(Requiem)

So far, I’ve experienced three different sides of Len-Dor in the space of 24 hours.

A short experimental EP, a collaboration with another producer, and now a trio album featuring another MC. I never thought I’d have so much mix from one artist in such a short time span, but let’s talk about it!

So, this is the November 2024 record by MC’s Len Dor and RAK7NG, while featuring DJ Kawon on the production, featuring seven tracks. 

This EP doesn’t waste any of its limited time getting into the fray; right out the gate, we get this eerie and evil spoken word clip about the definition or meaning of ‘Requiem’, and from there, the project shows many references to dark and dangerous aspects, such as the track ‘Ghetto Mike Myers’, where the title is obvious what it refers to.

Although the dark stuff aside, there are elements of smooth and 90’s Hip Hop vibes with that simplistic yet powerful rhythm and beats paired with subtle piano keys and light strings that make for a unique experience that you don’t hear too often!

Then, of course, you have your muddy, grimy boom Bap feels on tracks like ‘What A Chemistry’, where we hear RA take centre stage and blow the production off the map! The combination of different influences and sounds makes for a diverse and spectacular atmosphere that will stay with you even if it’s only a seven-track offering.

The chemistry between these two is definitely notable. Dope back and forths, great synchronicity, and bar power where neither man is lacking or overpowering the other, just pure energy and unadulterated friendly competition between the two. It’s something you can feel, the sharp vibes, the kind of aura when two friends want to outdo the other by presenting the best versions of themselves, and that’s exactly what I hear on here!

Both show signs of great pen game, intricate lyricism, and decent flow! I can’t say there was ever a moment on here that felt slow or awkward, just bars over great instrumentals, and in the underground, what else could you ask for?

Definitely a dope addition to his discography and especially considering his dope working with RA and DJ KAWON, who when combined make for a solid release! 

https://len-dor.bandcamp.com/album/the-requiem

(I NEED MY FLOWERS)

Once again, I find myself returning to Len-Dor, the man whose EP I just covered not even 24 hours ago, but with an album that previously dropped before that one, I had to see what it was all about, so here we are!

This is the latest collaboration project between Len-Dor and producer Pro Logic. Together, they release 10 tracks with features from

-Shua James

-Fraction

-Shark the S.O.B.

-Righteous 

-Dox the Doctrine 

Now, what’s cool about this album is it’s Len’s production debut on tracks ‘Love’ and ‘The Score’, so the opening and finale tracks, and I gotta say I was surprised with the sound trajectory after coming from the EP as it was my only exposure to his latest; that’s the results I pictured, but I was wrong!

This album features absolutely slick, smooth, and sensual instrumentation with luscious notes, rich chords, and deep notes that make it feel like a soulful or funk listening experience fused with that traditional hip-hop blueprints to combine to make a record that’s groovy on the outside but crisp and raw on the inside. The best of both worlds!

Considering this is his first time producing, he does a bangin’ job! The album starts and ends in a great way and shows off his capabilities as a beat maker! It’s not bad or awkward or sticks out in any way compared to Pro’s work, so that’s definitely a plus in my book!

Once again, on the MC front, he kills it! He comes packed with that witty wordplay, that surreal/introspective lyricism, and his fluent flow that could make the waves in a river jealous! Smooth as butter.

Whether he’s on smooth tracks or experimental ones, his skill on the mic and his solid enthusiasm and passion for the game remain the same! He doesn’t miss a beat; you’ll never catch the man staggering or losing his rhythm; he’s got his feet planted in the beats, mind on his words, and his soul in the music.

As mentioned above, he ain’t alone this time, and the people he recruited do a wonderful job at maintaining the pace and energy of the record and providing great chemistry with Len-Dor, which gives the listener quality and entertaining back-and-forths on the track!

Another solid front by the main man. Whether you want to talk about the production, the features, or the bars by Len-Dor, each aspect was done with mastery and technique, and I gotta respect all of it! 

https://len-dor.bandcamp.com/album/i-need-my-flowers

(SPLASH GRENADE)

Holy fuck, this is so exciting for me. After just coming down from the high that was ‘Coolest Combo Ever’ by Al Divino X Estee Nack X Grubby Pawz, which shook the industry even doing so off streaming.

