(MENNBLVCK)

It’s always an exciting day to review the brand-new project by FlyG! I’d go out on a limb and say he’s one of the most underrated MC’s in the game right now! Based on all the different projects I’ve covered by him, he has a certain style that not many can replicate, and this time around he might have outdone himself yet again! Let’s talk about it!

This, as mentioned, is the latest album by FlyG! This time around, he’s working alongside French Producer Drega33 who has worked with the likes of 

-RJ Payne

-Mike Shabb

-Che Noir

-Tha God Fahim

-Planet Asia all this year! and together they dropped a collection of nine tracks with 18 minutes of length!

I gotta start with my main man FlyG. Over the months, I’ve seen him evolve unlike any other; he’s truly a student of the game, and he expresses that with every new release!

What makes him stand out is his surreal and methodical pacing on his songs, his sharp penmanship that instantly transports the listener into any scenario or situation discussed in the verses!

He has an uncanny flow that just glides over these beats like no one’s business, and his pen game is unique in that it’s equal parts lethal and dominating and somehow intricate, smooth, and graceful as well! He walks that fine line between street poetry and immersive storytelling; it’s truly remarkable!

Also, on track five, he said something I never thought about until he said it. How he doesn’t cus, and only then did I realise, he really doesn’t. Taking the Chamillionaire route, I suppose, a route not very common amongst the culture, but I respect it nonetheless!

Look, as I stated above, FlyG is one of those rare artists who continue to evolve after each release. The fact he can do that plus rock a whole album by himself with no features! Trust me, it’s not something everyone can do, but he just showcased why not only can he do that effectively and effortlessly but why he’s THAT guy to look out for! This album performance proves it!

Now, onto Drega33 the man who was tasked with matching the incredible techniques and style of FlyG and let me just say not only does he do this flawlessly but creates what could be some of my favourite instrumentals of the year! Holy shit was this dope!

Each track has it’s own minimalistic, skeletal feel with various elements such as 

-Jazz

-Soul

-Ambient

-Funk

-RnB

-Traditional Hip Hop

-Blues

-Gospel

And the way these sounds are incorporated is master class display level. Because each note, chord, drum pattern, string and key sounds elevated, grand and absolutely cinematic! The way he chooses to handpick a couple of sounds at a time per song to really emphasise the instruments and bring the best out of them without the worry of overlapping or overshadowing by using too many sounds in one!

If I’m being honest. This sounds like a project I’d expect ‘NxWorries’ to make with similar angelic and beautifully crafted production that is bursting with flavour and color. The kind of beats that run throughout your whole body and takes your senses onto a musical trip that you don’t want to end!

Legit, as I was listening to this album I felt my mind, soul and body become one as my thoughts wondered and my stress disappeared and then as soon as the album ended I felt the crashing feeling of reality hit me back to life and it honestly made me sad! 

This isn’t just an album, this is a score of the highest purity, organically produced and performed. This feels like theirs an actual live band in the studio with them helping to record this album! It’s that fucking natural and filled with life that it compares to no other this year!

Honestly, with only a few days a way before my June Serpent Tongue Awards I think they just secured themselves a spot. It’s gorgeously produced, the MC work is equally phenomenal and engaging and it all comes together to create an atmosphere that I haven’t heard in a while! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1SIho8cufuFIi6rcsSkcGd?si=y01Re7wySpWfUMzvkbVoCg

(The 17th Cipher Presents.. Cold Work)

Man, I can’t believe it’s been just shy of five months ago since I last reviewed this producer. February with Reek Osama’s album was the last time we linked, and now I have the exciting opportunity to work again, and this time featuring a new artist! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest collaboration project between MC Mar and Producer Work Scorsese, and presented by ‘The 17th Cipher’, and together they drop nine tracks featuring the likes of 

-O Dawg

-Bub Rock

-Liym Capital

Now, right off the bat, the first thing I noticed that hit me in the face was that overwhelming soul sample-heavy production. This thing is lavish and moving as fuck!

