(Jester’s Laboratory)

We are BACK! To talk about an artist I only recently discovered first as part of a huge collaboration effort, then rocking his own duo effort (alongside a variety of other names), and now to cover him on the production side of things, letting the other MC’s do the talking! Such a diverse individual, and once I can’t seem to take my eyes off him, so let’s go!

This is the late August release by (this time around) Producer Jester Exodus and features the likes of 

-Sam R I

-Gamblez Tha Lucky Bastard

-Taiyamo Deku

-Akua The God

-Zodeak

-Mista Doesha

-Pestilence 

-XtraComplx

-Saunt Tango

-LOZEE

-Space Kase

-Clif

An even bigger roster than the last project of his I covered, and with these powerhouse names, you know this is bound to be a heavy-handed and extraordinary record with big sounds and even bigger verses!

First of all, I want to give a big shoutout to Jester for that incredible intro! Inspired by Dexter’s Laboratory! That is insane! It developed the perfect sequence into what would end up being a banger instrumental that feels like a thrilling travel into the mastermind that is Jester!

You’ve got elements such as sci-fi, mystery, and cinematic power that have such a profound effect on the atmosphere of the record! 

As the album continues, we get into a more colourful and engaging mix of underground boom

bap, street-tier hip-hop, and cinematic/classical sonic structures that make for a powerhouse listen! 

Apart from that incredible intro, we have tracks like the second track -So Proper, that consists of those larger-than-life/deep chord progression loops, accompanied by those heavy drums, and what sounds like distorted/manipulated organ notes that have a haunting effect to them! 

Not to mention, Sam R I who absolutely nailed his verse!

We can take a look at the track – The Last Straw featuring my main man – Gamblez Tha Lucky Bastard as this song provides one of the grittiest instrumentals across the whole album! You’ve got those Arabic/eastern reminiscent chord progressions that make me think of ‘The Mummy’ on top of that we have those heavy-handed drum patterns and ridiculous bass that is so thick and sharp that it feels like it’s piercing through the headphones! 

And do we even need to talk about Gamblez? This man WENT OFF! His aggressive take on the bars was as tough as ever! 

The track – Master Addition was also a rather dope track! It’s got a cinematic flavour to it that can’t be denied! Those plucked strings, sharp synth chords, surreal drums and acoustic keys! This has that ‘James Bond’ attachment to it that is equal parts raw and mysterious!

This was the first time I heard of -LOZEE but he absolutely annihilated his verse and kept the energy alive! 

What I find impressive is the fact that Jester found the right amount of players who have their own distinctive sounds, characteristics and personalities to stand out on these incredibly instrumentals!

Nothing worse than having a list of names that not only sound exactly like the one before but have no standout features that ruin the experience entirely. But not on this one! Each man carries their own song and makes for a collection of memorable singles that have a faint influence of Dexter’s Laboratory attached to it (which is dope as fuck)

If you’re looking for a fun, creative and aura-filled album then THIS IS FOR YOU! The Jester ain’t playing on this one! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2UEKNVc7njzKxXfZ4c6wnx?si=ffIwgWBqQMm0N2RSu_Yv_Q

(Long Overdue)

For me, it’s definitely LONG OVERDUE to dive deep into this circle. After covering that massive volume of music between God Division & Twoface Media, I was left with a lot of names to explore and keep an eye on, and in this case, we are starting with Space Kase! So, without any more teasing, let’s get into it! 

This is the November release by MC Space Kase and producer Restless M.I.N.D., and together they dropped a solid 14 tracks with the likes of: 

-Gamblez Tha Lucky Bastard 

-XtraComplx

-A13

-DJ Droppa

-Zak Tovin

-Zodeak

-Lobotomized Geniuses 

-Pestilence 

And with this incredible roster behind them, this duo unleashes a raw and explosive attack on the underground scene that is sure to turn heads all across the culture!

Firstly, we gotta discuss the production aspect because fuck does it go TOUGH! We’ve got a whole range of boom-bap-inspired variants, each sharper and stronger than the last! This is 46 minutes of absolute carnage and madness in the purest form possible!

