(JAGUAR ON PALISADE 3)

CRIMEAPPLE. The man who I chose as my runner-up artist of 2024, who had an incredible run with modern-day classics such as ‘This, Is Not That’ produced by Apollo Brown. In 2025, he released the dope ‘ESCAMA’ produced by Michael Angelo, and now he’s back with a 12-track project that’s produced by himself! Let’s talk about it!

Yes, this album is performed and produced by CRIMEAPPLE himself. He’s deciding to take the reins and put himself into newfound territory and be a one-man army on his own record, and I gotta say, he’s fucking dope doing it!

If I had to describe the sounds on this one, it would be psychedelic soul boom bap. There are so many moments of trippy synth chords playing like on the song ‘SABADO GIGANTE’, those chords alongside that tough, raw boom bap-flavoured hip hop beat!

But at the same time, there are songs like ‘Still’, which has an incredible 80’s Soul montage-themed flavour with those funky keyboard keys over that smooth and skeletal beat. 

The point being, on this one, not only is he trying something new for himself, but he’s also experimenting with different sounds and samples to utilise! Which, considering he is producing himself, I would have expected a more gritty, grimy soundscape to work with, but the fact he’s chosen to go outside his comfort zone and surprise the listeners makes me respect his choices that much more!

Now, this is the part that is familiar to everyone in the underground. Which is his rapping. Something he has improved on and sharpened better than 90% of the cats out there with his incredible discography and many feature verses over the years. On this project, he’s just as hungry as ever, making sure he delivers across his own beats; he can’t be sounding awkward or lacklustre, and believe you me, he doesn’t!

His flow is savage, his wordplay is cunning, witty, and punctures through those beats like a knife through butter. He’s always had penmanship considering his bilingual skills and how easily and effortlessly he can switch between the two languages, and provide dope bars in both will always be a thing to hear!

Across this project, there are no features, just him and him alone. So he’s taken the front and centre for 32 minutes, and he doesn’t disappoint!

The Verdict? Another great showing by Crime. He once again hit the nail on the head, and proving for his 100th time, it feels like why he’s one of the best going and will be till he retires! Solid effort! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3t9mRvZxZ4FKrfWPf1FAJG?si=mDyoXQ3HR5yHe4YSd4tRrA

(Abracadabra)

It’s an exciting day for the culture and a special one for me. Why? Because one of my favourite underground artists is back with not only a new album but a continuation of his record ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ from 2024 and as a sequel of sorts, this album also mentions the topic of racism and in this case, life under the rule of new president Donald Trump.

Across this new 13-track project, we have various producers such as

-Nomrewrds

– Wulverine

-Diem Flood

-LUNAR

-Grant4ord

-HUES

-Charad3

-Clayhead

-Messiah Musik

And with these producers on board, all with different and unique styles and techniques to contribute, this album ends up being a sonic masterclass in artistry and a deep/divine atmosphere that only Dot.Com could bring to life. 

What you get with this album is a combination of passion, conviction, sadness, and despair. Just like with the prequel album, Dot is showing the world as he sees it, not how he wants it to be. There’s no sugarcoating or radio-friendly mindless bullshit but in-your-face, somber production that focuses on the seriousness of the times in the US from the perspective of an African American, and you better believe it’s down-to-earth and clear-cut, his message even more so, and the producers in question understand the assignment precisely and help create a soundscape that matches the feelings, fears, and emotions going through Dot, and when you’re listening to the album, it feels less like one and more of an expression of concern and uncertainty. 

As far as Dot.Com goes regarding how he delivers his messages, he’s as profound as he’s ever been. His delivery is on point, his verses are strong, his conviction and cadence is as airtight as I’ve heard in years. He has a sermon to share to the world, and no amount of detours, money, or threats could ever change his mind. He’s a man on a mission, and you can hear it in his deep, raw, and crisp voice as he spits these intellectual and personal thoughts and his truths on the tracks.

