Talk about an end-of-the-year collaboration I didn’t expect. Two men who, in their own right, have taken over their specific lanes in their own ways! But all I want for Christmas (is a dope hip-hop album), and these two deliver that gift, luxury-wrapped and ready to dive into! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new tape by MC Action Figure 973 and Producer Circa 97. With 24 tracks and the likes of
– Lord Juco
– Malcolm Sef
– Hound
And across this tape, we hear a divine fusion between the two forces, which combines ever so fittingly as one of the strongest forces in the rap game meets with one of the most powerful in the production industry.
When we talk about the beats on this record, the first word that comes to mind is ‘beautiful’ because that’s the effect Circa has on his albums!
I’ve covered all of his records this year (I’m pretty sure), and the one thing he always accomplishes is a sense of delicacy and integrity that makes you feel like you’ve been transported into the early 1900s in vibe, aesthetics, and atmosphere. From delicate piano keys to those fantastical plucked bass strings, gorgeous vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar strings, and more.
He’s always taking the audience into a realm of in-depth sounds and concentrated influences that run through your whole body and take over the soul!
The production on this tape (similar to many others over the years) is angelically bold and minimal. Adding a handful of layers to each track with just enough going on to take you on a sonic journey, but not too much where the layers become overbearing and messy!
He’s a master of his craft, and he knows exactly how much to add per track, and he understands which influences and genres to utilise for the songs, and that’s why he’s one of the most compelling beat makers we have right now!
I have to shoutout that badass intro as well! Having the clip of all those wrestlers saying Merry Christmas across the entire track was genius! The perfect way to start the record and give a special warm welcome to the audience!
As far as the MC work goes, we hear Action on his usual routine of rapping style and eccentric performances that have made him one of the most successful and looked-out-for names in 2025!
What drew me to him earlier this year was his technique on the mic and his apparent love for wrestling!
As a man who loves wrestling, I always gravitate to those artists who use pop culture as a concept and theme! Pair that with the lyrical gift of gab that this man possesses, and you have a balance that most would die for!
On this tape, he showcases all those praises and more as he’s able to utilise that lush and rich production to his advantage and spit his trademark flex rap with some unique punchlines and clever puns that had me engaged all throughout the album!
There was a line where he goes ‘I could fuck around and release a blank tape with the Obi’ I thought that was clever!
Or the line ‘I might go on tour and never come home/like the territory days, life on the road/going town to town putting local champions in chock holds’
Those are just two examples of lines I fucked with HEAVY! As the whole record runs exactly as smooth and precise as these. On top of his evident lyrical ability, we have his natural charisma that runs all throughout the album, saturating the songs with confidence, conviction, passion, and his love for the art of wrestling and all that makes for a fantastic experience for the listener!
The features on this album go hard as well! Providing an interesting contrast to Action’s cadence while enhancing the tracks that they are on, elevating the album as a whole!
So, what are you waiting for? This sonic present isn’t going to open up itself! Go check it out now with the link below!
https://open.spotify.com/album/0C6UOzHrTSyiKRRuNGx9t7?si=XnKrks_ERzq0_i8xWQ08hw
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 