(BIOSHOCK)

a new single alert! This time we have a handful of artists that I didn’t expect to be on the same cut together, but now that I’ve heard it, I can’t unhear it! This has the potential to be a future supergroup! But in the meantime, let’s cover this BANGING TRACK!

This is the brand-new effort by MC Kid Bizarre with none other than my main man Dev Rogers on the production and featuring Ray Brown and G Rayes on the mix! A truly fatal fourway in every sense of the word, and they rock it just as strong! 

Let’s start with the MC work! All three men gave us a solid demonstration of what makes a solid verse. It’s something we take for granted nowadays, but on this one, what makes it so special is the fact there are three distinct parts that are different from one another! Three solid verses that have their own feel, sharpness, precision, verbal expression, and quality to them.

I hate when I hear a feature track and it’s just the same energy over and over again. May as well be a handful of clones and a producer.

But thankfully, that’s not the case here! It’s three genuinely talented MC’s coming together to create an atmosphere that’s solid, true to the culture, and ever so infectious to hear! Definitely shoutout to all three involved; they all killed it!

As far as the production goes, I don’t think you’ll ever find me say a bad word about this man’s work (not because I’m biased) but because he’s just that fucking good! Every single album I’ve heard him on, he’s absolutely killed it, and this time is no exception!

Across this track, we hear these angelic, long, and elevated piano keys that have this spacey/jazz vibe to them! These are combined with these subtle and minimalist drum patterns and this synth chord progression that stays in rotation in the background.

This track itself only has a few layers to it, and yet they don’t miss. It has this level of detail and depth that only a master like Dev can accomplish. The kind of beat that reminds me of Milo in his early career! It’s lo-fi inspired and absolutely hypnotic!

If you want to hear a dope single, you can start here! Each man puts their best foot forward, and it shows. But don’t take my word for it; listen below for yourself! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/41OXpXv6oMaZBijTFHInfG?si=zN3brHx6SKKKAgYheFuj1g

(Chakras)

As I sit here on my work lunch break, I think to myself how grateful I am to be in a situation where I’m discovering so many new talents day to day. My horizon continues to expand, and today that’s in regards to these two men who absolutely kill their craft and make me realise just how goated the underground really is! So let’s talk about it.

This is the brand-new EP by MC Leo Laru$$o and Producer Stoic, and together they drop this three-track EP that has more heart and soul into it than most full-lengths. With contributions from

-Deyana Janae

-Hxrley Danielle

-Sincere Silk

-Tony Spitz

-Kid Bizarre 

-JUL

And I can’t even front I was not expecting this level of excitement in this EP. I wouldn’t say it’s hard to impress me, but you get to a certain position after over 1k reviews where you feel you’ve heard everything before. But this EP has flipped that all on its head and pumped life and creativity into the heart of the culture!

Let’s talk about that first track! This is probably my favourite track on the whole EP. The first thought I had was this reminds me of prime 2000’s Snoop Dogg back when he had that untouchable back-to-back era of soulful, lively cuts such as

-Beautiful

-Perfect

-Signs etc

I felt that same level of charisma on this one! You’ve got those angelic vocal harmonies by Deyana who honestly has showcased the best song vocals I’ve heard all year! The way she carries the song all the way from the start, middle, and even helps shift the last parts to the end of the song, man, I could listen to her for hours!

There’s a separate vocal choir style layer that loops throughout the track accompanied by some luscious keys and deep bass with some light drums!

On the second track, we have -Privacy which shows a more melodic and harmonious vibe with those gorgeous delicate piano keys accompanied by some slick plucked bass strings and rhythmic drum patterns!

There’s also some more vocal harmonies that loop subtly throughout the track! A more minimal track compared to the first but equally as vibrant!

On the third track -Abundant we hear the crew go off in this mix of experimental x soul. Think early Odd Future era Frank Ocean type beats! It’s spacey and engulfing in your mind. You’ve got those infectious strings and heavy drums! And those vocals remind me of that Odd Future influence which I fucking love because that was my shit back in the day so I admire the homage paid (even if not done directly)

I also love JUL’s singing on this track, absolutely NAILED THE VOCALS! 

When we discuss the vocal contributions, that’s another aspect that shines bright because Leo and the other names involved all have so much passion, heart and charisma that it leaks out all over the EP and you can’t help but be caught in it’s appeal!