Across all the projects I’ve heard of him, his penmanship has always been top tier as he’s never just putting verses or bars together for the fuck of it; he’s always doing so with a message in his heart and soul to share to the mic, and that’s why I love his music. An artist with a directive is always more appealing to me as a listener/reviewer than one without.

Also, I love the continued concept regarding the magical term ‘Abracadabra.’ If I had to take a guess, what it all means, I would consider it symbolic for how the presidency is pulling a ‘magic trick’ over the whole country, blinding them or distracting them while they pull some shady shit.

I have no confirmation if that’s actually what it is, but that’s my guess.

Overall, another FANTASTIC drop by one of the strongest artists out. Amazing producers and talented guest artists!

Shoutout to the features:

-LUNAR

-Nu From Unheard Ent 

-Earn Dinero

Mixed by -Time Piece Tracks

Artwork by -Dani7

https://dotcomintell.bandcamp.com/album/abracadabra

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(Compel)

It’s always an exciting day when my main man Crotona P drops heat! He’s had an incredible run already this year, and with a new EP dropping soon, we have this juicy teaser single, and so let’s talk about it!

This song is produced by Killabong and mixed and mastered by Dan Akill, and I gotta tell you, this beat is monstrous! The whole beat with its long chords and light drum patterns feels larger than life; it feels stadium heavy. The type of instrumental you’d hear at the Super Bowl before they introduce the artist of the year. This is the kind of music you hear for celebration montages and dope hip-hop cyphers.

I love the energy, aura, and big-time atmosphere that this beat brings to the table. This beat screams success, and I couldn’t think of a better artist to be on this than my man Crotona.

Crotona understood the assignment of this beat and goes OFF! If it wasn’t clear before, it’s 20/20 now. He’s the man to beat; he’s the 6th man vigilante that’s taking bodies and hushing those so-called ‘Best’ and silencing the fake. 

He’s the one out here, proving through EP’s, albums, and features why he’s not the one to fuck with and why when he’s on a grand beat like this, it ain’t for show; it’s because he is THAT GUY, and his trademark strong conviction, lethal lyricism, and dope wordplay are back in full force, and if this is just the single, I can’t imagine what the EP is gonna bring to the table!

Do I even need to point it out? This is a track EVERYONE needs to hear twice over. If you’re reading this but ain’t here to support Crotona or Killabong? Then get the fuck out because it’s 6th man or nothing! 

https://crotonap.bandcamp.com/track/crotona-p-x-killabong-compel-prod-by-killabong-explicit

(What Was Found In The Fire)

Another exciting new artist discovery for me. No matter how many people I cover and find out about, there’s always more around the corner, and so we have this! Let’s talk about it!

This is the latest collaboration album between rapper Slumber Logic and producer klwn cat, and together they drop some of the dopest 7 tracks you’ll hear all year! 

Starting with the production side of things, this thing feels like a jazz fever dream. Every track has a different style and manifestation of jazz. Whether it’s classic slow form or distorted or even  reverb-heavy to give off a truly eerie vibe, regardless, I love the various utilisation of the genre and how it’s combined with the art rap/traditional hip hop-sounding productions.

I love how smooth and vibrant the atmosphere is on this record! Cat does a fantastic job in creating a certain sonic state that makes your imagination go wild and the kind of record you can just sit back and relax and just enjoy the artsy, mastery of technique, and the compelling/colourful experience that is ‘What Was Found In The Fire’. 

On the flip side of things, we have Slumber. The man tasks with providing verses dope enough to match those masterful instrumentals, and he does just that.

What I love about his rapping style is how natural and honest it feels. The way he rhymes feels more like him having a conversation with himself in the studio or speaking his mind rather than spitting actual made-up verses. Across the tracks, he sounds fluent, clear, and composed in his cadence and energy.