Now I get to experience yet another adrenaline shot in the form of the brand-new rare Al Divino EP! Let’s fucking get into it!

So, this project is seven tracks long and features production by: 

-LEO SIERRA

-SUBFUSE

-WINO WILLY

-SOUL LA FLARE

-Al Divino

And features the MC RED AMANDALA, and when I say this project is batshit, I mean it. When I first played this, my jaw was dropped at what I was hearing, and I mean that in the best way possible. The very first track, ‘BOVAS’, features the most muddy, distorted, and experimental hip-hop track I’ve ever heard in my life.

It’s this noise-filled, twisted R&B/Soul woman vocal loop that’s been distorted beyond belief and includes these deranged synth notes in and out, and these eerie keys to make truly one of the most beautifully bizarre songs I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.

This is some Death Grips on acid shit. Every time I think Al can’t surprise me with his new drops, I’m always proven wrong!

From there, the album continues its chaotic structures with equally grimy and sporadic instrumentation, combined with his trademark brand of genre-pushing soundscapes and demented atmosphere that will challenge any and all fans of the culture.

His roster of producers understand his vision and expectations of grand sonic hysteria, crafting scores that define the very tip of the spectrums for what can be classified as ‘hip-hop’. It’s this brand of ruthless, unforgiving, and completely uncompromising music that makes Al Divino (and company) such a force to be reckoned with in the underground. Love him or hate him, you won’t be able to ignore him!

Onto the MC side of things, this is the part I feel he’s a tad bit more toned down than with Estee. I suppose with his insane release schedule (as this EP is only one of dozens) already out this year alone, not including CCE, so with that much on your plate, you can’t be straining your vocal chords in every drop; that would be unhealthy! But regardless, he hasn’t lost his lyrical magic, his ability to manipulate the beat (even ones as crazy as these) to his will and advantage to formulate the best possible verse.

His relentless wordplay and vicious style of delivery, it’s all still there and very much alive, just toned down a notch! 

Of course, there’s the singular feature ‘RED AMANDALA’, who has absolutely no problem matching the notorious aura and cadence of Al and does a solid verse in his end!

Also, the fact the EP ends on that fantastically unpredictable, less than one-minute beat by Al himself was icing on the cake.

This whole record, the whole 12 minutes, was a wild run from start to finish, a true shot of adrenaline that I can honestly say no other artists besides Estee are administering! Buy this EP today! 

https://jackpotrecords.vip/shop?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadeCkKehhK8reFoR9dgz4WII21uJ2C_UCP3SjrMqmnAX2ycvc-K5cf5sY354g_aem_hI4GL8kV_RsLjaUH2TJELw

(Abstractions)

Once again, it’s time to cover a new artist. One who appeared in my DM’s and one who has been in the back of my mind since I saved it for later due to the unique album cover gives me hope that this will be a listening experience that isn’t like any other! Let’s get into it!

So, this is the latest collaboration project between MC Len-Dor and producer Silence, and together they drop a six-track EP tape with, as I guessed, some very interesting production!

I’d put these sounds in the 

-Experimental

-Noise

-Ambient

-Lo Fi 

-Tri Hop categories with those extreme sonic scales, the short and reverb tracks with heavy bass and synth chords. This kind of vibe is similar to acts like 

-Death Grips

-Clipping. 

-JPEGMAFIA

Very brash, very nice out of the box, and although it may not be the taste of everyone, it’s the kind I look for! I love that unpredictability in music, especially Hip Hop. That eerie yet exciting instrumentation where you don’t know what could possibly come next, man! 

Also, it’s common that within songs that are this short, you have more attention span and more of a chance to land a banger that everyone will love and not have to worry about things such as ‘overstaying your welcome’ since there’s not even enough time to visit! Just a quick hello, how are you, and leave!