I love how Work utilises those beautiful vocal harmonies, those rich synth chords, those light and effective drum patterns, and subtle bass lines!

I love how Work used the most bare bass and skeletal these sounds represent! Each song normally has a small handful of instruments and vocal harmonies to reinforce the ‘less is more’ practice, which has Work keep things refreshingly simple yet powerful in its simplicity and ‘minimalistic’ boom-bap vibe! 

If I had to describe this vibe, it makes me think of the 90s East Coast Era. Variance on the actual beats, but the same formula applies, using just a few choices of instruments to create an atmospheric rhythm and effect that artists who try do too much could never do! 

Work understands the importance of this (as he did with the Reek album) and is repeating that winning recipe on this album and makes sure each sound, instrument, and harmony has a chance to shine properly, and it’s fucking dope!

As far as Mar is concerned. This is an artist I’ve never heard of before, and yet with this one record, has impressed me enough to leave him on my radar permanently!

What impressed me about him is his smooth, laid-back flow and rhythm that kind of reminds me of Guru or Napoleon Da Legend. He ain’t worried about rushing or ruining his vibe with none of that dumb shit; he’s got that surreal vocal aesthetic that makes every word he spits feel like bars of gold!

His lyricism is street poetry mixed with introspective storytelling! His pen game is lethal, and his wordplay is intricate, creative, and ever so compelling!

I love the attention he grabs when he’s on the mic across these nine tracks; he truly reflects his supreme artistry in the way he presents words, the way he bends the beat to best apply his verses, the way he keeps his composure while still expressing strong narratives and insightful lyricism that makes the audience teleport into the situation he’s describing! Truly an artist’s artist! 

I love the chemistry between these two men. From exquisite MC work to flawless production. You won’t find a pair stronger! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2R611xW3qlNQvNmLumINOr?si=TPIulDKVSiSsVe_4syJB0Q

(DIVINEWISDOM)

This is a public service announcement that has to be said right off the bat. Specifically, a message to ANT:

‘That line and topic focus and play on HBK kicking Stan didn’t hit like you thought it did!’ That shit was corny as fuck, and this is coming from a massive wrestling head!! 

Anyway, back to the official review!

This is the latest album by one of the dopest up and coming MC’s out in the underground, Ant Kelly! With this latest 7-track project, we have producers such as:

– DJ Krooked

– DB

– Skip The Kid

– Ant

And 

– Monstah 357 on the features.

Now, considering this is a 21-minute project, this thing goes OFF! You can tell based on the production alone that experimental and off-the-cuff instrumentation and sample uses give this record a more dark ambient and atmospheric experience than most don’t!

If I had to compare these sounds to anyone, probably Al Divino’s latest batch of EP’s off his website. In similar fashion, these are unprecedented, unpredictable, and highly addictive and infectious beats that just stick with you long after the album is done!

None is more true (for me anyway) than the final track produced by Skip. That is one of the most interesting and memorable instrumentals I’ve heard in a minute. From those haunting piano keys, skeletal hip-hop beat, and then that fucking grand heavy organ loop that sounds like Dracula has just arrived in the building waiting to bite your neck and drain your blood! 

I couldn’t think of a better fit for the outro track, but that is perfect. It’s different and leaves an impression!

As can all these tracks, can be! I love how all these producers are focused on providing an unforgettable listening score that you won’t find anywhere else! Definitely sonically has to be my favourite Ant album so far!

Now, onto the MC himself. Although he failed miserably in making a tough aura on ‘IJUSTKICKEDSTAN’ as far as his MC skills go, he has shown rapid improvement and actually a switch-up in his earlier material (at least this first project I ever heard of his).

I remember back a few months ago he was sounding like the next era NEMS in his bully rap lyricism but now he’s become someone who has developed a solid pen game with fluent flow, intriguing wordplay and a skilled rhythm across the tracks! Not sure what happens but I’m loving this progression!

