(NO RESPECT 2)

Man, going into this I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t heard the first one, but I saw this album being promoted every which way on socials, so I had to check it out. After the main man himself sent me further prompts to check it, I knew it was time, and thank fuck I did because, to say the very least, this album is ‘Unique’.

What we have is the sequel collaboration between MC Big Dese and Producer Mike Martinez, and together they drop a fresh 15 with the likes of 

-Coast Locastro on the beat, and after I heard the content of the record, he was the perfect choice as the sole feature.

I think I’ll start with the production first because Mike really went hard on this one. After his last instrumental EP I reviewed, I wasn’t sure what I was going to be walking into, but turns out he’s only grown more monstrous since his last, and he’s on his Thanos Infinity War shit on this record because he goes UNIVERSAL!

Every beat on here sounds like a different variation of classical cinema mixed with underground boom bap. For example, we can look at the track ‘Word To Mick’ which features these glossary, almost old-school Disney movie-sounding jumping chords combined with these heavy orchestra chords combined with those muddy drum patterns, that is the first example of 

(Classical + Underground)

The second example ‘Stay Inebriated’ we have these beautifully executed jazz horns accompanied by these intricate piano keys, that’s followed by more gritty drums that all sound like your trademark boom bap minimal loop track! 

Although more skeletal than the first mentioned beat, it once again draws the fine line between 

(Classical + Underground)

And yes, if you’re following the pattern so far, we also have tracks like ‘Brush It Off’ which has one of the most old-school sounds I’ve ever heard, it sounds like a combination of surf rock and Spanish dance music. 

You’ve got those groovy jazz horns alongside those light vocal loops and rock and roll-style drums! 

This is truly a unique track in the album tracklist. This feels more like a tune to dance to than it does to bang your head to!

We have Mike planting his feet in a specific direction and it paid off for him PERFECTLY because every track is a banger in its own unique way!

Now, onto the grinch of the album. This guy takes hating and pessimism to a next level. I found myself completely tranced by his words and verses!

He kind of reminded me of 90’s Eminem mixed with Eyedea and a sprinkle of R.A! Combined those influences and you’ve got a deranged, close to middle-aged man that is stuck in the golden era and trying to pop it off in modern day.

This has to be some of the most iconic and memorable rhymes I’ve heard all year because I agree and relate to a lot of what he’s saying! Struggles of trying to pop off in your respective industries. Trying to navigate work and not being where you thought you’d be by now.

Even the line where his neighbours ask him about his rapping and he just goes ‘how did they find out? This shit is embarrassing’

THAT IS REAL LIFE SHIT and I love that he’s actually spitting facts. How he’s taking the studio time to burn to vail down and reveal what it’s really like, the cold hard truth for 99% of the underground movement and it was literally (and figuratively) music to my ears.

Despite his bad attitude, he does rap his ass off, he has consistent rhythm, intense flow with powerful wordplay that is the immersive basis for his concepts about life and the way things are. 

Honesty, this has to be some of the most entertaining (on Big Dese’s expense, sure) 33 minutes I’ve heard period. He lives up to the name of the record and with the help of Mike who keeps him situated in that classical era, he has the platform and freedom to vent on the mic and trust me, you’ll want to hear what he has to say! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3zr1HrJ44wsFv5MYXgqjnm?si=FkeNnPtaQmOxDTBzK7Tjdg

(BREVILOQUENT)

As much as I’ve been loving this man’s remix tapes, it gets me more hyped to hear him coming up with brand new ORIGINAL material! This time around, he’s back with a new producer I haven’t covered yet, and so, my anticipation is high. Did it live up to the hype? Let’s find out!

Brand new EP by MC Gustavo Louis and Producer Dr Loomis, and together they drop a fresh batch of six tracks which run 14 minutes long and with no features to be found, we only have the talent of both men to discuss and discuss!

Starting with the efforts of Gustavo. I feel this time around he’s decided to go at a more methodical and slower pace on these tracks, instead of his faster and more energetic approach. I feel on this one he wants his words to have more weight to them, and by making the audience wait for each sentence is the best way to make sure each word is felt!

If I had to name my favourite track of the bunch (from a lyrical perspective), it would have to be the second track ‘GLITTER GLOVE’ as he uses tons of Michael Jackson references and puns that kept me thoroughly entertained for the duration of the song!