You’ve got songs such as -Wrath Of Titans, which has these groovy classic violin strings that are accompanied by those hypnotic drum beats and thick bass so deep that I was forced to mean-mug my room and move my head in a rhythm pattern! 

There’s tracks like -It’s Been A Long Time’, which has this smooth atmosphere, with those manipulated chords at the start that evolve into a combination of late 80’s style scratches, chipmunk vocal harmonies, minimal drum beats, and more distorted strings that have a ‘Conductor Williams’ inspiration behind them! 

Even if you look at the track -How I’m Feeling, which has a more introspective pace to it compared to the others! You’ve got those funky & groovy bass strings, those intricate and glossy piano keys, as well as those plucked keys and very subtle drums that draw the whole track in!

Although those are only three, those are the trio that stood out to me, but don’t get it twisted, this whole project has a wide spectrum of sounds and influences that celebrate all the underground’s top elements and are done in the most masterful way! 

Speaking of ‘masterful way’, we have Space. Who was one to impress me on that massive Vol album, and now to hear him take control and drive the record forward is a treat and a half! He’s an exceptional MC who features undeniable charisma, ruthless lyrical abilities, as well as a flow so in your face and rugged that it feels like you’re listening to your local thug standing on the street corner! Although one who has street poetry for days!

Across this project, we hear this man emphasise his pen game, his incredible knowledge of the game, and his focus on the fundamentals of the rap game, from knowing when and where to drop a bar to breathing control, pacing, and everything in between! 

He’s a man who lets his rigid eccentricity help him lead the record as the frontman and set the overall atmosphere of the record and prove that he can run this shit solo if he has to! 

I love the features across this tape as well. Every man in their own way, style, and cadence brings something new and exciting to the album without just being there for feature sake (which is always the worst when it comes on). Either bring people on for their talents or leave them at home! You don’t need a fucking clique per song just because!

But regardless, this album is done with taste and experience! Hiring only the most proficient names in the industry and utilising them for their talents and skills alone! 

Not to mention how incredible their chemistry is on each song!

As I came to expect, this is one of the dopest albums I’ve heard in a minute! Big shoutout to everyone involved for the contributions! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1zcRwmG7sqMLi6Efe4C53a?si=K51CSOnBS8Kbo3467WNwIA

(12 FOR 12)

That intro was one of the most heartfelt things I’ve heard, period. Because this man did what he dreamed of! Making 12 fucking albums in one year! Not just throwaway joints either, 12 full-length, quality records that stood their own amongst the other releases dropped! In honour of such dedication and grind, we have 

P-Ro 12 For 12

As stated, this is the December and Twelve release by MC P-Ro! This man has broken the mould for what should be possible for a MC in today’s era and is pushing the boundaries for everyone else to benefit from! 

This album has production from none other than P-Ro himself! On top of that, we have features from the likes of brothers

-G Fam Black

-OGBenGrimm

-New Villain

And this thing is absolutely incredible. This feels less like a hip-hop album and more of a celebration of hard-earned catalog! This feels like P-Ro reaching the finish line after 11 former albums month after month.

I love how throughout the album you have voice snippets and recordings of his journey, the people around him, and only his closest brothers accompanying him on his final drop! 

The production this time around feels more mellow and relaxed in comparison. When you have the feelings of victory and success that he has right now, it’s only natural he’d resort to more smooth and rhythmic beats and instrumentals to match how he feels right now!

You’ve got tracks with delicate strings, intricate piano keys, light bass, and funky drums. This feels like the template for flexing, the type of music you play when you’ve earned your rest! But don’t get it twisted.

Just because this one is more on the softer side (sonically) doesn’t take away from the cinematic experience or the grind in his voice or attitude! He’s still spitting as if this was his first album, he’s still laying down spectacular bars and rhyme schemes that could put 90% of the game to shame! 

I was sitting here listening to this record, just smiling, knowing I was right there with him throughout the year! Hearing those past recordings, the crew that was with him from the start, who would have pushed him to remain on his path and give him the moral support he needed!

