(Supreme)

Do we have a treat for you today or what? When you think of big-time hip-hop albums, you can’t come up with anything bigger than this! So let’s talk about it!

So, this is an album by Grand Official featuring members: 

-Producer (Grip)

-MC (Dose)

-DJ (Hallucin8)

And for this record, it features 18 tracks with a truckload of features such as: 

-Teflon

-Fame

-Adlife

-KRS One

-DJ Skizz

-Ras Kass

-Ominous Chambers Studios

-Reagan Era

-CAPPADONNA

-M.O.P

-Billy Danze

-Expertise

-Skrill Dior

-Halo The Lost Angel

-Dios Negasi

– Sneak Rothstein

-The Beat Minerz

– Mr. Walt

That is a STACK of features if I’ve ever seen one, but despite the size of the feature roster, they make this album sound so crisp and larger than life that it all comes together to sound like one of those quality collaboration records from the 90s similar to projects like:

– Dr. Dre 2001 with lots of artists but done in such a strong way that no one points that out as a fault! 

Starting with the production, as I said above, this thing defines the definition of grand! It literally sounds like they took all the best parts about the 90s quality, consistency, mixing, and mastering and modernised it to create this one-of-a-kind record.

From the very first track ‘Supreme’, we get banger instrumentals that remind me closer to the West Side ‘G Funk’ vibes with smooth yet strong beats with funky and infectious choruses that will force your body to move on its own once the sounds course through your body and into all your organs, making you feel like G walking across the street once this album is in your headphones! It’s that damn good!

As far as the rapping side goes, Dose himself has this strong flow and lyricism that stands out with his strong tone. Not only that, but you can tell by his studio cadence, rhythm, and wordplay that he has a strong character and personality which suits this level of production well! The way he sways along the tracks and leaves lyrical fire on every inch of the song he’s on!

As mentioned above, he brought with him a gang of various legends and men who helped mould the culture! Even across these iconic names, he’s holding his own with ease, proving his MC strength and talent!

It’s a crime this album was as overlooked as it was. With the amount of talent across this one, as well as the quality of the production, this one should be on everyone’s go-to! Make sure you don’t repeat the mistake and go check it out now! 

(Domingre Gang)

Let’s start by saying this: Tarantino’s best movie is ‘The Hateful Eight’. Now that’s out of the way. Let’s cover this latest single!

Produced by Dios Negasi and featuring the services of Young Zee, they both bring their own level of heat to the track that makes them the definition of a dynamic duo!

Firstly, that production is addictive as fuck. Has this soothing flute? Sound at the opening that soon changes into this piano-key-heavy boom-bap beat with minimal drums in the background and a head-nodding rhythm that you could play for hours and not get sick of!

Starting with Dios, his style is level-headed, calm, and collective with clever wordplay, clever puns, and penmanship that mashed well with the beat at hand!

On the backend of the track, Zee presents this unpredictable, manic, and chaotic verse that talks about the most outrageous shit, from having anal sex with someone’s wife, killing someone’s baby, and more. His voice is also more all over the place and frantic in comparison to the first, which presents an interesting spectrum of styles that you don’t normally see on a track! 

Overall, great theme, infectious beat, original verses, and they all come together nicely! Definitely check it out! 

https://youtu.be/vlAXcUVPnx0?si=KorOcyEkLyylqN2E

(10 Bags)

After hearing two rather introspective singles from Snotty from what I can only assume is off his upcoming album with ‘GoodPhella’, I was surprised and hyped to see him back on his grime traditional Umbrella Collective hardcore shit on this one! 

This is quite possibly the hardest two minutes you’ll hear in hip hop this year. With a looping string beat over these fast-paced distorted sounds in the background and done on a tough, dirty boom Bap beat to knock your head off!

On this one, Snotty ain’t playing no games! He’s done soul searching; he’s now back to taking names, and when he’s on his game, no one—and I mean no one— is matching his skill.

This track gave me goosebumps because it’s just him, a cold beat, and a 2-minute stopwatch, and for someone as relentless as he is, that’s more than enough to rip the game in two and put everyone on notice.

I don’t know if this upcoming LP will be a more personal listen, if it will feature the majority of trademark ruthless vibes, but whatever the case, this track to me serves as a reminder to the industry that just because he’s been working on himself through sonic therapy, the killer is dead. It’s part of him, and when we see it unleashed, the culture stops. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6MQlzWXWLjE8f9eZgnQGJ1?si=AkGRF7eUS9KPPLezcKi60Q

(The Pierre Hotel)

It’s common knowledge. When two or more equally large powers come together, there’s bound to be a collision of epic proportions. Today, we will discuss such an example, the theory put into practice.

This is the latest collaboration project between the following:

-The Musalini

-DJ Skizz

-Silent Snipers

All three names have put in work in the underground to make their marks and become infamous in their own lanes. This time around, they decided to join forces for a sonic ‘big bang’, and that’s exactly what this is.

Across the 10 tracks available, we get some of the smoothest, soulful, Lo-Fi atmosphere I’ve heard all year. This kind of sound not only feels high class but is high class in every aspect. 

