(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

(City Xf GAWD)

We’re taking a trip back to February of this year. This would have been my first month on my website, and although I didn’t get a chance to fuck with this when it originally came out, I’m glad to say I can make up for it now because this is a BANGER. Let’s talk about it!

This is a collaboration project between MC IAMGAWD and Producer ILL City, who together dropped eight tracks, 28 minutes of content with the likes of: 

-A.M. Early Morning

-Vic Spencer

-The Lil People

-Aakeem Eshu

-GRIFFEN

Now, we gotta talk production first because what this reminds me of is a fusion of trademark underground gritty boom Bap and mid-2000s era mainstream East Coast/South instrumentation! Maybe it’s just me, but I could hear influences from:

-Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz

-Benny the Butcher

-Jay-Z

-2 Chainz

And more! Very funky, groovy, and infectious beats that you could easily hear in clubs, radio stations, and cribs all around the world! It’s crisp, heavy on the bass, hypnotic drum pattern loops, theatrical vocal harmonies on repeat loop, and lush piano and guitar. 

All of this is to say that when it comes down to the beat, ILL wanted to master the spirit of fun, hard-hitting, and memorable tracks that contain plenty of replay value and stay in the hearts and minds of the listener for months or years after it’s first play-through!

My favourite track instrumentally would have to be ‘Devil in His Eyes’ due to those eerie and haunting keys that play on a repetitive motion with those minimalistic drum patterns that just make you want to thumb your head until you break your neck! It’s my kind of beat, and the whole production value is just banging!

Now, onto IAMGAWD. The man who, even though he hasn’t released more solo projects this year, has lent his gift to many features across the board and kept proving why he’s one of the most valued MC’s of this generation!

Across these eight tracks, he demonstrates his masterclass of intricate wordplay, smooth and satisfying flow with his impressive vocabulary and dominant pen game that can rival any others he happens to be in contact with (feature or otherwise).

He always has a presence of a leader, and today is no exception. He’s versatile, depending on the track, demonstrating various linguistic textures track to track and always showcasing his lethal lyricism and ridiculousness, one-liners and puns that only he can pull off!

He doesn’t skip a beat this whole album, even when he’s rapping alongside legends like Vic Spencer; he never misses, always perfect word/bar/verse placement, and always stays on point and strong, whatever the song or situation he’s in!

If this had been discovered back in February, it probably would have been on my best album of the first quarter list, but I’m making up for it today and making sure it gets the cover it deserves!

https://open.spotify.com/album/1XUkSkKoLnFb3Eor0ZDBRP?si=qT7GhwQcT56C_GcwwkJSqg

(Pledge Fealty)

This is another MC that has gone under the radar compared to others but that has killed it this year! Considering the man he chose for the production, then this one is guaranteed to be on the ‘Album Of The Year’ consideration for 2025. Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest collaboration project between MC powerhouse Waterr and lethal producer Passport Rav, and together they dropped 11 tracks with 30 minutes of content with the likes of 

-Reefa Rei

-Rufus Sims

-Blood Azul

-Ty Farris

I love the fact there are limited features on this project because it means Waterr himself is responsible for carrying the record and proving to everyone why he’s considered by many as one of the top MC’s in the game right now! 

Since he started in this shit, he’s only evolved and managed to elevate and sharpen his skills until he became the legend he is now, and on this album, he’s showcasing his very best skills and abilities for everyone to see!

He sounds smoother than ever, his flow truly running like water in a river! His sharp mind is evident with his outstanding vocabulary and pen game that no one wants to mess with! He’s so slick with the words that it doesn’t even feel like verses but thoughts sliding off his head into the tracks as effortlessly as thinking out loud! Never sounds forced, manufactured, or corporate, just Waterr and his superior wordplay and pen game!

With every new release, I become more impressed by his professional and artistic cadence, his wisdom, and natural enthusiasm on the tracks! His confidence within himself and his love for the game and his respect for the artistry, real MC techniques, and releasing proper quality bars that can be remembered for years to come! 