Now, as far as the MC work goes! This thing has the intensity and precision of a sniper rifle in the hidden slow. You won’t see when the shots come or where they land from, but you’ll feel them!

This man has natural charisma, solid enthusiasm, and an off-kilter attitude that suits this level of instrumentals!

He lands bars when he wants and is able to manipulate the beats to suit his structure other than the other way around! He’s smooth, calculated, and still presences his ‘controlled chaos’ with his original studio cadence and his creative lyricism that grabs the attention of the listeners and fans!

For such a short EP, I fuck with it. It’s like a short dose of adrenaline that I guarantee everyone will love! 

https://len-dor.bandcamp.com/album/abstractions

(Oro Rosa)

Man, what an interesting career projection CRIMEAPPLE has had in 2025. From a trio album with Primo Profit and MichaelAngelo to a self-produced album to now a single with DJ Skizz? I feel this is his experimental phase of his discography, and I fuck with it. Let’s talk about it!

This new single is 2 minutes and 36 seconds in length, and this is probably the most beautifully orchestrated instrumental I’ve heard him rap on!

This song features a loop of classical strings and chords that are methodically paced and played. This is the kind of music you’d expect to hear at a 1930s royalty party with a whole orchestra to play the music. 

It’s cinematic, surreal, and breathtaking in execution, and it’s the kind of beat you could play for hours and never get sick of. It’s simplistic, skeletal, and at the same time cinematic and masterful, all rolled into one!

As far as CRIME goes, he’s just going for the kill. Barely giving himself time to breathe, he’s just firing off bars after bars after bars (no bullshit). He’s utilising his trademark witty street lyricism with his no-nonsense smooth and confident flow that slices through this beat like a powdered brick, and his notorious precise wordplay leaves no stone unturned or words left off the table.

If you’re a longtime fan of CRIME, then you’ll know what he’s about. You’ve heard him kill tracks in the past, and this occasion is no different. I’d argue it’s on these shorter cuts where MC’s of his calibre shine the brightest since they know they have no room for error or filler, and he displays none of either!

I’d love to see a full album with sounds like this in the future! A different side to the man who has been slaying the game for years and I’m sure will do for years more. Trust me, this track is worth fucking with! 

https://open.spotify.com/track/3AWTp3RvwXUDLtziYTt6zy?si=v5ys1dr0SXGZGehIXG9y6A

(Fly Dialogue)

What a great album title, it’s quite fitting considering how this album sounds. Had the title not been right there staring at me, I also feel the best way to describe this album would be:

FLY DIALOGUE

This is the February release by MC and producer Milano Constantine, who, alongside DJ Ready Cee, has presented a collection of eight tracks and 23 minutes of content for listeners to sink their teeth into. Trust me, it’s a treat.

While listening to this album, I noticed just how delicate and beautiful the production was. There are so many points where you hear such things as light/breezy synth keys or subtle bass strings incorporated with elements of traditional and contemporary/ambient hip hop that highlight the usage of bright and colourful instrumentation that’s theatrically smooth in execution and rhythm.

I love the atmosphere of this record because it’s original. In any given week, you could be updated with over 100x grime/muddy, heavy hardcore records as it’s become the latest ‘trend’, and while some do it well, most just saturate the market with the sound. But on this album, you can actually hear the fresh sounds, the lively chords and harmonies that you can actually isolate and pinpoint if you listen closely, and that is fucking special.

It’s the kind of music you listen to when you want to turn your mind off and just lay down, forget your troubles, and just relax to a quality hip hop experience. It’s fun, addictive, infectious, and soothing all in one. Absolutely amazing.

Moving on to the MC side of things, while Milano is new to me, he really impressed me. Right off the bat, I could feel his passion that bleeds all over the tracks. It’s an aura of pure enthusiasm and stimulation for his craft! You can tell he’s a man who’s spent years building and working on his craft until it’s hard as steel and as lethal as poison. 