He’s not just rapping, he’s manifesting his vivid imagination and story telling on these three songs! 

He’s the type of guy who could literally bring art to life with his voice. I love his sharp yet witty performances, his nack for personality and colourful expressions! I can’t really describe it properly without you hearing it yourself but he has this vibrancy about him that just makes you want to support and listen to whatever he has to say! Not many artists have that and he’s definitely one of them!

Another aspect I love which I feel alot of people will miss is that it seems he’s not focused on taking centre stage and he lets everyone on the team have their moments and shine. It feels like everyone from the singers to the other MC’s have just as much spotlight as he does and that level of selfishness is fucking rare! 

Even on other albums where there are features it still feels like the main MC’s album. On this one it feels like a team effort and man that is so fucking awesome! Literally Odd Future energy! You don’t understand how much I love that!

In saying that on the second track, the opening verse by Hxrley SHE KILLED IT! And then the rest effortlessly follow! This cypher style track doesn’t feel forced it feels naturally crafted, the spirit is high on that one!

Man, if you’re gonna listen to ANY EP this year I really hope it’s this one. Because it’s fucking out of this world. You have to hear it to believe it! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/44vvUysYGT7JwzLV5t7jdG?si=CsAS5lNWSCqXXBV5z06OBQ

(All Things Considered..)

You know, if you had told me a year ago that I’d be getting a collaboration album between these two, I wouldn’t have believed you! My reason is actually kinda petty. I treat this rap game kinda like wrestling across different brands. When I find out this person knows that person, I’m like ‘WORD? They fuck with each other? That’s so sick!’ Imagining a WWE wrestle teaming with an AEW wrestler! That’s why I’m always so mind blown at various collabs, and this one is at the top of that list! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new album by MC’s B1 The Architect & Young Reese Dude, two men I fuck with heavily! With production from B1 himself, 6th Floor!

I feel like I want to start with the production side of things. I kind of had an idea of how this would sound as I had a hand in reviewing a small handful of the singles leading up, so I understood the raw, gritty yet cinematic approach they were going for, and they nailed the execution perfectly! 

What really stood out to me about the sounds on this one is the fact it’s so down to earth while maintaining an overall theatrically heavy vibe that makes this feel like a thriller film!

You’ve got the instrumentation speaking its own stories and emotion using the various instruments, whether you’re talking about the songs with those gorgeous plucked strings or delicate piano keys, rhythmic drum patterns, synth-style chords, deep bass, I mean you name it, and they use all the key elements you’d expect to hear in the underground and take them to a higher and more elegant level! 

Hell, even on songs like -No Release, they add these haunting and surreal Jazz Horns that make this track feel dangerous in development. 

I feel like the production itself feels just as the artwork is displayed. Dark, apocalyptic, chaotic yet majestic, stunning, and otherworldly! In various ways and tones, these elements come together to create the sonic definition of that artwork, and it’s something you’ll literally have to hear to experience and understand. 

The evolution of B1 has to be studied, man. I can’t lie and say I discovered him since day one because I didn’t. But from the moment I discovered him till now, I’ve seen such an upgrade in his persona, his charisma, his ability to rap and even produce! He’s turned himself into the whole threat, and the culture is better off for it! 

Hell, the same can be said for Young Reese, dude! Just like B1, I discovered him last year, and my taste hasn’t been the same since. His creativity, his amazing performances, and rhyming ability all come together so harmoniously. 

So, it’s no surprise that when these two collide, it becomes nothing short of spectacular. The two of them going back to back, verse after verse, fire after more fire! These two are definitely showing us the best version of themselves, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole time they are trying to outdo the other in some brotherly competition! 

They bring that sharp edge to each bar, they teleport the listener in and out from the vivid imagery raps to the personal and introspective they literally provide it all on this album!

Also, I gotta shoutout E. Smitty for his vocals on the track -Reach For The Stars. It provides a small tonal shift in the album because his singing makes this song feel like a hit single you’d hear on a radio station. He fucking killed it! Definitely a great asset to the album and obviously the track.

