(GAMO)

 I think it would be considered blasphemy to talk about top-tier discographies in this rap shit and not mention this man. Since I first discovered him and even prior, he’s done nothing but build one of the most solid catalogues anyone has ever heard, and on this one, he’s back to follow suit on his legendary consistency! So let’s talk about it.

This is the brand-new album by MC Legend Napoleon Da Legend with production from the likes of: 

– Napoleon Da Legend

– Dub Sonata

– Maître D

– Proffeny

– Passport Rav

– Homage

And featuring the likes of: 

– Ghost Machine

– Vinnie Paz

– Sunez Allah

– General Steele 

– Maître D

– Nejma Nefertiti

– CF

– Dontique

– SKAM2?

– Innocent?

– Eloh Kush

– SkyZoo

– Gregg Green

– Passport Rav

– Crazy DJ Bazarro

– Goretex

– BBass

And upon listening to this one, this truly feels like the most ‘complete’ Napoleon album. Which feels weird to say considering the amount of features included, but it’s true. This album has a certain energy to it that’s so many different things at once that somehow comes together in perfect unity.

It’s grand, it’s old school, it’s hard-hitting, it’s cinematic, it’s conceptual, it’s soulful, and everything in between!

What Napoleon and other beat makers have been able to do is create an atmosphere full of coexisting influences and styles that make you feel like you’re on a hip-hop roller coaster ride of the most epic proportions. I don’t need to be the one to tell you that juggling and finding the balanced spot for so many sounds is a hard task to ask, and yet they did it.

I have to admit, those various interludes across this album made it feel that much more surreal! Like you’re listening to a film turned audio! It gave it a more immersive experience!

There are tracks like -Addis Abba which sounds like James Bond turned underground! From those fast-paced plucked strings, methodically charged drum patterns, grand chord progressions in the background, which all come together for this epic instrumental that hits you in the face unapologetically! 

I also love the theatrical transitions between Napoleon and Vinnie’s verses that makes it feel like your setting up for sometime special (which is dead on the money) because these two fucking destroy the beat!

Spilled Sphinx is another one of those tracks I loved, becuase apart from that film score style introduction we get this soulful beat that makes you feel like your gliding on clouds! It’s got these luscious horns, plucked bass, these rhythmic drum beats and some delicate keys that all come together in this gorgeous mix that helps provide a sort of fever dream moment on the track!

Another aspect I love is those what sounds like sharp violin strings that we hear towards the end of the track!

You had to know, when I heard Nejima back on the track with Napoleon that I went OFF! One of the best duo’s we have in the game right now and as expected they owned this track.

This album showcases the truly incredible talent of Napoleon. It’s a crazy statement to make but I feel this is the most smooth and consistent I’ve heard him yet. It seems with every album he increases his own value & abilities and out does himself even more.

I don’t understand how that’s possible with someone who is already this talented but regardless across these 23 tracks he doesn’t give us even ONE lacking performance, it’s pure fire track after track.

I’ve said it once and I’ll continue to say it until my final breath that in my opinion he’s the true prodigal son between the old school and the new school. The modern day ‘Guru’ a man who can effortlessly run through the most profound production you’ve ever heard in your life and make it sound easy.

A man who has one of the most extensive vocabularies in the culture and someone who utilises it to its fullest! 

He’s a man who’s hardened with experience and at this point referring him as ‘legend’ isn’t a cap it’s what he deserves because he is one!

How many people do you know that can rap toe to toe with the likes of Vinnie Paz or Nejima? As a big fan of both I can tell you now that alot can’t. Hell each name on this list are credible verbal assassins in their own right and can out rap your favourite rapper in a heartbeat and yet Napoleon finds a way to create sustained chemistry with these people and create banger tracks that together with his solo joints prove he can do it all! 

This should be a pretty simple equation to solve. Whenever Napoleon drops, you go listen. It’s as simple as that! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5ypeX5kv54gLeaKquFeVwz?si=DeLtk4hVR8WuI8Wuotddaw