It’s been longer than a minute since I covered these two! All the way in February and with the push they made with their album, I had them on my radar and now after several months, they release a fresh single off their upcoming album, so let’s talk about it!
So, this song features the usual duo producer 80Rock and MC Borden. This track is 2 minutes and 42 seconds and showcases a more somber and melodic performance this time around.
That instrumental is a combination of a skeletal hip-hop beat with light synth chords and glistening keyboard notes that when all combined sound like one of the most Lucius and original cuts we’ve heard yet.
I love how mellowed out and stripped back this track is, nothing fancy involved, just a few key instrumentation choices and a down-to-earth beat come together with perfect chemistry.
Now, Borden. The other half of this dynamic duo lays down his verses with expert precision and full aura. His trademark low register tone makes all his bars feel like cinder blocks in weight and as sharp as steel.
On this track, it feels like he’s bearing his most heavy and recent thoughts on his mind and spitting them without any censorship. This feels less like written verses and thinking out loud thoughts.
Talking about life as he sees it, the experiences he’s gone through, and his judgment on the people around him. He does all this with exceptional lyricism, smooth flow, and engaging wordplay that keeps all the listeners on the edge of their seats!
Very dope promotional single and one I’m happy to cover! The production was unique and smooth, and the lyricism even more so! Definitely check this one out!
The day has finally arrived! The 6th Man King Pin has returned to wreck shop on the culture for the second time this year, and he ain’t leaving none of you hating motherfucking alive to talk about it! Let’s go!
So, this is the latest EP release by 6th Man’s own The Bad Seed, featuring S.Tewe on production! With seven fresh tracks to sink your teeth into!
Right off the bat, we’re talking production. Now, I already covered a handful of these singles when they dropped, but after listening to the whole project, it’s clear that Seed’s intentions are to bring back that unfiltered, raw, 90’s-2000’s Hip Hop back! The era he started in and the era most have tried to replicate but few have gotten right.
We’re talking that old-fashioned, no-nonsense, no-gimmick hip hop beats with the crisp and banging bass, the slick and smooth instrumentals, and the aura of a titan up in this bitch!
So many cats these days are so overstimulated and desensitised to the ways of the past that they think if a record doesn’t have 1000 samples at once or the most twisted distortions or the most fucked-up lyrics that it ain’t eye-catching anymore. It makes me sad to see that the new gen can’t even fuck with the 90’s sound no more because it’s ’boring’ or ‘simple’, but man, this is even more reason why THIS album is a must-listen!
It’s a study into the golden era (one that Seed actually participated in), and producer S.Tewe has the mastery and the technique to revive that sound in its truest form and bring it to the masses, and if you ain’t fucking with this one, then can you really say you fuck with REAL hip hop?
Now, what I’m about to say next will only cause controversy if you AIN’T a real hip hop fan like that! If you are, then this should be a no-brainer. But let’s be real, The Bad Seed is the purest form of NY represent since Jay-Z! He’s the closest thing we have to prime-era Hov, and he’s putting in the work!
The game doesn’t have anyone as brutally honest, as raw, someone who truly lives that ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude like he does! This man, from his studio songs to his posts and comments on social media, is the same cat! There’s no ‘MC SEED’ and ‘ PUBLIC SEED’, they’re the same person! So that’s why whenever I listen to his verses, I can relate and I can be proud to review his shit because he’s that guy for real!
His punchlines are ruthless, his wordplay is honest and heartfelt. He told the whole world that he has late bills— nah, really late! How he can’t afford to go on vacation or to accept getting food stamps! This man is THE REAL OG.
The real one, tells it how he is. He knows, what’s the point of putting your trip to Dubai on Afterpay and bragging when you don’t have it like that? He tells it like he sees it, and that’s why he’s a hip hop national treasure.
Once again, no features needed! Just him rocking shit solo, 7 tracks to show you the new generation what real rap sounds like and to remind the slacking old gen to step up!
If you ain’t fucking with this one, then you ain’t a real one. It’s as simple as that— 6th man forever!