Across these 7 tracks he’s like a human AK-47 just going off barely stopping to take a breath. Just spitting bars after bars, clever puns, one liners and comparisons that leaves the audience impressed with his level of performance, confidence cadence and enthusiasm across the songs he’s on!

He’s always the one with the infinite energy, always trying to outdo himself and do better than he did before and each album is different in their own way. I love his chemistry over these more avant grande type beats and I feel it suits him organically!

Overall, as I find myself saying after every new album this is my favourite Ant yet! The production is ridiculous but right up my alley! The verses are precise and dope and everything comes together perfectly!

https://open.spotify.com/album/2sv8yZfUYPtt1XGyzt7XZG?si=Yld4gKoDSwqUzyXlYm-LtQ

(Flip Wilson)

Man, ya’ll ain’t ready for this one. I can’t believe I’m saying this after the calibre of releases we’ve had up until this point by the 6th Man general, but this shit is NEXT LEVEL! Let’s talk about it!

This is the third release by MC Legend, Veteran and leader of 6th Man, The Bad Seed. Accompanied on the production by fellow 6th Man artist Shade Cobain, they together drop this 12-track album featuring 

-MIMS

-Honey Dinero 

-Crotona P

And as I stressed before, if you thought Seed was a magnum opus before now, then you haven’t seen anything yet! This man is off his chain with this one, and that’s largely thanks to the beatmaker himself, Shade.

Shade has already blown me away with the work he did on that Penlordz album a few weeks back (one I was blessed to be featured on via the outro), and so when I heard he was working on this one, my expectations were high, and even so, I couldn’t have expected a record as rich, powerful, and damn right tough as this turned out to be!

As the album title suggests. This album focuses on ‘Flip’ and flipping certain joints, as on this album, we have sounds from 

-Michael Jackson

-Ghost Face Killah

-Nas

– Wu-Tang and more!

What’s incredible about these beats is how Shade is able to walk that fine line of paying homage and keeping the nostalgic beats intact while simultaneously making the tracks original, fresh, and modern in their own ways! 

Most beats start off with that blast of nostalgia within the first few chords but then quickly become shifted and ‘flipped’ just enough to stand out as its own new track but keep the momentum and rhythm of the originals! As I said, a very intense fine line to walk, I’m sure, but Shade makes it look easy!

With the Penlordz album, he showed the world how cinematic, atmospheric, and ground-breaking he can be when he sets his mind to it. On this one, he’s showing just how incredible he can balance, craft, and tell the story of the cultures’ forefathers without resorting to cheap heat plagiarism and biting. This man, as far as I’m concerned, is the real deal stylistically, technically, and socially! 

I can honestly say after listening to those beats that I couldn’t think of anyone else better suited to go off on them better than Seed! I ain’t just talking biased shit because I’m cool with the man I’m talking about from an artistic standpoint because Seed showed a more creative and animated side of him that I haven’t seen in a minute!

To be clear, I heard Seed singing lines off the song Thriller! Trying to hit notes and all! I heard him rapping over a flipped NY STATE OF MIND BEAT! Do you understand how fucking incredible that moment was to me?

He’s already made an unofficial part II to Nas’s ‘I Gave You Power’ song years ago, but this is next-level shit! It really makes you realise if all those major MC’s back in the day on their grand blow-up singles had Seed on the track alongside them, he would have matched if not SMOKED the men on their own songs!

As per usual, you get the trademark honesty and raw perspective bars from Seed. He even has a line on this album where he’s saying ‘I was suicidal, the haters gonna love that’ this man is on some B Rabbit shit! Telling his shit first before they can! 

Just like a fine wine, he doesn’t get slower; he just gets more flavourful and sharp, and that’s exactly how his bars sound! 

