(MASTERFUL)

Out of all the artists I’ve covered over the years, I think to myself, ‘How many of them can I truly call MASTERFUL?’ And after pondering on the sentence for a while, I’d have to say, considering the projection of his run this year, the amount of quality singles, EP’s and albums that this man had to be in the running for that definition to apply to them, and with that in mind, let’s talk about 

FLYG X NOKIDSGOTCATS -MASTERFUL

This is the brand-new single by MASTERFUL MC FLYG and extraordinary producer NOKIDSGOTCATS, and this time around, they bring forth a track that’s 2 minutes and 28 seconds long and is easily the most out there and experimental effort FLYG has ever put out! 

I was expecting something ‘different’ this time around as I saw the bio he posted regarding the up-and-coming single, and so I went into this with an open mind and a curious heart, and I gotta say I was left pleasantly surprised at what I got! 

First of all, I gotta admit I was a bit confused when I first heard FLYG go ‘NO KIDS’ because I could have sworn he rapped about having daughters (but then my dumbass remembered the producer’s name), and then all was right with the world once again! 

But in all seriousness, this track contains a lot of interesting aspects for FLYG.

For me, most notably was the effects of his vocals! He has a heavy reverb/echo effect that gives a back-up vocal sound to his words, which, although unorthodox, worked for this specific track! It made the overall song feel heavy and noteworthy, like his words were 10x louder and distinctive as a result! 

As far as his rapping goes, his trademark methodically paced what I’d call ‘patient flow’ returns. One used by legends likeBilly Woods,KA, etc., where they make sure each breath has purpose and each word a meaning beyond the bar itself.

So in this same sense, we get FLYG rapping his ass off, working to improve even further his puns and one-liners (as if he’s not already perfect), but he’s striving higher! Some of my favourite quotes from this song were

-It’s your fault, you had yourself to blame/Sniper flow my accuracy is my aim/never aiming for fame 

Or

-Understanding this lyricism is yoga flames/channel my inner chi/not to expend too much of my energy

This guy is like Eminem in his prime type shit, he’s gone from one-liners to complex structures and build-up bars, it’s nuts. As I said in the last review, I think by the end of next year, we as a collective fan base will have to do fucking mathematical equations to unlock the meaning behind his bars! His rapid increase is scary to see but amazing for the fans!

As far as the beat goes, by the producer I’ve never heard of before, he goes HARD! He makes exactly the vibe needed for this kind of track! This song feels like one of those Art Rap/Lo-Fi offerings that were prominent in the mid-2010s! Back when hip hop had its own ‘synth wave’ equivalent, and this is what it reminds me of!

You’ve got these hypnotic drums that sound like a ticking clock! You also have these deep and mesmerising distorted synth chords and very subtle and faint keys in the background that have an almost eerie nature to them!

This is already FLYG’s most out-there choice of production, sounding like raps by Pink Floyd! It’s larger than life, mysterious, experimental, and ambient all in one!

I feel like this is the kind of song you could only understand properly if you’re meditating or somehow catching yourself astral projecting in your sleep! It’s truly a remarkable beat and one you won’t hear a copy of, that’s for sure!

An unexpected collaboration but one I now want to explore more of! Let me know what you think by clicking the link below and experience the adventure known as -MASTERFUL

https://open.spotify.com/album/62M4NMeKgkO7tCiG2u7DGg?si=R_lbeiDtTYiwdZMm8ePY9g

(More Poison)

First of all, I want to shoutout the artwork! As someone who calls himself ‘The Serpent Tongue’, this shit is DOPE AS FUCK!

Now, this is an MC that I became very familiar with over his album ‘Welfare Island’, one of the dopest albums of the year, no doubt! Since then, he’s been on the radar, and he’s continued to surprise me with his EP’s or features; he’s one that doesn’t miss, and on this last offering of the year, he’s here to flip the underground one more time before he enters the new year! So let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new album by MC KnowItAll and producer Nick Wilford, and together they drop a solid ten tracks with the likes of 

– Patty Honcho

– Cande Genaro

– BlaQ Chidori

– Earn Dinero 

– WEX! the Master

And as I always do with his projects, I want to talk about KnowItAll’s lyricism first. His skills on the mic are what always stand out to me most on his projects (as dope as the production is), but his pen game is just next-level extraordinary!

