(The Fifth Horseman)

It seems like Machacha just took a quick 5-minute tea break from this producing shit because he’s already back. After producing 5-6 albums last quarter (I can’t even keep count), he’s back with another banger and this time with rapper Figerson, so let’s get into it!

So, new collaboration album. 11 tracks and 31 minutes of content. 

Starting with Machacha, who has already gone through most variety you can think of this year, he’s back yet again and showcasing an even more unique and original sound we haven’t seen him tap into yet! This time around, it sounds like he’s tapping into a more ‘psychedelic’ and ‘Tri-Hop’ influence with more of an emphasis on electronica aura and slower tempos for a more atmospheric and mystic effect on the beats.

For example, the track ‘Horses Beneath The Sand,’ where he establishes that hypnotic female vocal loop that has a cryptic/foreign desert sound like something you’d expect to hear on the original ‘The Mummy’ scores. Very theatrical and skeletal in nature.

Or even the track ‘Obsolete,’ with the repeated guitar string loop sounds like an opening to a DeadMau5 song. The type of notes he would use before the bass drops. On its surface, it may not sound ‘electronic’ in influence, but as someone who has experienced so many different sounds and genres, I can pick up certain strings that sound similar to other genres.

Let’s even talk about the song ‘Dust To Dust.’ That guitar pluck strings sound like a pattern you’d hear on a ‘Portishead’ album, very hypnotising and infectious. 

This is a side I personally haven’t heard from him yet, and I love how even with this many albums in, he’s still surprising the listeners!

Now, I’ll be honest. This is the first time I’ve heard Figerson, but of course, when he’s coming alongside one of the best beat makers out right now, it gives me all the confidence in the world, and I was right to think that because he is dope!

First of all, even though I can’t guarantee this or verify this (yet), his adlib sounds like a Young Thug sound bit off his ‘Jeffery’ mixtape. Sounds very familiar and very dope! Would love to know where that comes from or if I’m right.

Secondly, his rapping style contains this raw, rough, and rugged texture to it that I fuck with heavily. He doesn’t pull any punches; his lyricism is equally lethal and witty, and his flow is smooth and in your face at the same time. I also love how he’s doing this album without the use of features, riding his own shit, proving that he doesn’t need anyone but himself to make a golden record, and he does just that!

Overall, another classic performance by Machacha and a standout one from Figerson. He’ll definitely be on my radar from now on! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/58EKlAlgd8Oqr3F93GRBrl?si=ZgKsruxkT06DrB-cUy3Ckg

(Diamond Cutter)

I want you to ask yourself, the listeners. How many artists do you know that could drop a physical-only release with no streaming and still sell out and gain this much attention and recognition? Mickey Diamond can and did.

This is a rare moment for hip-hop fans, finally being able to listen to this record shoutout to Paka The Plug for the hook-up! So let’s get into it!

This is the latest mainly physical release by Umbrella Collective’s golden child, Mickey Diamond, the man who many argue has the best discography in the game right now. This time around, he’s working with FEED THE FAMILY producer ‘Tremendiss’, and together they drop a project that’s just under 30 minutes and 8 tracks strong!

As the album opens, we get a sick wrestling DDP ‘Diamond Cutter’ intro, which is obviously the theme of the record based on the title and vinyl cover! 

From there, we see Tremendiss bring his trademark larger-than-life grimy influence to bring you 8 cold-hearted, passionate, and ridiculously sampled score that is perfectly fitted for Diamond. 

This album is covered in manipulated vocal sample loops and sharp synth notes and chords combined with that hardcore boom-bap underground sound, and when you blend all the influences and beats together, you get a sonic experience that you can’t help but scrunch your face in the unadulterated levels of lethal, bone-crushing grime that very few, if any, other producer can match! Tremendiss has been on one hell of a run lately, and this only makes his production discography that much more notorious!

