(Russian Red Rooms)

You know, whenever this man makes a record, it’s felt. Not everyone can say that! He’s made a name for himself with his trademark intensity and harsh vocals to have his songs be recognisable immediately. Now he’s alongside one of the most underrated producers in the game as they come forward with a five-track EP that is sure to blow you away! Let’s go!

This is the brand-new EP by MC Here$ Johnny and Producer Sketch Turner, and together they drop

– Introduction to Death

– Bad Flex

– Sacrifice with a Steel Poker

– Basement Torture 

– Death Target

And if we start with the production side of things, we have Sketch showcasing his mastery behind the beats as he combines the duality of gritty boom-bap and atmospheric soundscapes to create a unique fusion that not many can pull off to the extent he did!

This album sounds like a murder taken place in the ‘Doctor Who’ universe. Filled with strange anomalies, otherworldly beings, and sci-fi elements that all have something to say on this album.

Every instrument was gruesomely extracted, sharpened, and applied to this record with incredible technique. From the wailing chord progressions to the heavy bass and the hypnotic drums, even some murderous violin strings make their appearance in this EP; it’s the definition of ‘controlled chaos’ as he combines the elements of two completely different worlds and makes it work in the most savage way!

It’s hard for me to choose a favourite track because even for Here$ Johnny, this thing is DARK! From the sounds of torture/threats of torture and violence starting each track off to the actual violent lyricism, it’s all so overwhelming to listen to! Johnny has unlocked his Satanic side as he decides to unload EVERYTHING onto these beats, leaving nothing to the imagination, nothing but the utmost hardcore wordplay that will undoubtedly give you nightmares the night you finish this record!

Not gonna lie, it is refreshing to see someone maintain a solid theme throughout a record; most just add one or two related songs on whatever the concept is and then have normal tracks otherwise.

This is DEFINITELY not another case of this; this is gruesome from start to finish, and that’s because of how sinister Johnny is with his pen game! I knew it was going to be verbally heavy-handed and intense, but I wasn’t expecting anything like this! Truly diabolical lyrics that you’d have to experience yourself in order to understand!

But besides all the brutality, Here$ don’t miss! His lyrics are vivid (no more than on this), his flow is tight and fluent, and his energy and ruthless charisma are at an all-time high with this project! Never heard him sound better!

From Here’s Johnny indulging his ‘Horrorcore’ side to even Sketch showing a more lethal side than I’ve ever heard him. These two have a one-of-a-kind chemistry that no one is matching right now! It’s bloody, deranged, and yet perfectly in sync and mesmerising! Make sure you don’t miss out and support the artist below! 

https://heresjohnny850.bandcamp.com/album/russian-red-rooms

(THE RIDDLER)

Oh man, I don’t know why, but when I first covered his album with ‘Blue Hill’, I was like, ‘Nice, can’t wait to hear from him for a while.’ I didn’t expect him to be on such a ridiculous run like he is now! It’s got me so happy and hyped because he’s one of the most unique producers out right now, and alongside this underground legend, this has ‘BANGER’ written all over it! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new single by MC ANKHLEJOHN and producer WHOA1.0, and together they drop this solid 2 minutes and 45 seconds that is eligible to get you bopping your head, mean-mugging the world, everything, and more! This shit is the TRUTH!

Starting with the production side of things, we have WHOA1.0 back on his muddy boom-bap shit! We have this unforgivable beat that is sure to slap you in the face if you ain’t ready to handle it! You’ve got those haunting chord progressions that sound like vocal harmonies in a dark choir style! Super eerie.

Accompanying this, we have some hypnotic drum patterns and sickening bass that’s as heavy as I’ve heard it! 

This ain’t an instrumental for the weak; it’s dirty, raw, and absolutely mesmerising! I was at work writing this review, and I automatically started mean-mugging my lunch room while bopping my head! It was absolutely insane.

Speaking of absolutely insane, we have ANKHLE JOHN, who has been an icon in the culture for years now, and he’s back to show these new cats just who the fuck he is and why he’s so notorious! Across this single, we have him on tough, freelance style that is as unpredictable as it’s ever been and as sharp too!

He ain’t worried about keeping track with the beat; his words and punchlines will go wherever they want, and he lays down witty puns and one-liners like explosive clockwork on the beat! 