To me, he has the same vibe as artists such as

– Earl Sweatshirt

– Illogic

– R.A.P Ferreira

– Billy Woods

Real lyricists and poets. He may not share their same styles or flows, but he has the same integrity of an author. One who takes pride in his verses, in the content and context of his bars, and making sure each line represents a potent idea, message, or phrase that will make the listener think and ponder said words.

Every verse feels like a well-written chapter more than it does your average set of bars. He approaches the game with a linguistic mentality, not a rapper’s, and it’s in that aspect that I love. Just like those names I listed above, you can hear the difference whenever he’s on a verse with someone else.

You can hear the other names RAPPING and KnowItAll PUBLISHING a new written portion of his overall sonic novel that he’s trying to finish. I don’t know if everyone else can hear the difference, but I definitely can, and I love every second of it, as someone who is a massive literature fan, when I hear this in others, it makes me geek up! 

He has a mature sense of flow, exquisite vocabulary, and a performance that’s soaked in experience, emotion, and a sense of balance between dope bars and worthwhile literature! A 

I have to admit, I love the features on this project as well. They provide a refreshing contrast to the style of KnowItAll, which adds extra energy and synchronisation to an already solid record! Each artist rocks a solid verse and ties the atmosphere of the album nicely!

Speaking of atmosphere, we have the work of Nick Wilford! A man I only have experience with today but one I will not forget! This man, across the ten tracks and 25 minutes, runs a sonic gauntlet of a variety of different instrumentals and influences that not only provide a unique listening experience but showcase the strength and technique of the man and the immersive nature of the beats!

For example, we have tracks like -Sola Dosis! On this track, you can find arguably the most ambient track we have here! You’ve got those heavy, aesthetic keys that sound like they are echoing in and out in the most intimate way possible! On top of that, we have those light piano keys, light jazz-style drums, and those beautiful bass notes that bring this whole track together!

This is the kind of beat I could listen to for days and never get sick of! Reminds me of a solid ASMR instrumental!

We have tracks like -Exit Anytime. On this track, we have a more upbeat and soul-based song with a lively collection of layers that is soothing to the body and brain!

For example, you have that gorgeous vocal harmony that’s looped in that classic underground hip-hop style!

On top of that, you have those string progressions in the background that feel alive in their pattern as if Nick literally breathed life into the chords! Not to mention those plucked bass strings that fade in and out in the most extraordinary way towards the end and more light jazz drums!

Or even the track -Something Changed, which to me has the more traditional hip-hop feel tracks on the album!

You’ve got the combination of those synth style strings that are looping at the forefront! As well as these light/delicate piano keys and (as what seems to be a theme on this record) is more methodically paced drum patterns! Which is a decision I fuck with heavy as it adds a level of ambiance to the record!

Not many artists I can say sync with KnowItAll perfectly but this man is one of them! Together they dropped one of the most incredible, interesting and immaculate projects I’ve heard not only all month but all year! Definitely one you don’t want to sleep on! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5glXdwV5woT08ihLywURAB?si=ZzoWZjhvSgSZrZHAP4mxvw

(Twelve 24: The Nightmare)

After exactly five years since the first one dropped, this man is back celebrating one of the most iconic runs we’ve had in the last half decade! Working alongside the who’s who of producers and rappers alike. Now he’s decided to end the year with a BANG, and working alongside this producer he can’t even fathom missing! Let’s fucking go!

This is the brand-new record by legendary MC Eddie Kaine! He’s accompanied by notorious producer Wavy Da Ghawd, and it features the likes of 

– Indigo Phoenyx 

– Wish Master

– Joon BK 

You know a record is special when the first track in has you feeling goosebumps! As soon as I pressed play, I audibly said ‘oh shit’ out loud at the grocery store and realised as the record went on just how solid this album was!

I feel I have to discuss Wavy first because the magic he did on this one is unbelievable. He’s created a score so powerful and soothing at the same time that he’s leaving the culture on seen knowing that everyone is checking this shit out without anyone saying shit about it!