His flow is slick and fluent, bouncing beat to beat with extreme precision and effortless efficiency, like his words are lighter than clouds just breezing over the instrumentals in the exact places they are meant to land. I love his introspective and short storytelling approach to his verses; it makes you think and ponder on every sentence he says, whether that’s his strong cadence forcing the listener to hold on every word he says or his natural storytelling abilities. I’m not sure, but either way, he has a gift for commanding attention to the room, and as someone who has a father with that gift, it’s definitely rare.

What’s also dope is the outro track, as he features prominent artist The Mussolini, and the chemistry between the two is seamless. I love the way they bounce off each other, their synchronicity, and their similar personalities on the track. You couldn’t ask for a better album finale if you tried!

All in all, a fantastic album with lots of flavour and depth. Powerful production and even more powerful lyricism! It’s the kind of album you want to keep on you at all times to help with life itself, call it a natural shot of relaxation, and let yourself be swept away by Milano and his 

FLY DIALOGUE. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6VCnwdkJKzK28XlntHynBY?si=pq8LquwzS6-XiWrETxfnAA

(DOOM WAS RIGHT)

You know, due to how busy I am, I’ll admit there are artists that slip past me. Artists I see get massive credit and recognition, but ones I may forget about art the time due to lack of time, ironically. But after it was sent to me specifically to check out, I wasn’t going to make any excuses not to check it out! So let’s get to it!

This is the latest album by multi-man Action Figure 973, and apparently, this was all done by him, the writing and the production, which is dope! Features 12 tracks, 35 minutes of content, and the likes of: 

-Vega7 The Ronin

– Bluo Azul 

-EricTheRed13

Three deadly men to include in any album! Now, first off, I love this guy’s look of a luchador wrestler! That’s a pretty badass attire to use, especially for a music artist! Now, this production featured is very methodically paced and skeletal. You can hear the individual movements of sound from the long and drawn-out notes to the bass-heavy strings to those deranged and muddy chords! 

This whole record sounds malicious in execution, and by utilising these various techniques and sounds, it makes for one of the most interesting, original, and memorable listens of the year! As referenced by him in the lyrics across this album, this production style does remind me of the legend MF DOOM in the way he used to incorporate untraditional music into his tracks, using beats that most wouldn’t touch in his time and make gold out of them.

I feel the same mindset. I wouldn’t exactly call some of these instrumentals ‘conventional’, but as a lot of the GOATS of the industry have proven, it’s that it’s the ones thinking ‘outside’ the box that get the most recognition, and I feel this will be the same way!

Speaking of the man himself, for someone who dresses like an MC version of El Hijo De Dr Wagner Jr, he raps as well as this guy wrestles! He has the confidence of a world champion, and he goes into every bar like he’s the MVP, and his specialty is ‘hurting people’.

If I were a MC, I’d stay outta the ropes with him. He talks a good game on the mic with his witty and smart wordplay, and his sharp lyricism. He can’t be matched on promo, but he also delivers the sonic smackdown on all the candy asses of fake-ass hustlers who want the main events without putting the effort in!

He’s a nice guy, real nice, smooth as butter, the ultimate Babyface. But when he wants to, he could turn on a dime like Cena if pushed too far, and trust me, just like 09 Randy, you don’t wanna fuck with him when he’s angry! 

This time around, he’s decided not to come alone. He’s called his own BC with the Ronin, Bloo, and EricTheRed, and we ain’t talking Rowan, but even though they’re too sweet as a family, they’ll hit you with the magic killer if you ever think you have the special touch on the mic or studio. 

If you’re on that WWE shit, guarantee Action will craft the best storyline you’ve ever seen in your life that will make you ashamed of ever holding a pen.

If you’re on that AEW shit, best believe Figure will be the real 1000-hold man and out-perform you on so many levels your mental will revert back to you crawling in comparison to this man’s abilities. 

And don’t get it twisted, if you’re on that NJPW shit, it will take you 973 years twice over to think he won’t strong-style the shit outta any competition who thinks they throw hands or verses better than him.

Doesn’t matter what company, what label, what part of the culture you’re from. When Action Figure is on the scene, then for the 1000’s in attendance and the millions listening across the world, and to all the haters and naysayers in the socials, you can all get ready to

SUCK IT!! 