Speaking of Mickey, the man who last year dropped (in my opinion) one of his best records periods with ‘It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere’ and his highly acclaimed tribute album ‘Gucci Gambino’ with Pro Dillinger as a homage to Wu-Tang’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx’, and now he’s back with one of the most talked-about releases of the year due to its nature of no streaming. 

Despite that fact, the vinyls sold out in a matter of minutes because he is THAT GUY. Now that I’ve had a chance to listen to it, I can understand why. 

He hasn’t changed a bit; he still has that legendary one-liner, excellent wordplay, that raspy and powerful tone in his voice, and his boss flow that makes him sound like the kingpin in any room he’s in.

Not alone on this one, he’s accompanied by

-Shaykh Hanif

-Estee Nack

Two of the most prolific rappers going right now, so you could say it was only a matter of time before they linked, and now that they have, as expected, it’s a match made in heaven: a trio of underground lords that could take on anyone in the game right now and remain undefeated— absolutely incredible.

Did you all expect him to fall? Did you expect an L from Diamond? If you did, you’re a damn fool. No matter who he works with or what platform he chooses, he’ll always be the man until he decides to finally retire and release the chokehold he’s had on the industry all these years.

While it’s on YouTube, definitely check it out! 

https://youtu.be/MDOtJoU7AJU?si=UuxZYH7bdvXUOFtA

(Cheque Day)

It’s been a minute since his massive album drop with ‘Unholy Scriptures’ and album that put the whole game on lock. An album that changed the tide of the culture and shined the light on the real and the fakes. But he ain’t done; in fact, he’s only just begun. You know why? Because today is 

(CHEQUE DAY)

This is the latest single by 100 Mad powerhouse ‘Ayoo Bigz’, and this time the production is done by ‘NAR’ and features the Umbrella’s own lyrical assassin ‘Daniel-Son’. This trio makes an absolutely unforgiving banger.

Starting with the production, we have NAR cook up one of the toughest, most rugged boom bap beats I’ve heard in a while. With those heavy thudding beat drops with that menacing, eerie chord progression in the background, giving the instrumental that extra level of ‘grit’ that makes this one of the most unforgettable singles of the year for sure! 

As far as the rapping goes, how can you expect this duo to be anything but phenomenal? These are two of the heavy hitters in the game right now! Pushing the culture to new and better heights with every release, and when their paths collide (just like they did on Bold Lies), then they are guaranteed to kill.

I love how on this single, they go back and forth and try to outdo one another with gritty verse after gritty verse. It’s like a battle between the unstoppable force vs the immovable object. Who wins that fight? I’ll tell you who. The listeners.

Each bar, verse, and word goes HARD, both men showing why they are the top of the class right now. Not only are they delivering devastatingly lethal back-and-forths, but they are inviting everyone else to match their level and, in turn, forcing the culture to evolve and thrive!

I can’t praise this single enough. Two of my favourite MC’s, one savage producer, and the result? An infectious single that I genuinely believe you won’t be able to put down! 

https://youtu.be/C6jwocJoSeQ?si=zwJhI-vnhZbyvM5y

(The Boy Who Lived)

It’s been a minute since I last reviewed a project from Lil Dee. In fact, the last one I did write, I was still writing for ‘Raw Side Hip Hop’, so this will be my first under my new website, and I have to admit, after enjoying his last one as much as I did, this one will no doubt be dope!

This is the latest collaboration project between rapper Lil Dee and producer Little Vic. 3 tracks and 9 minutes long!

-Wait For The Sun

-U & Me

-The Rulers Back

What I love about this album is how much more harmonic and melodic it feels in comparison to his last EP.

The opening track with that beautifully crafted choir vocal loop that plays over that traditional mid-2000’s hip hop beat with very personal and introspective lyrics by Dee who reveals situations about his life, childhood, and growing up!

What I also love about this track is that interlude narration by some woman which breaks up the track’s pace and gives the song that extra feel of cinematic storytelling that most rap songs don’t have!