Overall, this album exceeded any and all expectations I had for it. It’s clean, crisp, heavy, and powerful all in one with one of the best duos I’ve heard in a minute! Make sure you tap in below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5WB3EBuFePRvjgJqaBHyEe?si=e2tc-e-pRzmtcCaPuuhGUw

(From Whence They Came)

Now, this is a collaboration I wasn’t expecting, but one announcement that has me equally excited. From one of the most intriguing producers in the game to one of the biggest rising rappers in the underground, and together they come strong with a record that will no doubt impress the culture!

This is the latest album drop between MC Xavy Rusan & Producer FVNTVNV, and together they come equipped with seven tracks and 18 minutes of content that I can’t wait to discuss!

I want to start with the production side of things because I’ve never come across an FVN album I haven’t fucked with, and it doesn’t start here. He’s always found a way to craft a theatrically sound and sincerely banging instrumental list that is not only impressive but memorable to the listener! 

Whether you’re talking about the tracks like the intro -Wolf Tickets, where we hear that smooth G-Funk influence beat with those groovy synth chords combined with those plucked strings and wavering chord progressions! I also love how it progresses into this more soulful/funk fusion with some heavy drums and glistening keys! 

I love the track -Panderin In Mandarin (which is not only a dope track name) but has one of my favourite fusions with that heavy Jazz influence! You hear those glorious horns combined with those subtle & lively layered keys and light drum work that makes this track come together into one of the sweetest tracks on the whole album! Fucking fantastic! I also love how the track ends with those piano keys guiding the song off into its conclusion, so beautifully done! 

Hell, we can even discuss the track -The Long Game, which has an equally smooth rhythm and atmospheric vibe with those lo-fi style keys, rhythmic drum beats, and those spacey chord progressions that make this feel like one of those 2010 SoundCloud style songs that just takes you

away to a different dimension!

If we take a look into the MC work, it’s clear why this man has over 100k monthly listeners on Spotify. He’s definitely one of the more compelling artists I’ve heard in a minute. It wouldn’t be easy for just anyone to jump on these incredible beats and make them shine, but Xavy does just that! 

Across these seven tracks, we hear him utilise his smooth and steady rhythm and delivery that goes hand in hand with the atmosphere of the instrumentation. He almost reminded me of -Milo/R.A.P Ferreira in his intricate yet powerful execution of his verses and complex bars. Although he doesn’t go the poetry rap lane, as Milo Xavy showcases his expressive nature, how he puts his emotions on his sleeve and tells vivid mini stories based on his life, how he’s feeling in the moment or the situations around him!

He’s able to combine the realms of groovy and steady energy. Enough so that his flows and penmanship can be acclaimed in the underground but also appreciated in the mainstream and possibly played on radio or in the club! He’s rocking the best of both worlds and doing it ever so effortlessly!

You have no idea how happy I am that this album is featureless! He’s such an enigma on the beats that having one would have just ruined his natural shine and aura he has set up across the album. He’s a one-of-a-kind MC and he’s letting the world know why he’s the one to look out for!

This is easily one of the more compelling albums I’ve heard all year. You don’t hear albums like this much anymore, and with FVNTVNV’s trademark quality on production and Xavy’s strong performances, this one can’t miss! Check it out for yourself below! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5MRVhY8fcJfft5lyBeCdNA?si=DBfvvyJFQ7-ZVA5GV3K0Sw

(Kent 4)

I just finished work and I figured why not. Let’s get another review done before I wind down for the night and what better way to do that then with a new artist! (In fact the two reviews I’ll be doing tonight are both new artists for me) which is always an exciting prospect! So with that in mind let’s take a trip to last year to cover this special album! 

This is the latest album by MC CboiDaSauceGod with Production from the likes of -Starkks -301 Beats and Mixed by -RC Spaced with a total of 14 tracks and 36 minutes of run time.

So, let’s start with the MC side of things. I was quite surprised with his performances, not that I had anything to compare to as this is my first time with him but he and RC had a specific energy to them (in both rapping and singing) that has hand in a variety of different styles and studio cadences that kind of reminds me of a combination of -Chance The Rapper & -Gucci Mane but of course in their own special version of rapping. 

They combined have southern charm to them

the way they spits his bars, the swagger and grit combined creates a unique flow that I found pretty addictive the more I went through the songs.

