(Brick By Brick)

Time for another single! And this time it features two underground legends in the rapper ‘K-prez’ and the powerhouse production by ‘Snowgoons’, and together they can’t miss! And that’s exactly what happens on this new single! Nothing but fire!

So, starting with the production. Right off the bat, you can hear those grand notes being played at the intro that quickly transforms into a mainstream feel boom bap feel beat with those soft yet noticeable drum pattern in the background and a new set of keys playing in a rhythm that, when combined with those drums, makes for a super infectious beat that you could probably play for hours and never get sick of it!

This is the perfect beat to use for a single as it’s equally grand and even has a hint of electronic quality to it with its drone-like repetition in the instrumentals but in a kind of way that makes for a beat you could listen to on any given time or day, and it will still be sounding fresh and sonically appealing after many repeats; that’s the kind of beat you need for a single that you want listeners to keep clicking on, and they did that job to a tee!

Moving onto the man of the hour, K has this certain level of infectious, passionate energy that makes you hang on his every word. Similar to the style of a legend like ‘Eddie Kaine’ in the aspect of having the unwavering confidence, cadence, and skill to manipulate the beat to his own will and make the song work best for him, not the other way around!

With every word/bar/verse he spits, he has such grit and skilled fundamentals in his arsenal that he makes every line feel special and important because of the way he delivers his wordplay and arranges his pen game and flow. 

These two legends on the same track together should be equally a treat to the listeners and a warning shot to the players in the game. This is the king of shit that can switch everything up, and that’s only ONE SINGLE; can you imagine a whole album? Let’s wait and see! 

https://open.spotify.com/track/4GNnun4Z8XRMptbp3i7w95?si=oMQAaoAPSy-Ag3Okv1lmEQ

(Garden Hate)

Man, my initial thoughts going into this are: What kind of a name for an album is ‘Garden Hate?’ Either way, it got me curious as hell, and so already before even pressing play, my interest is piqued, and so let’s talk about it!

This is a collaboration album between rapper ‘twogeebs’ and producer ‘SPGBamm,’ and together they reveal 8 tracks with a total length of 22 minutes.

Right off the bat, I LOVE the production across this project; it has a strong, smooth jazz feel to it, which is my favourite rap subgenre style. My favourite group is ‘A Tribe Called Quest,’ so whenever I hear those soothing jazz keys, it just brings my heart to rest and makes the enjoyment of the album 10fold.

What’s interesting is despite its beautifully orchestrated instrumentals, this album has a raw exterior with its consistent film snippets of violent encounters, which works as almost an oxymoron to the record, but regardless, SP balances the difference spectrums well, and in moments that feature those samples, you are engorged in the moment with its theatrical elements, but when it goes back to the breathtaking production, it just takes over your soul. It’s an interesting experience that I’m sure you won’t experience anywhere else!

Now onto twogeebs, who I’ll admit I never heard of until I was blessed to be reached for this review, and I’m glad I was because he has a one-of-a-kind style of rapping that definitely suits this kind of layered production.

I’d say his verses complement the more ‘gangsta’ side of the album. With his raw and gritty lyrical content combined with his ‘New Jersey’ braggadocio energy, real tough cadence, witty/fluent lyricism, and pen game. He navigates the various instrumentals with the greatest of ease, and he’s able to fluctuate between his ‘tough and delicate’ tones and flow. In one song, he could reveal a more ‘sentimental’ example of himself, and others, he could go back to his ghetto roots within a flick of a switch. I love that about him; he’s not worried about sticking to one style but is comfortable with himself enough to expand and express himself as he seems fit.

Overall, I love how this album shows the mastery of exhibiting two opposing forces wrapped up in one record, and that ain’t easy to do. Shoutout to this duo for making that happen! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/17fXSICbNwIJCKXh9Ycdxi?si=yY4IBujLTuy9tc5iY6y0AQ

(Pulp Nonfiction)

If you had to make a short list of artists who have been making waves and featuring on almost everything and everywhere you look, I’d like to think ‘Shottie’ is on top of that list. I’ve seen his name featured on so many different projects this year that I can’t keep track! It’s clear that everyone wants a piece of him, and for good reason, he’s one of the dopest MC’s at the moment. And what do you think happens when he’s on a studio album of his own? Well, let’s find out!

