So, according to my records, it was the 24th of May the first and last time I covered this man. From what I remember, it was quite an interesting record with a lot of compelling elements! Now we are going into the past with his 2022 record that I was told was phenomenal, and so let’s see if it really lives up to the hype!
This is the 2022 record by MC (and on this tape, producer) Ice Fang. Containing 12 tracks, 25 minutes, and the likes of -Lync Lone -Pinto, as these two have the job of making this album bang that much harder!
If we’re talking about the production value, I appreciate the sounds this album contains due to its minimalist aesthetic with those light layers and looped instrumentation that is smooth and soothing to the listener!
You’ve got tracks like -Situation Critical, which consists of maybe my favourite loop across the whole project! You’ve got this gorgeous vocal harmony of this woman singing a repetitive loop that sets my heart and ears at ease!
You’ve got those lusciously plucked strings alongside those light piano chords and thick bass; overall, it’s the perfect track!
I love the track -Mandela Effect as well, it has a rather unique and interesting feel to it. At the start of it, you’ve got those light, soul-inspired beats with those light strings, snippet vocal loop, subtle drums that all come together in a sphere of relaxed instrumentation!
But as the song progresses, it turns into this groovy, dance track that makes you want to groove your body! Sure, it’s in the last 15 seconds, but it’s still dope!
In fact, speaking of dope, the track right after -Golden Monkey is fucking dope as well! Also providing a slick, groovy/funk nature with those infectious drum patterns, slick strings in the background, that light vocal sample, and an overall 70’s feel to it that is so fucking irresponsible!
The production aura on this record is surely top-notch! A lot more groovy and lighthearted compared to the first one I covered, and I definitely see the hype he told me about!
Of course, this wouldn’t be the album without Ice himself! Just like the production, his rapping style on this album is different and feels like a variation of the tough street raps I’m so familiar with! Instead, he’s bearing his soul and showing a more introspective side that is further separate from the street poetry and more in tune with his own personality, feelings, and inner thoughts and perspectives that make this track feel like a funky diary entry more than anything else!
One thing I noticed also was how in certain songs, we would hear him actually singing in tune with the choruses or vocal loops, which gave a nice 80’s RnB vibe like how they’d do that with Jodeci or Boys II Men, etc. Very nice touch! But on top of even that, we have this man showcasing a more freelance, anywhere and everywhere type flow where it really just sounds like he’s spreading his inner thoughts on paper and then spitting them into the studio!
I loved his lively nature, his free-form charisma! The way his lyricism felt personal and introspective while maintaining a solid foundation of bars and set-up lines while also keeping a sense of structure to the beats themselves. He’s walking a fine line across this tape, and it all works out fluently!
Although an older tape, definitely worth checking out and experiencing what makes him such a worthwhile name in the industry right now!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3MLoGbi49tiRYW4wHFl6Z2?si=2i_Bu-vsQqaj7GjBBHJUXw
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 