Another collaboration between Len-Dor and DJ Kawon, and between the two of them, they have seven more tracks featuring the likes of:
-Rob G
-Pro Logic
-Cassette
-Unscathed
And this project definitely feels more loose and rough around the edges than the other two. I’d describe this one as Len-Dor and Kawon just wanting to have fun, not worried about being overly polished or mastered or anything like that— just a raw, dope, and bar-driven tape that is for the people (hence the various features included).
To me, the sounds are experimental, boom bap, ambient, grand, and in some elements, lo-fi in those methodically paced instrumentation such as on ‘Pass Life’, and then there are more traditionally tough cuts such as ‘Arms 2 Short 2 Box With God’.
So there are a variety of inspirations on this one, and all are executives well and by no means amateur just because it ain’t polished (at least to me), but in the spirit of how most mixtapes and EP’s prioritises lyricism over mix and mastering, and so in that respect, it’s dope!
As expected, the verses are dope! In a record that focuses on such, they knew that it has to be on point for the length and style of the tape, and they nailed it!
Of course, Len-Dor coming in with this trademark original introspective cadence and flow, and his fluent flow and sharp tongue on the mic, but of course, he ain’t alone, and the chemistry he forms with these names is as lethal and natural as can be! Harmonious in nature, all the MC’s on this record hit different due to their balanced and dynamic back-and-forths and their united energy, passion, and enthusiasm!
Another dope offering by the man and company. Short, rough around the edges yet solid and smooth in the areas that matter! Respect!
So far, I’ve experienced three different sides of Len-Dor in the space of 24 hours.
A short experimental EP, a collaboration with another producer, and now a trio album featuring another MC. I never thought I’d have so much mix from one artist in such a short time span, but let’s talk about it!
So, this is the November 2024 record by MC’s Len Dor and RAK7NG, while featuring DJ Kawon on the production, featuring seven tracks.
This EP doesn’t waste any of its limited time getting into the fray; right out the gate, we get this eerie and evil spoken word clip about the definition or meaning of ‘Requiem’, and from there, the project shows many references to dark and dangerous aspects, such as the track ‘Ghetto Mike Myers’, where the title is obvious what it refers to.
Although the dark stuff aside, there are elements of smooth and 90’s Hip Hop vibes with that simplistic yet powerful rhythm and beats paired with subtle piano keys and light strings that make for a unique experience that you don’t hear too often!
Then, of course, you have your muddy, grimy boom Bap feels on tracks like ‘What A Chemistry’, where we hear RA take centre stage and blow the production off the map! The combination of different influences and sounds makes for a diverse and spectacular atmosphere that will stay with you even if it’s only a seven-track offering.
The chemistry between these two is definitely notable. Dope back and forths, great synchronicity, and bar power where neither man is lacking or overpowering the other, just pure energy and unadulterated friendly competition between the two. It’s something you can feel, the sharp vibes, the kind of aura when two friends want to outdo the other by presenting the best versions of themselves, and that’s exactly what I hear on here!
Both show signs of great pen game, intricate lyricism, and decent flow! I can’t say there was ever a moment on here that felt slow or awkward, just bars over great instrumentals, and in the underground, what else could you ask for?
Definitely a dope addition to his discography and especially considering his dope working with RA and DJ KAWON, who when combined make for a solid release!
Once again, I find myself returning to Len-Dor, the man whose EP I just covered not even 24 hours ago, but with an album that previously dropped before that one, I had to see what it was all about, so here we are!
This is the latest collaboration project between Len-Dor and producer Pro Logic. Together, they release 10 tracks with features from
-Shua James
-Fraction
-Shark the S.O.B.
-Righteous
-Dox the Doctrine
Now, what’s cool about this album is it’s Len’s production debut on tracks ‘Love’ and ‘The Score’, so the opening and finale tracks, and I gotta say I was surprised with the sound trajectory after coming from the EP as it was my only exposure to his latest; that’s the results I pictured, but I was wrong!
This album features absolutely slick, smooth, and sensual instrumentation with luscious notes, rich chords, and deep notes that make it feel like a soulful or funk listening experience fused with that traditional hip-hop blueprints to combine to make a record that’s groovy on the outside but crisp and raw on the inside. The best of both worlds!