Go fuck with the album. 

https://open.spotify.com/track/7GnyUhy5S4TYGspBtNHQix?si=6ng-TMEpSDuY7YsLSxbVpg

(Broken King’s III)

I think it’s an unspoken rule in the world of media. If you’re going to make a trilogy, you have to make sure that final instalment is the best one of the three, otherwise the scrutiny will be immense! So, let’s see if this album lives up to the hype! 

This is the latest and final collaboration in the ‘Broken King Series’ between MC E-Fluent and producer Reckonize Real. Together, to conclude their epic saga, they bring forth 11 new tracks and featuring the likes of 

-Fastlife 

-Wulfy

-Wordplay

-MyneFrame 

Now, for their finale, Reckon ain’t pulling any punches; he’s shooting to kill! His sonic stomp is aiming at the neck of the haters, and he ain’t leaving till he leaves red footprints courtesy of his blood-soaked Jordans. The protection on here is ridiculous. 

We’re talking tough, raw, and crisp boom Bap excellence that will make street beats sound tamed in comparison. Heavy bass, down-to-earth instrumentation, and boss aura keys and notes that remind me of the gritty late 90’s and early 2000’s East Coast shit that forces your head to bop till your neck’s sore! (I’ve been rocking my neck since track 1 for real) this shit infectious.

Most importantly, this shit is raw but mixed with so much quality and flavour that it’s a guaranteed replay value album. This isn’t the type of album you’ll listen to once and put down. Nah, this is the kind of record that will be stuck in your head for days and weeks until you are forced to put it back on again! Believe me, it has that level of grip on your mind and soul!

Speaking of mind and soul, we have MC E-Fluent. The man who has equally captivated the audience within this series and refined ‘The Dark Knight Trilogy’ with his intense, brutal, and in-your-face delivery, and there ain’t no laughable mumbling on his part; he’s clear, precise, and he doesn’t need riches or fancy weapons to knock your ass out if you take him lightly!

On his utility belt, he packs on his lyrical versatility, his smooth flows, and his lethal/witty wordplay that even Riddler couldn’t decipher! He’s the bane of all hating ass fakers’ existence, and I guarantee after this trilogy is all said and done, he’ll be the one with ‘the last laugh’.

In all seriousness, I love his attention to detail, his ability to tell stories, and paint vivid pictures. His eye for depth and consistency, verse for verse, or even bar for bar. It’s this level of quality that made this series so notorious and also why he made sure this is arguably the best of the three!

To say I’m surprised would be the world’s greatest understatement. The features are banging, the production is lit, and the verses are insane! Trying to step to this legion, you belong in the asylum! 

https://realdeff.com/album/broken-kings-iii

(Cold World)

Man, I never thought I’d live to see the day I got to review an instrumental track featuring two of my favourite beat makers on one song! This review shit takes me to a lot of amazing places and I’m eternally grateful for it!

So, this is the latest single by Circa 97 off his upcoming beat tape called ‘Tears In Your Eyes’, coming out the 23rd of May! And this song ft the iconic Giallo Point, and with these two on the case, what could possibly go wrong? I’ll tell you, nothing.

So this is a song 2 minutes and 25 seconds, and right into the track this thing feels like (to me at least) a golden early to mid 2000’s East Coast type of beat that you’d find prime Hov rapping on! This shit is tight!

You have those countdown beat drops to start the song off, and then throughout the song killer cuts and a soulful female vocal loop used for the entire song. One thing I noticed is how the cuts switch up and extend throughout the track, and then we hear an intense and powerful speech sample used towards the end to close the track off!

What’s impressive to be is even though this track is only less than 3 minutes, there are so many stages and parts. 

From the countdown intro, to the introduction of the soul singer, to the evolving and progressing cuts and scratches, to the podium speech given at the end. All done within 10-20 increments but noticeable nonetheless, and this level of creativity, originality, and execution is what you’d expect from having two Masterclass producers on the same track together!