I also love how each track is a callback to each of the albums he’s dropped! Doesn’t that prove how ridiculous he is? EVEN IN THE FINISH LINE, he’s still this creative! Absolutely awe-inspiring! He’s never relaxed a day in his life, and he’s still wanting to give us this level of creativity and originality! Phenomenal!

Of course, there should be no question regarding the features. They haven’t missed once all year, and they didn’t start now! The brothers help celebrate the project and bring the same level of excitement they’ve been bringing all year! 

I’m half expecting P-Ro to give us all a middle finger to the system and drop a surprise drop before the end of the year! But as things stand, let’s all take time to celebrate the incredible achievement of 12 in 12! The album and the physical act of it! Shoutout to you, P-Ro! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1aV7PUTTAY2C94q4WfAMOt?si=890XcDjBS4eCjCGTk6mvWg

(Words Of War)

Sometimes, you listen to an artist and think to yourself, “ There is undoubtedly going to be a bigger picture, a larger impact not yet discovered or achieved, and you sit there patiently waiting for that said ascension to come.”

THIS IS THAT DAY. After many reviews, keeping a close eye, I find that this man has found his magnum opus, the perfect project for him to utilise his full capacity, and nothing has got me more excited! Let’s fucking go!

This is the brand-new album by MC’s Here$ Johnny & Rock One with WILDERNESS and Chief Rocks on the production, and across this 15-track album, this is (as far as I’m concerned) the PERFECT levels of intensity and cinematics for Johnny to go off on!

I’ve always felt that he’s sort of been the audio equivalent of a ‘rebel without a cause’, a man making dope music with intense energy and performance but never really channeling it anyway, specifically! Just a bundle of chaos going aimlessly track to track.

But THIS is where we see his skills and ability taken to new heights, and his aggressive approach pay off 10x fold, and I can’t get enough of it!

Across this tape, we hear him and Rocks One combine their skills and deliver some of the most compelling back-and-forth verses we’ve heard in a minute! For real, this sounds like some Red and Meth type shit (but infinitely more ruthless). These two men have the same ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude and outspoken behaviour, and when they spit their bars, no one is safe.

Like the start of the tape where Johnny cusses out everyone and all the government officials around the world! That’s a statement of war and rebellion, and who better to take that shot than them?

I found their back-and-forth so fucking infectious. It’s like listening to a verbal riot! They use their unique MC skills to create a Hip Hop Mulisha that’s every bit as powerful and restless as you could ever hope for! 

These two have such phenomenal chemistry and synchronicity that they feel like brothers sharing the same mind, and even if you’re not politically motivated or concerned, you’d be lying to yourself if you listen to this tape and feel nothing!

Of course, Here$ Johnny is dope enough as a solo MC, but to see him go off as part of a solid duo amplifies all his strengths and potential to incredible success and makes him stand out as a threat in the underground, one with possibly endless untapped opportunities that could take him higher than any glass ceiling! Super impressed with his work and Rocks!

As far as the production is concerned. Both WILDERNESS and Chief Rocks do a fantastic job at creating that destructive, violent, and dangerous atmosphere for the MC’s convictions to pair against!

I’m talking super dark and atmospheric, sharp production, surreal instrumentation, and an overall uneasy military cue vibe that never lets you feel safe throughout the whole listen!

This whole record sounds like an army marching through your town, those larger-than-life sounds, those grand horns! The use of the heavy bass, methodical drums, and strings.

You’ve got army snippets such as on the track ‘SEEN: Interlude’ where we hear an army general talking to another ranked officer about commands and obedience! 

It’s just such a powerful addition to the record, that reinforces the whole ‘military’ concept as if you’re standing there on the edge of your city watching the soldiers marching through with nothing but uncertainty and fear as your companions.

It’s impossible for me to choose a favourite track because this album feels like a fluent score meant to be consumed and composed as one listen, not picked apart and broken. Sort of like a special, extremist hypno tape! Meant to break down, manipulate, and re make the mind of the listener! The modern-day MK ULTRA variant!