They are lethal, in your face, that real East Coast shit! Regardless of his status, money, followers, views, whatever, Seed will always be Seed, and he’ll never be the one to conform to the trends! 

Everytime I hear him rap he brings out a new level of admiration and adrenaline to my body! Because you just don’t hear that level of authenticity and attitude in rap anymore. Of course everyone is bragging and cocky in their lyrics that’s standard for rap but the person he is on the outside of music and in the studio is literally the same!

I’ve had many conversations with him on posts I’ve made that he’s called ass! He ain’t some angel off the mic he’s a real OG shit talker that the community and culture respects because he is REAL! He ain’t pretending to be someone he’s not he lives this 24/7 and that’s what his fans and friends appreciate the most!

Look, this beat palette takes the sound of Seed to a whole different universe. Love him or hate him I refuse to believe there’s gonna be Hip Hop Fans out there who won’t dig this album! 

(Copenhagen Crates Presents The Formula: 250)

Man, what an extraordinary and exciting project to be able to experience! As if this man hasn’t done enough this year, he’s back and in a big way! This time around, producing for what could be the biggest and best compilation album of the year! So let’s talk about it!

This is a Copenhagen Crates release, entirely produced by Machacha. In this huge compilation project, the roster is as follows:

– Supreme Cerebral

– World Be Free

– Mickey Diamond

– Vega7 The Ronin

– Bloo Azul

– Ferris Blusa

– Al-Doe

– Jamil Honesty

– Andre DeSaint

– Substance810

– DJ GrazzHoppa

– Tree Mason

– Apollo

– Josiah The Gift

– Figerson

– Waterr

– Sean Links

– Maze Overlay

– Willie The Kid

Now, if that roster doesn’t give you goosebumps, then get the fuck outta here. This album ain’t for you! This is for the real ones, the hip-hop heads who appreciate bars over bullshit and want substance over fake, mainstream garbage, and this is where this album is a celebration of authenticity, originality, and integrity!

When you have Machacha on the beat, you literally can’t lose. For this album and the 14 tracks included, we have Mach using his mastery and technical prowess to mould and craft the perfect beat depending on who’s the one on it! Some are faster, some slower, and some more bare or intricate than others! 

Regardless of the song’s tempo, you have the same trademark elements that include: 

– Grand instrumentation

– Theatrical atmosphere

And with these two elements he’s able to create the blueprint for some of the most ground breaking and explosive boom bap offerings we’ve had in the past few years especially if we are talking 2025 and his ridiculous quantity! But especially on a record like this where he’s catering to so many different names and making sure each name gets whatever style and aesthetic they want it would be the kind of job that could overwhelm most but it’s nothing to a legend like Machacha!

As far as the roster goes, I mean you did read the list right? It’s a conglomerate of monsters. These men are the best of the best in the industry and to have them all on the same record is a dream come true for all the real ones!

We start the record off with Supreme Cerebral/World Be Free and closes with Maze Overlay and Willie The Kid which is an insane sentence to type because even if it was just those names alone it would make for a ground breaking album let alone 15 fucking more!

These men have perfectly crafted their own studio characteristics, styles and rhythms on the tracks that make each song so distinctive because they all ride in their own lanes and refuse to copy or sound like anyone else but themselves! 

From the sharpest wordsmiths to the grandest aura’s you’ll ever hear in the game you’ve got all of them here. The return of Mickey Diamond on a track all by himself was dope! To hear Vega7 alongside Substance810 was a ridiculous combo I wasn’t expecting to see!

Not to mention Bloo Azul and Ferris Blusa together was also phenomenal! So many goated moments on this compilation album that proves this is the ultimate experience of its kind!

This is one compilation album you don’t ever want to sleep on! From that perfect production to those flawless and stand up performances you can’t go wrong! Definitely check this one out!!

https://open.spotify.com/album/25nBa3ZetYIVaU2CCPWvEn?si=5iRcMqZgR6i_wfyzW4mMjQ

(Foul Play 3)

I knew it had been too long since these guys dropped a project. For most, it would be a career’s worth of releases so far this year, but for the infamous ‘Penlordz’, this gap in projects is unusual at least! But the wait is over, and now we can listen to this brand-new album! Let’s go!