When you release as often as this man does, it can be easy to feel washed up or stale after a certain amount of drops, but I can safely say (somehow) Gustavo has remained not only fresh but also sharp on the beat, maintains his controller chaotic rhythm that continues to use his driving charisma to further enhance his verses and bars into new heights! Definitely an impressive showing by the NARCO REMIX KING. 

Now, onto the production. Just like Gustavo, the music itself feels methodically paced and a lot darker than he’s used to be on. From the opening track and those looming piano keys and slow-motion drums is the perfect example of the context of the record!

We can even look at the track ‘FRITZ’ which has a more distorted/chaotic feel to it but equally surreal. You’ve got what sounds like an alarm clock going off in the background as well as some wavy bass and looping drum patterns that all come together to sound like an insane clusterfuck of music that matches the wild energy of Gustavo!

Even the track ‘ONE PLUG’ which takes a dive into classical/opera territory with those long and deep horns, classic vocal harmonies and violin strings which are equipped with some modern drums. 

This track reminds me of a Bioshock soundtrack song! It’s truly enhanced!

Loomis, as Gustavo said on this track, ‘makes music that sounds like motion pictures’ and he really does! He presents six different styles of music that all somehow fit together in the end! 

Overall, another W for Gustavo and a fantastic showing by Loomis. They have fantastic chemistry together and I’m excited to see where they go from here! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1F3aygWZqICarp3y9cXiOZ?si=jQnTtHlCTn6IxGrnsFET1A

(HOODLUMS)

With a title that’s revealing in its own way about what to expect from this record. Interestingly that title can mean different things depending on who you ask.

Some describe that term as a dangerous thug set for violence. Others describe a person who isn’t exactly on the right path and is often found on the opposite end of it. 

Regardless of your personal definition of this album, you can expect one thing. A defying and stand-alone record that answers and conforms to nothing or no one. That is the true essence of 

HOODLUMS.

This is the brand-new album by MC/Producer AU, who this time alone is giving the beat reigns to the man they call SketchTurner, and together they drop a seven-track, 16-minute project with my homeboy ANT KELLY on the guest list! So you know it’s about to be a wild time! 

Now, what struck me right away with this one was one key word: ‘the ambiance’. You’d think that can describe any album, but no. This (to me) is a term that details a certain level of creativity and atmosphere that’s associated with the art itself. When you can hear the effort, passion, and conviction in the music, that’s when you know an album has a level of ambience.

Across this project, we hear Sketch take us all on a hip-hop journey through an alternate universe where everything is sweet and everyone loves. A truly immersive world of bold flavours, free-forming instrumentation, and the soothing ability to put even the most stressed-out person back into control with the relaxing atmosphere.

The one thought that came to mind with these beats is almost like a mirror dimension to ‘A Tribe Called Quest’. It’s equally powerful and enlightened and has the same jazz and soul ambient elements, but this one is done in such a unique contrast that it’s hard to put my finger on.

Every beat flows into the next fluently and flawlessly in such a way that for me, it’s impossible to choose a favourite track as I consider this whole record to be a masterpiece. 16 minutes I’ll hear yet! 

As far as MC work goes! We have AU. A man who has swept me away with his equalised balance of Swift and sharp wordplay combined with his sense of production, as he’s shown he can do both, but when he’s just on the mic, that’s when you hear him at his best!

I’m talking conceptual bars, personal verses, vivid imagery, and more. These are actually the most revealing and interesting bars I’ve heard from

the man to date! Especially on tracks like ‘Accents’ where the song literally

started with ‘my dad’s a drug addict, I’ve been raised by the dope’. With that as the intro, you know you’re in for a surreal experience, and it was! 

(Also, dope verse by ANT across this track!)

Instead of feeling like 16 minutes of bars, I felt like I was reading a man’s personal journey that just happened to rhyme. Confident and composed technique combined with powerful vocabulary structures that leave you thought-provoked after every few bars!