He doesn’t waste a single second of this almost 3-minute beat. He’s out for blood; he uses his verbal dominance to lay his bars, let his insane charisma leak onto the track, and his skilled pen game speaks for itself!

He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t need a feature to keep interest. He’s more than enough aura and talent to hold it down, and this track proves it!

I really hope this is a teaser for an upcoming album because I’m sure that will be nothing short of iconic! Make sure you go listen to it down below and support both artists! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2OFI5Fjm9f0vuG5FGYCYRV?si=UmK_i1GTTPaAcJzHEi206A

(Malaki Mello)

Fucking hell, Jackpot Records are on another plane of sonic existence than the rest. Their last four free albums ALONE could beat 90% of cats’ discographies going! They are making music that will last a lifetime, and the run continues with this one, so let’s talk about it!

This latest FREE album (courtesy of Jackpot Records) is by the MC Swaello (one half of the iconic twin pair THEMELLOS) and with production from the likes of

-BONEWESO

-RELENTLESS

-THEMELLOS

-REVENXNT

And MC’s such as

-Estee Nack

-SWIZZY

-BUB STYLES

-HYROGLYPHX

And right off the bat, I gotta mention this. The amount of pure swag and aura of the artists of 23Incredible is unmatched. Every artist on the roster exhibits charisma that is fields above anyone else in the game. It’s the first thing that hits you whenever you listen to these artists’ music, and it’s a feeling and a vibe that you end up craving once you’re not listening to their music! 

Anyway, with that admission out of the way, this ten-track album is an absolute masterpiece of sounds and performances. Firstly, I love the constant concept running through of the Bible and Malaki; the way the snippets ran through the album was intriguing as fuck! 

As for the production, this is as wavy and fluent as you’ll ever hear. With the list of producers on hand, it can’t be anything but PHENOMENAL! I’m talking about that atmosphere that you can bop your head to and make your imagination run wild! 

All the way from that opening track by BONE with that looping chipmunk-sounding vocal harmony combined with those methodical drums, thick bass, and light piano keys that wrap this whole together (alongside those infectious adlibs that increase the energy and intensity 10x fold)

To the very last track, one again produced by BONE, as we hear a more melodic offering that has mainly freelance piano keys and some light/subtle bass lines! I love how stripped back and bare this track is. It’s the confidence of the legend, such as BONE, to use only a few layers to take over the outro and leave the album on a high note! Absolutely incredible. 

Another track I fucked with heavily was the second track, which was produced by RELENTLESS, and on this track, we hear what sounds like a looping flute sample, hypnotic drums, and some sharp jazz notes that all come together in this gritty representation of boom bap meets splash. I found myself returning to this track more than any else!

This has to be one of the most tight-knit lines of production I’ve heard in a minute, and this shit was given FREE? If this was $60, I’d understand! Holy shit, can’t believe the culture got this for nothing, talk about a flex!

Speaking of FLEX, we have Swaello, who I’ve already become a fan of since 2025 and then again with his straight-to-customer EP dropped in January. He and his brother are one of a kind artists, and on this occasion, he proves yet again why he’s one of the best in the business! 

As I spoke about in the intro, he possesses an incredible aura! Charisma and drip just fall off him in gallons. From his adlibs to his flow, he has such a mesmerising ability to captivate and capture the audience that we are hanging off every word right until the project ends! 

He’s like a verbal AK-47; he’s precise, explosive, and powerful! Although he has one of the smoothest and unpredictable flows in the game, his moves are raw and rough around the edges that will decapitate any hater that dares to run up!

His verses feel less like bars and more like an Oscar-worthy performance. With all that emotion, appeal, and magnetism, he makes him the MVP on any given project, but when it’s his own? It’s game over.

The fact he brought in such deadly MC’s to test his abilities with proves what kind of artist he is, he ain’t hiding in the background waiting for opportunities to fall in his lap! He’s out here giving us FREE ALBUMS while inviting the greatest MC’s in the present day to lock in with him! That’s classic shit and not only does he pull it off but the chemistry he’s spent years cultivating comes through in spades!

Another Jackpot exclusive to add to my rotation. At this rate they will go down as one of the strongest discographies period. And Swaello just proved for himself why he’s worth every eye dollar that comes his way!

(PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT/ACT II)

As we begin to uncover the second act of this deeply rich series of albums, we need to recognise and reflect on how important and immersive the first one was! The level of care and respect he showed to not only the artists but the production as well, and in this light, I had nothing but high expectations that this would be similar in execution!