So this new 13-track album is produced by ‘Lupara’ and features the likes of: 

-Ace Cannons

-Fashawn

-Nino Bless

-Asun Eastwood

And of course, these are all heavy hitters in the game and complement Shottie well! It’s always a beautiful thing to witness when everyone on a project has seamless chemistry and helps elevate each other to new heights and maintains the atmosphere of the album!

Each bar has purpose, each verse amplifies for the song next, and it just feels like an overall collective effort! For example, the song ‘Rewire,’ which features two of the dopest verses I’ve heard in a minute, nothing but fire after fire after fire, and Ace does the same!

Shottie is utilising the same quality he’s recruited for on the countless projects he was on for his own work, and the result is one of the dopest albums that have come out this year. 

Now, speaking of Lupara the super group of all super groups that include the following

-Machacha

-Farma Beats

-MIGHTYHEALTHY

-FLU

-Timepiece

-Hobgoblin

-SB11

-Bohemia Lynch

The legends behind proving the epic sound of the album. Across this one, they provides a mix of old-school voice and movie samples across what can only describe as ‘introspective or retro boom bap.’ It’s not your usual grimy and dark sounds but instead features colourful and theatrical instrumentation and groovy/funky note loops to create a sound unlike anything I’ve heard.

The mixture of melodies and harmonies that you don’t normally associate with the art of boom bap really helps the artistry show even further! Lupara sounds in top creative form with their trademark Masterclass in technique, diversity, and noir-inspired sounds and samples to create a truly immersive and different type of listening experience.

Overall, a memorable and well-done record that I can’t imagine anyone else could have made the way it’s made, except for Shottie and the Lupara collective! Can’t wait to see where these guys go in the future!

https://shottie305.bandcamp.com/album/pulp-nonfiction-deluxe-edition

(Grimeball Crimelord)

OH SHIT, THE GRIME ERA IS BACK IN SPADES. I know this isn’t everyone’s favourite sound in the game right now; hell, most think this sound is oversaturated right now, but fuck all that noise because this project ain’t any old project; this features the REAL OVERLORDS of the subgenre. The ones that live the sound that everyone else waters down; these are the ones that you really don’t want to catch in a dark alleyway. Hustlers first, artist second. So with that being said, let’s fucking talk about it!

So this 8-track colossus of an album is produced entirely by King Ill Clinton, and as mentioned, he’s recruited only the pioneers of this grime shit.

-Reek Osama

-Mo Rukuz

-Eli The Don

-Snotty

-Daniel Son

-Estee Nack

-Al Divino

-DJ Prominent

-Goretex

-Vas

-CRIMEAPPLE

-Ty Farris

-Skrewtape

-GRIMM Doza

-Tone Spliff

-Ghetto MC

And I’ll be honest, even typing those names into my page for my review gave me goosebumps. This is the essential, perfect cast for the Grimes shit. This is the kind of roster you hire to kill so-called ‘A-List teams’— all those fake-ass superstars who talk big but only do so because they probably keep these boys in good standing because they know if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be talking anymore.

These boys absolutely DESTROY THESE BEATS AND THEN SOME. Every single bar had my face scrunched and my head bouncing. There’s only so much perfect verses in a row your brain can take before you spazz. To me, these are the artists I listen to most on my weekly, so to have them all on the same project is mind-blowing to me. It’s like my playlist came to life and started spitting new bars I haven’t heard before; this is unbelievable— the quality, the flows, the penmanship— I mean, talk about a collective to fear! 

I’ll Clinton, the brains behind the sounds, he’s the catalyst to all this shit, and he knew exactly what he was doing in the studio when coming up with these beats because, of course, they are all downright disgusting, raw, savage, and sinister. To call these beats ‘rough around the edges’ would be the year’s biggest understatement. These beats were never smooth to begin with; they were hacked with axes and left to rot before being utilised for this project.