Trust me, this is the kind of record you CAN’T MISS! It’s not only infectious in sound but interesting, street-worthy, and most importantly, filled with 

AMBIENCE.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3OLJnrkRxoprBWzWpuSZMR?si=SmD1qsn1TiG90ookUrgDzA

(GODLY CONSTRUCTION)

This is an exciting day! (Not only because of the duo I’m collaborating with) but this will be my first review since Spotify updated with the LOSELESS AUDIO OPTION! So here I am, with the best quality they’ve ever had about to cover one of the most dope teams I’ve seen yet! LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

This is the brand-new collaboration single between MC FLYG and Producer Dev Rodgers. The latter was featured on my ‘September’s best producers list’ as he’s been killing it alongside ZELL and this time he’s extended his work to another one of my most celebrated artists who have been on the older list categories for his consistency and originality! 

Together, the only way they could go is UP and that’s exactly what this track feels like.

We have just over three minutes of the smoothest sounding production you’ll hear all year. As the title of the track suggests, this does feel ‘gospel’ heavy with a blend of Soul! You’ve got those gorgeously tuned choir-like vocal harmonies accompanied with those intricate keys and Soul/Jazz style drums that are so satisfyingly soft and subtle to give the track just a little hint of texture to maximise the angelic effect this whole instrumental brings to the table!

As expected, Dev hits a home run again with his beats. It’s smooth, elegant, and powerful all in one! This is the reason why it’s so exciting to hear him on the track!

Now onto FLYG. The lyrical Tekken fighter comes to life to breathe fresh perspective into y’all ears and minds! 

Across this track (as he always does), he showcases even more lyrical diversity and superior vocabulary that he’s been building all the year long! He’s regained his methodical style on this track that makes all his words feel like bars of gold!

With lines such as ‘I didn’t know I was capable of catching the rhythm, rhythm nation’ or 

‘They regard you as their favourite MC/Does that type of sentiment tell me that I’ve finally made it/I haven’t made it till they put me in the hall of fame/in those conversations they should mention my name’

Obviously, words don’t do justice to the track itself when you hear him actually spit those lines and hear his swagger, breath control, cadence, and mannerisms on the track, but each bar is delivered with ease, confidence, and complexity! 

As I’ve come to finally understand, if he puts a rhyme scheme together, it’s never for nothing. Everything is put there for a reason! Another dope line I love in this track is: 

‘I’m a Veteran in this game/I could easily rock your fella (Roc A Fella) then dash with a bad damme. 

I’m wondering what retirement looks like, LeBron James’

This man just doesn’t know how to stop with the bars and fluent puns and phrases that make you feel like you’re in Inception.

‘A bar, within a bar, within a bar’ it never ends.

This was every bit an exciting song as I knew it would be! With the perfect chemistry I imagined they had coming together for one of the dopest singles of the month! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6MDJGgzcK3rz43mOKhjJPl?si=evBzOBaLQLaBwGXkxZx7nA

(THE PRYCE YOU PAY)

Sometimes, when a duo so strong comes along, it becomes undeniable. A pair that complements each other in such a way that they come across ‘magic’ in the studio, and this is one of those cases: two men with the same mindset coming together for a one-of-a-kind record! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new record by MC Slik Jack and Producer Vincent Pryce, and together they dropped a fresh 15 tracks with the likes of:

-Daniel Son

-Bub Styles

-Estee Nack

-Pro Dillinger

-Troy Dunnit

-Nicholas Craven

-GREA8GAWD

-Mondo Slade

With this roster alone, you’re right to expect excellence, and this album delivers on that front and more!

I’m going to start with the MC side of things first. Slik, since the last time I covered him, has seemed to increase his game tenfold and been spit out of hell as a monstrous kingpin hellbent on massacring the enemies and haters around him with a sharp pen game and extensive vivid street poems.

That is captivating in such a way that I feel

most don’t know how to do!

I can’t lie, I absolutely love his flow on this project. He sounds spotless. Like a gangsta who studied the art of poetry in the most intense way possible. His style kind of reminds me of early ‘2005 Documentary’ Game with his deep tone and slick vocal performances combined with his precise wordplay and raw flow, and he has the whole package!

Across this whole album, he’s got bars for days. Every new song is heavy in puns, smart/cunning phrases, and one-liners that make you think! He’s tackling the tracks with all sides covered in his MC game (pun intended), and it shows! Every new song I hear could be a track of the year contender; it’s that good!

When it comes to the features he’s working with, he absolutely slaps with them on the verses. They all have incredible synchronicity and help elevate the songs from great to PHENOMENAL! 