The brand-new and second act of a four-part series that includes production by KHEYZINE and features by literally the who’s who of the underground! This time around, we have names such as

-NOWARE FAST

-WILLIE MAYS BLAZE

-YUKA

-HERE’S JOHNNY

-ALIKHO IGAMA

-MANTIS THE MIASMA

-WULXRDSHAKIM

-MAC MONTANA 

-PRIEST CLAY

-DREEGO

-MONZY THE TERRIBLE

-ICEBURG SNUB

Already right off the bat (if we are looking from the intro song), it’s vastly different than how we started things on the last one! If you remember, the first one had a heavy metal instrumental with a sporadic rapper! On this one, we start things off with an ambient/lo-fi/sci-fi jazz-type instrumental featuring a rapper that’s a lot more methodical and weary of the beats!

Maybe there’s a reason for this switch-up in the intro? Maybe the heavier intro for ACT I represented something significant for Khey, while ACT II’s interlude represents something more substantial and meaningful? Or maybe it’s just random placement; either way, it’s an interesting change-up!

Once again, KHEYZINE utilises his production to his utmost legendary quality, giving us a masterclass in how to create a compelling record that is equal parts grand, powerful, and vivid. It’s as if the music speaks through you, takes over your body, and gives you sonic goosebumps that you’ll want to revisit time and time again!

I love what he did with the instrumentals on this one; it feels a lot more ‘classical’ and ‘larger than life’ in the way the sounds feel! 

As if I was listening to KHEYZINE live sample a 1950’s event with live jazz/ballroom music and then infused it with hip hop, it’s truly a magnificent experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out tomorrow and said there was an actual band behind him and he was just pulling off a Miles Davis and just working on the spot with the band in front of him (a call back to when Miles apparently free-formed the soundtrack to that French movie). 

But regardless, these beats are rich, vibrant, in-depth, and ever so glorious. If there’s anything KHEYZINE can be accused of, it’s being meticulous, and he shows that in spades across this new batch of tracks for ACT II!

Now onto the rapping. Once again, this is full of names I’ve heard and others I haven’t. But just like the other ACT, this one doesn’t disappoint in the performance section. 

Although I will say this, just like there was a drastic change in our this and ACT I started, I’ll say instead of having the production feel like an extension of the MC’s this time around it just sounded like the collection of rappers were given dope beats to rap hot verses off! 

So not exactly hand-crafted for them but more confidence in the roster to pull off bangers and in a way that makes the verses feel more authentic and special when you know they can go off on whatever Khey could throw to them!

Because these spitters absolutely MURDER the beats! I didn’t find any I disliked, they all left me thoroughly impressed and wanting more!

From that smooth opening to the performances from members like -Here’s Johnny whose organic aggression and rawness on the beats come back in spades as he drops personal and gritty bars that hit you right in the feels! Always a personal favourite of mine!

The MC -MANTIS THE MIASMA was someone I’ve never heard until now, but he left an impression on me as well! He had a certain confidence and charisma in his style that I held on to! Dope lyricism as well!

Actually speaking of the MC -YUKA another one I haven’t heard before impressed me with his combination of both free lance ‘splash’ style and somehow keeps it on the beat. He’s quite the anomaly with his performance and that made him stand out that much more! I loved the beat he was on as well, felt like an animated James Bond type track, super dope!

The other one that truly stood out to me was the outro track MC -ICEBURG SNUB a man I actually do fuck with heavy and have history with! 

This man brought his trademark charismatic and fluent style that is both sharp and elegant. I love his performance style, the way he can flip words and manipulate the beats to suit him best! That combined with his natural aura and I feel he was a sick choice to close the record off with!

Overall, another stunning ACT to absorb. The fact KHEYZINE just casually dropped 4 incredible albums in this format is testimony to his skills and worth as a producer and composer. I have no doubt the the next 2 will be equally incredible! Stay tuned and support with this link below! 

https://kheyzine.bandcamp.com/album/kheyzine-product-of-my-environment-act-ii

(Flea Collars)

Already when the first words were spoken on this song, it had me laughing. This MC will never cease to amaze me in his particular way of thinking and witty bars! Combine that with one of the dopest producers locked in and a legendary feature? Nah, this shit is ridiculous! Let’s talk in!