I can’t stress enough how sick and twisted these beats are; they sound drenched in hatred, left to dry in hostility, and put in place with vengeance and anger until you get the most sadistic atmosphere you can think of!

If you ain’t a fan of this sound, then stay the fuck away! This ain’t for you. This is for the REAL ONES who appreciate the grit, and no one does it better than these names right here! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/66gnI96EghIzj9nrLVqQ2S?si=7vn1F_bDRNGrIoPiLDWC8g

(The Flame Conduit)

Man, I have to be honest with you. Although I do this to help bring much-needed attention and exposure to the underground community, there are some artists that just put a smile on my face whenever they drop. Artists I actually have fun covering, and those sentiments can be directed at one specific artist, and that’s the one who just dropped a new project! So let’s talk about it!

Today, we get a new 4-track EP by one of my favourite artists going right now, with Young Sinatra, and this time working alongside producer TROX. As is now custom with Sleep, this is a different-sounding project than has come before! That’s one of the main things I love about this man’s work. He could release 5 different albums in one week, and each would have something original and different about it compared to the one before!

Across these 4 songs and working alongside such a critically acclaimed producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the mainstream, such as (50 Cent and Snoop), he transports that larger-than-life, stadium-sized sounds to this EP, and my god, does it sound fantastic!

Every track has marvellous production that sounds Dolby Atmos clear, feels more chilling than the Apple Vision Pro, and is more theatrical than the most powerhouse 8K recording! Everything on this EP comes with a cinematic atmosphere that just can’t be explained without listening to it yourself. It’s the sonic equivalent of being surrounded by 380P day to day, then someone comes along and provides you with a glimpse of 1080p, and you’re like ‘holy shit, music can sound like this?’ That’s the best way I can describe how this sounds.

TROX is definitely worth all the accolades he has earned, and even on my third listen, I’m still in awe over how he mastered the production so perfectly. If I could petition him to create albums for all my favourite artists, I would die a happy man. 

Now, Sleep Sinatra. He might not be Ol’ Blue Eyes, but trust that he’s doing this ‘his way’, and his rhymes and bars are some of the best I’ve ever heard of him yet! (Which is saying something if you’ve ever heard his music until now.)

He’s on a next level with the flow, more fluent than I’ve ever heard him. His pen game is so fucking cold that it sends shivers down my spine when he raps as well as he does over these splendid beats.

Although this is a short project, he’s not wasting any time to set these instrumentals on fire. Every word, every breath taken makes me feel a little more hyped, and that at the end of it all it feels like I’ve just had 3x energy drinks and I feel buzzed and feeling overstimulated by the combination of the production and the rhymes.

This is a MUST listen. Wait, scratch that. His whole discography is a MUST LISTEN. To think he could only get better is just ridiculous. Call this guy Sleep Jin Woo because he’s forever levelling up! 

https://sleepsinatra1.bandcamp.com/album/the-flame-conduit

(Beats By Dro Vol 2)

It’s that time again! After binge-reviewing this man’s incredible production journey, Fredro is back with a second Vol showing off more of his progress, and I’m here to talk about it!

So, this is the second volume of his ‘Beats By Dro’ chronicles, with his first bringing to everyone’s attention just how diverse and fresh he can sound when he’s on the beats rather than the mic, and he’s back again to double down on his claims as one of the best beatmakers going right now!

This new record has 11 tracks, 35 minutes in length, and features the following:

-UFO Fev

-RayZa

-Ricky Bats

-LaQuan

-Yah-Ra

-Red Inf

-Jody Larenz

-Kidd Pryde

And across this project, we see Fredro inherit and retain his early claim to fame with a lot of these beats sounding absolutely ruthless, raw, and hardcore boom bap royalty like back in the debut Onyx days!

With a combination of cold piano key loops and old-school beat rhythms, he uses his vast knowledge of the game and his newly found ability as a producer to combine and make one of  the most infectious and tough-sounding projects of 2025!