If I had to describe the sounds, it would be a mixture of 

– Methodical Soul

– Slow-Paced Jazz

– Ambient

– Boom Bap 

And when these are combined, you get a soundtrack that’s equal parts breathtaking and thought-provoking! The kind of music that sparks the imagination of the listener and makes them feel a certain way!

Another aspect is the fact this whole record is fluent in execution! From the intro to the finale track, it’s all beautifully connected and complements the tracks before and after! Of course, you could listen to these songs individually, and they’d be a solid collection of BANGERS! But they are best suited as team instrumentals that work perfectly as a team!

I love the atmosphere and cold texture of the beats. This kind of reminds me of a brisk walk in the winter time, all alone with just your thoughts and body heat to keep you company fighting the elements! 

If you could turn those feelings into music, this is how it would sound! It’s elegant yet raw in presentation!

In saying all that, I guess that means Eddie Kaine is the COLDEST to be able to rock with such blistering sonic weather! He’s the type of MC to walk through snow with nothing but shorts, a SnapBack, and a gold chain! A man who’s been fighting through the underground and coming out on top every single time!

Across this tape, we hear the absolute best of the man. It feels like he’s trying to create his magnum opus with the verses he’s dropping on this one! I’ve never heard him so fucking crisp, so energetic, eccentric, and charismatic! You can tell this special 5-year anniversary sequel means the world to him, and he’s wanting to showcase more than ever his growth and success in that time period, and he sounds fucking insane!

Everything from his pen game to his set-up bars, his one-liners, puns, phrases, complex literature, and verbal massacres! He doesn’t waste a single second on this album.

He’s either setting up a dope bar, working the choruses, adding adlibs, or giving us a few snippets of spoken word to further elevate the record!

He wants to make sure this album is as theatrical as can be with the production given! Also, not to mention, he’s a rare MC that can sound as elegant as the smoothest poet while spitting some of the harshest and slickest bars we’ve heard in the culture period! 

I also love the features he has on this project. My first time hearing of them, but they match the album energy very nicely and offer an infectious contrast to Eddie’s style with their own, which makes for an entertaining listen! Nothing worse than people putting on features that sound exactly like their own shit! But thankfully, that’s not the case here!

Look, at the end of the day, it’s an EDDIE KAINE X WAVY DA GHAWD album. Can you really expect anything else but brilliance? Go listen to the album below and go support the men! The $ is worth it! 

https://eddiekaine.bandcamp.com/album/twelve-24-the-nightmare

(CAMEL CLUTCH RAP)

I want to firstly say, merry Christmas to everyone! It’s been quite a crazy year and I’m blessed to make a whole range of friends and business partners, and one of them is none other than this man (and his produce for that matter), and with that in mind, let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new record by the team of Gustavo Louis and Producer YFI, and together they drop a strong seven-track project, and this one we hear the duo come back with a mellow and more surreal offering towards the end of the year, and it’s this sound that I appreciate to hear for the Christmas week!

Starting with YFI, I’m excited to hear that he’s taking things at a methodical pace. I’m talking about those lightly layered, minimal sounds and purely atmospheric instrumentals that are sure to set your Christmas mood right!

For example, we have the track -Ayatollah, one of the smoothest examples of production by him here! You’ve got those angelic vocal harmonies that are paired with those slowed-down drums, plucked strings, and light piano keys that come together for a song that runs through your body in a fluent motion!

If we’re talking about the track -Sheik Boots! Which has a more gritty boom-bap flavour (while still maintaining the slower-paced rhythm), you’ve got those glistening/scattering piano keys. Sharp synth string loops, and some more plucked bass strings!

This sounds like it was inspired by a WSG-type beat! 

We can even talk about the song -Bad Man, which is quite a more traditional take on a hip-hop song with those infectious jazz horns that consist of chord progression as well as that light, delicate bass to bring the track together in one of the more powerful cuts we’ve got! Absolutely unreal effort!

That’s the thing about YFI, no matter what track or project, he’s always able to make something incredible, and it’s in his dedication and passion for the game that he can keep impressing us time and time again!