So. This is the latest drop by Pen Lord Arsinel, and this time around, he comes with producers: 

-Slowzilla

-Mgerm 

– Worldwide Culture

-Kheyzine 

And as far as features go, you’ve got the trademark Audio Messiah and Fam Ross! I feel at this point it’s pointless even releasing projects under their solo MC names since it all comes together as a collective record! But regardless, this is ten songs and 27 minutes of straight fire!

Talking about the production, although it’s a variety of names this time around, they all work together well to create a raw, minimalist, and compelling set of tracks that give off a strong atmospheric and theatrical presence within its bare-boned presentation!

On most songs here, we have a formula of a few key instruments wrapped around a beat, whether that be elegant horns, shimmering keys, bass strings, or synth chords that all come together to form some of the most beautifully crafted and unique instrumentals you’ve ever heard!

To me, the song that stands out most is the track ‘My Earth’ due to its groovy, infectious Caribbean dance feel to the beat. It’s lighthearted, fun, and memorable! All the Penlordz go off on this track, and that simplistic chorus is perfect for what the track is! 

Overall, the producers work in harmony to create an original and down-to-earth vibe across this album that works to the advantage of Arsinel and the rest of the Pen Lordz involved!

Speaking of, we have the MC himself, Arsinel. One of the three of the collective and equally as dangerous lyrically and savage on the mic. If I’m not mistaken, he was the first of the Penlordz I discovered alongside Kheyzine at the end of last year! So by default, I’ve had the most experience with him, and he hasn’t let me down since!

He’s always had this wise, knowledgeable, and street-level introspective style to him. Like a street pastor walking around preaching his shit while having a reputation as being someone you wouldn’t want to fuck with! 

He has sharpened verses, relentless flow, impressive vocabulary, and a presence so strong I wouldn’t be surprised if he scared away most of the competition around him.

He has a very methodical approach to his rhyme schemes. He’s not one to rush to get words out or say things just for the fuck of it. He’s a man who thinks about everything he says and does, and that’s what makes him a cultural threat! 

Along with him are the other two Penlordz who have backed him up his whole career, and that hasn’t changed at all! Both men appear on every track (except the intro and outro), and both help elevate the tracks from dope to legendary! 

Once again, Penlordz hit again! I’ve actually lost count of how many drops they’ve done so far, but regardless of the quantity, they never miss, and you should NEVER sleep on the all-mighty PENLORDZ. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6LXY5tLiu64ibmpXSSENRu?si=9-Y7nHlXTyOo7ZMKVTbRIw

(THE HIDDEN SPLASH)

As things stand right now. It ain’t a discussion that Bone Weso is the producer to beat. Over the years, whether you are talking about 

-The Cost Of Gold

-SYSTEMATICALLY WE WERE NEVER FREE

-Infinite Wave 

And now this. Within the span of less than two years, he’s earned the right to be considered ‘One Of The Greatest Of All Time’ with this mastery of production, his cinematic excellence with his samples and instrumentation, as well as his eye for quality, impact, and replay value, he truly is ‘that guy’ and now working alongside 23Incredible soldier ‘The Hidden Character’, they are about to disrupt the industry one more time! 

So, a brand new collaboration between two of the most captivating names in the industry. Together, they drop a fresh batch of ten tracks! Consisting of the usual roster of 

-Estee Nack

-Al Divino

-MONDO SLADE

-Borirock

-ERGONE 

And when we analyse this record, the first thing that’s apparent is that this is Bone Weso’s most jazz-indulgent record to date. He’s always incorporated the genre into his music, much as long as I’ve known him, but on this one, he’s truly found a way to ‘institutionalise’ the art of jazz into its street-smart and ruthless alter ego that transforms its normal ‘relaxing and calm’ aspects into an atmosphere of ‘menace, peril, and danger’. 