There are so many examples I could use, such as ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ with that repetitive loop that makes your brain go wild as the instrumental takes over your body, and your head is in a constant headbop for a straight 1 minute and 30 seconds. If I played this song daily, I’d probably be forced to pay for a chiropractor with the damage to my neck from the involuntary movement that would happen!

Let’s even look at the song next to it, ‘Cool 2 Rap,’ with a drastic switch-up with a classical music loop which sounds like something Gang Starr/Premo would make back in his heyday. It’s criminally smooth, crisp, and funky in ways most people could only dream of.

Should I take this examination even further? The track after even that one ‘High’ which has another change with what has a flavour of ‘Trip Hop’ elements with the combination of that drone like beat plus the way the female vocal tones go it reminds me of a type of track ‘Portishead’ would do in their prime.

See, this is the main aspect of Fredro. Although most of the skeleton and base of the songs have that OG Hardcore Hip Hop flavour, the rest of the organs are variations of different inspirations, sounds and textures that he’s incorporated through decades of being in the game, being a student of it and coming out the other end smarter, wiser and more gifted then when he came in. 

It’s for these reasons he’s such a threat to the industry right now because he was always an established one with his raps now he’s a double threat with the production? I can’t see anyone fucking with what he’s doing right now!

Of course, the rappers involved are solid. Did you see the list I made above? Can you imagine a world where any of them do mediocre? None the less while working with Starr? Yeah me neither. Each person destroys their tracks, dope verses, lyricism top notch and they all help maintain the atmosphere of the record which is exactly why there were placed on this record to begin with!

Overall. Unsurprisingly this one goes hard yet again. Whether it’s Onyx, Solo or producer he’s not one to be fucked with and all this is, is further proof that he’s the man to beat! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1cT8pzpny9jSCUz1naGgkM?si=xOCuCSeCSb-lmGCd4t8aLg

(BERZERKER)

Lately, very few things get me as excited as a new Wulverine-produced album. He’s been on my radar ever since I heard his production on the Here’s Johnny album and then when he was on the latest Dot Com album. Since then, I knew he was the next to blow up, and I wanted to be there for all of it, so let’s talk about it!

This time around, he’s working with MC The Rebel Sky. Someone who is new to me, and so I had curiosity going into this to see what he’s like, and let me just say, he definitely surprised me!

Starting with the production of this 4-track EP. It has a very raw and skeletal grime effect. This time around, Wulverine has chosen loops that are very reminiscent of golden-era East Coast Hardcore Wu-Tang shit. Classical/Foreign music loops with various vocal snippets and an overall menacing vibe and atmosphere using, I think, snippets from the 2013 Wolverine film where it’s set in Japan (ironically the only one I haven’t seen), so the unfamiliar dialogue can only be that in my opinion.

Regardless, I love the dirty, ruthless, and rough-around-the-edges production style on this one. He’s keeping it messy and sharp instead of polished and boring. Hell, in track 3, ‘FUNERAL,’ halfway through the track, it’s just war and screaming with gun sounds and then transitions back to the rapping, that’s tough as fuck.

What’s interesting is after 3 conceptually paired tracks, the outro track ‘ECW’ just features Joey Styles commentary about Sabu (which is also dope because that was my favourite promotion as a teenager). It’s just wild how we go from 3 quarters of the album to be war and Japan-themed, then ends on pro wrestling.

It’s this level of creativity, originality, and mindset that I saw in him a few projects ago, and to hear how chaotic and off the chain he can be makes me happier more than anything, and I really hope he goes down this rabbit hole of experimentation because very soon he will be the one on everyone’s mind. I’ll just be the first to document the rise!

Now, onto the man of the hour, The Rebel Sky. A man who is tasked with bringing the magic words across this controlled chaos. I would describe Rebels style as ‘sharp, precise, and passionate.’ You can hear in his voice that he’s here to slay, and his hustler energy and dominant personality over the tracks make him a force to be reckoned with.

