(Legacy)

It seems it’s time for another artist discovery! There seems to be an endless supply of new dope people to check out, and this is one of those occasions! So let’s get into it!

This is the collaboration project between MC J Rizi and producer/MC True, and together they drop 12 tracks with a 38-minute time length, featuring the likes of: 

-Bendino

-Ty Da Tyrant 

-Tone Spliff

-Seis 

-P.Riv

The production on this, reckon, makes me reminisce of the early to mid-2010s with the JID and Denzel Curry era. That hype, Florida booming bass, and high energy production mixed with that classic boom bap sound that hits you so hard, you’ll have to check your face for a slap mark!

One of the standout tracks on this record is ‘Essential Audio’, which features my main man and legend in the game, Tone Spliff, which includes his untouchable cuts that turn any track from a 10 to a 1000 with just his presence alone! Also, the fact the beat is inspired by Biggie’s ‘Kick In The Door’ makes it even more dope!

I love how this record features different flavours and inspirations throughout the album with no real structure; it’s (Crazy High Energy Hype Track) one moment, then the very next (Aggressive Raw and Grimy Boom Bap) hell on track 5 ‘Legacy’, they even have an inspiring track! Kind of reminds me of Eminem’s ‘Not Afraid’ in execution, but this song just further proves my point that they are here to present a platter of various sounds and music for the audience, and most often times this style comes across as messy or all over the place, but this time it works and works fantastically!

The MC work is also a piece of art! J Rizi True share a fantastic chemistry and in my option they have a unique style of rapping where they sounds smooth and gritty at the same time, lethal and powerful, slick and raw, and I hear their fluctuating between the two variants over the songs, and it’s honestly impressive!

For example, imagine Snoop or Common suddenly sounding like Xzibit or 2000’s Eminem. High energy suddenly into relaxed flow, and this surreal balance (at least to me) is remarkable because it means they can switch up the sonic stature depending on the groove and production placed in front of them!

Of course, they aren’t alone on this album, and they showcases their ability to rap alongside their peers and keep their composure and edge, creating absolute chemistry and pushing the record that much further into greatness!

I have to say, I was rather impressed with this record, and I hope to hear more from everyone involved in the near future!

https://open.spotify.com/album/1l78knSshB1AQPehTT7owY?si=5PPBi3JFSROndInpC7NNEw

(Gift and Curse)

You know, while there are plenty of advantages to working solo, like doing my own pace and answering only to me, there are a few disadvantages, such as being only one man and not being able to pick up on all the releases dropped, and so plenty are sure to go through the cracks, but that’s what these revision reviews are for! So let’s get into it!

So, this is the October 2024 release by MC JRoberts, and across these nine tracks, he brings with him MC’s such as: 

-AYOO BIGZ

-RJ Payne

-Che Noir 

And producer/cuts from the likes of: 

-Body Bag Ben

-Machacha 

-DJ Goadman 

And let me tell you what, for a 24-minute record, this thing goes wild. First of all, the production, which is mostly handled by Body Bag, feels like a homage to the traditional style of ‘Boom Bap’. There’s no fancy stuff added or over-the-top muddy inclusions or extreme instrumental choices; just solid, old-school, in-your-face, tough beats that are sure to leave you winded after each of these sonic punches to the ears! 

He (and the rest of the team) does a fantastic job at creating that no-nonsense, raw atmosphere in its most bare and skeletal form, and I feel so often in this generation we expect to always hear the most chaotic, wild, and exciting sounds and ideas (which I fucking love), but at the same time, we are losing appreciation for the ones who have perfected the basics and utilising those foundations to create a solid, enjoyable, and rock-hard LP!

As far as the rapping goes on this, just as well as the music side of things, we have equally dope and riveting mic work by all involved! Especially JRoberts, who really puts his heart and soul out there in trying to create the most structured bars, most consistent verses, and fluent flow imaginable.

He’s rapping his ass off on this project, pairing with the likes of Mickey Diamond, RJ Payne, AYOO BIGZ, and Che Noir— definitely not easy tasks to do! They are at the forefront of the game right now and will swallow anyone up who isn’t meeting their expectations, and he absolutely nails the quality and integrity of his raps to match theirs! 