If I’m being real, this album sounds like the ego of Miles Davis personified. Legendary in status but lethal in mindset and work ethic. This performance is not merely an album but a sonic renaissance for the real ones! If this doesn’t resonate with you, it means it ain’t meant to; it means your DNA is too timid and weak to deal with the ‘realness’ presented in these sounds, and Bone is the ‘realest’ of them all.

Another aspect of his music I love is the voice snippets and samples he uses at the ends of his tracks. This same formula he applied to ‘Infinite Wave’, where he talked about everything from Big Pharma to the countries using the Euro currency. It’s these interesting insights that are trademark with Bone that add that extra layer of ‘cinema’ to an already established and cinematic listening experience! 

I can’t say this for most. I probably couldn’t even count on one hand the amount of producers I NEED to support with every release, but Bone is one of them, and this album further solidifies my excitement and dedication to his career because he just cannot miss!

Alongside Bone, we have, as above mentioned, ??? This man is in a league of his own. I can’t think of many that content with his ‘all-rounder’ style on the mic. He can be considered a lot of things! 

  1. One of the most ruthless spitters in the industry, with street poetry only matched to the likes of Big L and Big Pun.
  2. An unpredictable and equally slick, smooth, and elegant flow that can never be caught off guard or predicted. He could spit one hundred words within the next beat loop and still somehow hit the mark effortlessly. I’ve never heard him miss a beat, and he definitely doesn’t start now!
  3. One of the most original, creative, and dynamically distinctive voices in the game right now! When he’s on the verse, you know it’s him! There’s no questioning or case of him copying anyone else’s flow; he’s a one-of-one, and the industry can feel it!
  4. He’s a feature king. No matter how many guest verses he does, he steals the show! If you ever want your album elevated, they know to call him. He’s a threat because he can do both carry an album and take over others with his own verses!

Another aspect of this man I love is the fact he never deviates from his brothers in the industry. On some early Griselda mixtape shit. Whenever I see his name it’s always with the same affiliates and the same goes here. He ain’t worried about going viral or selling his soul out for fame he’s here to grow, expand and evolve with the ones he came up with and that aspect alone makes him a more Honorable and dope MC then 99% of the fake ass drifters in the game who couldn’t care less how many times they make nice with 9 different factions while eyeing their 10th. 

??? x Bone Weso. I honestly couldn’t imagine a duo better. From the first few singles dropped I knew this was going to be a modern day classic and I was right! This album is only $32! Which is $55 Australian but I still bought it because in an industry where the biggest platforms would rather their artists starve for streams we have the independent scene taking charge AND releasing classics. I know who I choose to support, what about you?

https://thehiddencharacter.bandcamp.com/album/thehiddensplash

(HOOD ALCHEMY)

In response to the brand-new album coming out in hours from now! I thought it’s only right I do an album review of his latest work to get the ball rolling for the hype, attention, and focus that will undoubtedly be on this man!

So, this is the 2023 release by notorious MC ??? AKA ‘The Hidden Character’ who comes geared with equally notorious producer Grubby Pawz who has been on a role of his own as of this year with his critically acclaimed release of ‘CCE’ by Estee & Al Divino and together they dropped a 9-track 26-minute project with the likes of 

-BucketTopBoogz

-Pro Dillinger

-BoriRock 

-Shaykh Hanif

-Bub Styles

-Estee Nack 

-Skunkz

-Nyeusi Loe

-Swaello 

-Al Divino

Now, as we touch base on the production side of things, we have Grubby. This man is the perfect affiliate for the job because when it comes to these familiar names (???, Estee, Al, and company), it’s as if he has a 6th sense into what they need and how they need it.

