(Canvas)

I can’t believe this is my second review of the week covering a one-man band. I celebrate cool little coincidences like these; I mean, what are the odds? Anyway, another new artist discovery at that! So let’s get into it!

So, this is the latest release by MC, Writer, Mixer, and Producer Apx Alx. Featuring 12 tracks with over half an hour of run time! 

I’ll start off by saying it’s always impressive when one man can operate on all cylinders. I can’t imagine if I were an artist doing everything myself; that sounds like a nightmare, but here he is proving that it can be done! Which is dope. 

Now, on the production side of things, I’d say he went for a more ambitious approach to the instrumentation. I hear a lot of different elements such as:

-Ambient

– Lo-Fi

– Traditional Hip Hop

-Classical 

-Jazz

And the way he utilises these different notes and keys, chords, and strings is quite impressive. He will choose one instrument sample or sound and add that into a specific beat rhythm and prefer a skeletal beat to help the instrument in question blossom on the track and leave the listeners with a feeling of excitement and satisfaction when hearing something that is beautiful in execution yet equally simplified for a ‘less is more’ approach, which when done right can be the best music to listen to.

I find this pattern across each track on this album done in a mastered way where each song feels like a grand atmosphere of golden sounds, harmonic melodies, and dreamy aesthetic that relaxes the body, soul, and brain when listening to it.

The only complaint I could say is that in some areas the songs do feel ‘flat’ and I feel could be mixed a bit louder or better, but again I ain’t the one working solo so I can’t imagine the pressure and difficulty in releasing a full album by oneself, so I won’t judge just being honest! Doesn’t take away from the listening experience at all!

Onto the MC side of things, I think he’s super dope! He has a passionate energy to him, you can hear his enthusiasm and his witty, clever wordplay is fresh on the record and he has a certain lively cadence on the flow and bar for bar he’s eager, cunning and confident which are three things you definitely need to shine on an LP!

I love how depending on the nature or tempo of the track he’ll adjust his speed and style to better suit and match the song in question. That level of self-awareness is important and surprisingly uncommon with a lot of artists. 

I’ve heard dozens upon dozens of artists who rap the same speed or pace on every track whether it’s slow or fast and that shit bugs me. It proves a lack of self-awareness or understanding of your own music which in turn is a clear sign your ass. Thankfully Apx is a clear-cut example of how you should handle yourself on an album and I respect that!

Overall, a very dope release by the man who ran this shit himself! It ain’t easy it can’t be but he pulled it off and I’m impressed! 

Shoutout to the features .96 and Gorgeous Jefe on this record! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7DpmQ0y3203NfQBu3ffq3i?si=PtYOTvI8S76C-qHtYuekIw

(Vintage Lord)

In my line of work, I find myself overworked quite often. Left staying up till past midnight most nights just to clear my review schedule for the next day’s batch. But there are a rare few I volunteer to stay up late for just to catch their latest shit, and Maze Overlay is one of those men. As long as he’s making music, I’ll be here to support and wait in anticipation for each and every drop!

This is his latest album and his second full-length LP of the year following his exceptional project ‘Word’, and now he’s back with a list of producers such as: 

-Wahr Season

-Arza 

-Good Phelo 

-Fumes The Threat

-Swab

-Now & Laterz

-Bishop

-Odd Father

And although I prefer records with one producer running the show, this album is definitely the exception. What makes this record special first and foremost is the cooperation and one mindset on the production. Although each track has its own unique characteristics, they all come together to focus on a singular vibe and overall concept. 

Right off the bat, I noticed similar to projects such as ‘KOMPLEX’ or ‘The Grid’, it features a very dreamlike, ambient atmosphere in its instrumentation and execution of the production and overall soundscape of the record. Very melodic notes and keys, a surreal and methodical pace for the instrumentals, and you can feel that each producer working on this album took their time to establish a specific rhythm and aesthetic for this album.

It’s not a raw or muddy-sounding album but more a slick, introspective at times and artful in all its beautiful layers. 

There’s across the album (including the intro) where you hear these skits and narratives, which definitely give this record a more intimate and thought-provoking essence! Actually, I’ve noticed that about all of Maze’s drops, he never adds dumb shit in his skits or interludes! I hate comedy or filler skits that don’t mean nothing— unpopular opinion— but all that Redman or Ludacris using tons of skits that rob the album of actual music annoys me. But Maze utilises these for creativity and making the audience think about the words being said.

That’s the difference, and that’s when interludes are acceptable! When they actually ADD something to the record, so that’s another layer when Maze wins over the rest! 

I must say this every time, but with every new Maze album, I swear he gets better and better, and his rapping skills are sharper and more powerful than the previous release.