You honestly couldn’t find a better group of artists to create such a surreal project as these men. For what it is, it’s absolutely perfect. From the intense performances to the outrageous production. If you have any thoughts of sleeping on this, slap yourself and choose the CORRECT path! Listen below! 

https://youtu.be/T97lx20LvTc?si=imznfUjUp_zm0ZPo

(GodFace, Vol. 1)

We are about to take a turn for one of the BIGGEST collaborative efforts I’ve seen all year! We are talking about a massive handful of names that come together under one vision, total domination, and believe you me, I won’t be the one to tell them no! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new collaboration effort between God Divison and Twoface Media, which features the MC’s 

-(God Divison Crew) 

-Dtaylz The Profit

-Gamblez Tha Lucky Bastard

-Skull Bludgeon

-Hectik The Latin Assassin

-ERB

-Akua The God (Producer)

-Hanzo Bladez (Producer)

-The Gloomy Sailor (Producer)

-Knownaz EVIL (Producer/MC)

(Two face Media Crew)

-Space Kase AKA Jester Exodus (Producer/MC)

-Pestilence

-Nate Nasty

-I B Bumpin

And Cut’s from Tone Spliff!

And this record is borderline overwhelming with its names to keep up with as they try to set the stage in the most explosive way possible! I’ll be honest, I’m not normally a big fan of super-loaded collective records, but this one is the exception as it’s so fucking raw and heavy that it’s impossible to ignore!

Let’s start with the production side of things. As stated above, there’s a handful of beat makers working to make this record vibe as fluently as possible, and I’d say they do a solid job at that! Each track is original but not too much to the point of standing out from the rest! There’s a singular vision each man is trying to accomplish, and in that void of creativity, I feel they all win!

In my opinion, there are three standout beats! And they go as follows:

Firstly, there’s the track -Burning Flamez. I loved this track for its combination of old-school and modern-day elements!

You’ve got those classic piano chords that start the track off in those groovy looped melodies that later evolve into a more present production with those heavy drum patterns and harsh, modified violin arrangements that sound violent in nature! There’s also some light synth chords put through the song that make it all come together as a controlled chaotic rhythm that I found obsessed with!

There’s the song – Neckbreakerz. I found this song interesting mainly for all the different elements this song possesses!

For example, the intro to the track has this interesting glistening/spacey ring tone sound vibe to it that hooked me instantly! But as the song progresses, that goes away and is replaced with a more modern-day hip-hop beat with those looped plucked notes, light bass, and hypnotic drum patterns that all come together in this infectious melody! 

Not to mention the amazing 90’s style cuts this song has! 

The final track I loved was the intro track -Crazy 8’s. This is the perfect interlude to this record! You’ve got those haunting piano keys that make you feel like you’re in Count Dracula’s castle! As well as those skeletal drum patterns and very subtle bass that creeps up on you ready to strike!

Although rather minimal in layers, this has an eerie feeling to it, that I can’t shake or have enough of! Definitely a dope intro track!

As far as the MC’s goes. It’s a who’s who of names that all devastate the beats! The only names I was familiar with before this were my main men -Dtaylz and Gamblez! The rest were completely new to me, but each man brought their own flavour, energy, characteristics, and taste to the tracks to provide an enjoyable and entertaining performance across the board!

Each song has multiple names on it, which adds levels of depth and no doubt brotherly competition between the collective! That primal conviction that you should be the best out of the rest, and I have no doubt that they had this mentality across this tape!

While listening to this record, I just found myself laying back and just enjoying each name owning their own specific verses and each man elevating each other song to song!

It ain’t easy to process and manage so many artists in one place, but I feel this was as organised as it could be! Never a boring feature, never an awkward verse that ruins the vibe or atmosphere of the others, rather endless quality verses back to back that maintain the momentum and showcase the very best of what a collective project can be when done right! 

Again, although this type of records aren’t my favourite, I gotta give these guys the biggest shoutout for making something so complicated end up being as smooth as butter and make for one of the most entertaining listens all year! Go check it out now! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/33DT35CDvQzF7buRQ0zU3k?si=Qce5AvmkRUepg0WX2BhR6A

(HAT TRICK II)

Are we in for a treat or what! Today is a special day because we have a duo that consists of two of the most original artists in the underground as we speak!

