(Baggage Claims)

FutureWave. Talk about a producer who has hit nothing but net for the last few years. He was arguably the best producer of 2024, with most of the best albums of that year done by him. In this year, he’s already dropped the critically acclaimed ‘Stadium Lo Champions’, and now he’s back with what happens to be a vault, compilation album featuring old, stored tracks with MC Daniel-Son that’s been mastered and released under one 43-minute project!

This album features the likes of: 

-Al Divino

-Raspy

-Bito Slime

-King Bliss

-Asun Eastwood

-Recognize Ali

And according to Future, this album also features tracks from the first time they were in the studio together! 

Now, what FutureWave brings to life is a boom bap spectacle that is every bit as theatrical and surreal as any of his other releases. He brings his trademark attention to detail, his ability to turn any instrument and sound into a gargantuan feeling powerhouse that makes every second feel like a cinematic experience that you’re listening to on massive Dolby Atmos speakers right in front of your face!

This album is a mixture of smooth, lo-fi, and breathtakingly soothing to the rawest and hardest, muddiest sounds you’ve ever heard in your fucking life! The diverse influences and samples are ridiculous and only further prove why FutureWave is considered one of the greatest in the underground right now! He can truly turn water into wine, rock into gold, and sound into classics!

What can I say about the MC Daniel-Son that hasn’t already been said? He’s been putting years grinding and honing his talent, and this project is literally a celebration of that, of his career, and accomplishments up until now. I first discovered him with his album ‘BUSHMAN BODEGA’, and since then, he’s only continued to impress me more and more. 

The fact that he has 43 minutes of heat stored away is absolutely mind-blowing. Features with Al Divino and Asus Eastwood on the same track?! And we were hidden from this till now is criminal! 

If you know Daniel Son, then you know what he’s about. No-nonsense delivery, cold flow, and witty, street lyricisms with his pitbull-like intensity and in-your-face energy and natural charisma. Of course, anytime he’s alongside FutureWave, he goes off, and an album with nothing but vault bangers from the duo; you know this is the case here as well!

This is a celebration album not only of the fastest rising MC’s of the underground but of a partnership so dominant that the world tunes in when they drop, so make sure you don’t miss out on the magic!

https://www.wavgodmusic.com/shop?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadrLCeJErK6NSafG19OIRLYccvrEec9In1yWgEj89HLKFm6-xxoNxuqqANW-A_aem_Lc0c_AMNJzS1vdHyRb-dBw

(Cannotseemypeak)

Damn, I wasn’t expecting this from Here’s Johnny! Also, this is the first single I’ve found on Paka The Plug, which is dope! So let’s talk about it!

This is the latest offering by Here’s Johnny and producer Lord Mixer. One of many I’ve covered already, and this one is definitely different from the rest I’ve covered. First of all, it’s only 1 minute and 16 seconds, so it does feel like it ends abruptly, but in their style, it’s common to expect at this point. 

But what really stands out is that instrumental! It’s definitely unlike anything I’ve heard him on before. 

It’s this choir vocal loop that gives this goosebump feeling like you’re listening to classical music from the Renaissance era! Combined with a traditional/skeletal hip-hop beat, you get one of the most unique and beautifully done productions I’ve heard in a minute. I feel the shortened length does work in this case to preserve the aura and vibe of this track! Similar to what Ear Sweatshirt did on his album ‘Some Rap Songs’, where each song was kept short to preserve the intensity of the sounds themselves, and I feel the same motive went into this!

Now, Here’s Johnny, although providing his usual unconventional charisma, it’s not as over-the-top or intense as it normally is. I feel he’s just focused on giving an excellent performance to best complement that atmospheric beat! With only just over one minute, he doesn’t waste any time utilising his dynamic wordplay, his adventurous and sturdy lyricism, and his bare-bone, in-your-face flow that he’s so known for. 

I gotta say, considering the time he was given, he absolutely nailed the rap verse, and I swear even spoke in reverse at one point? Which was wild! 