A lot of that can be said about Gustavo as well. This man has made at least 20 projects this year alone (not even including these yet), and his persistence, conviction, and passion haven’t gone unnoticed!

As one of my most improved MC’s of the year, he continues that streak with his ridiculous rhyme schemes, unrivalled charisma, and engaging bars that keep you coming back for more!

Across this tape, he’s heard combining his street poetry with his pop culture wrestling references hand in hand to create a type of fusion between the two that I enjoyed thoroughly! Of course, as any wrestling fan would tell you, there’s the album cover and name of ‘The Iron Sheikh’, and although I found the beats to be predominantly more on the softer side, Gustavo himself still rocks his high-energy, insane performances with his sharp wordplay, innovative pen game, and aura to match!

Rocking this album with no features, proving once again that he doesn’t need anyone else but himself to make an album pop and entertaining enough to warrant the listeners’ full attention as he lets his original, creative approach to the MC game speak for itself! 

Although this is only 16 minutes in length, I’d regard it as one of my late yet favourite Gustavo records he’s dropped this year! The chemistry with YFI was bloody amazing, as well as the rhymes he brought to the table!

Go check it out below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2p95mfawo1p5vQLUBW0MWA?si=Sgqm7Uk0Tc2ZmpXZU-qWWw

(MARCHITECT)

It’s been an insane year to say the least for this man. A producer that I named the second best of the year as he’s responsible for some of my favourite records of 2025! Working with a range of different MC’s to create a unique sound for each project and now we are finally at the end of his run for the year and with an MC I’m unfamiliar with I’m excited to see what they bring as a duo! So let’s get to it!

This is the brand new EP by Producer Vinyl Villain and MC M-P and together they dropped a solid six tracks with just under 19 minutes of run time to run the sonic marathon one more time before the new year!

It seems on this project, Vinyl has taken his most serene, soulful and luscious production we’ve heard from him all year! Six samples of absolutely soothing renditions of borderline ambient and atmospheric instrumentals that have a breathtaking simplicity to them that I found absolutely addictive! 

You’ve got tracks like -Porches which has this irresistible looped track that I found phenomenal! It’s got this angelic vocal harmony that’s left on a repetitive pattern as well as these delicate piano keys and very subtle jazz-like drum patterns that help give the track a base to build upon! A track that I could easily listen to for hours and never get sick of!

Or we can even inspect the track -Young Deniro which has a more menacing and eerie vibe compared to the other tracks! It’s a mixture of surreal jazz and haunting strings and keys. This kind of has a sombre vibe to it as if this song is in between mourning and death. 

The sound of what I’d expect to hear in between life and passing is what I assume would sound like! It’s truly a spacious and experimental take on a beat that I’ve never heard before!

The song -Bands Anthem Me is another track that caught my attention due to its larger-than-life nature. You’ve got those uplifting piano chords that sound like an organ melody at a church choir! 

On top of that, you have those light drums and a beautifully executed vocal harmony that plays as a loop and as an intro performance that is crisp and simple but in depth! 

Once again, Vinyl shows everyone why he’s one of the best producers we’ve got living, and with this final EP, he wraps up the year in a truly ‘villainous’ manner!

As far as the MC goes. He’s an incredibly talented man that really surprised me! His style kind of reminded me of ‘The Hidden Character’ in execution! I’m talking about that fluent, unpredictable splash flow where he can spit at any given moment or place and still sound good on the beat! 

This man has an incredible level of charisma and eccentricity on the verses! His vocabulary was impressive, as well as his enunciations and pen game sounded crisp and powerful all in one!

Across these six tracks, he showcases an incredible talent for rapping. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of him until now, before he’s definitely a style I would fuck with heavily! From his passion for the sport to his obvious conviction to the fact that he can carry an EP alone, solo, no help, just him and his ridiculous MC skills and raw attitude to keep it high energy and entertaining! 

Not everyone can mesh this we’ll

Under the production of Vinyl, but this man M-P proved he’s one of the rare ones! Absolutely annihilating the beats, making them his own whole, incorporating his own aesthetic and atmosphere to elevate each and every instrumental, making this one of the most memorable EP’s I’ve heard this month!

