(Sound Scoundrels)

I can’t possibly be any more hyped about this man than I am right now. Whether it’s in rapping or producing, he’s always a premium tier. It’s rare for me to be excited on both sides of an artist! He’s a powerhouse producer and even more original MC! But on this occasion, we hear him providing his beat-making skills to help elevate the careers of so many others! So with that in mind, let’s talk about it! 

This is the brand-new, huge collaboration effort presented by -The 17th Cipher and between Producer -DOZA THE DRUM DEALER and MC’s as follows: 

-Mar

-Beedie

-The Bad Seed

-Doe Boy Philly

-D. Goynz 

-Liym Capital

-Cortez

-Quest MCODY

-Bernadette Price

-Rim

-Honey Dinero

-Osvn

-Kaeson Skrilla

-IAMGAWD

-Project Logic

-Crise P

-MO Buks

And with his massive roster, we have the potential for one of the strongest multi-person albums of the year (especially because of the man behind the production).

Let’s start with that part first because I can honestly say with each beat I found myself with a locked jaw from it being dropped so often listening to these beats! It’s truly ridiculous how this man can be a generational talent in all aspects of music, and these might be some of his best beats yet! Let’s discuss a few of them!

Firstly, I want to talk about the track -99 Dollars (The Intro). This one feels like a gym montage on crack. You’ve got that opening vocal snippet that transforms into this power-building track with those hypnotic horns, thudding drums, and thick bass that all come together for a track that could make you drop and do 100 push-ups in a row!

As hype as this track is (as a stand-alone and an intro), it’s the end of the song! When I heard the combo of those theatrical violins and that short jazz horn solo!! Nah, it was a wrap. I got out of my chair in my studio, and I literally yelled ‘OH SHIT!’ I was not expecting that, and it made that track even more intense!

We can discuss the track – Super Timbs, which has a bit of an atmospheric feel to it with those sticky, echoing synth keys, that vocal snippet, and drums that loop around the track! It almost gives a sci-fi effect that is equal parts intricate and original! It definitely showcases the creativity of DOZA!

I love how subtly he adds another vocal harmony in the background that sounds like an extension of the original one that I loved! It’s not in your face, but the texture of that almost whisper delivery adds a little extra something!

There’s the track – Melting Pot, which has this combination of 90’s and modern-day east coast vibe to it! With the layers of high-pitched choir vocals and a second layer that ends at the back end of the choir ones!

Those are met with this bare but hypnotic drum pattern and thick bass that makes this feel like a rough around the edges and minion track that is the perfect environment for the various MC’s to go off on!

 

Although there are only seven tracks on this album, he adds so much life and soul that it feels like I’m listening to a collection of sonic heartbeats come together to create this project. Every instrumental has its own story, purpose, and meaning behind it that helps boost and elevate the verses featured on it! When I say NOBODY makes beats like DOZA, I fucking mean it. His mix of creative thinking and mastery behind the beats makes him a formidable competitor in this culture that no one is ready to fuck with!

As far as the EXTENSIVE MC work goes, we have some of the best spitters you can ask for gracing us with their bars. Some I’m more familiar with than others, but all share would could be considered their best verses in a minute to this protect!

It always feels dirty mentioning my favourite MC’s and verses on a project of this magnitude, but I gotta play ‘DEVIL’S ADVOCATE’ and shoutout the ones who impressed me the most! So let’s talk about it

Firstly I want to give a special shoutout to my main characters from the 6th man crew! -The Bad Seed on (Super Timbs) and -Honey Dinero on (Melting Pot) these two absolutely killed it! Always some of my favourite MC’s to listen to and they brought it harder then I’ve heard them period! Incredible work!

We have -IAMGAWD on his track (Hot Base) his verse was absolutely incredible. He’s the kind of man who can surprise everyone with his Stella performances! it’s a shame he’s so underrated because he always brings it!

There’s the verse on the end of (Melting Pot) by OSVN that turned that track from a 10 to a 1000! The intensity, the hype the raw and rugged vocals and everything had me mean mugging the world like nobodies business! Insane verse 

At this point, when you see the name -The17th Cipher it should be the keyword for ‘Quality’ because any project under it always comes out strong and heavy! Then you throw Doza to the mix? And it’s a fucking wrap! But don’t take my word for it, check it out below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZVxNcATrxzqyQbibM06LM?si=OMeYXSESTz6GTlaIBNA06A