They have a way with their delivery a form of free lance that I found really fun to listen to because they didn’t stick to a specific lane they just did whatever they felt like from track to track. If either wants that gangsta appeal with their execution they did it! If either wanted a more vibrant and anthem performance routine they did it! If either wanted to add a tad layer of auto tune to give them an almost -Akon radio banger effect they did it!

They don’t really have a rhyme or reason with the verses and that was quite refreshing. The lyricism I found interesting and broad in topics! The penmanship and wordplay was exciting and honest and the unpredictable precision was one the most compelling aspects to the whole project! Definitely the duo was one of a kind in their MC work! 

The production side of things is a whole different beast entirely! Becuase in the same spirit as the performances we have a similarly unpredictable yet entertaining listen with each track bringing out a different reaction and rhythm that I found fun as all hell to listen to! 

Whether you’re talking about the track -Extra Cheese which sounds like OG 2000’s Trap! This shit had me in the mood to hustle on the streets! Made me mean mug my screen! You have those synth style chord progressions, that rhythmic drums those classic trap sounds with a variety of chords that help fill this track out!

We have the track -Aunchy which has a real theatrical vibe to it with the combination of those piano chords and the intro vocal harmonies that has an orchestral vibes that also continues in the background! I love how it proceeds with these thudding drums that knock you in the face! (If I had to choose one thing to nitpick about this song is the random low volume moment you hear at the first quarter of the song) but besides that it’s dope! 

Even the track -Sunday Brunch which has this gorgeous Jazz feel to it with those rhythmic horns combined with those methodical drums, sharp chords and an overall atmosphere vibes that I fucking loved! Probably my favourite beat on the whole song! 

Another nitpick is the fact the opening song has a random 14 seconds of silence that leads to nothing! But besides that and that random quite moment mentioned above I have no other complains!

Make sure you give this album a try! It’s groovy, energetic and the performances are fun and infectious! Give it a try below!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2BIOO2Yn9bGrnejuJSFQd0?si=XyfJgjPgSSWB1XWVtPmKuA

(The Labyrinth)

My first EP review of the month of April! And this honour goes to a pair of artists I’ve never heard of till now. It will never cease to amaze me how often I discover and how often they surprise me! So with that in mind, let’s get into it!

This is the brand-new EP by MC Benefit and Producer Thvnos, and they come packed with four tracks with 12 minutes of content! 

Across this tape, we have some pretty high-end and lavish production. Let’s start with the opening track -Cruel Eyes, which is a fantastic way to start the project off! On this one, we have this blend of chipmunk-style vocal harmonies combined with this trap-style beat that is the definition of ‘infectious’. You’ve got a combination of those synth-style chord progressions, thudding drums, and some fat bass that synchronises with the other instrumentation in such a profound way that it all comes together to create an anthem-like rhythm that I could imagine hearing in clubs and on radio! 

On track two -Goblin King, we have a more refined and melodically paced track that feels harmonic and surreal all at once. First of all, I love the homage to David Bowie in the lyricism! As a massive fan, it makes me happy to hear it. As far as the instrumentation goes, we have these elegant chords that have a hint of sombre energy to them! These come equipped with more rhythmic drums and more bass! Similar things as the first beat but with a more low-pitched vibe to it that I fucked with heavily!

On track three -Labyrinth Center, this one is probably the most haunting and eerie of the whole lot! This one has these vampiric chords that make me think of Count Dracula in its progression! Those are combined with these sickening drums and bass! There’s also these separate keys going off in the background that give this song a mystical sense to it! 

I also love the cuts and scratches on this one that give an old-school vibe to it!

On track four – Bog of Internal Stench, we have a rather atmospheric aura with the combination of those delicate and fast-paced keys that actually come equipped with two tones! In the intro, they are a bit deeper in tone, but as the song evolves, the keys become more high-pitched in execution, which is such an interesting switch-up that I was impressed with! 

On top of these, we have some of the heavier drums on the whole EP!  This whole track feels like a theatrical conclusion to the entire thing. It also sounds like there are some muffled vocal harmonies in the background, but I’m pretty sure that’s just the effect of instrumentation! 

On the MC front, I love how it stays focused on the theme at hand, which is obviously David Bowie’s (The Labyrinth), and firstly, this is the only time I’ve seen any rapper or artist use this film as a concept, and two to do so in such a way that it actually dignifies the film with real verses and clips dedicated to the film (not just using the film name for clout or attention). 