He has such a passion for the game, you can hear it in his cadence, enthusiasm, and energy on the beats, and the way he sounds excited to be here and prove to everyone why he’s one of the dopest out, and that’s why I love this record!

Overall, definitely a gem of last year, and I just wish I got to it sooner! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3fVYKTvrOubw4m71wifQqF?si=TuhXeKSjRQaWLCmQTSfOnQ

(COLDEST COMBO EVER)

You know, often times an artist (especially in hip hop) will use the art of ‘Over Exaggeration’ or ‘False Braggadocio’ for entertainment value or hype or pop on the socials, but in this case, and such has been the case for close to a decade now, Estee Nack and Al Divino have been truthfully 

THE COLDEST COMBO EVER 

And across this 13-track collaboration, they set out to re-establish that very same fact they’ve been preaching since day one, and with Grubby Pawz on the production, this thing has absolutely no way it can fail, and it didn’t! 

This album contains the usual cast of suspects 

-FEED THE FAMILY (Borirock, Shaykh Hanif, Dun Dealy)

And ??? (The Hidden Character) with just these four names alone, they created the recipe for not only an album of the month but easily an album of the year!

In my opinion, this is Estee & Al’s most polished and refined record together yet. Grubby knew how big of a deal this drop would be, and so I can tell he put in the work mastering, mixing, and building a cinematic masterpiece that is built between the two most unpredictable and chaotic hip hop charisms the industry has seen in the modern era. He’s literally created the sonic equivalent of the ‘big bang,’ used two destructive and powerful forces to collide, and created life. 

What’s clear on this record is that Grubby is focused on using organic instrumentation samples and carefully manipulating them to suit the chaotic environment of the duo. So many of these beats have a beautiful combination of smooth & lawless, deranged & angelic, divine & anarchy. It’s these consistent spectrums constantly being utilised that this album thrives. 

It provides the listener with not only an engaging listening experience but also something completely original, creative, and interesting. It’s a stimulation on all fronts. You’ve got that seesaw production combined with the eccentric nature of Estee and Al, and you’ve got the ingredients for the perfect hip hop cocktail.

I can’t believe I can even say this after all the past gems released, but I have to admit, this is the best I’ve heard this duo sound on an album. That’s me saying that, knowing albums like ‘Triple Black Diamonds I&II, IMMORTAL KOMBAT, and ABRAKADABRA, ALAKAZAM’ exist, but I’m telling you, as wild as that is for me to admit, on this album, they are on a whole different level.

On this album, they have improved even more on their notoriously rare duo chemistry. I didn’t think that was possible till today, but they did! Their back-and-forths, matching each other’s intensity, both men outdoing the other with clever puns, witty lines, devastatingly street bars, god-tier one-game, and insane flow and lyricism! 

On this record, more than ever, they manipulate the production and make it operate on their behalfs! No matter the tempo, rhythm, or style of beat they are on, they don’t change a thing, they don’t slow down on their relentless approach; they just force the beat to work for them, and somehow it comes out perfectly.

It’s become abundantly clear that the perfect choice for features on this album are FEED THE FAMILY and ??? 

With the roll The Family have been on the past few years and their own levels of success and consistency, not to mention ‘Infinite Wave,’ which was only earlier this year. Or ‘Hooter Hyena,’ or even ‘WAVY BULLET,’ or even ‘ZING LANGUAGE,’ these guys have been destroying the culture and taking no prisoners, and they have earned to be talked about in the same conversation as Estee and Al, and their presence on this album fits better than I could have expected!

??? is someone who has been rocking with the duo since the early years and is their family! Providing a stream of dope verses and memorable tracks for the discography of both Estee and Al, it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he’s featured on here, and honestly, out of all the frequent collaborations, it would be unsettling if he wasn’t on it! Nonetheless, the use of only a handful of features of this magnitude served the record well as a whole!

