Slave ships).
It’s not just the subject matter (which kept me glued from the intro onward) but also, as stated above, the way he was talking! His enthusiasm and unlimited energy! His passionate and sturdy conviction when talking about his subjects and his flawless execution of his words, verses, and bars. He really is the whole package!
I never knew of him until this album, but I guarantee he’s now on my radar for life!
Of course, this album wouldn’t be what it is without Bronze. The legend himself, who has already created what many claim ‘Album Of The Year’ with ‘Things I Seen’ alongside Termanology, and now he’s back even greater and more focused on providing production to this lyrical adventure ride!
As usual for a Bronze, you can hear the mastery and cinematic approach to the instrumentation and aesthetic. Everything from those grand horns, those infectious drum patterns, songs with choir-style vocal harmonies, plucked strings, subtle jazz notes, and even harmonic keys in certain songs that give the song that extra ‘IT’ factor.
This whole album sounds like it was recorded by a live band that performs in the studio right next to 4ize, and gives Bronze the advantage of recording some of the most atmospheric, lively, and uniquely crafted instrumentation I’ve heard yet! My favourite example of this (lyrically and sonically) would have to be the track
‘Lie To You’ because I love those distorted jazz influences, combined with that skeletal drum beat and that spiritual chant-sounding vocal samples that loop on that chant.
It’s so mesmerising and hypnotic that it’s hard to focus on this track to even write about it but then to have 4ize spit those in depth bars about Germany WWII and Operation Paperclip that brings the focus back to life!
This and the other 13 tracks on on this album are masterfully crafted, crisp, beautiful and distinct! I can’t imagine any other producer making this album glow the way Bronze could and did!
Overall, not only another fantastic showing but Bronze but a bombshell of a performance by 4ize so good that he’s left on my map permanently! This album is definitely a can’t miss for everyone involved!
Shoutout to all the features that contributed to the album!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2OMdLooMXimZLjrSylKUEK?si=2UvgII6bR1KloTSZ6NKSpQ
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