I love everything about this track, the era it reminds me of, the multiple phases and layers, the various elements to it, and the fact that throughout all that it still remains relatively skeletal and simplistic of a track that is utilising many different star parts to make this track shine!

Even if you’re not a usual beat tape head, please make this the exception and give these two legends the time you definitely won’t regret!

https://open.spotify.com/track/3qRAXx3o0wxxrkA5qhROnR?si=qqJ45ktiTX-A9B2H7VV7kw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A482Oa5efa3d0pvxoWzyPXe

(GOLLINWOG)

There will never be an experience quite like a new ‘Billy Woods’ album. For decades, he’s pioneered the storytelling/dark poetry aspect of the underground and has been your rappers’ favourite rapper for longer than some of you have been alive to read this. Yet with every new drop, he still maintains the same level of excitement as if he just came out, so with that. Let’s get into it!

So, this is his new studio album featuring 18 new tracks and a roster such as:

-Steel Tipped Dove

-Conductor Williams

-Kenny Segal

-Bruiserwolf

-SadhuGold

-Preservation

-The Alchemist

-Despot

-El-P

-ELUCID

-DJ Haram

-Shabaka Hutchings

-Al Divino

-Saint Abdullah

-Yolanda Watson

-Jeff Markey

-Messiah Musik 

-Ant

-Cavalier 

-Willie Green

-Human Error Club

And if this list doesn’t get you hyped, that just means you aren’t familiar with the underground because this is one of the most star-studded underground rosters you can ask for! Filled with regular collaborators and some fresh ones, each name on here brings something special to the table that elevates this record to a different spectacle entirely!

It doesn’t take long at all for Billy to incorporate his trademark dark, twisted, and morbid style and sonic imagery that only he can truly capture. There are so many songs on here that literally gave me goosebumps. The production on here is beyond ‘eerie’, it’s downright sadistic. We’re talking methodically paced deep/low strings and demented choir chords. A jazz track utilised to sound like a panic/thrilling moment in an 80’s action movie when the main character is about to die or get tortured.

An opening ambient-themed track with nothing but creepy noise filled with demented children nursery rhymes sounds and deep bass. I mean, there’s a track called ‘Waterproof Mascara’ which is literally a woman sobbing and crying as the main loop!! I couldn’t believe it when I heard it; this track has to be one of the most sadistic Woods on a track. He sounds like a kidnapper rapping alongside his hostage! The way he can utilise this level of morbid production is second to none.

The list of producers absolutely nails the vicious and dangerous atmosphere needed for a Billy Woods album, and you couldn’t ask for better instrumentals if you tried; these guys did it PERFECT!

As I mentioned before, Billy sounds as ruthless as ever. It seems he only gets more creatively sick with age, and I mean that in the best way possible. With every new drop, he has a new way or perspective to present to the audience, and this one is more barbarous than most.

It features his famous slow-paced, in-depth delivery and lethal flow. His lyricism has always been god-tier, and on this album, it’s only accurate to call it ‘devil-tier’ because the way he conceptualised mini horror stories and terrible situations is truly chilling.

His cold tone is always something to witness. He’s never one to fluctuate his emotions, and his stone demeanour is in full effect today as he presents himself alongside these horrifically brilliant production efforts and raps alongside with ease.

Across this album, the features also handle themselves with similar intensity. These people have been alongside him for years and catch his vibe and aura accurately, whereas I mentioned in the intro, they know how to capture the best and most immaculately disturbed version of him in the studio.

What’s also interesting is the movie, tv snippets used throughout the album of what sounds like horror movie clip. In other examples of artists this kind of decision could be seen as corny or cartoonish but the way he uses them is nothing funny about it, somehow he turns these things into extra fear fuel for the listener and it had me on the edge of my seat!

I’ll be honest with you all, this album got to me so much that I had to listen with all my lights on! The idea of listening to this in the dark was absolutely terrifying. This is truly a masterpiece in the depraved and I can’t imagine anyone ever doing it as masterful as Billy and his associates!

https://open.spotify.com/album/6YjoANrjcsf17p1OmWESfo?si=3RC57sHEQYmlDL36Ak8hSw