Of course, this album wouldn’t be what it is without his right-hand man, Passport Rav, who has decided to pull out what I would consider his most atmospheric and ambitious instrumentals of the year so far! 

We have 30 minutes of surreal, angelic and mystical beats that range from minimalistic and skeletal to cinematic and theatrical and everything in between! 

For example, we have cuts like ‘Legend’ which is on the more bare cuts of the album. With that looping drum pattern and those horns that go hand in hand to create a raw but powerful introduction to the record!

But then we have tracks like ‘In Search Of Glory’ that features a range of sounds from harmonic strings, those classical inspired grooves and folk inspired strings and beats that makes me feel like I’m in a fever dream travelling to a period of old before the grand invention of technology’

If I had to roughly describe this album’s production I’d have to say it’s a seesaw effect of various styles and influences that are all in one shape or form aesthetically raw, divine and beautifully crafted. You never know what to expect from one track to the next but that it will be spiritually enhancing, graceful and unlike anything else put out in the game today!

These two together is the perfect match up in the rap game. Both compliment the other and both have talent beyond their years so it’s only natural this album came out amazing! 

Shoutout to the features for killing the album as well!

https://open.spotify.com/album/4hrziI95WzWzmJXvWzOgBe?si=1432i7wvTv-Ha9Q5-Y4GSQ

(APT 3D)

As blessed as I often consider myself for the journey I’m on, doing this review shit and the growth I’ve experienced and people I’ve met! But what a surprise to be able to say I can review this man’s latest album after a 20-year hiatus! Talk about God’s Plan! Let’s talk about it!

This is the unexpected yet new drop by Roc Nation’s General Memphis Bleek! Rightfully named ‘Jay-Z’s Protege’ and as this album proved, ain’t no one ready to resurrect the era of ‘Prime HOV’ more than Memphis is! 

Across this album, we have 11 songs and 31 minutes of content that features the likes of 

-Cool & Dre

-Jon Rise

-Tish Hyman

-Smoke DZA

-Benny The Butcher

-Kruziano

-RJAE

Right off the fucking bat, this album sounds like it was ripped right from the early 2000s, and I love it! Not in the sense of nostalgia-biting or unoriginal music but in that OG mainstream quality that we’ve definitely lost! Back when mainstream rappers could still deliver modern-day classics that meant something! Before it was overtaken by the mumble rap and nonsensical artists of today!

From the first track, we hear that production that you’d happily bump in your cars, clubs, warehouses, and headphones! This energy, this overwhelming sense of pride, passion, and excitement is so long lost in the big scenes that it literally drew a tear from my eye in awe of the sheer explosive and incredible performance (and that was just to open the track off!)

From there and across the other 10 tracks, Memphis doesn’t miss a single beat! From the banging East Coast loyal production to the no-nonsense and focused bars by Memphis, who after 20 years still hasn’t dropped the ball! 

In this one, he’s putting his thoughts and emotions on paper! His reputation for Roc Nation and his pent-up frustrations and anger with the game and its inhabitants since he left! It’s all just a whirlwind of dedication, devotion, and sentiment towards the Hip Hop Game and his mission to bring back the standards the mainstream industry had before he left! The same standards Jay-Z built since the late 90s, and in this one album, he did more than 99% of the artists in it!

One track that absolutely blew me away was ‘3 Kings’ because that’s when something happened that I never thought would be on my bingo card: Memphis Bleek X Smoke DZA X Benny The Butcher! 

The fact is, when these three go off, it’s an instant classic! It also brings back the prime aggression of Benny from the early Griselda mixtape days, and to hear that level of intensity paired with Memphis was beyond amazing and a track I’m going to play over and over again!

The closing track ‘Word To Hov’ was also a heartfelt outro to this phenomenal return album! Explaining his absence, his mentality, and ending the track with a boss snippet of Hov and his thoughts.

I listened to this album twice in a row immediately. Didn’t even give myself a second of anything else; immediately pushed the restart button. This is a modern-day time capsule into what we used to expect and consider the ‘normal’ in mainstream as far as the quality standards were concerned. Back when you could buy a physical album and guarantee freshness back before the game was saturated with mindless nonsense back when REAL HIP HOP was celebrated.