Considering this is his first time producing, he does a bangin’ job! The album starts and ends in a great way and shows off his capabilities as a beat maker! It’s not bad or awkward or sticks out in any way compared to Pro’s work, so that’s definitely a plus in my book!
Once again, on the MC front, he kills it! He comes packed with that witty wordplay, that surreal/introspective lyricism, and his fluent flow that could make the waves in a river jealous! Smooth as butter.
Whether he’s on smooth tracks or experimental ones, his skill on the mic and his solid enthusiasm and passion for the game remain the same! He doesn’t miss a beat; you’ll never catch the man staggering or losing his rhythm; he’s got his feet planted in the beats, mind on his words, and his soul in the music.
As mentioned above, he ain’t alone this time, and the people he recruited do a wonderful job at maintaining the pace and energy of the record and providing great chemistry with Len-Dor, which gives the listener quality and entertaining back-and-forths on the track!
Another solid front by the main man. Whether you want to talk about the production, the features, or the bars by Len-Dor, each aspect was done with mastery and technique, and I gotta respect all of it!
Holy fuck, this is so exciting for me. After just coming down from the high that was ‘Coolest Combo Ever’ by Al Divino X Estee Nack X Grubby Pawz, which shook the industry even doing so off streaming.
Now I get to experience yet another adrenaline shot in the form of the brand-new rare Al Divino EP! Let’s fucking get into it!
So, this project is seven tracks long and features production by:
-LEO SIERRA
-SUBFUSE
-WINO WILLY
-SOUL LA FLARE
-Al Divino
And features the MC RED AMANDALA, and when I say this project is batshit, I mean it. When I first played this, my jaw was dropped at what I was hearing, and I mean that in the best way possible. The very first track, ‘BOVAS’, features the most muddy, distorted, and experimental hip-hop track I’ve ever heard in my life.
It’s this noise-filled, twisted R&B/Soul woman vocal loop that’s been distorted beyond belief and includes these deranged synth notes in and out, and these eerie keys to make truly one of the most beautifully bizarre songs I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.
This is some Death Grips on acid shit. Every time I think Al can’t surprise me with his new drops, I’m always proven wrong!
From there, the album continues its chaotic structures with equally grimy and sporadic instrumentation, combined with his trademark brand of genre-pushing soundscapes and demented atmosphere that will challenge any and all fans of the culture.
His roster of producers understand his vision and expectations of grand sonic hysteria, crafting scores that define the very tip of the spectrums for what can be classified as ‘hip-hop’. It’s this brand of ruthless, unforgiving, and completely uncompromising music that makes Al Divino (and company) such a force to be reckoned with in the underground. Love him or hate him, you won’t be able to ignore him!
Onto the MC side of things, this is the part I feel he’s a tad bit more toned down than with Estee. I suppose with his insane release schedule (as this EP is only one of dozens) already out this year alone, not including CCE, so with that much on your plate, you can’t be straining your vocal chords in every drop; that would be unhealthy! But regardless, he hasn’t lost his lyrical magic, his ability to manipulate the beat (even ones as crazy as these) to his will and advantage to formulate the best possible verse.
His relentless wordplay and vicious style of delivery, it’s all still there and very much alive, just toned down a notch!
Of course, there’s the singular feature ‘RED AMANDALA’, who has absolutely no problem matching the notorious aura and cadence of Al and does a solid verse in his end!
Also, the fact the EP ends on that fantastically unpredictable, less than one-minute beat by Al himself was icing on the cake.
This whole record, the whole 12 minutes, was a wild run from start to finish, a true shot of adrenaline that I can honestly say no other artists besides Estee are administering! Buy this EP today!
Once again, it’s time to cover a new artist. One who appeared in my DM’s and one who has been in the back of my mind since I saved it for later due to the unique album cover gives me hope that this will be a listening experience that isn’t like any other! Let’s get into it!
So, this is the latest collaboration project between MC Len-Dor and producer Silence, and together they drop a six-track EP tape with, as I guessed, some very interesting production!
I’d put these sounds in the
-Experimental
-Noise
-Ambient
-Lo Fi
-Tri Hop categories with those extreme sonic scales, the short and reverb tracks with heavy bass and synth chords. This kind of vibe is similar to acts like
-Death Grips
-Clipping.