So, make sure you check this one out. A collaboration worthy of your attention and one I can see being on everyone’s radar for a while to come! 

(Excelsior! Zero Celsius)

So, according to my records, it was the 24th of May the first and last time I covered this man. From what I remember, it was quite an interesting record with a lot of compelling elements! Now we are going into the past with his 2022 record that I was told was phenomenal, and so let’s see if it really lives up to the hype! 

This is the 2022 record by MC (and on this tape, producer) Ice Fang. Containing 12 tracks, 25 minutes, and the likes of -Lync Lone -Pinto, as these two have the job of making this album bang that much harder!

If we’re talking about the production value, I appreciate the sounds this album contains due to its minimalist aesthetic with those light layers and looped instrumentation that is smooth and soothing to the listener!

You’ve got tracks like -Situation Critical, which consists of maybe my favourite loop across the whole project! You’ve got this gorgeous vocal harmony of this woman singing a repetitive loop that sets my heart and ears at ease!

You’ve got those lusciously plucked strings alongside those light piano chords and thick bass; overall, it’s the perfect track! 

I love the track -Mandela Effect as well, it has a rather unique and interesting feel to it. At the start of it, you’ve got those light, soul-inspired beats with those light strings, snippet vocal loop, subtle drums that all come together in a sphere of relaxed instrumentation!

But as the song progresses, it turns into this groovy, dance track that makes you want to groove your body! Sure, it’s in the last 15 seconds, but it’s still dope!

In fact, speaking of dope, the track right after -Golden Monkey is fucking dope as well! Also providing a slick, groovy/funk nature with those infectious drum patterns, slick strings in the background, that light vocal sample, and an overall 70’s feel to it that is so fucking irresponsible!

The production aura on this record is surely top-notch! A lot more groovy and lighthearted compared to the first one I covered, and I definitely see the hype he told me about! 

Of course, this wouldn’t be the album without Ice himself! Just like the production, his rapping style on this album is different and feels like a variation of the tough street raps I’m so familiar with! Instead, he’s bearing his soul and showing a more introspective side that is further separate from the street poetry and more in tune with his own personality, feelings, and inner thoughts and perspectives that make this track feel like a funky diary entry more than anything else!

One thing I noticed also was how in certain songs, we would hear him actually singing in tune with the choruses or vocal loops, which gave a nice 80’s RnB vibe like how they’d do that with Jodeci or Boys II Men, etc. Very nice touch! But on top of even that, we have this man showcasing a more freelance, anywhere and everywhere type flow where it really just sounds like he’s spreading his inner thoughts on paper and then spitting them into the studio! 

I loved his lively nature, his free-form charisma! The way his lyricism felt personal and introspective while maintaining a solid foundation of bars and set-up lines while also keeping a sense of structure to the beats themselves. He’s walking a fine line across this tape, and it all works out fluently!

Although an older tape, definitely worth checking out and experiencing what makes him such a worthwhile name in the industry right now!

https://open.spotify.com/album/3MLoGbi49tiRYW4wHFl6Z2?si=2i_Bu-vsQqaj7GjBBHJUXw

(THE BEATS THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS)

Across the entirety of 2025, I’d say (for me) one produced stood out amongst the rest and had me hooked since my first discovery of his production. A man who turned every release into a grand score of epic proportions and a man who set a new standard for how production is supposed to sound! 

This man is BONEWESO, and he is back with one more release before the new year: a beat tape (the second of the year), and with a strong Christmas theme running through it, we are given an example of what can happen when a mastermind handles the fusion. Let’s get into it!

Brand new record, 12 tracks in total. And I gotta say, while most albums like to put a ‘thug’ twist on the records, such as -Borirock -Gucci Mane, etc., on this occasion, he’s putting an almost ANTI Christmas concept, which I found badass and original as hell!

Just as the artwork suggests, this is truly the Grinch’s album! If the Grinch had access to a studio in his garbage cave, this is exactly the type he’d make! 

A record full of angry, hateful, anti-messages that go against the traditional Christmas themes we are used to! He uses a variety of skits and snippets from a whole range of Christmas movies to make up the dialogue, including, of course, the Grinch!