He brings that grimy, cold, and aura-filled sounds that are equal parts grand, cinematic, and powerful and the other part muddy, sinister, and street-heavy. The best way I can word it is imagine if Hanz Simmer grew up in the streets and represented that ‘ghetto’ mindset! That is a combination I hear from Grubby! He’s obviously a genius behind the beats but also is a master of the most grimy beats you’ve ever heard in your life!

When getting prepared for a Grubby-produced album, you can expect a few things. Such as 

-Delicate piano keys

-Heavy and infectious drum patterns

-Art Rap/Boom Bap influences

-A hint of 80’s/70’s samples

-Classical Horns

-Plucked Strings 

-Hypnotic Synth Chords and more.

As I said above, he’s like a one-man orchestra. He doesn’t just make music, he invents scores and experiences. Just as someone wouldn’t merely call a Beethoven performance simply ‘a show’, the same rules apply here. 

Just because he’s a producer doesn’t mean he should be categorised as the same as the rest; he’s a modern-day composer bringing his talents to the present-day underground culture!  

Now, to talk about ???. I’ve talked to many Hip Hop heads and friends alike, and we all share the same sentiment. He is one of the most original and talented MC’s of the modern era. Not only is his rap name mysterious, but he has one of the most fluent and consistent styles I’ve heard in a minute!

His flow is immaculate, his street poetry is sharp, effective, and lethal! He’s the kind of rapper you don’t want to have smoke with in the studio or out because he’s got that lyricism for days, and he sounds like he could go for hours without taking a break!

He has a wavy-filled cadence, strong, passionate, and energetic enthusiasm on the mic that makes him an instant hit whether that be his features or full-length albums!

In my opinion, he kind of reminds me of Yelawolf if we had an alternative universe version where he didn’t fall off after one hit single and grew to become a dominant lyricist! As far as I’m concerned, ??? is how he should have been and more! 

Also, he has this infectious quality about him that I just can’t put my finger on. It’s as if God put it into a big mixing bowl:

-The Passion of Mac Miller

-The Lyricism of Nas

-The Aura of Bori

-The Flow/Wordplay of Estee Nack

-The Originality of Al Divino

And you put all these together, you have what very well could be ‘The Perfect MC’. 

??? Is truly unlike any other. He’s got everything going for him and more! When he pairs with the generational talent like Grubby and combined with the legendary roster of features, you literally can’t lose, and this is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard in years! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7vKEGVk8gkYPlQbwSEVc5f?si=yyyPeZPFRSaoZtb9IPpUxQ

THEMELLOS PRESENT: Wst.Taylor TIED IN)

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the takeover of ‘23IncredibleIndustries’ and how they are running the game right now! They’ve been building their empire for years now, but it feels in 2025 they are the ones to beat! So many dope projects out already, one more coming this week and more in the future! This album is merely a representation of the power and quality control of the Al Mighty 23! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest album by notorious twin brothers THEMELLOS. These men not only have been making waves in the culture but also have everything going for them as they are able to produce AND spit bars between them! On this occasion, they dropped 13 tracks with 34 minutes of content featuring the likes of 

-NITA SLAY

-Swizzy

-KALEO JACOBS

-NAIMEZ

-Nyeusi Loe

-Sherrece Amour 

-OP SHIZZ

Now, what came to my attention early with this album was how it felt like they had found the perfect middle ground between ‘Underground Grit/High End Mainstream’ because although the overall narrative of the record is heavy and down-to-earth and no-nonsense, I also hear those lavish performances, those stadium choruses, those R&B and soul-inspired production on a handful of the tracks that make me think these two were influenced by both scenes and wanted to make a record that symbolises both!

On the underground side of things, we have something of the most atmospheric aura rap you’ve heard in a minute with those minimalistic sonic structures, those long and surreal chords and keys that loop hypnotically song to song to provide an ambient energy that can’t be replicated by just anyone! 