I’d say this is probably my favourite single so far. That beat is unbelievable, and the verse, for what’s worth, was fun, memorable, and dope! 

https://youtu.be/XulX2J2VUrU?si=KseUUCwmlbzvRBLe

(Latore)

The Bad Seed and producer s-tewe are back for another single from their upcoming EP ‘The Good Parts’, and with every new single, I get more hyped for this project to come! 

This new track is two minutes and fifteen seconds of pure fire. This is just Seed inheriting his pure NY-inspired energy and sound, throwing back to the 90’s East Coast Era of your Jay-Z, DMX, and Biggie shit, that in your face, stomp your throat with bloody Air Jordan shit! 

This beat is the perfect example of a throwback sound done with a modern flair. You have that synth-chord-heavy beat loop, what that East Coast traditional beat that is so tough you can’t help but scrunch your face up and have your neck bopping from the dope sounds. It seems the more Seed and s-tewe collaborate, the more it brings out the best of both men, and if this EP is produced by him, then it should be nothing but straight boss energy by the two!

Of course, when you have Bad Seed on the mic, no one is safe, and the culture is put on notice because not only is he your OG’s favourite OG, but he’s the kind of rapper most avoid due to his brutal honesty, his don’t give a fuck attitude, and his relentless rhymes, and he brings them all in spades across this project!

His blunt force approach to his delivery is trademark iconic. His experiences, pen game, and lyricism are unmatched as he drips the NY flavour in your ear, and his fluent flow kicks in the door! 

Whether he’s rapping from the 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s, or 2020’s, he ain’t never the one to fuck with, and his consistency and ability in this day and age is proof of that! 

Another DOPE offering from the Seed himself, and with that banging production, it only gets me more hyped for the EP release! 

https://thebadseed6.bandcamp.com/track/latore

(SideB)

Can you guess who’s back? (In the words of Jack Nicholson) HERE’S JOHNNY! I could probably quit my job and just work full-time doing nothing but his reviews and still not catch up! But nonetheless, we are going to try!

So, this is another collab between Here’s Johnny and LordMixer, and I’m pretty sure there’s a SideA to cover soon, but regardless, this is a two-minute and 16-second blitz track that is made to come, go, and imprint on the mind of the listener! 

So, this project sounds like a thriller movie (like Shining) in the way the notes just keep building over time like an alternate version of the famous ‘Shepard’s Scale’ sound that gives off the illusion of the pitch going higher and higher when really it doesn’t.

Imagine a sound similar to that but in hip-hop format and with a touch of grimy/muddy flair to the instrumental. It’s definitely a unique and original track that is perfect for the likes of Here’s Johnny to jump on and run through like he does all his beats!

If you’re new to Here’s Johnny, he’s an MC who not only has a ridiculous release rate but contains a high-energy, raw, powerful voice and persona that makes for an intimidating listen for newcomers, but for him, it’s how he is in the studio period. 

As he is on this one, his rhymes are witty and creative, his flow is aggressive, and his delivery is in your face, crude, and relentless, never being the type to hold back or tone himself down for the sake of the listeners; he only has one setting ‘full speed’, and that combined with his ruthless, bully vibe persona confirms his spot in the underground as THE force to reckon with! 

https://youtu.be/sYQXHuJW23o?si=o9CbkA4jtYZpUcPs

(IMMORTALKOMBAT)

You know, as I was reviewing Estee’s Spotify discography, I was mentioning how Al Divino was appearing less and less on his 2021-2023 projects, but then I discovered on Bandcamp is where the duo were putting in work! So, I know as I take time to study their Bandcamp exclusives, I’m going to have a blast studying arguably the best duo in the modern-day underground!

So, this is the latest collaboration project by Estee Nack X Al Divino, with ten tracks and featuring the likes of: 

-Al DIVINO

-CRUCIAL THE GUILLOTINE 

-MR ROSE

-EWONEE on production, and with half an hour of content, this project is a triumphant return to this duo’s chaotic and experimental roots, where anything goes and nothing is off-limits to try!