From the glossy, crisp, and clean notes and slow-paced drums to that beautifully orchestrated piano keys to the subtle use of vocal loops across certain tracks, this thing feels like a sonic stress relief for the soul. 

The cohesive nature of the beats, as they not only complement but merge into the track coming, is made to look effortless. There’s never an awkward angle or spot that breaks the continuous motion of the production, just soothing and satisfying tracks from 1-10.

If the atmospheric bliss wasn’t enough to draw your attention, you have Musalini and Snipers coming at you with their own rendering of passionate, balanced, and focused rhymes that ride alongside the instrumentals as smoothly as any has before.

Each word, bar, and verse by both just slides off the tongue with ease; there’s no forceful energy or emotion, just relaxed penmanship that reeks of confidence and peace of mind. When these two spit, they do so powered by euphoria and ecstasy.

Across this project, it does feature the likes of: 

-Milano Constantine 

-Starker

-Smoke DZA

-Famous AAA

-YL

-Planet Asia

-Fashawn

And they offer their own takes and energy across these tracks, which provides memorable verses that I feel do help add to the nuance of the record as a whole, and of course, the names listed are more than credited in the underground scene! 

A fantastic late January edition to the culture. I wish I had discovered this sooner, but regardless, definitely a worthwhile listen! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/026M96GNiKsM6f2SdeJfvC?si=XGDM3zGdRs2I5tdddHPd8A

(Forged By Fire)

It’s been a minute since I last reviewed Kendall Spencer and his intense two-part series of albums talking about his work tragedy and how it affected his life. Definitely the toughest listen I’ve had in hip-hop so far.

But with a new album in the works, this new single is out, and it seems this time around he’s in a better headspace, more confident, and more ready to kill it. 

This beat has a nice, larger-than-life feel to it with theatrical horns playing in the background across this traditional/boom-bap beat. 

Across this instrumental, Kendrick talks about his conflicts but also his perseverance and toughness to overcome everything he needs to for his family’s sake. 

I love how his lyrical topics go from criticism of others’ work to his revelation of hardships from rent increase to stress to being strong for his family. I love this because it’s authentic; these are less lyrics and more thoughts he’s suffering at the time and letting them spill onto the page.

This is why Kendall is one of the standout artists; he’s truthful in every bar he spits with his brutal honesty and his revealing stories and experiences he’s exposing himself for everyone to see, and there’s a strength in that level of display that I can’t help but respect it!

This is one hell of a single, and it’s only got me more hyped for the album! 

https://strongarmkendall.bandcamp.com/album/forged-by-the-fire-35-pack

(Theme to an Imaginary Malt Liquor Commercial)

This is the latest single by ‘Psych-N-Dag’ and it runs 2 minutes and 41 seconds. From the intro replicating a commercial (as the title suggests), we get into this funky, vocal loop boom Bap track by Psych Major Beats that has this infectious feel to it, like a beat you could play for hours and never get sick of it.

After we get a glimpse of the production prowess, we suddenly get a taste of his lyrical skills as he jumps on the first verse! 

Alongside Psych, when the raps hit by the Dagha, they have (to me at least) a reminiscent vibe of the late 80s early 90’s rape style. Sounds animated, energetic, and passionate. 

From bar to bar, the words sound heavy with emotion and a vibrant aura that it sounds straight out of the Public Enemy or Run DMC era! The golden age aura.

It’s an underrated quality in hip hop to see fluency back and forth between two men. Sometimes you listen to a track and it the sound of the first or second verse is so out of sync that it actually sticks out to the listener! Thankfully on this track they found the right tempo, combination and how to make the track sound as harmonised as possible!

With these two combined, they make for a great duo! With electrifying production and fun, spirited flow and wordplay, they make for a hit that I feel anyone in the culture could get behind! A song that anyone can pump and enjoy! 

https://youtu.be/rQ6db3GviDQ?si=q6shYFEKByg2-O3T

(CHEESEBOARD BILLY)

This is now my second time covering a William Bostick record, and I couldn’t be more excited! So let’s talk about it!

This is another EP, this time with 6 songs and a 15-minute runtime. The album features: 

-7even Thirty 

-Svn Sinz

And from the first song, the project starts off strong with the sample of Eriyah Badu’s debut album ‘Baduizm’, which I thought was super dope.

From there, the album remains strong with the other 4 tracks, with strong, heavy boom bap vibes mixed with smooth, classical elements to make this unusual yet banging mix of inspirations!

I love how the 5 tracks try their hands with different sounds and vibes to create this one-of-a-kind EP. There’s no limit to William’s taste and ambition, and that’s something I respect about him! 

Like how on track 3 has this ‘Spanish feel to it with that fast-paced loop over those high-pitched keys’ that makes the atmosphere feel foreign and mysterious!

Or the track 4 that once again features classical female vocals just like track 3 did! All these different influences I love to hear, and especially that he had the ability to use them! Nothing but respect for the production!