What I found pleasantly surprising was the handful of tracks that were used from the HIDDENSPLASH album earlier this year! One of my favourites, and hearing those beats was amazing (brought back dope memories). He did the same thing on the first beat tape with some of the Infinite Wave beats!

As per usual, you get unrivalled technique in all of his instrumentals. Absolutely crisp & powerhouse interpretations of Jazz, Soul, Boom Bap, and more! Although the ideas and messages themselves are more an untraditional anti-Christmas theme, this still presents one of the strongest fusions of Hip Hop & Xmas that I’ve heard yet!

One of the songs – MISTLE TOE WITH YOUR HOE stood out to me as a track I could picture an MC like Mickey Diamond crushing! I heard his voice all over it and, of course, with the rest, picturing all my favourite MC’s on the album and how they’d sound on top of these luscious yet raw and splashy beats that are good enough to be made into a modern-day classic record if it had vocals!

In the most out-there way possible, I feel this is the ADULT’s perception of a Hip Hop/Xmas album. One about the reality of the holiday, when the magic is gone, the bills pile up, the greed shows its face, and the adults are left fronting the cost.

I love this more gritty, almost nihilistic approach to the holiday portrayed on this record! It’s refreshing, creative, and above all, original! 

Trust me, this is a Bandcamp album worth buying! You won’t experience another like it, and it’s going to leave an impression on you whether you want to or not! BONEWESO STRIKES AGAIN! His undefeated streak continues!

https://boneweso.bandcamp.com/album/the-beats-that-stole-christmas

(Lucha Libre For Christmas)

Talk about an end-of-the-year collaboration I didn’t expect. Two men who, in their own right, have taken over their specific lanes in their own ways! But all I want for Christmas (is a dope hip-hop album), and these two deliver that gift, luxury-wrapped and ready to dive into! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new tape by MC Action Figure 973 and Producer Circa 97. With 24 tracks and the likes of 

– Lord Juco

– Malcolm Sef

– Hound 

And across this tape, we hear a divine fusion between the two forces, which combines ever so fittingly as one of the strongest forces in the rap game meets with one of the most powerful in the production industry. 

When we talk about the beats on this record, the first word that comes to mind is ‘beautiful’ because that’s the effect Circa has on his albums! 

I’ve covered all of his records this year (I’m pretty sure), and the one thing he always accomplishes is a sense of delicacy and integrity that makes you feel like you’ve been transported into the early 1900s in vibe, aesthetics, and atmosphere. From delicate piano keys to those fantastical plucked bass strings, gorgeous vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar strings, and more.

He’s always taking the audience into a realm of in-depth sounds and concentrated influences that run through your whole body and take over the soul! 

The production on this tape (similar to many others over the years) is angelically bold and minimal. Adding a handful of layers to each track with just enough going on to take you on a sonic journey, but not too much where the layers become overbearing and messy! 

He’s a master of his craft, and he knows exactly how much to add per track, and he understands which influences and genres to utilise for the songs, and that’s why he’s one of the most compelling beat makers we have right now!

I have to shoutout that badass intro as well! Having the clip of all those wrestlers saying Merry Christmas across the entire track was genius! The perfect way to start the record and give a special warm welcome to the audience! 

As far as the MC work goes, we hear Action on his usual routine of rapping style and eccentric performances that have made him one of the most successful and looked-out-for names in 2025! 

What drew me to him earlier this year was his technique on the mic and his apparent love for wrestling!

As a man who loves wrestling, I always gravitate to those artists who use pop culture as a concept and theme! Pair that with the lyrical gift of gab that this man possesses, and you have a balance that most would die for! 

On this tape, he showcases all those praises and more as he’s able to utilise that lush and rich production to his advantage and spit his trademark flex rap with some unique punchlines and clever puns that had me engaged all throughout the album!

There was a line where he goes ‘I could fuck around and release a blank tape with the Obi’ I thought that was clever! 

Or the line ‘I might go on tour and never come home/like the territory days, life on the road/going town to town putting local champions in chock holds’ 

Those are just two examples of lines I fucked with HEAVY! As the whole record runs exactly as smooth and precise as these. On top of his evident lyrical ability, we have his natural charisma that runs all throughout the album, saturating the songs with confidence, conviction, passion, and his love for the art of wrestling and all that makes for a fantastic experience for the listener!