Across these 12 minutes, Benefit doesn’t waste a single second and provides some of the most interesting, vivid, and memorable verses of the year. His fluency on the beat, his passionate telling of bars and lines that directly relate to the film in hand, and the way he carries himself overall on the EP were so fun to listen to!

You can tell this was a passion project for him, one he actually wanted to put his whole heart and soul into, and he did! You can hear the excitement and the kid from his youth days coming to life in the words and the performance!

I love how he’s able to handle essentially four different moods across the production and work around it. He doesn’t sound stale or awkward; he utilises the various instrumentals and works around them and puts his own spin on it! He showcases his smartness by tweaking his rapping ever so slightly for each song to make the performances that much more in sync and harmonious across the tape, and that takes cunning and skill!

Of course, features on here make you feel his presence at full force. He’s obviously carrying the EP, and we get to hear just how well he can handle himself and makes such an impressive impact that it made me an instant fan of him! 

Whether you’re a fan of the classic film or not, this is a score you HAVE to check out just for the chemistry alone. It makes for one of the most entertaining listens you’ll hear, period! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4QomwRKD1FICYFYwm46DjG?si=Gvejq1_ySTCmAlsPlRoUEw

(Shattered Glass)

When we talk about great duos in this game, you’d be hard-pressed to find one as good as these two. Whether you’re talking about their last compilation record ‘Baggage Claims’ or their standout record ‘BUSHMAN BODEGA’, they have been on legendary time, dropping your favourite rapper’s favourite albums and doing so effortlessly. Now they are back with another thunderous record that is sure to knock everyone out of that number one spot! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand-new album by MC and Umbrella Solider Daniel Son and producer FutureWave, and together they return for another powerhouse drop featuring the likes of 

-Asun Eastwood

-Sayzee And with just these two verbal assassins, they come stronger than I’ve heard them yet! This album is the definition of ‘NOT TO SLEEP ON’.

If we start with the production value, FutureWave is back on his trademark status. He’s been on a notorious run in the past five years, making modern-day classics out of everyone he’s ever worked with and possibly no more prolific than Daniel! And across this tape, we hear him master his production and atmosphere on some next-level shit we haven’t heard since his run with Pro Dillinger!

It blows my mind the level of cinematic complexity he can achieve in just 22 minutes. You could give most others hours to try to match this level of mastery and technique and still fail. Across this tape, we hear elements from 

-Classical

-Boom Bap

-Jazz

-Ambient

-Soul And he’s able to arrange all these elements to create individual songs that are equal parts original and fluent in the face of the whole score in question.

Each track feels surreal and absolutely beautiful in execution. The kind of shit that makes you move your head, mean-mug the world, and become razor-sharp focused on the beats at hand! That’s the effect FutureWave’s beats have on you!

If I had to name my two favourite beats on this album (as hard as that is to pick), it would have to be between

-Lil Earl, I love that Jazz X Boom Bap fusion that Futurewave executes so fucking phenomenally! From those infectious jazz chords in two different sections, one looping throughout the track and the other acting as a chorus-type chord progression!

That’s accompanied by some heavy bass strings, methodically paced drum beats, and an overall atmosphere of mystery that makes this track all the more intriguing! I also love the film/tv show snippets scattered throughout!

And the next track is -Ocean Smock. For me, this track has a slight delicate depth to it with those beautifully orchestrated piano keys, more plucked bass strings, and more minimalistic drum patterns that make this track stand out from the rest! (Not to mention Sayzee’s fantastic opening verse to kick the song off.)

All in all, FutureWave has ONCE AGAIN proven why he’s one of the premier producers in the current landscape and has been for a while now!

Of course, we can’t discuss this album without talking about Daniel Son! A premier competitor in his own right, releasing some of the most compelling albums in the last five years alone. 

Across this record, we hear him at his absolute best. I don’t think I’ve heard him so fluent and crisp before! (And that’s saying a lot.) With every track and every verse, I felt myself automatically mean-mugging the rooms I was coming in and out of, reacting to his puns, his creative writing, and world play, and the seamless way he seems to manoeuvre himself over those beats was something to behold.

