I really gotta stop using the ‘2025 bingo card’ reference in my reviews. The more I use it, the more ridiculous match-ups the world throws at me to almost prove a point of irony. This time around had to be the biggest surprise of the year! With two men who (as far as I was concerned) were from two different universes in the culture, have come together to release a record that is every part as ‘SPLASHY’ as I’d expect from this duo, with a chemistry that was better than I anticipated! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new record by MC/Producer .Tetsuo and 23 Incredible Soldier ‘THEHIDDENCHARACTER’, and together they drop a collection of tracks that are definitely refreshingly original from everyone else in the game right now!
When we discuss the production, I’m reminded of .Tetsuo’s trademark classic sample usage, and the way he does it is unlike anything else, period. He adds such a skeletal yet cinematic spin on these loops that take your breath away and give the listener goosebumps!
I’m talking 1950’s Classical/Swing samples, and he treats these instrumentals like a ‘Studio Ghibli’ movie soundtrack.
Dramatic, theatrical, and gorgeous in execution. Little did I know that THEHIDDENCHARACTER would be the perfect partner for tracks like these, and now that I’ve experienced him on them, I don’t want to hear him on much else!
This whole album reads like a continuation of sounds. Like the hip-hop equivalent of a vinyl platter playing on Christmas Eve in front of a fire with hot chocolate and snow outside. This production makes me legitimately feel warm inside! The placebo effect of hearing such classic music unlocks a feeling in me that is deeply rooted!
These loops go beyond ‘Boom Bap’; they are more polished and traditionally kept, which gives them their original textures!
Honestly, when I was listening to this record, I was drifting away, just relaxing and enjoying the internal warmth it gave me as my mind was put to ease! I knew I had to pay attention for review’s sake, but I couldn’t help it! .Tetsuo is so fucking angelic with his production that it takes over the brain and puts you into a state of tranquillity whether you want it or not!
Speaking of the man, as I mentioned above, he’s also an MC as he’s on every track on here. As he’s trademarked to do, he brings back his intense, never-stopping style of rapping. I’m talking the kind of shit you’d need to listen to on 0.5 speed to pick up all the bars and flows!
I do remember on one of my earlier reviews of his that he would slow the fuck down. I guess he ignored me completely because on this record, he’s only one speed, GO! He’s got that tiger’s blood, he’s Bi Winning!
Not only is he fast-paced, but he’s free-form in his flow. Very similar to his fellow brother on this album, he doesn’t have a specific formula to follow for his rhythm or lack thereof. He just raps and says whatever he wants like a verbal machine gun with vocabulary bullets that will land on anything and everything!
It’s quite the interesting contrast to have such meaningful and methodical instrumental samples only to be followed by almost unfathomable lyrics that you have to slow down to understand! But hey, that’s .Tetsuo’s style, and he’s sticking to who he is, and I can respect that!
Now, the exciting addition to this record is THEHIDDENCHARACTER! Someone who, as I mentioned, does have a similar free-lance, all-power-on-no-breaks technique (except a tad bit more paced to understand better), but regardless, I now understand why these two would make a good duo.
Across this record and the songs he’s on, he showcases his trademark swagger-filled flow, rhythm, and lyricism. As usual, it sounds like all his thoughts come pre-rhymed. As if he’s just talking on the mic and never writing anything down!
He fits these beats like a tee! These match his energy and charisma and he goes off on them just as well as .Tetsuo! I would have loved to hear him on all the tracks but it’s a treat to hear him on any regardless!
He kind of reminds me of the modern day Slick Rick. He has that same swagger and aura to him, the same ability to make his own slang terms and phrases that he was the father of!
He has the same skill of impeccable flow and packed with a bar game so strong he’s often (and deservingly so) compared to the greats for his talents.
Look, I’m still blown away by this pairing. You remember your friends the Chinese guy and the French guy? Yeah me neither. It never happens and yet today it did! I would really love to see more of them in the future!
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 