This is the brand-new single by MC Big Dese, producer Mike Martinez, and feature artist The Bad Seed! I’ve already had the experience of hearing Dese and Mike together on their album from last year, ‘No Respect 2’, and it seems they’ve only gotten stronger since then!

When we discuss the production of this track, we are greeted with the combination of exquisite violin strings in two different tones! Some thudding drum beats and some bass that is sure to knock you in the face! That’s the beauty of Mike; he’s able to take a handful of layers that don’t have too much complexity and let the instrumentation speak for themselves due to his mastery and technique! 

He doesn’t need a million-dollar studio or a thousand layers to gauge the attention of the audience with just three or four elements; he can create a banger that will be remembered throughout the whole year!

As we get into the MC side of things, we approach Big Dese, who at the very start of the song goes, ‘This shit is hard, Mike…Pause’ and with that line, he’s already showcasing the type of energy he brings to the table and why I personally find him one of the most entertaining lyricists out!

He’s the definition of witty! Every word he says sounds condescending and sarcastic. The type of guy whose sole purpose in life is just to roast you! It’s an adaptation of ‘Bully rap’ who is perfected by the guest on the track! It’s more bars that sting and make you feel the verbal punch!

It’s one thing to hear a rapper say ‘I’m going to fuck you up, you’re broke’ that’s been said a million times, but when a rapper says 

‘You’re really soft, like my dick after a cold plunge’ or ‘Them girls around you act wholesome, the same girls around me think being a hoe’s fun’

His way with words is absolutely spectacular, it’s like being roasted by the villain of Lazy Town, Robbie Rotten, but an R-rated version. He’s brash, slick on the mic, and one of the coldest and most unique writers in the game, and he leaves an impression on me every time. (pause)

As far as the guest MC goes, he barely needs any introduction. The motherfucking Bad Seed ain’t called that because he’s a Mormon on the track; he’s the baddest and most truthful of the bunch, and he doesn’t give a fuck about you or your feelings. He’s gonna spit his facts, and he’s never sounded more alive doing so!

It’s as if Mike’s production has given him a new life and new energy! Because he sounds sharp, brutal, on top of his game, and more ready to kick your head off than he ever has!

He has incredible chemistry with Dese; their own brand of harsh bars come together fantastically, and it makes for a memorable performance that I hope we don’t hear the last of!

So, are you as hyped as me for this new track? If you aren’t, all I have to say is ‘why not!’ These three scream the culture, and they are the ones to be looking out for! Click the link below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3HsbarZvdtOxnIPscrTMCp?si=JY_2fEXcTji5gSrIS4gVGQ

(I Got Samples 3)

Man, this is another one of those albums that have already gained heavy traction from the underground. Sometimes something will drop and shake everything up. This is one of those times as well as being the official trilogy tape in the series. So with that in mind, let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new album by MC Rigs and Producer Chup, and together they drop a solid 17 tracks with almost an hour of content with the likes of 

-Mooch

-Rob Gates

-Estee Nack

-Benny The Butcher

And with this fatal four-way of names to take care of the guest verses, we have a recipe that is sure not to lose! 

If we’re talking about the production side of things, I immediately fell in love with the sounds because of their incredible rough, raw, and brash sounds. This thing reminds me of a 90’s homage record that takes the best parts of the old school and combines it with the best of the modern-day underground.

I can hear the masterful techniques done by Chup. You have to understand that he’s working with a 57-minute album! This ain’t the 90’s or 2000’s anymore; it’s harder now more than ever to create a longer album without losing the attention span of the audience (especially without a certain concept to fall on), so in that respect, I was impressed with the way he was able to craft a collection of bangers that not only work as singles but come through as an overall score that is filled with replay value!

This album doesn’t feature any crazy sounds or overly experimental instrumentals, and that’s just fine. Not every new album has to do that to stand out; sometimes you just need a dope beat maker like him to perfect his trademark sound, and that will attract the listeners!

This album is heavy, unforgiving, and absolutely bop-worthy. You’ll be mean-mugging your local area for the next 57 minutes until the tape ends! 

Speaking of mean mugging, we gotta discuss Rigs because this man is the definition of ‘your favourite rapper’s favourite rappers’. He’s one of the ones holding it down for the culture, maintaining his solid, down-to-earth style that he’s been improving, sharpening, and growing over the years, and now he’s at that point where he’s one of the most consistent rappers in the game who takes what haters would call ‘simplistic’ style to be his greatest advantage as he perfects elements most rappers couldn’t even fathom.