I knew this album would be good, but I wasn’t expecting it to be THIS GOOD. I know $32 may not be as convenient as streaming or Bandcamp, perhaps, but let me tell you this is worth every dollar! Don’t let it slip past you! 

https://jackpotrecords.vip/shop?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaelfvbwkeKoSX2y6bPM8VuBMgWCzZ_DPJnJgEyQIxWbbZu_398rUTLBKS0xwA_aem_9ugSBvNBVI_wgYxB7xLL_g

(From Where To Infinity)

Time for a new artist’s discovery! Sometimes certain albums just pop off on socials, so it intrigues me enough to cover it, and so let’s talk about it!

This is the latest album between VIC ROSE and DVNTBEATS, and boy does it include a powerhouse roster! 22 tracks with the likes of 

-500

-Flames Dot Malik

-Starker

-YL

-Papo2004

-RXKNephew

-Borirock

-Wiardon 

-El Camino

-Tragedy Khadafi

-The Dutchmaster

-Hunnaloe 

-Reed

-DJ Lucas

-Mar Divinci

-Camden Malik

-FLEESKI

-Yo Chill

-Chuck Strangers

-Monday Night

-Snotty

-Vic Spencer

-Big Ouee

-Hunnaloe 

-Tha God Fahim

And right off the bat, that production has to be spoken about. Because DVNT does an excellent job at bringing the audience back to that late 90’s to early 2000’s East Coast vibes with those melodic harmonies, those smooth and beautiful strings, notes, and chords. The utilisation of those angelic vocal performances and loops accompanied by the glossy, crisp, and heavenly touches added to make it feel like you’re in a chill environment, no stress, no anxiety, just a dope as fuck album with surreal tunes with elements of 

-Rnb

-Soul

-Jazz

-Funk

-New Jack Swing

-Traditional Hip Hop, and more! 

The way he blends all these together to create a harmonious set of rhythms and chord progressions is just godly. This sounds like the kind of stuff Babyface would produce in his heyday! It’s irresistibly groovy, infectiously atmospheric, and an all-round fever dream of a record that does the best at combining sounds from all aspects of music into one super album!

As far as the rapping is concerned, there are so many different styles and preferences that it’s insane. Whether it be the off-the-cuff wildness of my main man from BSF, Flame Dot Malik, or the smooth yet lethal bars from Umbrella’s own Snotty. Or even the endlessly charismatic energy of FEED THE FAMILY’s Bori Rock, each member of this insane roster brings with them their own set of MC tools and abilities to crafting the perfect verses for themselves, and it becomes a who’s who very early on of the competition, ‘who has the better verse?’ and honestly, it’s impossible to decide.

Each man, trying their best to outdo the other. Out Witt, out bar the next, and in this spirit of competition, you get sharpened bars that lead to an overall solid album for both the MC’s and the producer!

You honestly would be hard-pressed to find a hip-hop legion as great as the one collected on this record! This album feels like an audio statement, a nod to the artists saying, ‘We can have the most angelic instrumentals, but we can also out-rap anyone in the game at a drop of a hat,’ and that’s the message I received on this one.

With so many big-name feature albums dropping this year, this one is surely a can’t-miss! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/38jJW8IeovFalmEBS8NaAf?si=07dXCfTLRk68a77lLntOpg

(Nothing More)

Well, this is a pace I wasn’t expecting to hear from Johnny. After all the wild, abrasive, and experimental tunes I’ve heard him on with Lord Mixer, this one is truly a spectacle in the whole other direction! Let’s talk about it.

So, this is a single that dropped a month ago and is 2 minutes and 37 seconds in length. This time it features producer ‘The Rudiest’ and Across this one (for a surprising change), we have a more melodic and harmonious production palette with what sounds like a combination of acoustic guitar or light drum work combined with a classical vocal sample with some light piano work also to make for a rather beautifully crafted instrumental track.

It’s warm, inviting, and refreshing. Three things you don’t normally hear on a record like this, and yet it works all the same! Further proof that regardless of the sound or preference, Johnny can go off just as well! 

Speaking of, the man in question has come with his trademark intensity and full-forced play by play in rhythm, wordplay, lyricism, and flow. As I’m reviewing so much of him lately, I’m trying to think of new and innovative ways to express his style, and it’s definitely a task in and of itself! If you’ve read the last seven reviews I’ve done on him in the past week, you’ll know he’s the definition of brash and loud.