I’ve covered both these men separately and to find out they are working together made me happier then I could admit! So let’s fucking talk about it!

This is the brand new EP by the Duo of Producer Deevo The Genius & MC/Singer svmbv and together they made ‘DANUEDITION’ and they come through with a 5 track extravaganza that is a perfect combination of groovy, charismatic and beautiful! This shit is my kind of bag!

Across these songs, we get these instrumentals that feel less like individual songs but one 12 minute fluent experience that takes over the senses! This production consists of elements such as

-RnB

-Soul

-Funk

-Hip Hop

-Jazz and I Can’t stress enough how gorgeously the music was handled. This is beyond next level shit! This is next generation music! It feels like Devo is always 100 steps ahead of the rest, he’s a man who’s never contained into a box. He’s the man who makes the blueprint for the producing of boxes for the rest of the world to be trapped in while he stands on top of the world, free as a bird!

It’s ridiculous to me that he makes RnB/Alt RnB instrumentals that sound better than the million dollar producers people like The Weeknd, Chris Brown, 6LACK uses! 

His music (no matter the genre) always is full of flavour, lively soul and colorful melodies and rhythms that feel like they come alive with every listen and jump into your brain and give you goosebumps! 

I’m not joking. I’ve reviewed a handful of his work this year and each new release sounds better than the last! The mainstream should be BEGGING him for instrumentals. With this one 12 minute EP he brought life back to the dying mainstream sound and elevated it, lifted it up and presented a sound that reminds me of the classic 90’s/2000’s era standards! 

I can’t believe how crisp, smooth and clean these beats are. I swear he’s a fucking alien. 

Speaking of possible aliens, we have svmbv. This man just like Deevo has somehow being tasked with bringing life back into the mainstream dominated sound of RnB and he again does a 1000x better job then any of your mainstream favourites.

In this 12 minute presentation he showcases a sound that the rest of the millionaire label artists should be studying! 

See, a lot of people blame stuff like ‘auto tune’ for the downgrade of RnB/Alt RnB/Pop whatever. But that’s bullshit. Prime T-pain used it and made some of the best music of the 2000’s! And on this record he uses auto tune but does it in a tasteful way to combine that tool with his own melodic voice to create a smooth fusion between the two that combines with the production ever so beautifully!

What I love about this man’s performances is the level of emotion in his voice. If I’m being honest he kind of reminds me of the male equivalent of ‘Summer Walker’ in the way he’s able to draw out captivating imagery and thoughts with his emotions!

He can bring out happiness, sadness, tragedy, success, pain and everything in between! Each song has a different tune and meaning and compared to what the mainstream offers that’s not an easy thing to!

He sounds like a man in his own head, his own world in the studio! He sounds like he’s letting his various thoughts out as if he’s letting his mental do the speaking for him utilising his various moods into the music and that can be felt!

This EP in one word is incredible. It’s got divine production and ridiculous vocal performances that become more and more infectious the more you listen! Don’t believe me? Go check it out now! 

Shoutout to -Yanna G for the feature!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2wuDk9aLAaqHTim6ZYsi3L?si=0iHUB0ksTYKQRHhqMm9ZkQ

(Willy & Sal)

Well, this is a pleasant surprise! A reunion of epic proportions! These two men made waves a few months ago, and now they’re back to capture the lightning in a bottle twice, and if anyone can do it, it’s these boys! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new EP by MC’s Sabio Dub and Malhee, with Malhee doing the production as well! We have five dope songs, ten minutes of content, and this album fuses sunshine energy with gritty drug references in one of the most interesting mash-ups I’ve heard yet!

Across this EP, we hear that trademark smooth, soulful, and beautiful instrumentals that I’d expect Sabio to be part of! I’m talking about those plucked guitar strings, subtle bass, jazz-style drums, delicate vocal loops, and intricate piano keys that all come together for an atmosphere of relaxation and warmth!