For example, his lyricism. He’s crafted it in such a way that’s vivid, sharp, and with weight attached to it. He makes sure he uses his more methodical flow to really emphasise as much power from the words as possible with his pronouncements, his enunciations, and his immaculate rhythm.

Secondly. He’s out here making sure his wordplay and timing are as good as you’ll ever hear it. Learning from the classic era where that shit mattered, he’s flawless on the production, his delivery punches hard, and syncs with the overall beat as a whole.

He has incredible one-liners, street poetry, and a sense of maturity about his position in life and what he’s been through to get to this point and the lessons he learnt along the way! You can hear it in his voice, whether it’s the warnings of danger or the introspective reflection of better days. He’s got a lesson for every occasion, and he’s going to use his profound knowledge and experience to convey that! 

Let’s not forget the DOPE features he has on call because when he wants to get brash, he can rock with the best of them (and he does on here), going toe-to-toe with arguably the best going right now. He proves he ain’t one to sleep on and is smart enough to choose features who actually enhance the listening experience. Not just names for the sake of it!

Look, man, this project is incredible. It has everything going for it, from the production to the rapping to the features. Trust me, give this a listen, and you won’t be disappointed! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3IlmGu01MiKDOwRBN5gH94?si=6QXlJdatRqKzbYJuU3g34g

(DEATH VALLEY)

Man, this man is on a roll. After an extensive 2025, he’s the kind of artist I’ve been recommending to everyone I can! An extension of originality, grind, and passion all rolled into one simple name that only has two letters and yet has enough talent to be remembered for years! With a brand new EP and a dope producer on hand, this one is nothing but remarkable!

This is the brand new EP by MC AU (always so satisfying to write those four letters together) and Producer KING OSEAUN, and together they drop a set of five tracks and an intro which has the singular feature of -ANT KELLY & DJ Krooked, a known pair in this stage of the game! 

I’m starting to notice a pattern with AU, always expect the unexpected. Because he’s the type of guy who consistently will switch up on a whim and flip the game on its head. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it till I’m dead, this man is an artist first, rapper second.

I mean, anyone who has really studied his discography like I have will see the level of variety and stylistic shifts in his singles, EP’s and albums, and this one is no different! 

Across these six tapes, we get an even more diverse take on sounds such as: 

– Lo-Fi

– Alternative RnB

– Soul

– Hip Hop

– Jazz and more. This album actually feels to me like one of the more obscure ‘Odd Future’ drops in the late 2000s early 2010s with those synth-style chord progressions, sporadic drum patterns, and light keys! There’s also a lot of melodic half-singing, half-rapping running through the EP (which is done by KING) which I definitely wasn’t expecting!

This EP definitely has one of the more atmospheric feels than I remember in a minute. It feels relaxing and smooth (not in the conventional sense) but in a more dreamy and wavy aspect! This is up my lane for sure, and I don’t have many friends who like this style, but it’s fucking amazing to me!

The kind of music you can take a walk and let your mind wonder too! (This might be an odd thing to throw into a review), but I can’t help but be honest when writing these things. 

Nothing can be more therapeutic for your brain than finding albums or EP’s that you can use to turn your thinking brain off and just wander around, letting your imagination run wild, and this is the perfect example of this!

It’s been a while since I’ve heard AU so fluent and lavish! This production does a number on elevating every aspect that he already showed strong signs of in all his albums, but it’s all just increased and shining brighter than ever on this one.

With only six tracks to make his statement, he didn’t waste a single second! On this occasion, he’s hit flow state with his more introspective chords combined with his mellow execution of bars and rhyme schemes that feel 4th dimensional in the way it’s layered (maybe due to the production style) combined with the performance, but either way, it’s a fucking Stella combination that I couldn’t get enough of! 

It feels like a strong, cohesive experience rather than six individual songs. You can tell he was in a different mindset from the opening song, and that same unique vibe runs through the EP like wind gliding through blades of grass. It’s rich, his verbal presence is strong yet calm, and the energy is undeniably rich!

Also, shoutout to ANT and DJ for their respective contributions as they helped kill this shit! 