-JPEGMAFIA
Very brash, very nice out of the box, and although it may not be the taste of everyone, it’s the kind I look for! I love that unpredictability in music, especially Hip Hop. That eerie yet exciting instrumentation where you don’t know what could possibly come next, man!
Also, it’s common that within songs that are this short, you have more attention span and more of a chance to land a banger that everyone will love and not have to worry about things such as ‘overstaying your welcome’ since there’s not even enough time to visit! Just a quick hello, how are you, and leave!
Now, as far as the MC work goes! This thing has the intensity and precision of a sniper rifle in the hidden slow. You won’t see when the shots come or where they land from, but you’ll feel them!
This man has natural charisma, solid enthusiasm, and an off-kilter attitude that suits this level of instrumentals!
He lands bars when he wants and is able to manipulate the beats to suit his structure other than the other way around! He’s smooth, calculated, and still presences his ‘controlled chaos’ with his original studio cadence and his creative lyricism that grabs the attention of the listeners and fans!
For such a short EP, I fuck with it. It’s like a short dose of adrenaline that I guarantee everyone will love!
Man, what an interesting career projection CRIMEAPPLE has had in 2025. From a trio album with Primo Profit and MichaelAngelo to a self-produced album to now a single with DJ Skizz? I feel this is his experimental phase of his discography, and I fuck with it. Let’s talk about it!
This new single is 2 minutes and 36 seconds in length, and this is probably the most beautifully orchestrated instrumental I’ve heard him rap on!
This song features a loop of classical strings and chords that are methodically paced and played. This is the kind of music you’d expect to hear at a 1930s royalty party with a whole orchestra to play the music.
It’s cinematic, surreal, and breathtaking in execution, and it’s the kind of beat you could play for hours and never get sick of. It’s simplistic, skeletal, and at the same time cinematic and masterful, all rolled into one!
As far as CRIME goes, he’s just going for the kill. Barely giving himself time to breathe, he’s just firing off bars after bars after bars (no bullshit). He’s utilising his trademark witty street lyricism with his no-nonsense smooth and confident flow that slices through this beat like a powdered brick, and his notorious precise wordplay leaves no stone unturned or words left off the table.
If you’re a longtime fan of CRIME, then you’ll know what he’s about. You’ve heard him kill tracks in the past, and this occasion is no different. I’d argue it’s on these shorter cuts where MC’s of his calibre shine the brightest since they know they have no room for error or filler, and he displays none of either!
I’d love to see a full album with sounds like this in the future! A different side to the man who has been slaying the game for years and I’m sure will do for years more. Trust me, this track is worth fucking with!
What a great album title, it’s quite fitting considering how this album sounds. Had the title not been right there staring at me, I also feel the best way to describe this album would be:
FLY DIALOGUE
This is the February release by MC and producer Milano Constantine, who, alongside DJ Ready Cee, has presented a collection of eight tracks and 23 minutes of content for listeners to sink their teeth into. Trust me, it’s a treat.
While listening to this album, I noticed just how delicate and beautiful the production was. There are so many points where you hear such things as light/breezy synth keys or subtle bass strings incorporated with elements of traditional and contemporary/ambient hip hop that highlight the usage of bright and colourful instrumentation that’s theatrically smooth in execution and rhythm.
I love the atmosphere of this record because it’s original. In any given week, you could be updated with over 100x grime/muddy, heavy hardcore records as it’s become the latest ‘trend’, and while some do it well, most just saturate the market with the sound. But on this album, you can actually hear the fresh sounds, the lively chords and harmonies that you can actually isolate and pinpoint if you listen closely, and that is fucking special.
It’s the kind of music you listen to when you want to turn your mind off and just lay down, forget your troubles, and just relax to a quality hip hop experience. It’s fun, addictive, infectious, and soothing all in one. Absolutely amazing.
Moving on to the MC side of things, while Milano is new to me, he really impressed me. Right off the bat, I could feel his passion that bleeds all over the tracks. It’s an aura of pure enthusiasm and stimulation for his craft! You can tell he’s a man who’s spent years building and working on his craft until it’s hard as steel and as lethal as poison.