On this record, he sounds wise, he sounds like a 100-year-old Sensei who is preaching to the young ones about the art and mastery of hip hop! He has this certain level of reverence and respect in his cadence that’s unique to him. 

With every bar he spits, he does so smoothly, gliding alongside the beat; nothing ever feels forceful or awkward with him, just pure coasting song to song, never knowing how it feels to touch the ground!

Although his subject matter can switch track to track or even album to album, he has seemed to give off this thinking man’s perspective on his bars. As if he’s literally trying to teach the audience and give them something to go home with after the album is done. I never really listen to a Maze album and just switch off; I’m always finding myself hanging on every word he says because it’s always part of a bigger picture or a grander story, and that level of lyricism is a big factor why I support this man!

Actually come to think of it also, he’s rarely ever with features. A few here and there across several albums but for the most part he’s always rocking on his own. That’s a strength a lot of rappers today don’t understand. When you can make a whole LP pop just on your own? That level of self confidence and dedication is something you can’t buy, it’s something you learn and he’s been at the forefront of this for years now!

When it comes to Maze, I’m never surprised. Don’t get me wrong I am the serpent tongue if ever drops ass I’ll be the first to say ‘this is ass’ but he just hasn’t. Every release I’ve heard from him since 2024 has been absolutely fire and I’m gonna be excited to cover him as long as he makes music! 

https://mazeoverlay.bandcamp.com/album/vintage-lord

(Kitchen)

You know, sometimes certain collaborations just naturally get the culture hyped. Al Divino and Estee Nack, Pro Dillinger and FutureWave, Mickey Diamond and Big Ghost Ltd, and without a doubt today’s feature is bound to get you excited if you’re a real one! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest single by the infamous Flee Lord, whose reputation needs no explanation! But not only is he back with a brand new single off his upcoming album ‘RA3’, and to celebrate, he’s dropping a track featuring none other than NEMS AND PRODUCED BY ETO! 

If that doesn’t get you hyped, I don’t know what will! Because this track goes OFF! 

The production alone is crazy, with ETO utilising that traditional muddy hardcore boom bap-flavoured track that feels like a sonic Randy Orton punt kick to the head! It’s raw, rough, and rugged, and if you aren’t prepared for it, it will knock you down for the KO! 

I love those methodical piano keys combined with that trademark grimy beat with that ridiculous bass, and all of this combined makes for one of the toughest singles of the year but makes for the perfect advertisement for the new album dropping midnight!

As solid as ETO’s production was, the trio’s rapping was better! The way they delivered verse after verse after verse in such a way that it showed their competitiveness, all three trying to make it out with the verse of the night and rapping their asses off!

Each man had their own distinct flavour and distinct personality that they add to the track, each man with their monstrous aura and lethal wordplay and delivery makes this one a triple threat no-holds-barred match for the ‘best verse of the night’ title, and none of them came to lose!

So, make sure as a real hip-hop head you support these legends by fucking with the track and deciding for yourself who won the match?  

https://open.spotify.com/track/638Vh8kqnKvz2ckE18m1ry?si=Gd0-sjA9S4CiAb2KX3oEig

(REINVIGORATED EP)

Oh boy, we’re back again. Actually, to be accurate, NOWAAH is back again. He’s working on making this year HIS YEAR with his sixth drop of the year, and he’s only getting better with consistency, so let’s talk about it!

This new collaboration features the producer ‘The Kurse’, one of his earliest collaborators from back in the day, but they are back to drop heat in the form of seven fresh tracks that outclass your favourite rappers’ top five!

Right off the fucking bat, as this album starts, it blasts you with that cinematic energy and theatrical aura, combining the jazz influence with that hardcore boom bap shit, and it sounds fucking gorgeous!

The immersion only gets deeper the further down the record you get because each track features its own unique rhythm and vibe that sets it apart from the rest! Each song comes to life and breathes that surreal atmosphere and masterfully crafted instrumentation that gives the body goosebumps! 

Whether we are talking about the track ‘BLADE RUNNER’, that features that methodically paced strings combined with those light-worked drum patterns that all together sound like an outer world/hypnotic trip! Also, those sex sounds running through the track make for quite the intimate feeling for sure!

Or hell, let’s talk about the very track after ‘MOST GRACIOUS’, which has this soulful/R&B vibe with those smooth keys and string combinations that sound like something Smokey Robinson would play! Absolutely dope.

The point I’m trying to prove is that you pick any of the tracks on this list, and they all tell their own story and present their own sonic statement, and that level of diversity is what makes this album and its execution one of the most memorable yet! 