If you ain’t tuning into this one, then I don’t know what to tell you! This is another one for the record books! Go buy and support the artists now! 

https://au205.bandcamp.com/album/death-valley

(PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT ACT I)

So, I’m about to do something different today. Out of respect for this producer, a man who was one of the first people to fuck with me and my website, I’ve decided to do four separate reviews for each ‘ACT’ volume. 

So, with this in mind. This is the first part of four that details years of work and experience by one of the most underrated beat makers in the game right now!

This is ACT I by Producer KHEYZINE! On this one, we get 12 tracks with MC’s such as

-Morrie Midas

-Jamar Equality 

-EricTheRed13

-Kemp Dupri

-LUNAR

-Jet$ki

-BECK

-Leo Sierra

-WOER

-MONEY MOGLY

-Omar Dee

-Curbstomp

And with this variety of names (some familiar, others new), but the fact KHEYZINE chose them already confirms their status in the game! The first and most obvious point you’ll notice is the diversity among the features. 

I know KHEYZINE is smart enough to realise if you’re going to have 12 tracks with varied production, that the same must apply to the performances, and boy do they!!

Each artist represents their own unique blend of rhythm, charisma, skill, energy, cadence, flow, everything. You can tell that you’re listening to 12 different MC’s not a handful of identical personas like you would commonly hear in the mainstream! (Where I swear 50 of the top artists sound exactly the same, indistinguishable.) 

But that’s not the case here. You can feel their specific chemistry line up with the production, you can hear their passion and conviction with every bar they spit, wearing the heart on their sleeves!

PLUS, it’s perfect because with this many different styles, it’s sure to please every hip hop head with someone, if not everybody, because of the range. If I had to play (DEVIL’S ADVOCATE) here and choose my favourite MC’s on this project, I’d have to say 

-MONEY MOGLY on Grace and -LEO SIERRA on Product of My Environment. Maybe I’m biased to the artists I’ve already heard, but they just knocked it out of the park and brought that extra level of flair and personality that I felt hit the spot where it counted! 

As far as production goes, what’s special about what KHEYZINE does is that he literally tailors each beat as a sonic extension of the featured artist. Now, this might sound obvious; you might say to yourself, ‘Of course he does, doesn’t all producers do this?’ I’m sure they try, but on this one, it feels like a part of the rapper being represented in audio form.

For example, track one -Killin Caveman, we get a heavy rock-inspired track with those rhythmic drums and long, overbearing chords that give off a 1980s Black Sabbath vibe, and who’s the MC on that? A sporadic, fast-paced, out-of-sync, and freelance type rapper going all over the place in the same unconventional method as ‘Heavy Metal’ was seen in the 80s.

Or if we look at the track I mentioned above -GRACE with MONEY MOGLY, he’s granted one of the most melodic and atmospheric beats on the whole tape with its glistening chord progressions that evolve into an aura-filled fever pitch that sets up the perfect canvas for a chaotic mindset and performance of MOGLY to swoop in and create the stunning display of contrast to entice the audience! 

Point is, it sounds like he’s taking aspects of the soul into the instrumentals and creating life infused with the artists. I guarantee you won’t find this much passion in an album, and this is just the first part! Click below for the link to buy and support, and be on the lookout for ACT II! 

https://kheyzine.bandcamp.com/album/kheyzine-product-of-my-environment-act-i

(River Card)

The Boys are back! Two men who are quickly becoming one of my favourite duos in the game. Banger after banger, their chemistry runs deep! This latest single could quite possibly be my favourite one of them all! Let’s fucking go!

This is the brand-new song by MC JJackpot and producer Koba Dera, featuring the icon himself, Mondo Slade! Together, they drop this solid two minutes and 52 seconds of pure heat that is sure to leave you soaking in your seat! 

So, JJackpot kicks the track off with his legendary fluency, flow, and rhythm that has placed him at the top of the pack! 

With his verse, he goes all out, combining the worlds of pop culture with references toLilo and Stitch, SpongeBob SquarePants, wrestling, and more, with his ruthless street poetry, talks of drugs, fucking bitches, and jail ID’s. 

The way he was able to fuse the two realms together and never catch a break was insane. Never in your life will you ever hear a gangster rap song featuring ‘SpongeBob yellow, like holy barnacles’ and ‘I tried to cash my checks using my Jail ID’ in the verse in your life or ever again. Only HE could pull off a fusion that heinous!