As far as Vincent goes, he’s also back stronger than I’ve ever heard him! Across these 42 minutes, he presents to the culture a cinematic score that would have Martin Scorsese jealous. It’s dark, gritty, and marvellous all in one!

You’ve got tracks like ‘DEMOLITION DERBY’ that have a strong guitar flavour to them with those sharp electronic guitar strings on loop, with those groovy chords and keys in the background with those subtle synths! Not to mention those rock and roll-style drums! 

This is the track where Pro Dillinger comes along to MURDER the back end of the track! Absolutely incredible!

What about the track ‘KATCH ME IF YOU KAN’ which reminds me almost of an X-Files-type chase scene score. Those glittering keys on loop accompanied by those heavy drums and wavy and distorted chords that all come together for a masterclass in suspense and thrilling atmosphere!

Not to mention having a monster like Bub Styles on the chorus and a lyrical assassin as Daniel Son showcases his verbal karate across the back end of the track!

We can even talk about the track ‘GETAWAY CHAUFFER’ which is one of the more smooth and ambient tracks of the whole album. You’ve got the combination of those swaying chords and minimalistic drums that make for an eerie listening experience that reminds me of a walk at night in a sketchy neighbourhood!

Of course, it’s only fitting that a kingpin like Estee would feature on this track who acts as both MC and chorus instigator with his notorious aura flooding the track!

This is all to say that Pryce has unlocked a new skill in his moveset to create a record that can have a whole range of different sounds while maintaining a fluent and conceptual feel that doesn’t break instrumentally from start to finish! Definitely not an easy thing to do, yet he nails that fine line!

Overall, this is definitely a strong contender for October’s best album even though so early it stands apart from the pack! Definitely worth checking out! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2cuQyw05LhSMjnTMejPUNS?si=TMQB-LZsRfeSAB_Wy2rhIw

(Ace’s High)

Well, it’s safe to say it’s been a minute and a half since I last covered this MC after an extraordinary album and single that had me craving more. He’s finally delivered and in a BIG WAY! With an Umbrella Soldier and a killer producer to accompany him, he’s back for blood with what could already lead the pack as the dominant single of October! LET’S GET IT! 

This is the brand new single by MC JJackPot with Producer Kobra Dera and feature artist Snotty on the case. This 3-minute and 30-second track proves to be some of the hardest and toughest minutes of music you’ve heard this year!

Starting with the production, on GAWD this is some gritty, in-your-face JBL hitting you with a clothesline from Hell type impact shit! 

This beat has these heavy thudding keys that feel ripped straight from an old-school gangsta black-and-white movie! On top of that, we have these haunting jazz horns and light, delicate high-pitched keys and notes in the background, giving the track a bit of a ‘cinematic’ vibe to it.

This is the kind of track that you will listen to in your headphones and immediately start mean-mugging the world and start looking at banks and liquor stores as opportunities! This instrumental brings out the DAWG in us, and it’s the perfect track for a shot of adrenaline and energy to pump through your day with!

As far as the MC work goes, man, I don’t know how these guys do it, but every time I hear them on a beat, they sound better and stronger than before. 

As I’ve said many times before, I consider JJackpot to be my new-generation ‘monster trio’ member. Since the short time I’ve fucked with him, he’s blown me away more and more with each new release, and this new verse is biblical in execution!

From flawless flow, exceptional pronunciations, and enunciation, you can hear every word he says clearly and done with rugged finesse! It’s like every breath feels precisely in place as he creates the perfect verse.

His trademark street poetry and conviction behind every word make him a force that I can’t see many being able to handle in the culture right now, and if he keeps growing at the rate he’ll be the undeniable GOAT come the next few years!

As far as Snotty goes. A man who is already a household-established name, he, as per usual, kills it on this track! Bringing with him his classic vivid street/drug scenes come to life, told in immaculate detail and immense structure that brings the verse to life.

From bar to bar, he lights the track up with his no-nonsense, raw, and in-your-face lyricism and rhythm that is equal parts powerful and elegant! He has a certain way of rapping where the whole world stops and pays attention to every word because that’s the aura he brings with him!