Of course you also have his street poetry which is some of the best and most vivid you’ll ever hear in the industry today. He can describe situations and tell stories that will straight give you goosebumps and transport you mentally and emotionally to the places described. This combined with his savage nature behind the mic and his no nonsense, rough and rugged demeanour and you have a recipe for one of the strongest rappers we’ve seen in the game in quite some time and he only further strengthened that reputation across this album!

If you are new to this duo then please trust me when I say you have NO IDEA what you’re missing out on when it comes to these two. If you already are familiar with these two then you should know by now NOT to question them and to get right to it! One of the greatest duo’s of this generation without a doubt!

And shoutout to Asun and Sayzee for their dominant features across this album! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4BXhXkJpsp2elwtMyU5XTn?si=jbRf0Vi2Q46UhbpkJI2CNw

(Dear Winter)

After an incredible showing on his feature verse on the latest Wavy Da Gawd single, my interest in him was already at the highest peak, and now after hearing this, I’m maxed out. This man very well could be the one to watch in 2026, and with two incredible performances, he’s only strengthening his case! Let’s go!

This is the brand-new single by MC Bub Rock and producer Billy Hoyle, and together they drop a compelling three minutes and seven seconds of pure, unadulterated energy that most won’t be able to compete with!

This time around, I want to start with Bub and his contributions. Once again, he comes charging through with his equal parts ‘smooth and powerful’ verse executions that are so fucking mesmerising. The way he’s able to have the audience hang on every word he spits, his verbal sharpness, his precision in his flow and delivery. The way he’s able to wrap the words around the beat and the way he’s always at the highest charisma possible while wearing his heart on his sleeve is absolutely MC Peak.

It’s like he’s telling a three-minute story with vivid imagery, satisfying rhythm, one of the strongest cases of penmanship, and a strong enough aura where he doesn’t need any features to make the track work! He’s his own frontliner and feature, he’s the one with the IT factor, and he proves it across this track! Absolutely incredible bars as I expected! 

On the production side of things, we have another minimal yet atmospheric instrumental that has a handful of layers that are executed so fucking majestically! You’ve got that consistent vocal loop that gives off that soulful ‘chipmunk’ vibe that reminds me of early Kanye and Twista! As well as some choir-style vocals on a more angelic and light delivery that runs through the track separately to the main snippet!

On top of that, we have what sounds like those distorted chord progressions in the forefront of the song as well as those methodically charged drum beats! 

Deep in the background of the track, we have something plucked strings that seem to add a tad bit of texture to the track! Again, there aren’t many layers on this one, but Billy uses his mastery behind the production to create pure magic. This is one of those tracks that I could listen to for hours and never get sick of! 

Trust me, this is a single you won’t want to sleep on. Both the production and the performance are tight, and it will definitely give you a shot of adrenaline like it did me! Check it out below!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2GYCac1QCUWUi27zkeTqSG?si=F9hehRZfSFu1Z0l5hTg_RQ

(PLEEZ!!!)

There’s never a bad time to discover a pair of new artists. It’s one of my favourite parts of doing what I do, and today that search did not disappoint with two men coming together to create a solid track that is sure to get you pumped! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest single by MC Niceymost and producer Kadeem Olijah, and together they drop a solid 1 minute and 45-second track that is fire from start to finish, that features a variety of parts that I’d like to refer to as a sonic cornetto because there ain’t a boring bite in it! 

Starting with the production, right off the bat, I love how it starts with that electronically inspired ‘First place forever’, which quickly evolves into this  almost tribal instrumental with those infectiously thudding drums, thick bass strings, and this continuous vocal loop that gives a truly mesmerising/hypnotic vibe to the track that makes you feel like you’re in a kind of trance!

THIS is the perfect way (in my opinion) to utilise a track that’s under two minutes long. Incorporate more memorable elements and layers to make it stand out and make the audience want to come back for more by having the production be something rare in the culture, and that’s exactly what Kadeem did on this one!

The first thing I noticed about the rapping style of Niceymost was his laid-back and smooth vocal aesthetics. I loved it because it helped emphasise that larger-than-life production with his studio cadence and acted as an almost contrast to the heavy and powerful beat to have the nonchalant and vibing performance to go with it!

