Well, it’s time for one of the most anticipated EP’s of 2026 to drop. I reviewed their first single back when it came out, and it only further solidified the anticipation for the release. Now that it’s finally here, I can confidently say that this was definitely worth the wait! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new EP between MC ANKHLE JOHN & Producer WHOA1.0, and together they drop this solid 5-track, 12-minute project that has all the grittiness and ruthlessness that I was expecting the two of them to drop!
When I say this thing is savage, I fucking mean it. It’s as if these two bring out the absolute best out of each other, and that manifests into raw and rough soundscapes that will force you to mean-mug the world around you for the entirety of the 12 minutes.
From the intense instrumentals of WHOA, who has spent the duration of the time that I’ve discovered him since creating a variety of different sounds and atmospheres that will make you feel like you’re walking down the darkest streets, waiting to get mugged by a thug with an empty Hennessy bottle to the back of the head! It’s that type of vibe!
I’m talking about that methodically paced, muddy layers that are equal parts minimal and powerful! The fact that each song fits into the ones that came before and after is testimony to the skill and mastery by WHOA! As he’s able to make sure each track has its own unique characteristics and sonic identity but also is fluent with the rest of them! That’s true talent right there.
But I can’t stress this enough, this is some of the most gruesome examples of Boom Bap I’ve heard in the last few years, period. I love the overall haunting sounds, the thick bass lines, those cold-blooded drum beats, and sharp chord progressions, sporadic piano keys— it’s all done to such an intense level that it feels overwhelming in the best way possible! The more I discover WHOA, the better he seems to get!
Speaking of overwhelming, we have the performances of ANKHLE, who has gone above and beyond with his verses on this one. I’ve heard his feature verses across multiple projects over the years, but it honestly feels like he’s turned a new and aggressive leaf that makes him sound like a true lyrical monster with enough aura and vibes to coat the entire underground and then some!
This man has always been known as one of the most charismatic, intense, and powerful performers in the underground. Of course, his penmanship is top tier, and his habit of fluent/manipulative flows that always wrap around instrumentals like verbal gymnastics. But besides all that, he has an original presence and sense of delivery that makes him comparable to such acts as
– Busta Rhymes
– ODB
– Sticky Fingaz
But doing his own unique style. He ain’t trying to be any of those names, but he’s just so explosive and dynamic that it’s hard not to draw comparisons to some of the greatest in our genre to give you an example of the kind of energy he’s bringing to the table!
In just 12 short minutes, he’s able to not only steal the show but create such a mesmerising and infectious cadence that you’ll leave feeling bored of most other acts you’ll hear if they aren’t on the same wavelength as him!
From the sharp bars to the extensive and vivid street poetry to the grand and lavish enunciations and the passion he injects into every word he spits, his handful of verses are equivalent to double or TRIPLE what most people are offering in the underground today!
All in all, this was such a fucking fun EP. WHOA, doing his boss thing, creating 5 incredible instrumentals for ANKHLE to come in and absolutely MURDER! They are a fantastic duo and one I can hopefully hear together again! Go listen to it below!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3DlMjINlbUKXdFixfA8DLk?si=ScTNo1LrRy2CCA-_UuykTg
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 