The second track, which this time around has a more sombre, sad feel to the vocal loop with that female vocal cut and edited with that famous song sample which I can’t exactly put my finger on right now, but I know it’s very well now! Either way, I love how that sample is used over what sounds like a more introspective/Art Rap beat that is perfect for the lyricism of Lil Dee.

I also love how they let the sample just ride the track off for the last 30 seconds or so, made the whole song special, and elevated the atmosphere!

Lil Dee raps his ass off on this one. As usual, his flow is in your face and crisp, his wordplay is passionate, and his cadence is energetic and sturdy. He’s here to show you that you don’t need an hour-long album to prove your talent and skill, that 9 minutes is more than enough!

To end the track off, we have ‘The Rulers Back’, which once again utilises a female singing loop. Although this beat feels a lot more boom bap and mainstream prone. The instrumentals are heavy and booming, and the aura is strong! 

I love how the song is paying homage to Slick Rick, with Lil Dee’s opening line reconfirming that! This is the perfect way you want to end the EP, with a combination of slow and bombastic, grand and smooth, tough and emotional. He’s showing both sides and how he can use both lines and do phenomenal in both! A warning to all rappers in the game!

Overall, a fantastic EP (one again), and the chemistry between Lil Dee and Little Vic is tremendous and can’t wait to see more of both in the future! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/30t1WbQyI1IaWTHrUywt9t?si=01BpxRmMTkCT-U5W5CY7aw

(Black Boy Magic)

Man, what a wonderful day for the Hip Hop community! A new Aaqil Ali album is out. He, along with his Dusty Souls partner YNX716, has been in the forefront of cinematic and sonically compelling records the past few years, and this time around, he seems to be outdoing himself! Let’s talk about it!

So, this is the latest collaboration album between rapper Aaqil Ali and producer SPGBaMM, who I first discovered on the album ‘Garden Hate’ and who has been on my radar since! With 8 new tracks and the features of 

-Cheena Black

-Spoda

-Genacist 

-Skoob 

-Silas Zephania 

-Tahj Malik

-Y.N.X.716

And together, they create yet another surreal and beautifully crafted record with luscious and elegant instrumentation and loops that make every track feel larger than life!

Starting with SPGB, the man who has already shown through other albums that he has a way with variety, a man who can work with what the MC wants and create the perfect sound, and that’s exactly how it sounds on this one.

The different sounds I hear are

-Soul

-RnB

-Jazz

-Traditional Hip Hop

-Neo Soul

-Ambient

-Funk 

And these are all incorporated tastefully with no genre overpowering the other, just all working in perfect harmony with the rest!  

Talking about the opening track, for example, I love how towards the middle and the end they just let ‘Cheena’ cook and sing her heart out without any interference or beat switch-up, just pure harmony and melody for a good minute or so, which I found absolutely beautiful and such a great way to start an album! It’s little decisions like these that make any Aaqil record stand out.

Even on her second appearance, ‘Round Me,’ she’s given a strong freelance performance presence in the chorus and even notes throughout the song, and I just love the direction! 

Across the whole album, it’s just breezy, blissful, and breathtakingly gorgeous in execution. SP really impressed me on this one, and I hope to see his name appearing on many more records this year!

Aaqi Ali, what can I say about him that I haven’t already said 3-4x over? He’s a lyrical visionary who puts artists over everything. Also, I noticed on every album I cover of his, there are always new names I’ve never heard before, which leads me to believe he’s very generous and open about inviting people regardless of status on his albums to either help them get some attention, work, or just always finding new people he loves to vibe with.

Regardless, when it comes to his MC skills, he always has that introspective mind, always the one telling his truths and sharing his perspective with the listeners.

He’s not the type to worry about bragging about money, women, guns, or drugs or anything superficial. Although for entertainment value, that stuff has its own lane that’s obviously popular in hip hop, but he’s not that and never pretends to be.