On this track, Nicey takes his shot to prove why he’s one of the nicest going right now. From his undeniable flow to his crisp lyricism and impressive penmanship that makes you hang on every word he has to say across the song. He ain’t just adding random words for the fuck of it; he’s making sure he’s outdoing everyone verbally  with his pinpoint precision and versatility on the beat that makes his verse so fucking mesmerising! 

In the span of under two minutes, he was able to lock me in as a new listener, impress me with his range and impressive vocabulary, and showcase his ability to land the words on the beat and his own unique demeanour and characteristics that are one of a kind for him! If this is a sign of things to come, then colour me impressed! 

Have you heard this latest single yet? What did you think about it? I’ll be leaving the link down below; make sure you check it out! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2lS8cIGupEburyGKiEeQMA?si=1eJbTg3MSRC5Vf0311SJyw

IT’S ME (I’M HIM)

It’s never a bad day to get a new project from this producer. One who has impressed me with everything he’s made last year and this year respectively! One of the strongest producers we have right now, and it seems he’s back to further prove that case alongside a dope MC, and together they come with that fire! 

This is the brand-new EP by MC Polo Baby Flako and Producer Mike Martinez, and together they drop five tracks with a total of 12 minutes respectively.

Right off the bat, I gotta discuss that production because GOD DAMN IS IT HYPNOTIC! Across these five, you get a vibe that has a variety of different sounds and influences, but somehow all come together for a smooth and fun experience that will leave an impression in your mind long after the project is done.

We have that opening track -IT’S ME (IT’S HIM) INTRO, which has a more classical vibe with those strung strings, those thudding drum patterns, as well as those mysterious vocal harmony loops that give this track a thrilling vibe to it, almost like you’re listening to a drama film turned instrumental! 

You’ve got that second track -CHIA PETS, which right away switches up the energy from the previous one. This one is a lot darker and more serious with those synth chords on repeat, those heavily executed strings that have a haunting effect to them, what sounds like some tortured distorted vocal snippets scattered through the song, as well as those unsettling and undeniable heaviness of those drums and bass chords! Insane track all around!

Track 3 -IF YOU ONLY KNEW, once again, we get a vibe switch with this one being a more soulful and funk-based track with those mesmerising chord progressions in that infectious loop accompanied by those rhythmic drum beats and that fantastic vocal harmony! It’s used occasionally throughout the song, but it’s fucking gorgeous and added a nice overall texture to the song! 

Track 4 – TIMELESS! We get an instrumental that’s now focused on the jazz side of things! (My favourite hip-hop fusion subgenre), so this track had me hyped!

You’ve got those beautifully executed jazz horns that loop around the whole track, those deliciously plucked strings as well as those more methodically designed drums that definitely have a more jazz orientation as they subtly go off in the background! (Probably my favourite beat of them all due to the jazz.)

The final track – HOLD IT DOWN, we see this album ends with a more atmospheric tune that has a lot of interesting elements.

From those delicate and scattered piano keys that take centre stage on the track! These are accompanied with some assertive bass strings and some more upfront drums! A rather strong sonic face for the finale, but it’s definitely a solid choice to close the record with!

As far as Polo Baby goes, for someone I’ve never heard of until now, I gotta say he impressed me with his work here today. He has a strong, confident, and charismatic style that he uses to conduct himself in a cool and collected manner with hints of crude and cryptic lyricism that is so crucial to the listener because it showcases his true talents as an MC! 

He doesn’t just have one speed or a singular pattern of rapping; he tries his hand at a range of different tempos and styles depending on the track! One moment he can be brash and slick, and the next more personal and introspective in the way he delivers lines; it’s up to him how he feels to drop track to track, and I think it’s dope.

His chemistry with Mike was definitely stand-out! They had a good balance. The instrumentals felt tailor-made to him; the short and sweet formula of an EP helps A: focus the attention span of the listeners to appreciate both the raps and the production better and B: Helps eliminate any potential for fluff or filler, leaving only room for bangers like what we got on this project!

So, have you heard it yet? What are your thoughts on the duo? I personally had a blast, and once again, Mike has proven why he’s one of the premier producers! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5LlDnZdJFLGAWIgqwTlHJ4?si=YA3xhyt_S0GPYmKJcKkqNw