I’ll be honest with you all, I had higher expectations for this record than most. Maybe I’ve been pushing too high of hopes onto her, but that’s only because of the amazing progression I’ve seen from her this year.
From the first project I heard of her, that Vol 1 of ‘HDXMM LUXE’, which I did enjoy but knew she could do even better. Which led to her verse on Van Gunz’s record, which blew me away, which further led to the Vol II of ‘HDXMM LUXE’, which is the lead-up to my super high level of hope for her and her performances, and with this new record, how does he hold up? That’s what we’re here to talk about!
So, this is the brand-new full-length record by 6th Man Queen HONEY DINERO! This album is being produced by Team Demo and featuring the likes of
– Tone Spliff
– The Bad Seed
– Spoda & Innocent?
– Hitman Yogi
– Frankky Smaccz
– Terror Van Poo
And I gotta tell you. This is a listening experience and a half! If we start with the production first, whenever the legendary ‘Team Demo’ are on the case, you can expect greatness, and that’s exactly what we got here!
With a mesh of different inspirations and influences, you really get a what’s what of variety for the listener!
If we start even from the intro track, we have something that sounds like a homage to the 90s with Tone on the case! Who provides those epic scratches and cuts as well as Team formulating that dramatic, theatrical organ chords over those methodical-style drums! It reminds me of something 90s Nas or Guru would be on! Absolutely badass way to start the track off!
We even have tracks like ‘Uh Ohhhh’, which has a light Punk/Metal influence to it with those slow-paced long guitar strings and rock and roll drums that make this feel like an 80s skeletal OG punk song with that hip-hop influence!
With Honey’s chorus of her just saying ‘Uh Ohhhh’ in repeat, definitely reminds me of something ‘Misfits’ would have done in the late 80s.
Also, sprinkled throughout are a bunch of horror-laced tracks, such as ‘Bronx SVU’, where it has that dark and eerie 80s side-B horror movie soundtrack vibe with those swaying chords and deep, destructive instrumentation that makes you feel like you’re watching a ‘Friday the 13th’ or ‘Halloween’ film.
Also scattered throughout this record is a continuing theme (that ties into the name of the record) of various clips showcasing the feminine movement, whether that be to be seen as more than just a sex object or the hypocrisy of being called a bitch for qualities men would have that they would be praised for!
How to be respected by a man, you have to work twice as hard in all these different areas.
I found these outros and interludes rather interesting and eye-opening listens. I can see how that would be a struggle. I personally grew up with aunties and mothers who had the mentality of ‘I’m going to get that spot or I’m throwing you down for it’. Coming from broken backgrounds, they were forced to be tough and menacing, and that’s the feminism I grew up with, but I suppose they wouldn’t have to be that way if shit was equal, so I admired those passages across this project!
As I’ve come to appreciate from her music to date. This album’s sounds are original, fresh, creative, and always provide that unique spark that separates it from the rest! Rooted in the gritty East Coast scene but always coming with something different and engaging! Nothing but love for the Team Demo crew!
Now, onto Honey. The main reason why I was so excited to begin with is that she has the ability to rap and match the best of them in the industry! I’d pair her in the same conversation as Che Noir, Rapsody, Jean Grae; she deserves to be in the best conversation!
Across these 14 tracks, we hear a sweet combination of her artistic side and her MC side all rolled into one (similar to how many Missy used to be in the 2000s).
From the first track she comes in hot and heavy. Using her natural charisma and complex lyricism to showcase her raw and rugged bars and eccentric mannerisms that make her a force to be reckoned with!
Across this album you’ll find tough street bars, empowering self reflective bars, pun based bars and even bars of dominance and of her telling the world ‘Honey Denro ain’t going nowhere’
This is done no more sharply then on the outro for the song ‘Come Back Lovely’ where she expresses herself in a extremely passionate way talking about how she beat cancer and how the haters thought she was done, but how she ain’t going anywhere! Accompanied by a terrifyingly done laugh that I think would scare any hater away!
Of course I love her chemistry with all the features involved. My favourite songs are the ones with her and Seed because they naturally have incredible energy and synchronicity together as 6th man artists that it just fits. On that punk song and the secret track outro they both click and tear the house down together!
This is every bit as glorious, magnificent and worth while as I hoped it would be! She came in guns blazing and rocking a self confidence and cadence that most would die for. Love Live the 6th man and all hail Queen Dinero!
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 