But as I said before, they are mixing that sound with talk and vocal snippets of drugs, crime, and overlords! These five tracks feel like what Pablo Escobar’s soundtrack would be if he requested one! Something he’d play while chilling in his illegal zoo with cash all around him in his prime!

The music is so fluid that it’s impossible (for me at least) to choose a favourite track, rather get mesmerised by the sheer depth and substance of the production itself. From start to finish, this project had me feeling goosebumps! I was lying back, eyes closed, and letting my imagination run wild as the vivid sonic imagery took over, and I felt myself drifting off, just enjoying the vibe! 

As far as the MC work goes. Of course, I was expecting nothing but smooth greatness, and that’s what these two delivered! They’ve already provided proof of their chemistry, and on this project, they just upgraded and evolved their synchronicity to a whole new level.

They actually bring two different energies to the tracks but still match each other’s aura and passion! Of course, you’ve got Sabio, the reigning king of ‘Sunshine Rap’ with his forever unbothered, relaxed takes on bars. Always sounding like he’s sitting next to an ocean in Hawaii, writing his raps with no worry in the world! 

He’s always calm, cool, and collected, and brings that ‘reggae’ energy to the room!

Malhee, on the other hand, has a bit more of a punch to his bars, more conviction and authority to his voice and bars that forces you to pay attention to what he has to say! He brings a more no-nonsense approach, and that’s what provides an almost (yin and yang) feel to the record without it going too far to either side! As I said, both men still share the singular vision of what the EP should sound like and execute it phenomenally while also including their own characteristics and cadences to the tracks!

Another solid EP from the fellas! Beautiful production and lively performance. For only 10 minutes of content, what more can you want? Tune in below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0biUFG65UFfRJ4n25YlySt?si=vz6Ql_CTQ_W6hq4SyS7ghw

(AGAMEMNON CONTINGENCY)

If that ain’t the most dope intro of the year, then I don’t know what is! Any release by this man gets me hyped. Why? Because he has such a unique talent and creative mind that he makes all his drops feel like a comic book come to life and fused with hip-hop, and that is right up my alley, and so in saying that, let’s go talk about this new one!

This is the brand-new EP by one of the underground’s brightest minds, Wulverine! A producer I’ve been fucking with since close to the start of this year, and he’s only been improving me further and further! Across this tape, he has the names: 

– Action Figure 973

– twogeebs

– The Rebel Sky

– Heartbreak Julio

– Figerson

– EricTheRed13

First thing I love is how with every track, we hear a different contingency plan! Making it sound like each feature is a villain who got leaked access to the plans to take out each member of the Justice League! Such a dope concept and way to edit that in!

Across this EP, we hear Wulverine incorporate his trademark cinematic and theatrical takes on hip-hop beats. A few that stood out to me were as follows! 

– 28-14. On this track, we have this orchestral production with powerful violin strings that sound like they’ve been manipulated and tweaked only to a certain extent! And some elegant piano keys that give the track its surreal texture, a true villainous soundtrack! 

With the intro being the contingency plan for ‘Green Lantern’, we have The Rebel Sky being the one to lay the smack down on the Lantern Core! Very well done track.

Track – LAST SUN (which is the contingency for Superman), and on this one, we hear a more haunting instrumental. With these high-strung synth chords accompanied by some sci-fi-style keyboard keys and minimal heavy drums that come together for this truly evil score that is perfect standing for Action Figure 973 to come through and absolutely destroy Clark with his verbal kryptonite that Ka-El couldn’t hope to handle, Hope or otherwise! 

Another one -OLYMPUS is one of the most soulful tracks on the whole EP. Unfortunately, no contingency intro, but put towards the outro! But it’s obviously about Diana ‘Wonder Woman’ and this track features these gorgeous vocal harmonies and light drums and mesmerising synth chords running through

the track!

In this beautifully crafted track, we have Heartbreak Julio which delivers a rather expert but tragic verse talking about the handling of Wonder Woman!

Man, for real though, with every song and feature on here, this has to be one of the most creative and interesting concepts for an EP I’ve heard all year! Legit, everyone on here killed it, they all put together incredible performances and verses related to their specific hero to kill and the way they all played into the roles was phenomenal! Can’t believe I got to live long enough to see Action Figure turn Heel! 