His flow is fluent, his wordplay is clever and pop culture heavy (which I love), and his penmanship is solid and definite.

I love his confident cadence across the bars and verses; he sounds like a man who came into the booth ready to destroy the project and leave the pages burning. 

There’s no features on this EP, so it’s up to him to maintain the quality and consistency across this production, and he does that with no issues at all. You can tell he and Wulverine have excellent chemistry together, and I hope there’s an album to come out of this short record because I’d love to hear more coming from this duo!

Overall, a short and sweet project with tons of replay value. With Wulverine brandishing his adamantium beats while Rebel hoisting his symbol of ‘anti clone’ together, they are here to drop the industry on its head, and if you’re not careful, a couple of blood-soaked Jordans could be your fate; don’t fuck with the BERZERKERS.

https://therebelsky.bandcamp.com/album/berzerker

(In Plain Sight)

Man, I could be wrong, but I think this is the first solo BSF album I’m reviewing that’s not Flame Dot Malik! Which is pretty exciting to explore the label further and see the different talent they have, so today it’s this one. Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest record by rapper ‘Ricky Hyde’ and has a flurry of different producers to help bring the EP to life, such as: 

-Hass Almihdi

-Myles

-Faceless

-ISL

-Tony Choc

-Palmtreeghost

And it’s interesting compared to Flame Dot’s many projects, which features that heavy, grimy, in-your-face hardcore vibe; this one, in comparison, is smooth, soulful, with an impassioned aesthetic that makes this record the Yin to Flame Dot’s Yang in terms of sound and atmosphere.

From the opening track with those amazing choir vocal loops that set the tone for the whole EP. Even as the project goes further, you have tracks like ‘God’s Timing’ with those big keyboard keys and traditional Boom Bap influence, accompanied by those light vocal harmonies in the background.

Or even if we look at the ‘2Gether Interlude’ with that 70’s Funk instrumental loop that is accompanied by those beautiful vocals to make this track feel like something you’d seen in a classic 70’s drama film when the story is getting to the positive ending of the movie. 

This whole soundscape is so different than what I was expecting, as I’ve only really had one other artist to compare to, and I think it’s beyond dope that you can have such different styles on one label; I fuck with that heavy.

Now, onto Rick Hyde. The man can rap his ass off. He’s the real deal, just like his fellow artist Flames; he brings his own original artistry and creative ideas to the forefront to make this EP pop! Just like the production, he brings smooth flow and delivery; his cunning and sharp lines and bars are top-notch, and his penmanship is noticeable in its complexity and quality.

He does rap alongside the following names on this one: 

-SVMBV

-Benny The Butcher 

-Lo Pro

-GoToMar$

All fantastic rappers and artists in their own right (of course, Benny being the label head), and of course, delivers his trademark gritty verses. But even in the presence of such talented company and associates, Rick maintains his reputation as an MC and shows why he belongs to not only be part of BSF but as a threat to the industry as a whole.

Overall, a fantastic showing by Rick and all involved, and I can’t wait to hear what happens when you put this man on an album! Also, hopefully, when that day comes, we can get Flames On it as well!

https://open.spotify.com/album/1eSWOUSnkNSN1qsRcCuBUX?si=oBfVAhZVSdGR5z-RGxobDg

(Outerwear SZN 5)

What can I say about Bub Styles that hasn’t already been said? The dude is the definition of a beast. He’s one of those rare talents that comes out unhinged with every release, whether that be a single, EP, LP, or feature. 

Every generation gives birth to one; the last generation was Sticky Fingaz and DMX, and this generation is Bub and Pro. So it’s no surprise that with his second project of the year coming to the world, we all drop and listen. Because without any exaggeration, he is THAT GUY. 