Overall, this is another monstrous performance by all three men involved! It’s thugged out, unadulterated, and brilliant in every sense of the word, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1z55QWFO5aJoKxDXJnvGOm?si=rSpZwCF0Rhq3VVmUV1FzXA

(THE HAND THAT FEEDS)

Hand to god. It was not that long ago that I was thinking to myself when this man would drop a project. After the undeniable success of ‘FEED THE FAMILY’, I felt surely it had to be a matter of time this year that he’d drop, and thankfully my question was answered in the form of one of the most interesting and exciting records to date! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new record by MC and ‘FEED THE FAMILY’ soldier Shaykh Hanif, which showcases the producers of 

-SAMY BEATS

-WINO WILLY

-SPANISH RAN

-NICHOLAS CRAVEN

-VDON

-STATIK SELEKTAH

-CAMOFLAUGE MONK

-CONDUCTOR WILLAMS

-CEASE FLEMMI

That is a ridiculous flexing statement of beat makers to come alongside your album! And we also have the MC’s

-Rome Streetz

-Smoke DZA

-Estee Nack

-Al-Doe

And I can’t stress enough. In trademark FEED artist style, this record is the definition of ‘cinematic’. This album sounds beyond a hip-hop album but more a grand social statement that makes you feel like you’re witnessing a movie score in real time, and it’s fucking phenomenal.

The instrumentation itself doesn’t even feel real; it feels like 8D Dolby Atmos quality songs that surround your entire senses 360 degrees as if you’re at a live concert in your living room. It’s fucking insane. This album feels like it spent 8 billion dollars to make, and they hired John Williams, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese to make this album. It’s that meticulously crafted that I almost feel ‘unworthy’ to review it, as if some orchestra head came to me to review their ‘classical music’ as if I had any business attempting that!

When I read the list of producers, I was a little bit concerned (only because I prefer the old-fashioned one artist to one producer formula), but it was clear once I turned this on that there was no problem, and in this scenario, too many heads in the kitchen was the right move!

It’s impossible for me to find a favourite beat because each track feels like it deserved to win a Grammy for its technical mastery! I was just trying to pay attention to the record’s content and not drift off into my own thoughts!

If you thought FEED’s 2025 has been ‘grand’ up until this point, you haven’t heard ANYTHING YET. This album may have taken the number one spot in the ‘AOTY’ list. I’m not kidding, my words can’t do the music itself justice; you have to listen and experience it for yourself!

Now onto the man himself, Shaykh. This man has already proven his worth and skill on the mic with just this year alone featuring on a wide range of releases and often performing ‘feature verse of the album’, but now he’s back to take centre stage, and man does he ever kill in that position!

Pairing with that flawless production, we have Shaykh who gives a performance of his lifetime; he hits everything right.

Whether you want to talk about his pen game, where each song is a different vividly painted story and introspective social commentary that absorbs you into the scene he was verbally painting, where you can see every tiny detail he’s laid out with his words.

He’s a true ‘artist’ and ‘author’ in every sense of the word. There wasn’t a song that went by that I didn’t feel moved me or absorbed me across the whole.

Or we can talk about his god-given charisma and aura. Not only was his pen game on point, but the way he utilised his flow, which was wrapping around the beats themselves like a bird flying through the clouds! 

You can tell by his cadence that he’s confident, convicted, and passionate about his work. Every breath on the album has a purpose, and he performs all this with pride in his skills and his rap family that stand beside him!

Even looking at the small handful of MC’s he had features on this record is a testament to where his mind is at and keeping a down-to-earth mentality with who he wants on it! He’s going to start, grow, and succeed with the brothers he knows best, and I fucking love that! 

I also loved that intro; it had me dying. It was describing me to a tee, and I gotta say it humbled me real quick! 

I can’t speak highly enough about this record. I NEED everyone to listen and study the masterpiece of sounds that this album does with extreme precision! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4vqYN2CKju4dHCGK0PLfpn?si=6a02YcPxR_C_7B6o9qwp0g

(THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD)

What a career this man has had this year. Going from him being a recommendation to me by a friend and then turning into one of the most looked out for MC in the game right now. From singles to EP’s and albums, this man has done it all, and now he’s back with another full-length featuring quite possibly the most consistent and prolific beatmaker going right now! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new album by MC Action Figure 973 and Producer Machacha, and together they drop ten tracks with the likes of 

– Pinnland Empire

– Andre DeSaint

– Shvmire

– Heartbreak Julio

– Jalen Frazier

And I gotta start with Machacha first. I’ve said this what could have been five albums ago now, but it only means more truth today. There isn’t a sound he hasn’t touched on in 2025, and this album feels like a blend of all the styles he’s perfected with his previous albums!