Man, shoutout to all the features involved and for Wolverine once again coming through with that creative genius on the production! Make sure you go support the man! $7 ain’t SHIT and I don’t wanna hear any excuses, go buy, support, and listen NOW! 

https://wulverine.bandcamp.com/album/agamemnon-contingency

(Bronze Dinner PL8)

This time around, this is a combination of discovering a new artist and re visiting an artist I’m well established with, which causes an exciting experience of discovery and expectations that I fuck with heavily. In saying that, let’s get to the album!

This is the brand-new album by MC S-18 and produced by my main man Kheyzine! They lay out a fresh 13 tracks with the likes of

– BLACK PRINCE

– V-12

– NONCHALANTLY ZAY

A whole collection of features that are also new to me, which means I’m bound to experience something unique and fresh! I want to quickly shout out that intro track. I loved it because it started with acknowledging everyone that is part of the album, from the features to who made the artwork! Not many do that, and so I appreciated hearing that!

I want to discuss S-18 first as he’s the part I haven’t heard of yet. In my experience listening to this record, I found he has a rather raw and heavy presence when he raps. He sounds like a man with solid conviction and authenticity within himself! 

It’s like, you know when you meet someone or hear someone who has proper morals? A man who isn’t sold out or bought. A man who stands on his own two feet and doesn’t break no matter what is put in front of him?

Well, this is the vibe I’m getting from this man! He sounds solid, he has the cadence and vibe of someone who stands on his own principles and discipline to get everything he wants and has, and that type of energy takes over this record!

His rhymes on here are more methodical than most! He takes time to deliver each line to make them felt! Every word feels like a bar of gold, and he makes them shine as such! A smooth and calculated flow combined with his verbal slaughtering and impressive vocabulary, which he uses to make the best possible verses possible! 

The features he decided to bring on this record (considering this is the first time I’ve heard them) lay their verses down HARD and provided the perfect chemistry to S and actually elevate the record instead of just being there for ‘feature sake’. 

Speaking of Kheyzine now. This is a man who has quietly yet surely been building a formidable production discography in 2025, one that might be overlooked by many lists but one I’ve definitely been paying attention to!

What makes him such a deadly threat in the industry is how he’s able to use any kind of influence and genre and utilise it to create a banger! 

He doesn’t have a ceiling of what kind of music he can or can’t work with. He’s a music thesaurus with every single kind of genre in his head to use at any given moment, and that’s what makes him so ridiculously talented! 

Let’s just look at some of these tracks! First of all, we have the track -Someday, Somehow’, which has this funkadelic type vocal performance on the chorus with what sounds like a prime RZA example beat!

Those looped intricate piano keys and drums! One of those minimal type productions that sink into the audience’s soul and body! 

THEN ON THE VERY NEXT TRACK, we have -Bronze Dinner Pl8, which has a completely different vibe with these classical orchestra vocal cords on loop accompanied by some grand horns and light, methodical drums! This sounds like a theatrical interlude then a track, but it’s still absolutely epic!

Or we can even look at the track -Fork Change, which has this 90’s East Coast flavour to it. You’ve got those heavy piano keys on that loop with two different octaves!

On top of that, you have a second piano pattern in the background as well as some light taps to give an extra level of depth to an already minimal track!

My point being is that ONCE AGAIN, Kheyzine proves he can utilise any kind of sound, influence, and inspiration to create magic, and alongside a super dope MC as S-18, he created another banger! 

Make sure you go check it out below!

https://open.spotify.com/album/7na2XYSdpM8AEjrpsnAeWU?si=Qs-tvYcPT2C5oLfyqhc_ew

(LUFTHANSA HEIST)

This is literally the combination of everything I love. It’s not enough that these artists have made some of the most captivating music in the industry, but the fact that they are collaborating AND using Goodfellas as a source for concept is absolutely ridiculous. Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new powerhouse release between MC BlueHillBill and Producer Vinyl Villain with 20 tracks, 46 minutes, and the likes of

– Kil The Artist

– Eastside Sheesh

– Chyna Baejing

– Borirock

– Reek Osama

– THEHIDDENCHARACTER

– Al Divino

And with that killer roster, it’s impossible to inspect this record to be anything but phenomenal!  