The type of MC that speaks first, thinks second, as he gets in your face down and dirty and lets his dominant hand show in the studio and on the production. He’s working on living up to the namesake of Here’s Johnny and makes sure to never forget his iconic sharp, ruthless, and destructive charisma as it’s helped shape the very sound we all know him for!

So, softer touch on the instrumental but just as heavy-handed as ever with Johnny on the case! You could put a child’s lullaby behind him, and he’ll still make it one of the toughest tracks you’ve ever heard!

https://youtu.be/s83rLUssRmM?si=uhpWUeUUpsRmzxVU

(Floody UNLTD)

For an artist I only discovered this year, he’s quickly become one of my most anticipated. With every new drop he releases or album I discover, it makes me appreciate him even more, and with the knowledge of this one dropping in March this year, you know I had to peep it!

So, the latest EP by NOWAAH The Flood features ten tracks and is the third instalment of the ‘FLOODY SERIES’ with production credits of: 

-Bombay Da Realest

-BMG Castro

-The Custodian Of Records

-St. Ivan

-Zopeh Belefonte 

-The Mali Empire

-Clypto 

And I’ll be real, a lot of the time I get concerned with projects with multiple producers to this extent just because of the unity or the possibility of the lack thereof, but this EP proved me wrong in every way possible! This is such a dope record. 

First of all, as the production goes. With so many names, each man has added their own unique touch and personality to the tracks themselves. Instead of a bunch of beat makers with conflicted ideas, this feels like a collection of men with various characteristics that come together to express their love for the music but at the same time providing a different and new perspective in genre, influence, and style! 

For example, tracks like ‘Science Fair’ have that grimy, muddy boom bap lethal flavour that will force your face to mean mug and bop your head and neck till you need to go see your local chiropractor! 

Then there’s tracks like ‘FLOODY UNLTD’ which has that ambient, horn-heavy beat with those luscious keys and notes in the background that makes this song sound like something magical and out-of-this-world! 

Or even the track ‘A-1’ which has that beautiful jazz influence with those smooth piano keys with those synth chords in the background to make for a relaxing and soothing listening experience!

My point is, each producer brings something different to the album, but it all works. It all sounds fluent and constructive to the progress of the overall EP! An absolutely fantastic job by everyone involved.

On to the star of the record. NOWAAH, the man who has had a killer few years, once again outdoes himself on this one. What intrigues me about him is his natural charisma, his tough and sturdy delivery on his lines, and his conviction in his own game and lyricism. He ain’t interested in anything but the shit he wants to do! He makes what HE wants, no compromise, no switching lanes for popularity or going ‘viral’, he’s just here to make his brand of dope music, and the fans love him for it.

You can hear it in the way he spits his bars, his level of discipline and drive he puts into each of his lines, let alone his projects. He makes sure each bar, sentence, verse is delivered with the utmost precision, impact, clarity, and consistency. He’s not the type to wish a wack verse on because it will never happen!

Overall, another dope EP. One I’m glad I discovered when I did. The variety of production is surreal, the MC work is flawless, and overall just one of the best EP’s of the year!

https://nowaahtheflood7.bandcamp.com/album/floody-unltd

(Burial Plots & Pyramid Schemes)

Looks like it’s time to go back in time to 2022 based on a request, and thank goodness I did because this thing is absolutely monstrous! Let’s talk about it!

So this is a 2022 album by producer ‘Imperetiv’ and features a ridiculous roster including: 

-Josiah The Gift

-G4 Jag 

-Starz Coleman 

-Rick Hyde

-Benny The Butcher

-Pro Dillinger

-Asun Eastwood

-SLNC

-Dystrakted

-El Camino

-Chayna Ashley

-Plex Diamonds

-Jacobi The Giant

-Alcatraz

-Falcon Outlaw

-L-Biz

-Junk

-Y.N.X.716

-RU$H

-Neako

-Daniel Son

-A.M. Early Morning

-Flamo

-Obe G

And if that roster doesn’t impress you, it’s because you have no idea how the underground works. This record features the heavy hitters of the heavy hitters, the ones who run the shit then and now! When you put them across this level of production, then you can say goodbye to the rest of the competition!