This album has everything from somber and thought-provoking tracks like the intro track with that mesmerising spoken word snippet! 

To the hearty and old-school homage track of ‘Here Comes The Money’ with those heavy drums, infectious scratches and cuts, as well as those high-pitched strings that make this track feel like a vibe of the 90s come back to life in the present day!

This album feels like a flex by the man. He already knows he’s conquered all the different elements possible, so now he’s just blending, mixing, and matching and further pushing the gap between him and them! 

Even if we look at the track ‘You Can’t Teach That’ where we have Macha inherit that minimalistic hypnotic ambiance with those repetitive piano keys and light strings and bass.

Even a track this stripped back feels like a cinematic score because of the man behind them. Whether he’s stuck to one sound and theme or switching up his instrumentals, he is sure to own the title ‘The Most Interesting Producer In The World’

Now onto the MC at hand. Action Figure, the enigma in a mask who has the world by the balls all year, is back and he somehow sounds even better than ever!

I’m talking about that ridiculous confidence mixed with

his impeccable performance, fluent flow, sharp lyricism, and clever bars that always leave the audience pausing to digest what he said and why!

That’s the thing with this guy. He never says shit just to say it. There’s always a bigger picture involved, and combined with the way he’s able to paint such vivid pictures with his words, it makes for a powerful combination that very few can touch.

I also love the vibe he’s set for himself as ‘The Most Interesting Man In The World’. I love it because he’s flexing and pushing narratives that no one else is thinking about! 

He’s in his own lane, doing concepts that are ignored by the rest and making them shine brighter than everyone else! Across this project, he has those small handful of features that have incredible chemistry and synchronicity with him to help make the records they are on feel that much stronger in execution instead of just featuring for the sake of it!

Once again, this is another (possibly his most solid yet) project by Action, and with the legendary Machacha by his side, he was sure to win! 

https://actionfigure973.bandcamp.com/album/the-most-interesting-man-in-the-world

(The Life Of ERG -Co Starring Estee Nack)

THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE! I made my feelings very clear while reviewing the leading singles that this is the most hype I was for an album of the month! 

The simple fact is when you combine this MC and this producer together on one full length, you’re guaranteed to get a modern-day classic, and that’s EXACTLY what we have here! Let’s fucking get into it!

This is the brand-new collaboration project between MC ERG ONE and producer BONE WESO, and they have revealed their fresh batch of 12 tracks which feature the likes of 

– Estee Nack

– Borirock

– al divino

– ???

Now, this 23Incredible release is unlike anything else we’ve heard from them yet. They’ve been advertising a more ‘high-end, luxury’ perspective that features a grand view of a boss’s life, and that’s exactly what we have here.

This isn’t merely a rap album; this is an audio biography of the life and success of ERG ONE, the boss himself, and the music matches that perfectly.

Bone Weso on this album provides probably his most grounded, down-to-earth, and intimate moments I’ve heard him utilise yet. Of course, you have your surreal and mind-blowing moments, but the overall feel of the record is one of coming from the bottom and making it big, grinding until you make it, and in my opinion, Bone has matched those sentiments in this production.

When you’re the ‘Don’, you don’t have to go over the top or try to convince the world that you are the man; you just are. That’s an important thing to remember. 23Incredible already know ERG is HIM, and all they are doing is using his natural power, talent, and presence to build on and not the other way around.

This album reminds me of an early Nate Dogg project or the debut Warren G record. It has that same level of depth and focus on those boss elements that centres around the one individual (who in this case is ERG ONE) like this generation’s equivalent of Regulate! With Estee Nack as Nate.

If I had to describe some of my favourite beats off this project, the first would have to be ‘SILENCEOFTHELAMBS’. I love that minimal execution of those intricate keys, swaying strings, and those choir-like vocals that come in and out through the track!

Another track I loved was ‘NEVATRUSTASING’. This beat has this 80’s B-side horror movie soundtrack vibe! You’ve got those creepy bass strings and intricate keys with some methodical drums! It’s fucking awesome.