If you had told me he just walked into the booth spontaneously, sat down, lit a cigarette, and just started talking on the vocal recordings, I would believe you. It’s as if his very thoughts rhyme, and that kind of easygoing, off-the-top sounding style fits perfectly with this kind of production. You needed someone of this caliber, not someone trying to force a bar or verse to make work or trying to act tough or egocentric in nature but someone like Slum! 

Plus, I refuse to believe someone who was planning his raps would think of something as genius as ‘Duck-Billed Platypus,’ that sounds like a purely artistic off-the-top idea, and I love it.

Overall, a fantastic and stand-out record of the year! You couldn’t ask for a better collaboration than these two, and let’s hope for more in the future!

https://slumberlogic.bandcamp.com/album/what-was-found-in-the-fire

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(Biz)

Man, sometimes you see a collab born and you just think to yourself ‘fuck why didn’t I think of that?’ This is that instance. Two of some of the dopest artists in the underground right now coming together for a killer single! So let’s talk about it!

So, this track features rapper Tali Rodriguez and producer Flu. Tali’s most recent work I’m aware of was his magnificent album alongside Jfliz on ‘B2TP’ record which I already reviewed. Then you have Flu the man who is climbing his way to the top of the producer list in this latest quarter so these two workhorses coming together can’t possibly be anything but a win!

Starting with that beat, I love the minimal/skeletal feel it has. The beat is simple, raw and eerie with those slow piano keys over a traditional Hip Hop beat to make for a methodically smooth sound. I’ve noticed lately that Flu has been gravitating towards beats like these and he makes them better than anyone! 

This kind of beat is perfect for someone like Tali to go off on! Tali’s trademark energetic voice and flow triumph high over this dark and moody beat and his sharp lyricism and rhythmic wordplay bounce off each sound and is fluent as a river!

Overall, a very dope single. I’m kicking myself I’ve never thought of a collaboration between them till now but now all I want is more! Absolutely worth checking out! 

https://youtu.be/w14NEG5sWdY?si=-3TWy1Hb0KZ_59iK

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(Live By The Sword)

Today I get the pleasure of  reviewing the latest single by rapper Prevmarco, who is accompanied by producer Deecha Beats.

Starting off with a kick as old as 80’s Samurai dub dialogue that sounds like something you’d hear on GZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’ album. Plus that badass artwork, what I’m assuming is Samurai Jack, it all adds to the overall aura of the record.

After that intro, we get these harmonic notes going in a loop over this banging boom Bap beat. The combination of raw and soothing is a unique mix which sounds like America X Japan in atmospheric energy, and I absolutely dig it! 

As far as the verses go, both Prev and feature artist Jabba Tha Kut unleash lyrical fury over this track! Neither of them pulls any punches and brings dope lyricism, harsh wordplay, and devastating penmanship and artistry in their words. They both have a cold monotone delivery when they deliver their cold messages, and it goes perfectly with that ridiculously infectious beat!

Overall, a fantastic track to start the year off with and can’t wait to see where all members in the song go from here! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4SYeiSbYsnk6XsqcahH3IG?si=l5n68aX9TyWbAjCxqf1v9g

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(Woolies)

I don’t want to make too much of an early prediction here, but I feel this could be our producer of the second quarter. Considering what I heard is coming later as well, not even including this, I feel we have our champ. But let’s let time decide that! 

So, this is the brand-new album drop by producer Flu, who I first discovered when he produced the album ‘Jamal Takes Manhattan’ featuring Jamal Gasol, but today he has a list of names to help bring this album to life! Such as:

-Spoda

-Shottie

-Bernz

-SmooVth

-Mav 

-All Hail Y.T

-SUBSTANCE810

-Dead Hippie

-CRIMEAPPLE

With this A-list team, you know it’s impossible to miss, and Flu makes sure to make a record worthy of the names involved.

What I love about the production side of things is how crisp, skeletal, and clean each beat sounds. There’s a hint of ‘psychedelic’ to the instrumentals that make each track sound infectious and mind-blowing all in one. I’d say most tracks on here have a slower, more methodically focused pace to them. Instead of trying to be too flashy or overly technical, he’s just making sure to use his mastery to make big and powerful sonic statements for each individual song.