If for nothing else, then to appreciate the times of old and respect that he was able to drop one of the hottest 30 minutes of the year! There’s absolutely no let-up on this album, and I’m more than honoured I was able to cover it! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5egzAo6AQ5vriaRGu7Q0UY?si=gIFfjQ6CQcGqNBM8RT0GnQ

(The Color Of Chocolate Vol. 2)

I’m ashamed to admit that I only started fully engaging in this woman’s career as of this year, but the fact remains, she’s had an incredible 2025 and she has so many signs of stopping! So let’s talk about it!

This is the latest album by legendary MC Che Noir. The woman that has put the whole division on lock for years now! On this record, she drops eight tracks with 24 minutes and features the likes of

-Elzhi

-7xvethegenius

-Son Little

And production by 

-Che Noir

-C For

-Drew Dave

-Evidence 

Now, when we’re talking about the production. This one gave me a real, surreal, old-school East Coast vibe with a hint of minimalism. It seems the instrumentation is methodical, drawn out, elegant, and intricate all in one.

Take the track ‘Who’s The Greatest?’ With those subtle bass strings, those hypnotic drum patterns, those (what sound like manipulated vocal harmonies) or synth chords looping in the forefront of the beat. When all this comes together, it makes for a skeletal and heavy-themed track that hits on all cylinders!

Then there’s the track ‘Where You Go’ which has a lot more of a mellow, soulful vibe with that beautiful vocal loop that spreads across the track! Which features another case of minimalistic instrumentation with those extremely subtle bass lines and those synth chords in the background and very light piano work to give this track the smallest resonance of a ‘beat’ while letting the voice and the lyricism do all of the work!

Across these 24 minutes, we hear Che and company at their most stripped down and vulnerable. I’d like to think the ones who do ‘too much’ in their production are the ones who are bullshitting the most. Those who can utilise and manage with the least? Usually come out with the best results! That’s definitely the case for this one!

As far as the MC work goes, this is the part that should be a no brainer to listeners. She’s been at the forefront of MC abilities for both men and woman for years now. That outdated concept of ‘In the woman’s division she’s solid but would she in the men’s?’ Is long gone. 

The fact is, she would destroy anyone in the game regardless. She has one of the strongest lyrical skills and story telling abilities more than anyone else in the game right now.

Her no nonsense approach to her bars, her in your face, ruthless and relentless verses leave everyone in awe. As is proof that she needed the likes of legendary Elzhi to accompany her to match her power and influence. 

With every story she tells, it automatically feels like I’m transported to the sight and moment discussed. She has a way of telling them in such depth and detail that it’s like your listening to a book that’s so vivid and real that you can feel the emotions, the intensity of the moment and experience the act for yourself.

Once again, on this track she doesn’t hold anything back. She’s focused on showcasing her dominating MC skills and nothing else. Her immaculate flow, her legendary vocal performances and untouched vocabulary and rhythm. When she’s on that album grind, everyone knows to watch out because she’s taking over!

If it was ever a question (a stupid question) whether she was the one of the best of this shit then this one will prove all the haters wrong. The production is tough, the verses tougher and the fact that Che is back on her bully shit should get everyone worried!

https://open.spotify.com/album/0Q3l20nxzOrMP3cKHTt4ZK?si=z5XWBDosSSCw-v1VZSIHfQ

(Northern Nights)

Even though this man makes more records than I could ever hope to keep up with, I was told this was one I had to check out, and since I’ve had many high points with this artist, I’m sure there was a reason for this recommendation, and so here we are! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest EP by prolific producer Jazzy Lion Man, and this time he’s collaborating with MC Concept, and together they drop six tracks, 11 minutes, and feature the likes of 

-Lucai

-GOMMi

Now, once again, this is the production style I love to hear from Jazzy. Unless he’s making a grand wrestling album such as ‘Jazzy Fatu,’ which was naturally more aggressive in nature, but otherwise, I need that heavy jazz influence, and that’s exactly what we get here! 

