What happens when two titans collide? When two of the most influential artists of almost the last decade come together to form one mind, it’s a sonic statement of legendary proportions and one that screams ‘classic’ on name alone. With that in mind, let’s talk about what is the latest (and probably biggest) contender for ‘AOTY’. Let’s go!
This is the brand-new record by legendary MC Ty Farris and legendary producer Apollo Brown. They drop 13 tracks, 44 minutes, and bring with them two powerhouses in
-Mickey Diamond
-Top Hooter
That duo speaks volumes to me because those two men carry more weight than 100 MC’s each! So to have them both together with Ty is absolutely ridiculous and made me hyped even before I heard it!
What can I say about Apollo’s production more than ‘classic’ at this point? He’s built himself an empire that is untouchable at this point in his career. He’s beyond a producer and more in the leagues of art professors and godly skill come to life!
Across this record, he showcases what I would say are his most memorable and spiritual instrumentals I’ve heard from him, period. These sound less like ‘traditional hip hop beats’ and more like elaborate and cinematic scores that have a hint of sacred energy stored up inside of them!
For example, tracks like ‘Details’ sound like music created in the midst of a secluded village in the middle of nowhere! With those flute sounds, angelic vocal harmonies, subtly light drums, and aspects of violin strings playing in the background with a small sprinkle of delicate keys that sound absolutely fantastical in execution. I honestly felt lifted and zoned out when listening to this track; the beat was beautiful in the purest form possible!
Speaking of tracks, the one right after ‘Authenticity’ is the perfect track to have the legendary Mickey Diamond featured on it! A one-of-a-kind artist that can be recognised by his first word on a beat! Across this track, we have another mellow and atmospheric track!
This one is accompanied by long keys, a more upfront vocal harmony with a hint of chipmunk-style pitch to them, as well as some synth chords that all come together for this heavily distilled track that somehow sounds abrupt and smooth at the same time!
It’s no question whether Mickey killed it or not; there hasn’t been a time where we haven’t!
If we mention Mickey, then we gotta mention the track that I already reviewed, ‘Flawless Victory,’ an absolute masterpiece of a single that leaves you on the edge of your seat the whole track with that ridiculous bass, haunting keys, as well as those fleeting sounds in the background that add that extra layer of substance!
Not to mention, we get the FEED THE FAMILY General Top Hooter across the track, bringing his ruthless street poetry to the forefront as he brings ‘Flawless Victory’ to the track!
If having a critically acclaimed figure such as Apollo wasn’t enough overkill for the album, we have Ty! A rapper so revered that the physicals of his last record, ‘Timing Of A Tarantula,’ are selling for insane prices on the market! That’s the power and influence he brings, and all that and more is shown on this record!
As is trademark, he brings his calm, collected, and confident voice and rhythm to the tracks. He drops bars like a profound author writing words that come to life to the audience, a man so passionate and skilled that a single verse by him can stick into the minds of fans for months and whole albums’ worth? Is automatically leaving a lasting impression on the masses.
He sounds less like a rapper and more like a philosopher spending his days enlightening the masses and trying to spread awareness, social commentary, and dope bars along the way. Kind of reminds me lowkey of Furious Styles. A man who’s wise yet street, a man who will teach you the world but one you don’t want to step against, that’s the perfect description for this man!
His flow is so smooth and un intruding that it feels like a loose piece of grass gliding through a flowerbed uninterrupted and free. He makes every bar feel effortless as he shows off his various technical skills on the mic and his overall cadence!
What I find fascinating about this man, is the way he interacts with features. Not just on this record on various occasions he never sounds like he’s competing (definitely never lacking) against a fellow MC but sounds like the wise spokesman in the room, never failing to impress and yet never forcing himself to appear as the centre of attention when the world knows of his potential and overwhelming knowledge!
A fantastic mash up of legends and yes I’m well aware I’ve used that word alot over this review but that’s because it’s deserved. All 4 men involved in this project on any given day can give you ‘AOTY’ material, so for them to combine efforts is something truly legendary!
https://open.spotify.com/album/5f9uoxijsnQeEmj6xmNMwL?si=bljLbozKT_e-3m6mp-j6Rw
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