(HOOD ALCHEMY)

In response to the brand-new album coming out in hours from now! I thought it’s only right I do an album review of his latest work to get the ball rolling for the hype, attention, and focus that will undoubtedly be on this man!

So, this is the 2023 release by notorious MC ??? AKA ‘The Hidden Character’ who comes geared with equally notorious producer Grubby Pawz who has been on a role of his own as of this year with his critically acclaimed release of ‘CCE’ by Estee & Al Divino and together they dropped a 9-track 26-minute project with the likes of 

-BucketTopBoogz

-Pro Dillinger

-BoriRock 

-Shaykh Hanif

-Bub Styles

-Estee Nack 

-Skunkz

-Nyeusi Loe

-Swaello 

-Al Divino

Now, as we touch base on the production side of things, we have Grubby. This man is the perfect affiliate for the job because when it comes to these familiar names (???, Estee, Al, and company), it’s as if he has a 6th sense into what they need and how they need it.

He brings that grimy, cold, and aura-filled sounds that are equal parts grand, cinematic, and powerful and the other part muddy, sinister, and street-heavy. The best way I can word it is imagine if Hanz Simmer grew up in the streets and represented that ‘ghetto’ mindset! That is a combination I hear from Grubby! He’s obviously a genius behind the beats but also is a master of the most grimy beats you’ve ever heard in your life!

When getting prepared for a Grubby-produced album, you can expect a few things. Such as 

-Delicate piano keys

-Heavy and infectious drum patterns

-Art Rap/Boom Bap influences

-A hint of 80’s/70’s samples

-Classical Horns

-Plucked Strings 

-Hypnotic Synth Chords and more.

As I said above, he’s like a one-man orchestra. He doesn’t just make music, he invents scores and experiences. Just as someone wouldn’t merely call a Beethoven performance simply ‘a show’, the same rules apply here. 

Just because he’s a producer doesn’t mean he should be categorised as the same as the rest; he’s a modern-day composer bringing his talents to the present-day underground culture!  

Now, to talk about ???. I’ve talked to many Hip Hop heads and friends alike, and we all share the same sentiment. He is one of the most original and talented MC’s of the modern era. Not only is his rap name mysterious, but he has one of the most fluent and consistent styles I’ve heard in a minute!

His flow is immaculate, his street poetry is sharp, effective, and lethal! He’s the kind of rapper you don’t want to have smoke with in the studio or out because he’s got that lyricism for days, and he sounds like he could go for hours without taking a break!

He has a wavy-filled cadence, strong, passionate, and energetic enthusiasm on the mic that makes him an instant hit whether that be his features or full-length albums!

In my opinion, he kind of reminds me of Yelawolf if we had an alternative universe version where he didn’t fall off after one hit single and grew to become a dominant lyricist! As far as I’m concerned, ??? is how he should have been and more! 

Also, he has this infectious quality about him that I just can’t put my finger on. It’s as if God put it into a big mixing bowl:

-The Passion of Mac Miller

-The Lyricism of Nas

-The Aura of Bori

-The Flow/Wordplay of Estee Nack

-The Originality of Al Divino

And you put all these together, you have what very well could be ‘The Perfect MC’. 

??? Is truly unlike any other. He’s got everything going for him and more! When he pairs with the generational talent like Grubby and combined with the legendary roster of features, you literally can’t lose, and this is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard in years! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7vKEGVk8gkYPlQbwSEVc5f?si=yyyPeZPFRSaoZtb9IPpUxQ