Based on the name alone, this record gave me goosebumps. From who the MC and producer were, I was already hooked. Some artists are so groundbreaking that they can generate hype before the music is played, and this is definitely one of those cases!
Let’s get into it!
This is the record by MC and Umbrella Collective’s own Daniel Son, with notorious producer Body Bag Ben, and together they drop a huge 10-track record with the likes of
– RJ Payne
– Jay Royale
– ETO
– Kobe Honeycutt
And man, as soon as I pressed play, I couldn’t help but mean-mug. This is the level of chemistry we need to hear! I’m pretty sure to most, this was bound to be an instant hit, but to actually hear it fortified that feeling 10x fold.
If we are talking about the production side of things, we hear Body Bag taking us through a masterclass of that underground boom-bap shit! A sound we are all familiar with at this point, but when someone of his calibre does it, it becomes a cinematic score that none can follow!
This whole record feels like a long, fluent song that is a sonic portrait of street poetry, adversity, violence, and ultimately rise and success! This production plays like a ‘rags to riches’ film where we are taken on a sonic tour of the mud and dangerous street corners and the adversity that comes with it!
There are certain tracks that stand out to me, such as ‘Brown Body Bags’, that intro track is undeniably relevant! That track has one of the most cold and chilling beats I’ve heard in a minute!
You’ve got those haunting piano keys, heavy drums, 90’s style cuts and scratches, and this consistent droning chord that plays throughout the whole track!
Another track, ‘War Cry’, is fucking insane. This track gives me a 1940’s PTSD turned into hip-hop form. As if you’re taking a glimpse into the torn mind of Oppenheimer himself!
You’ve got those intricate piano keys going off in that loop! You’ve got those sharp synth strings, and of course, those hypnotic drums!
Every track on here is the definition of powerful and destructive in the best way possible. A soundtrack so cinematic you’ll feel exhausted after finishing the record! It’s just that good!
Of course, the other half of this record is the contributions of the Umbrella soldier Daniel Son. This man has already crafted a discography for the year that most would die for, but he ain’t content with that as he strives for more and you can’t get bigger than this collaboration!
Across this tape, we hear Daniel Son present us with an elevated and more evolved version of his trademark street poetry that we’ve come to appreciate over the years.
I can hear in his voice the sense of ignited passion and conviction. His new tier of ruthlessness and determination in conveying his vivid imagery and stories across the beats as he literally paints us the most gruesome of pictures and parables that we couldn’t imagine experiencing or living through!
His performances on this record have a hypnotic effect. The sway of his flow, his pinpoint rhythm as well as his in-depth lyricism all come together into the perfect storm of verbal executions that sound absolutely smooth in the ears! He’s always been an artist that has had a compelling approach but this just feels like an extra leg up as if he’s committed to testing himself and elevating his always high standards to that next level!
What surprised me the most about this record was the fact we got to hear BODY BAG himself as the dual rapper on this project! Not only doing the ridiculous beats but matching Daniel Son toe to toe (which is something very few rappers can do!)
He provides a more energetic and engaging performance to contrast Daniel’s gritty exterior. Body Bag showcases a nice use of wordplay with a smooth flow and eccentric style that makes him sound like fireworks going off on the beat! Colourful, loud and unmistakable!
I love the chemistry he brings to the table, I love the way they toss the verse back and forth to each other and the synchronicity that comes with it!
Adding to that then the fact they have brought to the table a handful of the dopest MC’s in the culture right now to further push this record higher and match even their respective styles as if it was easy? That’s fucking skill right there and it shows the level of respect and admiration each man has for the other!
This record is on that next level shit! A phrase used alot lately but one that rings true with this one. From those banging beats to the MC’s performances it all comes together for one ride that is sure to be named in the ‘AOTY’ list for 2025!
https://open.spotify.com/album/0KSd0GxOAG7TlcYXVneEFq?si=WJVXrhZ5QxGCsrVvXuLcHQ
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 