‘Words are not mere tools for chatting.’ If that isn’t the best way to start an album, then I don’t know what is.
How many rappers do you know that have a legendary feel to them whenever they drop? An artist that continues to mould the genre into new and unexplored territory with each new release, and now we see him back with arguably one of his most underrated duos in his discography! So without further ado, let’s talk about it!
This is the brand-new album by MC & 23 Incredible General Estee Nack, who on this occasion has returned with producer True Cipher, and together they drop this solid 10-track masterpiece that brings out the best side of both men.
If we start with True Cipher, I’d have to say he’s one of the most colourful and animated characters in the beat-making game. While listening to this (and his remix tape he did a few years back), I’m reminded of RZA’s early Wu-Tang work with albums like
-Liquid Swords
-Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
In the same breath, I hear on his album absolutely consuming instrumentals that pierce the brain and go throughout the whole body! The type of music you could swear had a soul and mind of its own. This album feels like a sonic renaissance of the highest order.
With each track being absolutely hypnotic to the point you catch yourself mindlessly nodding your head in pure instinct.
Tracks that showcase this narrative the strongest are songs like -PALABREO, as we hear what starts off with those light piano keys that have a hint of grace to it with those subtle plucked strings, but out of nowhere, you hit with those big, loud, and infectious horns that blast a truckload of flavour and texture to the song that you weren’t expecting to come!
Or we have the track that comes right after -VIVAPORU, the first of two singles I had reviewed separately but hits even harder as part of the whole album!
With those hypnotic piano elements, those glistening keys in the background, and mesmerising drums! One of the more minimal tracks on the album, but it’s brought to life with True’s mastery of the art. Not to mention Estee’s animated performance!
Hell, we can even discuss that opening track – TRIPLE L (LIFE LONG LESSONS) as we have that phenomenal quote to start the album off and proceed to hear a smooth combination of those luscious key progressions, subtle bass, and the occasional showing of sharp strings, which once again, in the hands of any other producer, would sound lacklustre or dull, but because True is on the case, he makes every track sound like a film score.
Not to mention the ending distorted spoken word to further drive that cinematic context!
Standing firm on my comparisons, just like True’s production reminds me of RZA on this one, Estee shows me the same damn near comic-like charisma and expressive character as ODB was! On his worst day, he has enough aura to coat the whole underground with on some Naruto shit! But on his best? He’s damn near omnipresent. I wouldn’t be surprised if we found out all his thoughts rhymed, and he’s just doing this out of pure instinct!
Across these ten tracks, we hear Estee at his absolute peak. His most energetic, vibrant, and lively! The type of MC that can manipulate any beat he’s on and make it work for him to his most precise specifications!
Not to mention his fluency with his Bi-Lingual rhymes. I’ve yet to hear anyone as smooth as he is with that; the way he can switch between the two languages at any given time or moment is ridiculous; there’s no awkward moment or lag between the two; he just blends both into one performance!
The difference between Estee and other MC’s is the fact that regardless of the producer, feature or project he’s always the most compelling one in the room. Never one to be overlooked on a track or record his immaculate rhyme schemes combined with his exceptional Bi-lingual tongue and his years of experience as well as his powerhouse mind set he’s the top of the food chain for a reason and he ain’t going nowhere!
As I fully expected it to be, this is one of the most exceptional records of not only the month but the entire year! Hopefully after this album their collaboration is no longer underrated and appreciated for the solid duo they are! Shoutout to both Estee and True Cipher for this modern day classic!
https://truecipher7.bandcamp.com/album/s-e-t-u-se-embromaron-todito-ustedes
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