(Cortina)

This announcement made me happier than I thought I could be. The final instalment needed for a ‘FEED THE FAMILY’ completed run for 2025, with multiple efforts by Bori, a couple by Top Hooter, and a surprise drop by Shaykh last month, we finally have a full-length drop by the remaining FTF soldier, and before I even pressed play, I knew it would be dope! Let’s get it!

This is the brand-new full-length release by MC Dun Deadly! Again, this has me so fucking hyped after hearing him as a feature on many projects of others. I was patiently waiting for his own, and now we are here!

On this project, we have production from the following: 

Tremendiss

Piff

Diggz

DiselMania 

Chef Bogey

DeevoDaGenius

Rich Tayo

Bza 

Humbeats

Get Large

As well as guest MC’s such as: 

Snotty

BoriRock

Tega 

Shaykh Hanif

Last Days

And man, the one thing (among many) that I LOVE about the ‘FEED THE FAMILY’ crew is that you can expect them to take that theatrical/cinematic route with their music. They are never content with just making a regular album; it’s always high-end, score shit, and this album is no exception!

Across this record, we hear 38 minutes of pure, unadulterated hip-hop that has no weak points to speak of! 

So many infectious and powerful production choices on here that there are too many to list! But I’ll try to list some of my personal favourites!

The first being ‘Nose Dive’. This track feels like a 4K choir come to life. You’ve got that vocal melody loop in the background that brings the song that church vibes! On top of that, we have something methodically paced drums with some subtle chords in the background to give this song that little extra depth and detail!

I love this track because it reminds me of a modern-day take on Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Walks’ but the underground version! 

Another track I love is ‘Compressor Pressure’. This is another Tremendiss cut, and he pulls out another skeletal classic featuring two of the most badass MC’s in the game right now. Across this song, we have another vocal loop that feels a lot more classical and opera in execution compared to the previous one.

This one has plucked strings and some more Spanish-style guitar and 70s keys towards the middle of the track as we introduce Snotty onto the track! 

I love this track for its gritty minimalism that gives the rappers all the freedom to go off on!

The final track that really impressed me was the song ‘Brick of Cortina’. Compared to the other two, this track has a lot more of a subtle feel to it with those delicate key loops, those heavy-handed drum beats, and that underlying hip-hop beat that can be felt ever so subtly in the background to give it a base skeleton for the rest of the elements to layer on top of!

This is also the track that’s produced by my main man Deevo! And contains Bori and Tega, two absolute zingaz!

Look, even though there’s a roster of beat makers on this record, they all absolutely kill and bring modern-day classics from the infectious bangers to the subtle masterpieces that create a whole vibe that you can only expect from a FEED record! No lie!

When it comes to the rapping across this record, I honestly feel like Dun has felt the responsibility from the other members and is acting accordingly to maintain the strong releases and dope quality the Family has brought to the table and is following suit!

Across this record, we hear what I would honestly consider some of the best rapping I’ve heard all year! It’s no surprise he’s nice from all the features and previous experiences with him, but even so, I feel he’s outdoing even his former self and evolving right in front of our eyes!

His talent is ridiculous with a flow that feels unmatched with its fluency, his dominating presence across the tracks that’s also balanced in smooth and well-enunciated rhythm and wordplay! 

I’d say out of all the Family drops and after hearing this he has the strongest and most vivid example of street poetry that’s tapped with gritty details and hardened resolve!  

I wasn’t expecting his verses to be as pin point accurate and as intricate as they were, he really was on a whole new level on this album. Sounding like a true poet the way he crafted his bars, his use of crafty one liners and double entendres rolling off the tongue for his so fucking smoothly was crazy.

On top of that he utilises to the full every feature on this record. He doesn’t just have them on here for the fuck if it, he makes sure they all bring that something special and enhance the specific tracks they are on and that’s what makes their presence on this album special!

This is a MUST listen for any Hip Hop fan, with not a wasted breath or beat out of place this is easily going on the ‘AOTY’ category! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/29NBJck2DCdWKG5A1i3s6n?si=UpuDBfPSQPaFgQn7PpjBTQ