The features on this album go hard as well! Providing an interesting contrast to Action’s cadence while enhancing the tracks that they are on, elevating the album as a whole!

So, what are you waiting for? This sonic present isn’t going to open up itself! Go check it out now with the link below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0C6UOzHrTSyiKRRuNGx9t7?si=XnKrks_ERzq0_i8xWQ08hw

(ANGELS WITH FILTHY SOULS)

NOW THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE is undoubtedly the sequel of the year! One I didn’t expect we would get but one that has got me more hyped than any other! 

I still remember the buzz of the first album, it’s the album that got me addicted with all three men combined with this project and now they are back to capture the lightning in the bottle for the second time and they do it effortlessly! Let’s go!

This is the brand-new powerhouse project between the trio of 

-Kil the Artist/DeevoDaGenius and Bluehillbill! The three of them return with features such as

-Al Divino

-Conway The Machine.

Those two names are all you’ve ever needed to dominate the record and across this 41 minutes we hear an elevation and maturity of what made the first album so critically revered! 

Firstly, I want to re visit the topic of ‘chemistry’ for these three and the main reason I hold the debut one in such high regard!

This trio don’t just work together, they THRIVE off each other! It’s the closest we will hear of magic in this underground landscape. The natural harmony between Bluehillbill and Kil the Artist is something that needs to be studied. The way they throw the verses back and forth from each other! The fact they unite their big personalities into one effort (as if they share a single mind) is ridiculous.

They share such a brotherly relationship that it feels like twins. They aren’t just merely collaborating they are sharing SOULS! Utilising each other’s strengths and feeding off it! From their eccentric performances to their sharp lyricism and smooth & efficient flows and pen manipulation!, everything they do is the definition of NEXT LEVEL!

From BlueHill’s ability to rap with a velvet tinge to it, as if his words can bend and stretch across the instrumentals like rubber! The way he’s able to twist and add complicated bar structures that roll off the tongue like a knife through butter makes him one of the most standout artists we’ve heard in the last few years! 

To Kil’s powerful verses, the way he’s able to grab the attention of the listener with his incredible charisma, captivating wordplay, and theatrical approach to his flow, he’s the type to take over the room as soon as he walks in!

From the moment he enters the track, the culture goes silent as they know he’s about to drop fire— a man that you wouldn’t think would have an equal, and that’s the beauty of this pairing!

All this makes it even more impressive that they are able to rap alongside two of the strongest names in the industry—Al Divino &Conway The Machine— and they make it look effortless! (Which is not something everyone can say) and further solidifies their grandeur as a duo! 

Now, of course, in speaking great lengths into the actions and skills of the two MC’s but there is a certain and rather important third member of this trinity that not only helps bring life into this album but has contributed to some of the best production we’ve heard in 2025, period. A man who has broken every boundary and risen to the top of the underground with his mastery of big sounds and soulful atmosphere, and that man is 

DEEVODAGENIUS

Across these 13 tracks, we hear bigger, bolder, and more crisp instrumentals than on the first. To me, this one feels like the ‘older brother’ of the two projects. The first represents the younger sibling who is still in their naive carefree mentality where there’s bright colours on every corner, funky/groovy & lively sounds to move your body to, and waltz through life absolutely oblivious to the reality of the world.

But this one feels a lot more grounded, heavier, and more surreal in execution. Across this tape, we hear the darker side of the family coming together and, in turn, Deevo utilising grittier and more powerful tones that are bound to leave a lasting taste in your brain and soul.

I will say this! I love the subtle hints at Christmas that runs throughout this record! You hear the samples used in the 2 home alone movies ripped throughout as well as some light jazz pianos that let you know that Christmas is in the heart of Deevo, just not making it at the forefront ‘like the sonic equivalent of Die Hard’ the non Christmas, Christmas movie! 

As usual (just as the first) this album contains an epic intro that feels like your listening to a trailer. Distorted choir vocals, heavy piano and a variety of vocal snippets that truly give off a cinematic approach!