Now, onto the rapping. Once again, just like his other EP, he brings with him his energetic personality and passion for his art to bust out raw lyricism, effortlessly done bars, flow, and penmanship! He’s an artist’s artist, and he doesn’t apologise for that!

He’s less flashy and more substance in his style. He’s just out here rocking the beats with savage bars and showing off his skill! Even across the two features, he remains on equal footing and shows us once again why he’s not one to sleep on!

All in all, for 15 minutes, this thing fucking slaps. Loved every track, every beat, and all the verses! Definitely not a project to sleep on! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0eqBAKL62oI2yTdlvp2NBh?si=OOy3fqkfQmi9EBcW8XLEaw

(Gold Chain Music)

Every now and then I see a project that goes viral all over my socials. People talking and mentioning it until it can’t be ignored. This is one of those cases, so let’s talk about it!

This is the latest album collaboration album by legendary outfit ‘GCM’, started by the iconic Planet Asia and has proceeded to feature his entire roster! 

Who comes with 12 songs with a 41-minute run time. Across this project, the features are: 

-Planet Asia 

-K. Burns

-Piff James

-Tristate

-Midaz The Beast

-Montage One

-Supreme Cerebral

-Yaboycosmo

-Lenox Hughes

-Styliztik Jones

-Washeyi Choir

Talk about a conglomerate and a half. These names control the underground right now and have for years! Most of GCM, but still makes me happy to see so many heavy hitters on this project! 

Across this project, the legendary production by DirtyDiggs doesn’t disappoint the hype of this army appeal record as he shows off his theatrical and cinematic quality instrumentation and dominance in style and direction!

Every beat has its own powerhouse dynamic and aura to it. For example, the track ‘Butter Knives’ that features this choir-like male vocal loop that gives you goosebumps across a very wavey and fluent string-heavy beat that leaves you with an infectious head nod that can’t be contained!

Or the track ‘Concerning Us’, which literally sounds like an army marching in one spot with drums in their hands with a flag of America flying high. This would have to be the most patriotic song I’ve heard in a minute; just the whole atmosphere of it reminds me of the military! 

Even the track ‘Set It Off’, which embraces Diggs’ smooth side, with an absolutely beautiful jazz-filled loop across a simple traditional hip-hop beat in the background. This sounds like if Miles Davis was resurrected and hired for this one beat because of how perfect it all sounds! Probably my favourite beat on the album!

With the roster equiped on this project you can’t lose. Every song has MC heavyweights who don’t pull punches. Every verse is strong, crisp, deadly and savage.

There’s no such thing as weak bars across these guys and they make sure to obliterate every instrumental laid infront of them with the hottest flows and penmanship you’ve heard in a minute!

GCM are as great as it gets. They could make an album every day for the whole year and still not miss. When you have the talent they have you can’t hope to lose. I could listen to these guys all day! Quality production, lethal rapping and the most consistent of features! Definitely recommend!

https://open.spotify.com/album/4kJ77yJvpT9PgFO4etR2V6?si=xjRj0VLDSX2Dxr5j4_O_Sw

(Loot Clothing)

I wanted to take time to support and promote this dope as clothing company that specialises in classic urban-wear with some of the dopest designs I’ve seen in a minute!

The photos below are some of my favourite products and designs from the website but check out the link below to see the full range! Not sponsored by them just a company I discovered and thought they deserve a write up and support if you can!

Link below! Check them out now! 🤛

https://www.lootest88.uk/products

(Strapped)

I’ll tell you one thing, if there’s one thing Fredro is NOT, it’s strapped for beats. His run has gotta be studied in the industry. He’s back again with another killer album, so let’s talk about it!

This is yet another collaboration album by Fredro Starr this time with underground phenom UFO Fev, who has taken the culture by storm the past few years, and now with production from a legend, you know this is gonna be an untouchable album.

Starting with the production of these 11 tracks, I feel this time around Starr is showing a more colorful, expressive, and rich sound that makes you feel like you’re experiencing a sonic fever dream of flashy boom bap that makes you wanna move your legs and body while listening to these infectious beats.

The tracks ‘Batumi’ and ‘Fast Life,’ I feel, are perfect expressions of these ideals, songs you could play at a club and have crowds of all hip hop heads bumping. Of course, there are other tracks with a more ‘street/grime’ flavour, but these kinds of tracks stick out to me most as yet another example of Fredro’s progression and evolution as a producer!

Now, to the man himself, UFO Fev. The man who has captivated the underground and made waves as one of the best lyricists out and on, this one he only re affirmed this ideal with more polished, steady, and effortless bars and penmanship over those instrumentals.

His battle-tested flow and rhythm are as crisp as ever across these tracks, as he sounds as confident as he’s ever been and for solid reason!

On this album, he’s joined by the likes of 

-Red Inf

-Termanology

-TEK

And even pairing with these quality names, he’s keeping his own and helping to make some of the most quality feature tracks in the past few years!

Overall, another successful collaboration effort by both men. Excellent production, superb rapping, and features. When these two come together, they can’t miss! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2kzu9v28r8fc26iG6p5VNn?si=BTxA5qGWQZCYk2q1f3q9mQ