The one thing I want to emphasise is that Goodfellas is one of my favourite movies of all time, and Martin Scorsese is my favourite director! So when I heard that this album is infused with snippets from the film, that automatically gave me goosebumps! 

On this tape, we hear Vinyl create what is possibly his best production of the year (since LORD OF THE ZINGZ) as he’s gone back to his cinematic and theatrical instrumentals that feel like a gritty score that you’d hear from a classic mafia film.

If Casino met Boom Bap and flooded with Goodfellas quotes, that’s what this record would represent.

Throughout the tape, we hear the songs either start or end with mainly Henry Hill movie quotes. One part I really loved was at the end of ‘God’s Gift’ where we hear the scene of Jimmy Conway introducing Henry to Tommy, and then the song ‘Crack Stems’ starts featuring Kil The Artist, which I found so dope that’s like introducing our sonic Tommy! 

Apart from the film references, the instrumentation is mysterious and mesmerising! Vinyl unlocks a new capacity for boom bap, pushing the genre into its most riveting and climatic stages with memorable and hypnotic songs that work as a fluent motion across 20 solid tracks! 

If I had to choose my favourite tracks, it would have to be -God’s Wrath, which has this beautiful classical orchestra intro that evolves into this absolutely muddy beat with heavy bass notes, high-pitched piano keys, and some light violins that create such a devastating atmosphere that I couldn’t stop listening to!

Not to mention the feature of REEK OSAMA, who was in his element with a beat like this! You couldn’t ask for better chemistry! 

Another track I loved was -Static! This song stood out because of its supervillain-type beat. You’ve got those haunting piano keys, groovy drum patterns, and some ambient feel notes in the background that provide an almost evil ASMR vibe to the song!

Who better but AL DIVINO to be the one to utilise this controlled chaos of an instrumental! His freelance, splash style fits perfectly on this song!

Even that intro track ‘Presidential Pressure’ has a beautifully harmonic vibe to it. You’ve got

those smooth violin strings as well as those groovy electric guitar notes and super subtle bass that all come together in a melodic effect that couldn’t possibly suit Bluehill better! 

Speaking of the man. For those who haven’t been tuned into his 2025 run, this man hasn’t dropped the ball all year! Back-to-back 5x, he’s outperformed and outdone everyone in the game while working with all the who’s who of producers and MC’s in the game! 

-Al Divino

-Grubby Pawz

-Deevo The Genius

-E_BUDDHA 

Among others and now the iconic Vinyl Villain, who himself has worked with the who’s who in the company! So when they come together, the magic was instant!

Once again, Bluehillbill provides the grooviest bars in the culture! As a trademark, he effortlessly cuts through the beats with his distinct, high-pitched vocals, making him stand out immediately! His flawless flow rings to the ears of the listener as if he’s never had a normal sentence in his life, only rhythmic and melodic! 

Undoubtedly the Slick Rick of the underground, he’s a man who can manipulate any beat to his liking and turn it into pure gold! 

Also the main character energy he provides on this album goes perfectly hand to hand with the Goodfellas narrative pushed in the music. He’s the Sammy Davis to Vinyl’s Sinatra. The modern day Rat Pack, and you best believe no snitching coming from either of them! They ain’t doing the industry like Henry!

This album features a crew even stronger than the wise guys back in the day. With the roster listed above and the chemistry they held together they run smoother then the sopranos and more effective then most mainstream labels in brotherhood, skill and dominance!

If this is the last album effort by both men then these two runs deserve celebration. Ending on a high note that can’t be tamed, while they (and company) go on to reach even new heights in the coming years 

For me, there’s no action. I have to wait around like everyone else. Can’t even get decent food, right after I got home I ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce and I got egg noodles and ketchup. I’m just an average nobody I get to live the rest of the year like a schmunk!