When you take a step back and really observe the level of quality and consistency this man is producing over the years, it’s actually scary. For a man to personify the ‘pure essence’ of Hip Hop in its most organic form is truly special. This man has dropped two of the best albums of the year, and this latest is no exception! Let’s get to it!
So, this is the latest collaboration sequel by MC Legend, Napoleon Da Legend, with his regular producer in crime, Clypto, and together they release a 37-minute sequel to their iconic ‘Pen Game’ album featuring the likes of:
-D-Styles
-Terror Van Poo
-Bernadette Prince
-Vega7 The Ronin
-IAMGAWD
-REKS
-Blaze 5th
And as I said above, no matter who he’s working with, every Napoleon drop has this ‘pure’ atmosphere about it that no one can compare to. Across this one, every beat and instrumental feels like it’s paying homage to the 90s like a love letter to the classic era.
Every drum pattern, bass line, horn, and vocal sample is utilised in the utmost respect and masterful quality that you can find in this rap game.
I love how this album contains a handful of old-school scratches, DJ Cuts. It might be a small part, but it’s an aspect of Hip Hop I miss the most that you don’t see much anymore. It just adds so much flavour to the tracks! Like the song ‘Legendary Biopic’, where the song is introduced using those scratches and progresses throughout the track!
A standout track for me is ‘Shoguns’ because not only is that soulful and absolutely gorgeous instrumental banging! But this is the track that features the legends ‘Vega7 The Ronin’ and ‘IAMGAWD’. This is such a dangerous trio to have on one track, and each man brings their absolute best game to the track, making this one of the hardest songs in 2025, no doubt!
Clypto definitely raised his game on this album. His techniques, his mastery of the production, and how he was able to craft both original sounds and pay respect to the times of old is an accomplishment that deserves all the praise in the world!
Now, onto the legend himself. Napoleon, the man who doesn’t know what it feels like to drop a wack verse. He’s been a problem in the industry since day one, and he’s still out here rapping everyone!
Across these 14 tracks, he provides somehow an even stronger version of himself than the last few projects. It feels like with every new album, he’s evolving and never staying dormant or content with how he is from one project to the next!
His lyricism is stronger, his vocabulary has increased tenfold. His flow is smoother, and his delivery and structure are some of the best I’ve heard in years, period.
I respect that whenever he does have features on his records, he makes sure to inherit the best in the game to sharpen his own skills and prove why he’s the very best of the best! (Perfect example with that track with Vega7)
Every time he drops a bar, he sounds less like an MC and more like a wise preacher. He’s always sounded like someone who is out here trying to preach and enlighten the audience with his intellectual vocabulary and organic approach to his delivery and pen game!
I’ve said this before, but he’s without a doubt this generation’s guru. A man you can’t fuck with but also a man whose intentions seem to be to educate and inspire rather than talk that ‘tough guy/street’ shit like everyone else!
I can’t believe I can even say this considering what he’s dropped so far, but this might be his best yet. The production is energetic and smooth, and his trademark rhythm and lyricism is one of a kind, and once again, he’s painted a bigger picture across this album!
https://open.spotify.com/album/48x5mK1uCpnko3mTK82yW0?si=0OKJtD5aTnSW5FnVw_solQ
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 