From there we have the unrivalled ability of Deevo and his mastery of techniques. From heavy Jazz influences to some of the dopest boom Bap tracks you’ve heard in a minute! 

Deevo is putting his hand deep into the musical cookie jar. Pulling out any and all influences to embrace and turn into a masterpiece of a track!

If I had to choose a favourite instrumental, I’d have to say -CHARLIE BROWN I can’t help it this beat is so fucking filthy that you’d be left snoopy at the sound of it!

Across this track we have those heavy, distorted chord progressions in that ridiculous minimal loop! 

Accompanied by those plucked bass strings and bare boned drum beats that all comes together for one of the most stripped back but unforgettable songs on the tape! 

another modern day classic by the trio. I don’t remember the last time I heard a trio group, let alone any as solid as these three. I can tell you one thing though, when it’s all said and done these tapes will go down in history as some of the best the underground has ever released!

https://www.e11evationrecords.com/store-e5pCb/p/angels-with-filthy-souls?fbclid=PAVERFWAO2ZjVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafH7UIW5D0IgUy528MT2jhwPdbnSOqOali4PkuRdVn7BRjD5jeoft6aXBF6kg_aem__FLjC-JWPOj_ihyn8sea9g

(Smoke Wave 2)

This has been a review in the waiting. One of those occasions where my immense build-up of requests forced me to put this one on the sidelines until the right time. Today is that moment, and I’m ready to tackle a record that has all the details to become the album of the month! Let’s go!

This is the brand-new powerhouse collaboration sequel between MC’s Sayzee & Jamal Gasol, with production credits from the likes of: 

-Sayzee

-Fludust

-The Standouts

-Odd Father

-Leezy Boy Sr

-Sonny Carson

-Denny Laflare

-Halal Beats

-Finn

Now, you’d be right to at least assume that with so many names on the production, it runs the risk of being messy and all over the place stylistically, but you’d be wrong! Across this tape, we hear these nine men come together under one single vision to create a record so wavy and beautiful that it instantly becomes memorable and additive to the listener, and I feel that’s exactly what’s happened!

On this album, we hear beats that have influences of:

-Funk

-Art Rap

-Ambient

-Jazz

-Soul

– Boom Bap

And more. With this roster of names and their own unique personalities and skills, it gives each song its own distinctive sound instead of having 14 of the same song. You have all individual flavours that are bound to make every kind of rap fan content and happy! 

If I had to pick my favourite track off the whole record, it would have to be -Ally Oop (which is produced by Sayzee). The brand of influence he brings to the table is so fucking infectious and groovy that I found myself returning to this one more than the rest!

Firstly, you’ve got this angelic and gorgeously incorporated vocal harmony that sounds like an angel singing it! On top of that, we have these luscious violin strings, methodically paced drums, plucked bass strings, and some very light, random chord progressions that come and go in a glimmering fashion! 

Denny lit this song on heavenly fire, and it burned majestically! I fuck with every song on this record, but that stood out to me the most!

If we started talking about the MC dynamics between Jamal and Sayzee, then you’re talking about a duo that individually has been taking the culture by storm! So, of course, when they come back together after all the added experiences, exposure, and evolution that you’re naturally going to get, a better, stronger, and more crisp record than before is going to happen, and that’s what happened here!

On this album, we hear some of the best and most organic-sounding chemistry I’ve heard all year! They sound so fucking smooth in the way they toss the verses back and forth, the way they dominate the tracks, and the fact that they go completely featureless (besidesLord Juco), which proves that they know they have the ‘IT’ factor to hold a record down with just their abilities alone!

For two men who I’ve heard on complete opposite ends of the lanes as far as style and themes are concerned, they mesh so well as a team! It’s as if their personal egos come together as one to create one united mind that is determined to flex on as many people as possible and showcases the best of their combined abilities, and let me tell you, it works! 

You’re really doing yourself a disservice by not checking this out! I know I was late to the party, but this one is, as I predicted, one of the strongest records of the month and shows just how much a collaboration when done right can accomplish! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4xO5ppgeYQU69UMIIP9yHP?si=ACJiktYmTFqZA-ITHCEFlw