Depending on the feature, the track will sound different to match the different vibe and personality of the MC. That’s one of the things I love most about this album; he’s not just throwing the same sound on the wall; he’s taking time to adjust and craft the perfect sound for the perfect rhymes. This is why Flu is one of the best going!

As I mentioned above, anyone in the game would be beyond impressed with this lineup. Of course, there is no such thing as a bad verse in this world of underground legends. It actually seems they all carry that same ‘methodical’ vibe as the production is. It feels they all have brought their killer, lethal prowess to the table and help maintain that brutal atmosphere to the album, and that feels like a sign of mutual respect to Flu and the efforts he’s putting into the record! 

Overall, fantastic record all around. It’s vibrant, memorable, and dope for everyone involved. Definitely a must-listen!

https://open.spotify.com/album/3TQBW5tP25bPB61B5AtNxS?si=HyDLtx0UR86FMZmxaSasyw

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(Pay Thru The Nose)

This might be the shortest EP of the year, but with two of the biggest artists in the underground, I guarantee you, this will be the toughest 6 minutes you’ve ever heard.

Monday Night X Michelangelo together released 4 songs, and I gotta say one thing I love about EP’s of shorter lengths is it gives the artists involved more freedom to go crazy and let whatever is thrown to the wall stick without worrying about filling x amount of time for a quality full-length record.

So in that respect, I feel these are 4 rough around the edges, raw, and deviant beats we’ve heard yet by MichaelAngelo. This production is so exciting to experience because we get to hear and see what he’s capable of in a more creative and error-proof environment. With 6 minutes of content to create, I’m sure he was able to take different liberties than otherwise could be afforded, especially for someone of his caliber.

So after listening to this, I was beyond pleased at the various elements and samples used across this project. From grimy boom bap to smooth old-school voice loops, he’s showing us just how much he can accomplish in the shortest time, and even though it’s more rough and raw than usual, it reminds me of Kendrick’s ‘Unmixed & Unmastered’ record that was nothing but raw edits, and they were still incredible!

The man, Monday Night, goes off across this EP. His trademark low-register deep tone and his street, hustler cadence go perfectly across these instrumentals!

As usual, his delivery is flawless, his flow is fluent, and his penmanship is as lethal and crisp as it’s always been! 

I think this is the perfect way to re-ignite the interest and enthusiasm in the culture for this man with a project short and sweet, no filler, just straight energy, bars, and techniques on the mic! I guarantee this will blast his career to new heights!

I don’t want anyone to tell me they don’t have time to support and stream this one. It’s fucking 6 minutes! That’s like the friends pre-intro, the theme song, plus an extra 2 minutes. It ain’t nothing to try out! So make sure you stream today! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3ThCzgUCticEavYFaYfckB?si=hMEIks1jTaOXm7dhm4nInw

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(Firescale)

It’s mind blowing to me that even when this man releases a more ‘toned down’ record compared to his past few that it still sounds cinematic In comparison to everyone else out there. He’s truly a man of flare and vision and once again we are here with a new exciting record, so let’s talk about it!

So, this is the latest EP by powerhouse innovator Y.N.X.716 and this time around he’s collaborated with producer J.Depina and together they drop 5 new tracks

Now, I said in my intro that this is a more toned down version of a release for Y.N.X and if this is the first album you’ve heard of his then you’ll might think I’m crazy for thinking so (and by stating that, it’s in no way shape or form a negative) but you have to understand the gravity of cinema he made on his last few albums especially ‘The Poison Store’ which I considered Top 3 best produced albums of 2024 in the same category as Dr Dre produced record by Marsha Ambrosius ‘CASABLANCA’ that’s how talented he is.

Across this one with the legendary J. On the production we have a passive, larger than life, surreal sonic experience that contains more aura and atmosphere on 5 tracks then most albums have in a full length.