Also, Bori has an incredible verse! I love to hear his infectious energy, and Estee kills it as she always has! 

Another one would have to be the intro track ‘THEHIGHEXALTED’. I just love that soulful and graceful representation of those beautiful vocal harmonies and those sticky strings! 

In conclusion, Bone became a living extension of ERG’s soul and made a score for it. This is one of the most mesmerising performances you’ll hear, PERIOD. Once again, Bone provides another example of a masterclass that only he can pull off!

Now onto ERG ONE. The 23-incredible soldier that has helped all other releases shine and has decided it’s time for him to take the centre stage. Now that he has, he has erupted and created a living, breathing testament of his life, experiences, and feelings wrapped up into a beautifully designed soundtrack that anyone would die for!

On this record, all he’s doing is letting his inner boss takeover and write his rhymes for him. He’s detailing his situations, mindset, and view on the world around him. It just so happens his thoughts happen to rhyme!

He’s slick with it, his don personality comes through screaming on this album with his sharp wordplay, immaculate flow, and unrivalled pen game that feels like a TV show script with every new verse written.

His life is so profound and captivating that you’re forced to be sucked into every line he writes and get taken away into a vividly painted portrait of a man who overcame everything and became the boss we see today.

I love how consistent he is throughout this whole record. Never missing a step, every breath taken with purpose and with his smooth and calm energy, it makes every song feel like you’re listening to rap verses by Goodfellas ‘Paulie’ (He may rap slow, but that’s only because he don’t gotta move for ANYBODY) that’s true Don shit.

Of course, he ain’t alone on this. Whether that be his Co Star Estee who shares verses on the majority of these tracks or the other common names you’d expected, they all drop some of their best verses to date! 

I LOVED Bori’s verse and man did ??? Ever kill it or what! He’s always been nice but he rapped like he was out for blood on this one! Absolutely phenomenal!

Any expectations I had for this album were destroyed once I heard the full album. From ridiculous production to even greater performances! I can’t recommend this album enough and if this record doesn’t prove that 23Incredible are running the game then nothing will! 

https://esteenack.bandcamp.com/album/the-life-of-erg-co-starring-estee-nack

(Year Of The Peacock)

It’s always a fascinating thing to cover a beat tape. Because you never know what to expect. With instrumental projects, the producer has so much more creativity and options to expand with without worrying about how an artist is going to sound on the tracks or not. 

With that freedom in mind, we get to hear the full extent of a producer’s mindset, capabilities, and most importantly, their vision come to life! So in that respect, here we go with 

YEAR OF THE PEACOCK

This is the brand-new beat tape by Producer Demetri, who brings forth eight fresh tracks with 14 minutes of content that I’m guaranteed is going to make you feel a certain way! There is one song, ‘MANDOLEAN,’ that features MC D-Dol, but besides that, it’s all production only! 

Right off the bat, on my initial thoughts. The sounds on this record reminded me of the musical act ‘Forest Swords.’ It has that same level of ambience, atmosphere, and surreal execution of sounds, elements, and overall tone that shifts your mind and soul into a whole new dimension!

These beats are beyond ‘Hip Hop.’ It takes you into a new realm of mythical perspectives and grand tales that you wouldn’t get otherwise. This whole record feels like 14 minutes of a spiritual exploration that travels through your whole body and brain and captures you right until the record is over.

Even with that one song with the MC on it, it doesn’t break focus at all! This is one constant notion, one that is the sonic equivalent of taking a healing excursion to go pray with some Buddhist monks inside a holy temple to unleash your inner chakra. It’s truly that intense!

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what Demetri does on this project without hearing it firsthand, but he incorporates the most elegant and methodical designs and approaches you could possibly imagine to create this sonic landscape that straight up just gives you goosebumps!

I would have to say the only song that really feels like a ‘Hip Hop’ song is the outro track ‘ZAYS OUTRO’ that feels more like a ‘Samurai Champloo’ take rather than a grand spiritual experience, but besides that, every other track is a clutch on your life force, and again, the only thing I can compare it to is ‘Forest Swords’

So. So, if you’re ready to open up your body, mind, and soul to a music world composed to godly levels of creativity, then tune in and watch as your perspective on life shifts! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5krnEioyBJ1yoyjDBsyRGV?si=2Rn0BoNXTUGk59fu3DwhJw