What can I say about NOWAAH that I haven’t already said? This man is the definition of a powerhouse! Every record he’s on, he sounds absolutely monstrous in his deep vocal tones, his tough and rugged demeanour, his sharp and lethal wordplay, and his destructive MC presence is a rare trait most rappers lack!

He has the flow of an earthquake, and his clever and witty lines hit the instrumental like a truck full of nails, destroying everything in their path and leaving the beat on fire! 

He’s always the type of rapper to impress me with his equally brash and witty lyricism, with his aura of complex and ruthless enthusiasm, and his brand of consistency and brutality in this underground landscape, where he’s renowned as one of the best and most skilled to do it, and this latest EP is nothing but a further statement of that! 

So, as a hip-hop head. Please heed my advice and go play and buy this album, and do yourselves a favour and listen to this wonderfully mixed, perfect chemistry EP that will definitely leave an impression! 

https://nowaahtheflood7.bandcamp.com/album/reinvigorated-ep

(The Infinite Money Glitch)

It’s been a minute since I last reviewed the main man Black Kush, and I’m thankful to be back and being able to witness the introspective masterpiece that was sure to be the new Black Kush album. Not surprisingly, I was right! 

So, this is his latest album that’s been produced by ANTONYM and features eight new tracks and a whole vibe to go with it! Just like with his previous release, this record displays a certain attitude and aura that not many other artists can say they replicate. With any record I’ve heard him on, he always has this production that’s larger than life and feels like a sonic noir movie in the modern day. 

The way those classical chords are utilised, those beautifully orchestrated strings, the subtle drum patterns, and just the overall treatment and mastery of the instrumentation and keys make this record a vibrant and powerful score that touches your soul in a way most records can’t.

The way the beats and production sound, it feels like it has this ‘aesthetic’ effect that makes your mind wonder and your curiosity peek through the various stages and points of the record. It’s a real thinker’s man album, and I love that.

Of course, as amazing as the production is, it wouldn’t be the same without the MC himself, who is rocking his shit with no features, just him and his ever-growing ability and wordsmith talent. When I listen to him rap, it reminds me of the old school days of the underground—you:

-Illogic

-Open Mike Eagle

-Milo

-Aesop Rock 

The ones who built the foundation for poetry, reflective and thoughtful bars over money insensitive, and that’s how I feel here. He has such an amazing pen game, his flow is absolutely fluent, his lyricism and vocabulary is off the charts; he’s like a walking thesaurus! His intellectual wordplay is something I’ll always appreciate, as that subgenre of hip hop is always in my top three, as that’s what I spent my teens listening to and my first discovery of the underground!

He has a dope subtlety to his delivery. He ain’t trying to be a tough guy or over the top; he’s just letting his well-crafted verses speak for him, and across this level of production, it all falls into place seemingly!

Another fantastic showing by Black Kush! His chemistry with ANTONYM was perfect, and hopefully, we can hear more from them in the future!

https://blaqkush1.bandcamp.com/album/the-infinite-money-glitch

(Much Given, Much Tested)

Man, in the year of banging collaborations, this one might be the most groovy! Damn, this album is infectious as hell, let’s talk about it!

This is the latest album by MC BlackLiq and producer Dub Sonata, and together they drop 13 tracks with the likes of: 

-Nickelus F

-Slug

-Tone Spliff

-Napoleon Da Legend

-Michael Alan Alien

-Noah-O

-Evening Elevator 

And hopefully, I don’t have to be the one to tell you that this is a fucking STACKED roster to work with. With these names, regardless of the album artists, this would be, but especially with this duo? Games over.

As I mentioned in my intro, the production is as colourful as I’ve heard this year! It’s as if the songs themselves are alive and filled with spirit and character, with the purpose of giving the audience the most clear and crisp audio experience of their lives!

The horns, the notes, strings, and piano keys are all elevated from 10 to 100! Absolutely surreal techniques and mastery of the instruments and samples that define the meaning of ‘vibrant’, it’s nothing short of incredible.

This is the kind of record you could listen to over and over again, and it will never lose its infectious energy; this feels like a hip-hop score you’d hear in a cinematic movie about the art. If they ever did make a theatrical release about hip-hop, then this would be the album I’d use as the soundtrack for real! I can’t say it enough, this album SLAPS.

Across this beautifully crafted masterpiece, we have, as mentioned, BlackLiq on the case, accompanied by some of the dopest names you’ll ever hear in the industry, period. But Black is a powerhouse in his own right, and he shows you exactly why across this one.

His notorious energy combined with his lethal lyricism, his incredible versatility in his wordplay and witty puns, and his smooth flow is uncompromising and untouchable! 