Speaking of, we got MONDO joining the scene! The masked killer who doesn’t need 61 guys, let alone 9, to rep his area code. He’s one of the most consistent MC’s in the game right now (with some of the sickest merch), and on this track, he’s giving JJackpot a run for his money with his strain of OG gangsta rap, in-your-face lyricism, and complex verbal assaults with infinite charisma and a low tone that makes each word he spits feel like velvet!

Never one to sound bothered or exhausted or phased by anything. As usual, he goes through his bars like clockwork, smart puns, incredible writing, and his trademark raw energy that marks him as a powerhouse in the game.

As far as the beat goes, Koba HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN! He ain’t missed in a minute, and the ball is still in the air flying! Across this track, we get one of his most diabolical instrumentals I’ve ever heard! It has these intensely plucked strings that make you feel like you’re in a horror movie!

Some thudding bass notes and some strung piano keys that overlap each other to create pure, unhinged chemistry by all instrumentation involved! 

This track feels like Koba is diving headfirst into his ‘darker side’, his more unhinged and sadistic side that we haven’t quite seen to this degree (until now). It very much suits the chemistry and demeanour of both JJackpot and Mondo, and so I’d say it was a successful choice to use this beat for this occasion!

If you haven’t heard this one yet, then what the fuck are you waiting for? An invitation! I ain’t a lamb of god and this is the link below. Click it, add it to your personal playlist, share it with your friends, and let’s get this shit BANGING!

https://open.spotify.com/album/4YS7u8K9SSLDlzMlKeB9wM?si=h9XABvdgSk6dGeh8nLtmEw

(CURATING COOKIES)

You know, it’s always an exciting time when this man drops. He’s unlike any other artiste I’ve covered yet. Because you can always expect the unexpected! Combined with his ridiculous attitude and work ethic, he distinguishes himself from the rest, and with that in mind, let’s see what he has for us this time around!

Brand new album by MC Ant Kelly with production by

-FACES

-SketchTurner

-DJ Krooked

-DJ Mello Rasheed

And MC’s the likes of

-The Bad Seed

-AU

-FLYG

-FACES

An increase set of names! (One thing I always forget) is that if it weren’t for ANT, I never would have heard DJ Krooked, which is nuts to me considering his evolution since I first discovered him! Anyway,

This record is everything I expected it to be and more (in the best way possible) as I hoped this thing was another sonic surprise of a variety of sounds and influences crafted in that particular way that only ANT and his associates can formulate!

I’m talking 12 tracks of pure, unadulterated creativity on a wild scale. His more current direction (at least the ones I’ve reviewed as of now) has taken a more soulful, smooth, and atmospheric direct which I fucking love! Can’t help but call back to that 3-tracks EP with FLYG that I still play and think about to this day, absolutely unreal.

But in that same vein, this album features a heavy set amount of beautiful instrumentation, woven together with delicate harmony that makes this record feel like a nice walk through a forest on a sunny day. (On acid) it’s equal parts chaotic and charming in its execution, and it’s what makes someone like ANT just a deadly threat in the industry because of his ability to rock different aspects and styles and make them come out this grand!

Same can of course be said for all the producers on this list, all have the innate talent to combine a host of genres and instrumentation and turn it golden! A familiar band of faces ‘pun intended’ for an ANT album and all the better for it!

As we head to talk about the rapping side of things, we hear ANT and various companies come in and properly articulate the dope production provided while adding a few skits for fun! Which kind of reminded me of Eminem’s early albums with the ‘Steve Berman’ skits (especially the ‘Contract Signing’ interlude), but regardless of those, the rapping is definitely cohesive and structured with the utmost care and chemistry to provide the ultimate experience for the listener!

As usual, Ant comes in hot with a flurry of rhymes that can light any song on fire! Quick and layered verses with sharp lyricism and fluent rhythm! You’ve got the ever-so-vivid and introspective rhymes of the main man AU, the golden one-liners of FLYG, and even the legend himself, The Bad Seed, tearing shit up on the beats!

Faces himself works overtime with bars and production credits all over this album, and the unit as a whole provides an excellent example of teamwork and brotherhood paying off!

Make sure you cop this creative work by ANT and company. It’s memorable, hypnotic, groovy, and smooth! It’s everything you should want from an album! 

https://ant-kelly.bandcamp.com/album/curating-cookies