We get those lavish long notes, those subtle drum patterns, and haunting piano keys that all come together to create this dark and mysterious interpretation of jazz-infused hip-hop that I can’t get enough of. Think an evil ‘Tribe Called Quest,’ and that’s what you can expect sonically.

The production is very surreal, methodical, and atmospheric. It’s the kind of album you’ll put on while going for a walk through a forest while letting your mind wander. The instrumentation runs through your body and takes over. Although only 11 minutes, the overall grandeur is evident and executed masterfully!!

As far as the MC goes, Concept does more than just think of a blueprint. He literally thinks words into existence with his sharp tongue, his expert wit, and impressive vocabulary across these tracks! 

He has a fascinating flow with a fun, enthusiastic studio cadence with precise wordplay and lethal bars and verses that complement the strength and intensity of the beats! 

Although most tracks are short, he doesn’t accept any fillers in his bars; he doesn’t let up from start to finish, momentum from start to finish providing the dangerous and explosive rhythm of the EP that helps it pop!

He also has fantastic chemistry with the other two involved. One that stood out to me was the opening track ‘Henny Shots’, in which he raps alongside Lucai, and together they drop fire back to back and provide one of the greatest opening songs I’ve heard all year!

Overall, for the length of this album, it does everything and more! The production is elite, the verses are solid, and the vibe in general is dope! Definitely deserved a check out!

https://open.spotify.com/album/0UzezHfkp3kkMluLSF4idc?si=nnou1G97QaueHmGYB_r0kA

(Barrel Reserve)

Man, what a fascinating idea for an album. From the Artwork to the title to the opening intro track, this is truly unlike any album I’ve heard in 2025. So let’s get into it!

This is the latest collaboration project between MC Kingdom Kome and Producer Ruen and together they drop 14 songs, just over 41 minutes and featuring the likes of

-Supreme Cerebral

-Ajax Lo 

-Camarah Walleed

-Soarse Spoken

-DJ Exes

-Recongnize Ali 

-Che Uno

And right off the bat, we gotta address that production by Ruen. Granted this is a person I’ve never heard of till now but the way he converts his ideas and concepts into sounds is ridiculously impressive. Because not only does he maintain a level of surrealism, ambiance and Minimalistic grandeur that makes ever song feel mythical in proportion. 

For example you have that previously mentioned intro track that is merely an explanation of how wine is made and yet with those synth chords and hypnotic drum pattern and cuts you have a simple explanation sample turned grand. 

Or the song ‘Work To Do’ with those powerful horns and yet another loop of drums combined with an ever so subtle usage of piano keys it makes this track feel lavish, angelic and damn near outer worldly! 

Although, this album is 40 minutes in length it feels half of that. Because of the glorious instrumentation that just sweeps away your mind and puts your body in a state of concentration and relaxation that your letting your mind wonder as you listen to the harmonious music created by the one and only Ruen.

Although, not working solo the other half of this albums equation is Kingdom Kome. A man who has been on a fair share of projects over the year, the most recent to come to mind is the latest Crotona P and Killa Bong EP they dropped a bit back and the killer feature he presented then! 

He’s one of the most critically praised MC’s of the modern underground era and for good reason! What makes him so special is his balance of all the necessary qualities of a Rapper! Whether your talking about his no bullshit, in your face delivery or his intense yet smooth flow! 

Or your talking his Top Tier pen game and lyricism combined with his advanced and insightful vocabulary and street poetry and he’s truly one of the few that has it all. He also has the substantial talent of being able to tell a story in such pure depth, detail and depiction that when he tells a story you feel like your their watching on the first person! 

Along side his natural gifts, he’s along side some of the best in the game period. Showcasing not only his ability to stand toe to toe with the powerhouses of the underground but also providing untouchable chemistry and ruthless energy between the tracks with his allies on!

Overall, an absolutely unique performance and experience between the two men and company involved! It’s creative, conceptual and hard hitting all in one and I hope this isn’t the last time we see these guys together!

https://open.spotify.com/album/4d53O2xgO7LCX1e9kfg3OD?si=WNOmoBaxRhKdQKsGs_NVmA