His trademark deep-toned voice spreads like wildfire across this album and takes no prisoners, inserting himself into the conversation for some of the best performances of the year! 

Which is saying a lot considering he has the likes of the legend Slug and Napaloen Da Legend on his heels, but as a true threat, he doesn’t waver or flinch because he knows he’s earned his way into being peers with the likes of these men, and that level of respect can never be bought, and he and the rest of the people on this record know that more than anyone.

Man, I could listen to this record forever, honestly. It’s rare to hear a rap album so fucking groovy and infectious. If you ain’t listening to this, then you’re missing out! 

https://dubsonata.bandcamp.com/album/much-given-much-tested

(Philly Boy)

This man takes the phrase ‘one-man band’ to a whole new level. A new artist discovery for me, and one I’ve been interested in for the last week, and now it’s time to talk about it!

So, this is the latest album by rapper, writer, and producer Phil Gektor, and it features no features at all, with only nine tracks and 27 minutes of heat. 

Right off the bat, when talking about production, this thing has a surreal, ambient quality to it that I find charming. It’s not your standard hip-hop album with straightforward beats and breaks, but instead, it features melodic keys and groovy elements soaked into the tracks that give it that extra aura points.

On most of the nine songs, you’ll have either a soft-spoken choir chorus loop or luscious pianos, or light notes and chords, or even subtle bass strings, and these things by themselves may not be much, but when you include them into a quality mixed rap album with masterful technique and production, then you have yourself a recipe for an original and creative release, which was produced by the man himself!

Now switching to the MC role, as impressive as he is behind the board, he’s equally impressive on the mic with a passionate and enthusiastic flow that features fluent flow, sharp wordplay, and precise execution on the lyricism and pen game.

He has a gritty and raw voice that makes each of his words hit like a Mike Tyson punch to the face, and his vibrant, confident cadence makes all his deliveries and puns land that much slicker. 

I can’t help but respect the fact he has no features and is just rocking this all himself! Proving to himself and, most importantly, to the audience that he doesn’t need anyone else at all to make this album pop besides himself! 

All in all, this close to half an hour project hits all the levels it should:

-Production

-Lyricism

-Quality 

And done all by himself makes it even more impressive, definitely worth giving a listen!

(As The World Keeps Turning Remix)

I can’t remember if I’ve covered a remix single yet on my page! This could be a new milestone for me and one I’m excited to get into! 

So, this is the latest remix track by BLAZEWUN that’s produced by KNG BONDALERO and features RENE DAZE, and this track is two minutes and forty-one seconds in length! 

So, starting with that production. This has to be the most beautifully crafted beat I’ve ever heard from KNG. I’ve reviewed a lot of his work this year, and he normally provides the grimy, muddy, and raw cuts of boom bap variety, but on this one, he utilises these melodic keys and notes that give a type of ‘mythological’ atmosphere to it. This is the kind of instrumental you could lay back, close your eyes, and just take a deep breath and enjoy the vibe of the breath-taking/surreal aesthetic this track gives off! Truly remarkable!

The same could be said by the two men in charge of the lyrics. Both BLAZEWUN & RENE share a distinct level of chemistry and synchronicity over this instrumental that is definitely noteworthy. They both have a level of grit and energy to them that is both infectious and powerful. It’s like each word they speak weighs a pound each, and the heaviness of the sentences makes it impossible not to pay attention to the verses they spit.

You can hear the enthusiasm and passion they have in the way they utilise their fluent flows, their dominant pen game, and their strong lyricism. These two are the perfect players to collaborate together for this banging remix!

Definitely worth a listen! As far as remixes go, this one slaps hard. Gorgeous production and absolutely poisonous bars that could rival anyone in the game right now! 

https://youtu.be/KQLrxUUgD9Y?si=HpEbuKrGt_SrLbN6

(3Pc W The Rice)

Damn, first official release under the group ‘Penlordz’, how fucking exciting! And a surprise drop nonetheless! Talk about early Christmas, let’s get into it!

So, this is the latest EP release by Penlordz Fam Ross, Arsinel, and Audio Messiah. This trio has been the most consistent and frequent acts in the game right now, period. Since discovering them at the very end of last year, they’ve climbed to the top and haven’t come down. 

This project has three tracks: 

-Whoru 

-L-O-R-D

-3pcwtherice

And this short drop is all about spreading bars over bullshit, and that’s an area these three have been perfecting for years now! 