Across these 12 tracks, you have some of the most diabolical, savage, and downright muddy productions you’ve ever heard. Monstrous sounds, killer sharp strings, and notes that come tumbling down on the ears of the listeners every second of the tracks. 

The scratching and cuts are done so well and add a level of traditional and technical touch to an otherwise purely depraved and twisted album that showcases how down and dirty the atmosphere can get in one album, and Imperetiv was pushing for the high score. When you feature the roster that this album provides, it would be a disappointment to create anything but the most sinister aura that you possibly can!

Speaking of Aura. The names on this list have that in SPADES, and we’re just talking individually! As a collective, the ambience is pure lethal and poisonous grit that only the very best could provide.

Each song has multiple names, each giving their chance to destroy the other on the track. Yes, I’m sure there’s plenty of brotherly love and respect, but I have no doubt in my mind when it’s ’studio time’, each man and woman on this list is gunning to out-perform the other, creating the perfect environment for crafting perfection and sharpening the lethal skills they’ve spent years developing and building the strength off! Every person on this list is on request replay for me, so to hear them all at once is truly a blessing of an experience for me and for other listeners alike. 

You will never find a wack verse from anyone on this list, not here or ever. These are the powerhouses of the culture! The ones who pushed the boundaries and made the underground what it is now, and they ain’t ready to ever show an L until they die! 

What else can I say? This thing fucking goes HARD! Everything from the production to the verses is as perfect as perfect can be! Don’t believe me? Give it a listen!

https://open.spotify.com/album/73yxJChGyPbkCZjpPPlciN?si=v1t9f4LfR2-jSBuANfH9lA

( SKIPPTANE)

In the area of grimy, muddy, and hardcore hip hop, it is good to sometimes take a step back and listen to a project that highlights the beautiful and tranquil elements of hip hop, those kinds of records you play when you’re not in the mood for aggressively charged adrenaline or mean mugging. An album to just sit back, relax, and ride the vibe to the end. 

This is the 2024 collaboration album between MC ‘Skipp Whitman’ and producer ‘Tane’, and together they make ‘SKIPPANE’, and they feature eight tracks with a 22-minute run length, featuring such artists as: 

-Jarred Benton

-Laylo Holmes

-Jeremy Jones

-La Bell

And I have to start with the production because this thing is absolutely unbelievable! The level of smoothness, breathtaking instrumentals, and calming sounds and samples make the whole body just lose tension and stress the moment the album starts.

If I had to describe the sounds of this album, it would have to be three x albums rolled into one: 

– Tyler, The Creator ‘IGOR’

-Blu X Exile ‘MILES’

-A Tribe Called Quest ‘The Low End Theory’

I can hear influences of all three in this album. The creative/modern-day R&B/Synth Pop vibes of ‘IGOR’, the purity and good vibes of ‘MILES’, and the jazz, fantastical, and groundbreaking instrumentals of ‘The Low End Theory’, and this album utilises the best of the trio! 

It’s like each song is a capsule or retreat of relaxation and happiness. Actually, it’s hard to focus on anything when listening to it as it takes over your mind and body, forces you into a state of temporary calmness where all you’re doing is focusing on the sounds and artists at hand.

I can guarantee you one thing, while listening to this album, no matter what you’re going through! It will be impossible to worry or feel feelings of concern. Take my advice and see for yourself! The sonic and legal form of marijuana.

Now onto the MC work, just as excellent as the production is, so is the rapping. We have a man who glides through these beats like a knife through butter and spreads seemingly effortless flow, a naturally zen demeanour, and a soothing cadence that amplifies his every word. 

While he has these qualities, he also possesses high levels of confidence, positive energy, enthusiasm, and infectious passion for every bar he spits that it’s impossible not to appreciate him when he’s laying the verses down! His pen game is so divine that he makes any word delivered a thing of wonder due to his sharpened skills and abilities!

Even working with some of the hottest artists in the game right now as features, he maintains his stature and doesn’t become overwhelmed or underestimated. He knows he’s a dope MC, and he helps the audience realise that too!