He’s just a man with years of experience trying to get his thoughts and opinions onto a song, and that’s why I love his music. It’s pure, honest, and genuine, and he knows how to deliver these moments with such ease in his flow, crisp pen work, and phenomenal delivery! 

Overall, another gem in the discography of Aaqil. I can’t imagine him ever taking an L because he’s not worried about these petty things or opinions of others, just worried about him, and as long as he keeps doing that, he can’t lose!

https://aaqilali.bandcamp.com/album/black-boy-magic-2

(BLOCKWORK)

If you had to make a short list of all the artists going right now that you’d trust to create a filthy 10 minute EP that will deliver sonic throat slice to the listener, then without a doubt Al Divino AKA CVV.VINO would be on the top of that list! Whether he’s running solo or with his usual affiliates he’s a force to be reckoned with and trying to stop him would be harder than

BLOCK WORK

This short EP is fully produced by Laron 101 and this man understands the assignment 100% of what this project should sound and act like and brings the production accordingly! From the second this thing starts you can hear what sounds to me Soul, Piano and Jazz elements completely deconstructed and dragged down and soaked in that heavy grime, blood thirsty boom bap flavour until they resurface sounding as lethal, raw and menacing as ever!

The trend over the past few years of taking such organic instrumentation and corrupting them with grime has to be one of my favourite things to listen to because of the muddy and verminous feeling those beats leave in my soul as your body is forced to head bump to this shit and it’s an incredible vibe nothing else can match!

If I had to vaguely describe this EP to anything the closest thing to me is that Denzel Curry ‘13LOOD 1N + 13BLOOD OUT MIXX’ featuring Ghostmane, ZILLAKAMI, XAVIER WULF & AK’

Both are YouTube exclusives both similar in time and both have that rough and rugged exterior in the listening experience. Although as dope as that project is this one definitely feels like that tape on steroids! But regardless it’s still a thing on it’s own and with all the hype over big luscious drops and massive anticipation releases it’s good that artists still drop these gems from time to time as they definitely still resonate with the fans!

Now, Divino. The man who has spent years in this shit building himself a reputation, style and personality that is all his own. He’s one of those MC’s where you can just tell without checking the song title or artist that it’s him you’re listening to. He’s unique and has his own ‘extreme’ sound that he puts all other ‘hardcore’ rappers to test whenever he’s around.

This project as chaotic and crazy as the production is he fits in perfectly with his raspy voices his unhinged cadence and gargantuan feel whenever he delivers the verses, he’s like a sonic juggernaut just breaking down wall after wall until he’s teared through the whole song or album and left it in a million pieces.

Really the only rapper I’ve heard that can even survive his aura and presence on a regular basis is Estee and together they are an unstoppable force that no one can fuck with and believe me no one has dared tried.

But it just goes to show just how lethal and deadly Divino is in the industry, one man might make it look easy but when the rest of the industry sees him get loose, all they can do is sit and watch and hope he don’t come running in their direction 

If there’s a harder 10 minutes out there. Show me because there ain’t. Brutal pen game and delivery, insane production and a grim reminder to the culture that he ain’t one to fuck with! 

https://youtu.be/NoGq8ve6ezw?si=fjDX50jFBOh7QDxw

(Forty)

Blu. An incredible artist that has been dropping what most would say ‘modern-day classics’ in the past few years alone. For me, that streak started with ‘Miles’, and he hasn’t really missed since! Now here we are with a new project produced by one of my favourite producers going right now, and so I just know this thing will be EPIC.

So, what we have here is a collaboration project by Blu and produced by August Fanon, who has been on a ridiculous run himself! And together they present 11 new tracks featuring the likes of: 

-Chris Clarke 

-Mickey Facts

-Cashus King

-Chester Watson

-Wyldeflowher

-Geminelle

-Yah-Ra

-Lexxus

-Noveliss

-Phoenix Cruz

-Charles Hamilton 

-Kota The Friend

– R.A.P. Ferreria

-Triune

-Tristate

-Propaganda 

-PCH

-Homeboy Sandman

-Asher Roth

-Stik Figa

-Fashawn

-Choosey

As you can see, for his 40th, he’s invited a whole party to accompany him, and that’s the main theme I feel for this record. ‘Party’, this album has a strong celebration vibe to it, as if Blu, being just grateful and happy about his career so far, has felt like doing nothing more than making a tape with dope music surrounded by his closest associates and friends.