So, new album. 12 tracks and 35 minutes of pure, beautifully crafted chaos. Across this album, we have contributing producers such as: 

-Fumes The Threat

-GRAPHWIZE

-Mandare

-Retrospec 

-Sebb Bash

-SP KILLA

-JR Swiftz

-Vinyl Villain

-Big Dogg

-Tremendiss

And this is easily the most stacked producer list of the year so far. So many powerhouse names, and they all bring their A games on this shit. Just like his earlier EP, this project feels gigantic and monstrous. It feels like the type of production you’d make for a Nephilim giant roaming around, shaking the world around them one step at a time, and that’s exactly what Bub is doing in the game; every step, word, action has ripples that can be felt throughout every inch of the game, and you’d be an idiot to try and ignore the sonic earthquakes.

If I had to describe the actual sound of this record, it would be juggernaut aura Boom Bap. This ain’t your everyday entry-level Boom but the type of atmosphere that makes your heart pulse and your emotions go haywire! This is the kind of instrumentals that can make you punch a brick wall and not even feel the pain. The type of shit that can make you chase the bus to work on some Muhammad Ali shit; I’m not even fucking around; these guys built a soundscape so heavy and unforgiving that I don’t think anyone would be able to top it this year, period. 

Now, Bubs. The Giant in question that the beats were made for. His intensity is legendary at this point. It’s funny most people when they say ‘I’ll wait till I’m in the mood’ save that comment for a specific genre, like death metal or hardcore east coast shit or funky g funk etc. You’ll wait till you’re in the mood that will enjoy those specific sounds most. 

But in Bubs case, you have to mentally prepare yourself for the god of war entity that is Bubs. From the moment you start the record he’s already on 100. There’s no warm up or build up. He’s just there in your face, ready to fuck you up if you’re not prepared to face the walking chaos of his energy.

As usual his wordplay and flow is dangerous and loud. He’s always the loudest guy in the room and he ain’t apologising for shit! If he’s too loud it just means you ain’t loud enough. Only a select few could ever hope to collab with him and not get massacred and those names are as followed:

-Plaza718

-ARXV

-Pro Dillinger

-Mondo Slade

-Mav

Pro and Mondo are the two main collabs that not only survive him but vibe at the same level as Bubs! It always gives me chills to hear those 3 together and this time was no different! And the other names do a fantastic job at keeping the atmosphere alive and deadly!

While we got a teaser of his plans with his earlier EP on this, we get the clear picture and it’s one that I can’t see anyone else touching in 2025. Ridiculous production, menacing features and an always a killer performance by Bubs who remains the most ruthless entity in Hip Hop today! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/30CyIdcrrfYcSCYBF9xPUM?si=J_nlrqcyRnWIK1IMklKl7Q

(Mumblecore)

Man, what a combination of interesting single artwork, title, and artist name! This trifecta already had my attention, but the question is how does the song hold up? Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest track by artist Spaceman and features ABGOHARD and produced by K3MAL. All three of these names are new to me, so this would be my first time exploring everyone involved (which is pretty neat).

Starting off with the production, it has this drone/electronic feel to it. The kind of beat you’d expect to hear at a club or rave. One of those Blade soundtrack songs. Raw, crisp with that repetitive slight drum pattern to add extra intensity to the already menacing and cold instrumental! 

Across this track, you have Spaceman whose flow reminds me of a combination of OG Trill and East Coast 2000’s vibe. Fluent flow with strong and vicious lyricism. He has this ruthless and cold-blooded pen game to him that fuses perfectly with that droning beat as his emotionless cadence spits all over the track! Definitely a solid and dope rapper in his own right.

The feature on the track ‘ABGOHARD’ who shares a similar aura and vibe to Spaceman with his ruthless bars and verses, his lethal lyricism, and stacked flow. It’s as if they are two brothers sharing one mind and one spirit. 

I love how on this track everyone involved, whether it’s that infectious production or the main and feature rapper, they all share the same mindset and energy across the single. 

The rappers both providing sinister verses with killer flow and wordplay, and it all ties together to make for one hell of a listening experience!

So, if you’re after a new type of sound and atmosphere, then make sure you check this single out! You won’t be disappointed! 

https://youtu.be/kQlyWylcrVs?si=Ugtmkr85n6Cn0PYR