I can’t say enough good things about this album! Incredible from start to finish, and I know you’ll love it too! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1CrGVAuTHhJPfmhRrN8z1X?si=va9kUOmrSeOqktSGx8zyWQ

(HAVE A BAD DAY)

Al Divino. This man really is from the future; there’s no other way to explain the impact he has on every album he’s on. He doesn’t simply make albums; he creates experiences! I say that because no other artist is on the wave he’s on. This is what I expect the ‘future’ to sound like, and he’s never once dropped a mid-project, and this one is definitely not the exception!

So, this is the February 24th, 2024 release by Al Divino, and it features 13 tracks with production from the likes of 

-poi$un

-shawn penn

-sonnyjim

-al divino

-abbotjackson

-wino Willy

And features verses from

-borirock 

-???

-top list

-datkidbravo

And this production is the definition of out of this world. It feels like whenever Al is on the case, he inspires and blesses the artists he’s with with his level of creative magnificence, controlled chaos, and utmost intensity and muddy energy that makes your average boom Bap sound like child’s play in comparison.

This album, just like all the rest, features elements of distorted and manipulated experimental, soul, hardcore, grimy, jazz, and ambient qualities. Try to envision a sonic sadist keeping all these genres hostage and torturing them to get the most gruesome and violent reactions out of them, and that’s exactly what this sounds like.

Also, considering each track ranges from 2:50 -0:49, which means they are capitalising on the short spurs of adrenaline per track to maximise attention span and engagement from the audience. A genius idea that, when combined with the original sounds above, you get a memorable project that won’t be passed by anytime soon! 

The MC capabilities of Al are something severely underrated in my opinion. The world associates him with the role of producer (which he is god-tier in), but often forgetting he’s on par with and provided an equally compelling MC experience alongside Estee in those groundbreaking albums from the mid to late 2010s, and he brings it just as intense on this one.

His trademark explosive vocal performance is on full display here; he always sounds like a man without a filter. He just goes off and says whatever he’s feeling at the time, similar in free form as Estee but in a more violent and aggressive manner. His lyricism is witty and sharp, his flow is uniquely all over the place as he’s the type to manipulate the beat to work for him and not the other way around! Plus, his natural chaotic charisma is always infectious to hear!

Of course, he’s with regular names on this project to the point they’ve already developed a perfect chemistry and synchronous harmony that they could never make a bad song together, even if they tried! 

Another home run album for Al Divino and company! Whether it’s the artwork, production, bars, or features, Al is always on point and 100 years above the competition!! 

https://aldotdivino.bandcamp.com/album/have-a-bad-day

(laydownlikethechiefs)

I’m going to go on record and say that Lord Mixer is my favourite producer when it comes to Here’s Johnny singles. He has an unpredictable and experimental nature to his work that just suits Johnny’s level of aggression, and that’s exactly why this track goes hard as well!

Two minutes and twenty-five seconds of pure, unadulterated energy. We have that eerie instrumental that sounds like a singing male sample that has been distorted and twisted to sound lower in register and possibly slowed down a bit to give it that extra creepy vibe. That, across a bass-heavy traditional boom Bap, and you have the recipe for an extraordinary beat with plenty of dark and haunting melodies to fit!

Now comes his partner in crime, whose name is inspired by horror itself. If you don’t get that reference, pause reading this and go watch The Shining. (Yes, it’s a mandatory part of life) And you’ll see why his name is so iconic. Considering he goes off on every beat he’s presented when he’s on an extra devilish track of this calibre, you know it’s going to be a banger! So much so, it was featured on Paka The Plug!

As expected, he comes in brash and heavy. His confrontational nature springs into full effect with his punchlines, razor-sharp lyricism, and destructive flow like C-4 on the instrumental! We ain’t talking AEW when I say Dynamite is coming!

If you’re looking for a savage track with equal parts chilling production and off-the-rails MC work, then look no further than this track! If it’s solid enough to be featured on Paka, then best believe it’s something you gotta hear!

https://youtu.be/8JrnBDw2Ijw?si=jQhC_VnAVCbVwRo2