August on the production is the best choice possible for this album! Considering he’s one of the most talented and diverse beat makers going right now, he has the ability to make any mood and sound needed for this record, and considering the tone he chooses, such inspirations as:

-Soul

-G Funk

-Classical

-Jazz

-RnB

-Funk

And the way he magnifies each of these sounds and makes them the definition of ‘Larger Than Life’ by having each sound and beat hit you right in your soul and heart and help you encapsulate the vibe of ‘celebration’ and the joy of getting older and the natural circle of life.

When you’re listening to this record, you can’t help but be at peace and stress-free. These guys encourage you to be happy and just reminisce on the better days because this album isn’t about being ‘gangsta’ or being tough or gun/drug bars but instead just about joyful experiences, loving one another and just living life one day at a time and I believe more albums like this should be released in the culture, absolutely love it.

Blu, the man who has rapped himself to the greatest lists of the modern era and for good reason! The way he raps is unlike any other, he has a fire and a spark inside of him that engulfs his passion, energy and soul that makes every bar he spits feel like gold on the beats!

His flow is so fucking smooth, his delivery is flawless and his ability to bend, manipulate and control words across an instrumental is truly magical. 

His lyricism is incredibly diverse depending on the subject matter he can do it all! Whether it’s about family or life or Jazz or Hip Hop or anything at all he can write a Grade A essay on the subject in verse form and blow you away with it!

That’s the true essence and unstoppable combination of Blu in my opinion, his versatility and his enthusiasm. Combine those together and you have a force that can’t fail and even while rapping alongside these underground powerhouses and lyrical superstars he’s still rapping his own lane doing his own thing and making it look easy!

Overall, as expected a fantastic collaboration with one of the best and biggest feature rosters the year has seen yet! This is definitely a must-listen! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0ZY8hXEcPzgJfWCyYq30he?si=pmwRJxYLScqtYV64AhDFFQ

(Imma) Tell Mama

Time to cover the second promotional single by The Bad Seed X s-tewe for the upcoming project with the first single ‘Act Loco’ banging like crazy. So it’s time to see how this one goes! And if you don’t want to support the man then I’ll have no choice but 

(Imma) Tell Mama

So compared to the first single, it seems like s-tewe has taken a more traditional Hip-Hop approach to this beat with a classic old school beat with those instrument note loops playing in the background over that NY style production sounding like something that would have been released in the 90’s, loving the vibe of this one! While the first single felt more ‘ambient/experimental’ in nature this one feels like a nod to the golden era and I fucking love it!

The Bad Seed of course hits hard with his delivery and bars. As I stated on the first single his brutal honesty is what has made him such a rare commodity in the game and on here is no different.

Talking about his financial situation how he can’t have holidays or fun. That’s some real shit, no faking or false identity on socials just a real guy going through real shit and he’s gonna let you know about it.

The one line I love most about this single was ‘where I’m from, the bitches will shoot you before the men will’ such a dope badass line.

Of course, his pen game is on point, his rough and rugged delivery and flow and his boss/leader energy and cadence on the track makes everything he does single or otherwise a banger of an experience because he is the definition of REAL

Again, fantastic teaser single for the album and you best believe I’ll be reviewing that shit ASAP! 

https://thebadseed6.bandcamp.com/track/imma-tell-mama

(Act Loco)

You all thought the 6th Man crew would take over the game and the kingpin himself wouldn’t join in on the conquest? Bitch please, he’s the motherfucking BAD SEED. The man has put literal DECADES in this game, and you best believe now that he and his crew are running shit, they’ll 

ACT LOCO

A Fresh new single by Seed and produced by s-tewe, who brings life to the track with a beat that feels old school and modern at the same time.