The production of this one on all three is just down-to-earth and muddy ambient lethal music that has no fancy additions or unnecessary effects or features. It’s just eight minutes of rough, skeletal, and heavy hip-hop instrumentals that serve the purpose of elevating three legendary MC’s and that’s exactly what it does.

I could probably start a podcast with the sole purpose of praising Penlordz, and there will never be enough episodes I could do to express all my gratitude and respect for them. They have been consistently prioritising real rap over trends or financial decisions. These guys (especially on this one) just focus on rapping. There’s no intro or outro or interludes or skits or anything at all except verses and music.

These three have the best chemistry I’ve ever heard in the underground. The only pair I could compare to are Estee Nack and Al Divino as far as pure synchronicity goes. These three, I’m convinced, could rap for hours and never get tired. They just pass the mic back and forth to each other and just spit some of the dopest bars you’ve ever heard.

The thing is, this isn’t a new thing. Every album they do solo, the features are always just each other, which is wild. They are always together, always sharpening each other’s skills, brotherly competition, and building each other up to be the best they can be, and that’s what I love most about them.

I fucking love this. I love everything they do, and knowing they have drops coming soon and still they surprise drop this bar Fest? It’s just the latest testament to their dedication and commitment to the culture, and no one is at their level in that respect! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2RBvDv6vINfQj9E7CA5pN3?si=zReI-D82TvKhA6_xdJQckg

(The Path Of Broken Glass)

I can’t believe I get to review a brand new Vanderslice project only 4 days after he dropped what I considered one of the best albums of the month with UFO Fev ‘Pyramid Schemes’ and now he’s back with another banger proving why he’s one of the most talked about beat makers in the game right now! 

So, this is the latest collaboration album between MC Words and producer Vanderslice and together they drop a 20 track project featuring the likes of 

-Lukey Cage

-JRoberts

-Halfcut

-Tha Rhyme Animal

-DJ Invasion

-Lu Chin Chen

-Hi-Q

-M.A.V

-B1 The Architect 

-Jake Haw

-Dee

And let me make it known that I love his roster. It’s a strong collection of lyricists and writers who have been criminally underrated by the industry but have released some of the best projects this year alone! But I want to mention the production real quick Vanderslice is on a run that’s ridiculous.

Across these songs he has somehow managed to make the various notes, keys and chords elevated and evolved to a more prestige and high caliber quality! This record sounds polished, mastered and crafted to the extent where you can hear every instrument clearly and with absolute precision. Nothing sounds jumbled or overlapped, it’s quite the opposite. You can pin point each and every sound and it’s that degree of attention and technique that makes me impressed with him every single time.

But don’t get it twisted, he hasn’t forgot the addition of the raw, grimy and dirty atmosphere he’s just found a way to enlighten these elements and push them to the forefront in a more precise and direct manner.

The good thing about Vanderslice is he has levels to his raw. Think of a sonic steak! You have tracks like ‘Something Profound’ which features a classical chord progression over a skeletal beat which I would consider ‘well done’ but then you have tracks such as ‘Irish Gas Chambers’ which has those muddy keys with those rough and rugged beat notes which I would consider ‘Raw’ there’s different temperatures to the album

Which gives listeners more variety to enjoy and tracks to prefer! That’s the ability and skill of Vanderslice who can present a different environment depending on the track and who’s involved! 

I’ll be honest, this will be my first experience with Words. I Initially wanted to get this album to support Vander but the more I got to speak to Words the more I became hyped to see what he was about and turns out my intuition was correct because he’s the perfect partner in crime for the extraordinary production provided!

He’s smooth on the beat, no matter the beat or the tempo he slides through each track like a knife through butter. He has a tough deep tone which makes him sound raw as fuck on the mic and his no nonsense attitude towards his bars and verses makes his presence undeniable! It’s like when you see an ‘Anti Hero’ on a show and you can’t help but root for the character, he’s the studio equivalent of that!

He also has a unique, dark energy to him when he raps. A rough enthusiasm and aura to the way he executes his pen work and his lyricism. It almost sounds like he’s trying to literally ‘kill’ the instrumental with murderous intent but using a pen to do so. If sounds could kill, he’d be on a murder spree! 

Of course he’s not alone and again I love the fact that they’ve recruited the most underrated players in the game right now because they as underdogs get to showcase why they shouldn’t be considered underdogs at all and they combined with Words absolutely massacre the tracks with no apology, it’s definitely a spectacle to witness! 

Overall, I highly recommend you hip hop heads go buy this album on Bandcamp it’s $20. That’s around a family meal at McDonalds. Unlike the food you get to support the independent artists and keep this album forever. Trust me it’s worth the $20! 

https://vanderslice.bandcamp.com/album/the-path-of-broken-glass