His flow is slick and fluent, bouncing beat to beat with extreme precision and effortless efficiency, like his words are lighter than clouds just breezing over the instrumentals in the exact places they are meant to land. I love his introspective and short storytelling approach to his verses; it makes you think and ponder on every sentence he says, whether that’s his strong cadence forcing the listener to hold on every word he says or his natural storytelling abilities. I’m not sure, but either way, he has a gift for commanding attention to the room, and as someone who has a father with that gift, it’s definitely rare.
What’s also dope is the outro track, as he features prominent artist The Mussolini, and the chemistry between the two is seamless. I love the way they bounce off each other, their synchronicity, and their similar personalities on the track. You couldn’t ask for a better album finale if you tried!
All in all, a fantastic album with lots of flavour and depth. Powerful production and even more powerful lyricism! It’s the kind of album you want to keep on you at all times to help with life itself, call it a natural shot of relaxation, and let yourself be swept away by Milano and his
You know, due to how busy I am, I’ll admit there are artists that slip past me. Artists I see get massive credit and recognition, but ones I may forget about art the time due to lack of time, ironically. But after it was sent to me specifically to check out, I wasn’t going to make any excuses not to check it out! So let’s get to it!
This is the latest album by multi-man Action Figure 973, and apparently, this was all done by him, the writing and the production, which is dope! Features 12 tracks, 35 minutes of content, and the likes of:
-Vega7 The Ronin
– Bluo Azul
-EricTheRed13
Three deadly men to include in any album! Now, first off, I love this guy’s look of a luchador wrestler! That’s a pretty badass attire to use, especially for a music artist! Now, this production featured is very methodically paced and skeletal. You can hear the individual movements of sound from the long and drawn-out notes to the bass-heavy strings to those deranged and muddy chords!
This whole record sounds malicious in execution, and by utilising these various techniques and sounds, it makes for one of the most interesting, original, and memorable listens of the year! As referenced by him in the lyrics across this album, this production style does remind me of the legend MF DOOM in the way he used to incorporate untraditional music into his tracks, using beats that most wouldn’t touch in his time and make gold out of them.
I feel the same mindset. I wouldn’t exactly call some of these instrumentals ‘conventional’, but as a lot of the GOATS of the industry have proven, it’s that it’s the ones thinking ‘outside’ the box that get the most recognition, and I feel this will be the same way!
Speaking of the man himself, for someone who dresses like an MC version of El Hijo De Dr Wagner Jr, he raps as well as this guy wrestles! He has the confidence of a world champion, and he goes into every bar like he’s the MVP, and his specialty is ‘hurting people’.
If I were a MC, I’d stay outta the ropes with him. He talks a good game on the mic with his witty and smart wordplay, and his sharp lyricism. He can’t be matched on promo, but he also delivers the sonic smackdown on all the candy asses of fake-ass hustlers who want the main events without putting the effort in!
He’s a nice guy, real nice, smooth as butter, the ultimate Babyface. But when he wants to, he could turn on a dime like Cena if pushed too far, and trust me, just like 09 Randy, you don’t wanna fuck with him when he’s angry!
This time around, he’s decided not to come alone. He’s called his own BC with the Ronin, Bloo, and EricTheRed, and we ain’t talking Rowan, but even though they’re too sweet as a family, they’ll hit you with the magic killer if you ever think you have the special touch on the mic or studio.
If you’re on that WWE shit, guarantee Action will craft the best storyline you’ve ever seen in your life that will make you ashamed of ever holding a pen.
If you’re on that AEW shit, best believe Figure will be the real 1000-hold man and out-perform you on so many levels your mental will revert back to you crawling in comparison to this man’s abilities.
And don’t get it twisted, if you’re on that NJPW shit, it will take you 973 years twice over to think he won’t strong-style the shit outta any competition who thinks they throw hands or verses better than him.
Doesn’t matter what company, what label, what part of the culture you’re from. When Action Figure is on the scene, then for the 1000’s in attendance and the millions listening across the world, and to all the haters and naysayers in the socials, you can all get ready to
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 