Across this 2 minutes and 53-second track, you hear this droning sound across an old-school boom bap-flavoured production that provides the perfect platform for Seed to go off!

Seed, the man who hasn’t released a project since his February release of ‘From Us With Love,’ produced by Murda Megz, and now he’s back promoting his new project with 2 fresh singles, and this is one of them!

Seed sounds as brutal as ever; he’s never sounded better. With experience in the game, he’s the type to age like fine wine! His lyricism is stronger, his studio cadence is crisp and fresh! His confidence is at an all-time high, and his delivery and flow have been crafted to perfection with every bar hitting smooth, hard, and clean! 

As usual, he delivers that raw, brutally honest, and unfiltered style that has made him a household name in the game for years now, and based on how he’s sounding now, he has no signs of slowing down, grinding his way to the top of the mountain with his crew, 6th Man!

This single has me hyped in all sorts of ways for this new project. I loved his February one, and without a doubt, this one will be dope as well! 

https://thebadseed6.bandcamp.com/track/act-loco

(GAWD GAWD)

Few have had the storied career as he. From dropping some of the dopest records the underground has ever heard, to recording some of the best collaboration dream teams we could ever think of.

-Both Hands Wash The Face

-Glory To Gawd

And so, when we hear he’s decided to go towards ‘sentimental’ on this one. I don’t get worried, I get excited because if anyone has eared the benefit of the doubt regardless of topic or concept it’s the Gawd himself, in fact it’s the 

GAWD GAWD

So, this is the latest project by Ferris Blusa which 

With 11 new tracks and a 30 minute run time we get to see a side of the Gawd we haven’t really heard before (at least not to me)

The production staff are as followed 

-Mad Science Beats

-Prod By Sammy

-Afyktos

-Hobgoblin

-Old Soul Beatss

And features Substance810! 

The parts that stand out and add such depth to the record are the three ‘A Negro Secret’ Acts which open and close the album as well as varies post song snippets of a time before equality and acceptance of African American race, culture or ethnicity

It’s a tough listen for the listener and I’m sure it was Ferris’s intention to reach out and jolt some empathy and understanding from us to realise how it wasn’t that long ago these situations happened and how crucial it is to never forget that time period.

When talking the production and to match the tone of the various voice tracks the instrumentation is very dark, skeletal and somber of an experience with a touch of melodic out puts such as the track ‘Of A Dolla’ with that beautifully layered singing track and loop. 

Or the track ‘Salutations’ which has that soul sample on loop with those lush instrumentation to make this track a more ‘upbeat’ offering on the record but for the rest I’d say he tries for a more gritty, cold and atmospheric vibe that centres around sound such as

-Grime

-Boom Bap

-Dark Ambient

And they utilise these elements to create a project that takes over your body and soul and encapsulates your mind and spirit into the whole vibe and aura of the album which is the ‘understanding and acceptance’ of the grave mistakes of the past.

Was there any doubt about his MC skills? Of course he’s on game. He’s always on point but especially on a project with such heavy conceptual importance. His lyricism is as potent as always, he’s forcing you to recognize that he’s really that guy no THE GAWD and I refuse to believe anyone can listen to this album and not agree on that assumption! 

His tone is always deep and his bars are always top tier. Whether he’s talking about something as important as this album or just bragging bars he reminds one of the best to do it when he gets going!

He’s the kind of guy where once he talks the room listens, he has that level of energy, cadence, character and passion in everything he puts his mind to, to make everything he releases a work of art and dare say ‘modern day classics’

This comes to absolutely no surprise to me at all that this one was dope. I had no doubt in my mind and combined with the heavy theme of the record this is one you can’t afford to miss! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3Cu4nNEfCj4Gg8nwprRTT8?si=UwslaFo3Q_ihVf7LxkKjTw