Like for example ‘The Real’ with that incredibly gorgeous Jazz loop. The kind of production you could listen to for hours and it will only get better overtime. Including those melodic notes in the background and you have the recipe for the perfect beat.

Or the track ‘See To Believe It’ with those light and smooth piano keys that set the tone for this beautifully orchestrated instrumental. Behind a simple, traditional hip hop beat and once again you’ve got a beat that is filled with personality and essence.

Every beat on this album has a soul and character of it‘s own and that’s thanks to the masterful skills of J.Depina to breath life into the songs themselves.

Now onto the man of the hour. Since discovering him last year he’s been on a constant watch list for me where I feel top priority to listen to and cover everything he does because of his pure passion and creative mindset. He doesn’t know how to make a ‘normal’ album. Every new release is fresh, original, unique and bold. 

His level of lyricism and wordplay is second to none. Every bar spit has a meaning and a sense of purpose, nothing ever added for no reason. His flow is so smooth and fluent across these beats and he knows how to command the instrumentals to suit him best.

Even on a more dare I say ‘grounded’ EP he still sounds passionate and confident. His love for the game never stops and his desire for memorable lines and quality verses drives him to make nothing but the best.

Once again, I’m blown away by this record. It’s short but jam packed with love, care and technique that most could only wish to learn. 

https://ynx716.bandcamp.com/album/firescale-2

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(Where’s Johnny)

Man, not gonna lie. Considering his dope rap name, I really hope we get a whole series of albums based on this one! Like 

-Who’s Johnny?

-Why’s Johnny?

-When’s Johnny?

-What’s Johnny?

But hey, that’s just dumb geeking out. New album, let’s get to it!

So, new Here’s Johnny album this time he’s collaborating with producer ‘Wulverine’, which is another badass name. Together they bring forth 6 new tracks that are sure to rip your ears apart piece by piece.

Talking about the production, this time around there’s a lot more focus on Dark Jazz, Classical, and Ambient sounds. 

I love the hypnotic, trippy, and reverb effects to these elements. This production sounds like someone purposefully took a handful of the most beautiful and infectious classical music and deformed, mutated, and distorted it until it came out a whole different beast or a brand new (mutant)

These chilling and cold-pressed samples are so tough they could penetrate Magneto’s Helmet, smooth enough to sweet-talk Jean Grey, and sharp enough to match Logan’s adamantium’s claws. Point being, this puts the ‘X’ in the ‘Extraordinary’, and it would take a lot more than a striker to try and shut down instrumentals as cinematic and theatrical as these! Wolverine may not be real, but the aura of ‘Wulverine’ is alive and kicking, and he doesn’t need Bobby to blow any ice into his shit; it’s been frozen cold from the first track! 

Here’s Johnny. The man with the cadence more intense than Juggernaut and equally as deadly. There’s no father to his style; he can come on and off the track like Nightcrawler, keeping you guessing where he’ll land his bars next. 

He could borrow and replicate anyone’s flow like Rogue, and when it comes to guessing what’s coming next, he may as well have his own personal Cerebro because trust me, he’s always 10 steps ahead!

Whether he’s showing his furious yet intellectual side like Beast or dropping thunder penmanship like Storm he’s always the ‘Summers’ of the room. The leader, the one who commands the room and takes control of the situation.

Whether it’s Bishop or Cable, even the strongest need assistance sometimes and this time they choose to call in the all mighty sonic hero’s

-JSHXNOBI

-Heartbreak Julio

-FIGERSON

And accompanied by this new sound studio strength it’s them that will bring the ‘apocalypse’ the 3 horsemen of MC Lore fly high and their pens set fire to everything in sight!

Overall, this is one fantastic project! The production is original and memorable. The lyricism is tight and the features kill! 

Whenever the industry is in crisis. They’ll know who to call an to the question of ‘Where’s Johnny?’ Well it’s simple. Out there Saving the art of hip hop.

https://ditcdcom.bandcamp.com/album/wheres-johnny

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