Whether that be vocal snippets that are left repeated for ‘Grimy’ effect such as tracks like ‘BUDDAHPATTERNS’ with those relentless synth chords that pair with that vocal melody!

  M

Or whether you’re talking about tracks like ‘MEMBERSONLY’ that contain that rugged yet gorgeous jazz instrumentation that has one of the most lively patterns on a song! Combine that with subtle drum patterns and it makes for the definition of aura!

On the mainstream side of things, the first track that comes to mind is ‘RUNNINWILD’ which has that almost trap-flavoured rap beat alongside those elegant chords that sound like guitar strings that have been manipulated! What stands out most about this track is towards the end with that R&B-style vocal performance that closes the song off! It reminds me of a classic D’Angelo-type performance! Love it!

Or when we look at the track ‘ALLPRAISE’ which has those deep and infectious bass lines that feature those classical vibe violin chords mixed with those grand transition beats! This is the kind of beat I can imagine prime-era Kanye rap on! It’s melodic, cinematic, and memorable!

When we talk about the MC work, Wst Talor absolutely is second to none. Aside from the twins dope tier chemistry! Wst the way they can weave, control, and manipulate the beats for their bars is ridiculous!

He has that crisp and lethal pen game, has have wavy flows with studio passion and enthusiasm that you can hear pour out of all the sentences!

I love the confidence and sometimes brash cadence when on the mics. He is the one to beat right now, and they know it! 

Another aspect of this album I love is the fact Wst has his own distinct personality and characteristics on the track! You ain’t hearing the same verse twice because he’s slick like that!

That’s directly an aspect that I love about Estee and Al. Without any information on a song or their names, you can tell which one is which when they rap, and I feel the same energy here!

The man is versatile, sharp MC’s who focused on making a dope album that can last the test of time, and I can guarantee you that without a shadow of a doubt, this one will! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2NCQFqCPr29CR8fyVx4VvA?si=j3gGvlEQTNqmmaw_h_iqOw

(FADED OFF)

Looks like we have our dynamic duo back at it again! These are two men who, together (and separately), have dropped some of the most interesting and vibrant Hip Hop that’s been released all year! And today they are back showcasing the strengths they have as a pair, so let’s talk about it!

This is the latest single between MC’s FAWKEM and .Tetsuo, while being a noticeable producer himself in .Tetsuo! Together, they release a track that is just under four minutes and have both men drop heavy verses under one of the most smooth and ambient beats I’ve heard in a minute!

Starting with those verses, we have .Tetsuo starting the track off with his trademark fast-paced, free-flow, and unrelenting rhythm that only has one speed ‘go’ and rarely the one to take a breath. He just drops a mountain of one-liners, puns, dope bars, and wordplay that might seem cryptic to decipher due to his pacing, but when you really focus on his words, you can hear and appreciate his lyricism and pen game!

On the second half, we have FAWK EM. Who delivers a more surreal and in-depth performance featuring introspective visual lyricisms, deeper reflection, and on this track specifically, he shows the listener his ‘bragging’ side with him calling out his haters and wack competition!

I love the diversity between the two MCs. While we see the fast and unstoppable first part, it’s refreshing to transition to a more calm, calculated, and focused pen game in FAWKEM. His trademark sturdy, rough, and precise bars make his verse the more relatable of the two!

On the production side of things, we have .Tetsuo creating his Jazz/Lo-Fi fusion with these delicate keys coming in and out of the beat with those subtle Jazz instrumentation in the background being heard ever so gently and an even more gentle focus on that light drum pattern.

This is the kind of beat you’d play after a hard day of work when you just wanted to relax, become stress-free, and let your mind wander! Also, the kind of beat that could be an hour long and still never get sick of it! 

Absolutely phenomenal effort by the two men involved! It’s groovy, soothing, complex, and engaging all in one! Definitely not one to miss!

https://on.soundcloud.com/82IwlmdL6m6hxb1qSw