The beauty of this project is that all four of these producers are in the same boat as far as what the sound should be. They all share that surreal, manipulated jazz/classical elements transformed muddy and ruthless until those sounds become the foundation for a world of aggression and unpredictability instead of soothing and relaxing vibes as the instrumentation normally gives.

Each song on this album sounds different than the others! As if each producer drilled into the tracks its own malicious intent to give off the rawest vibe and aura it possibly can! This project ain’t one to fuck with for real! Absolutely incredible atmosphere!

You can’t really go wrong when Estee and Al are concerned, so to hear them back on their prime shit is nothing short of brilliant. They feed off each other’s charisma and wild imagination. You get the impression that absolutely nothing is too crazy or wild to consider on their records. Whether that be overbearing adlibs or free-form rap delivery or even their abstract artwork and album concepts, they are two open books who constantly push the boundaries for what ‘hip hop’ should sound like and have been doing that since the release of ‘Triple Black Diamonds’. 

When either of them is working solo or with other artists, they shine creatively and rap-wise, but there’s just a certain atmosphere they share when they are together that I haven’t heard anyone else match yet! This is the definition of synchronicity in its purest form, and everyone should be taking lessons!

Another banger from these two, of many! The He 4 producers knock it out the park, and Estee and Al provide yet another thrilling example of how rap duos should sound! 

https://esteenack.bandcamp.com/album/immortalkombat

(Pyramid Schemes)

Who would have thought an album of this calibre would be released this early in the month? It feels the more we go into the year, the better the quality of the drops become, and this one feels like the magnum opus! So let’s talk about it!

This is the latest collaboration project between heavyweight MC UFO Fev and powerhouse producer Vanderslice, and together they release 13 new tracks featuring the likes of: 

-Nems 

-Red Inf 

-FLZY

And let me tell you, this thing sounds absolutely incredible! Starting with the production side of things because this thing is a combination of cinematic brilliance and grimy, muddy boom Bap vibes that features a variety of instruments and inspirations to create an original interpretation of the genre that only Vanderslice could pull off!

Throughout the album, you have various skits and voice snippets that make you feel like you’re listening to the hip-hop equivalent of a Martin Scorsese movie! 

It’s like we are listening to Goodfellas: The Audiobook. But in rap form, it’s got conceptual elements of the streets and the life it comes with, but at the same time, we hear Vanderslice experiment with different elements from: 

-Jazz

-Rock

– Piano-heavy sounds

-Soul 

-Choir loop vocals 

And the way he utilises all of this and constructs an album that’s so rich, in-depth, and powerful that the production actually tells its own story through its masterful arrangement and technique woven into each track. It’s truly a surreal moment everyone has to experience at least once!

Now, onto UFO Fev. This man has had one of the most consistent releases of the past few years! Whether that be his album produced by Fredro Starr or the earlier this year with Body Bag Ben and now working with the likes of Vanderslice? He’s on one hell of a roll, and this might be his best work yet!

What we see from Fev is his combination of introspective lyrics and reflection, and his down-to-earth, gritty, tough-guy rap that he’s most clearly earned and warranted. It’s like he’s battling between two sides of him as he navigates being the main character of his sonic Scorsese movie, and he ain’t about to turn to Ray Liotta shit; he’s here to speak knowledge and wisdom, and at some points, even warnings to people in the game and in the streets!

No more is this evident than the 3rd track, Dynamite, where he recruits the biggest bully in the industry with NEMS, and together they fully embrace that ‘fuck your life’ mentality, and it’s definitely an infectious track to vibe to!

Of course, UFO’s rap skills are well documented. He has powerful delivery, witty and lethal lyricism combined with a strong pen game that outdoes 95% of the industry!

There’s no way I can see this album not being on my list for May’s Album of the Month award show. This thing is perfect from start to finish! I can’t find a flaw in this one, and I hope we can see more collaborations from these two in the future! 

https://vanderslice.bandcamp.com/album/pyramid-schemes

(A Different Tale)

Looks like we have some interesting chances of pace for this track! A mixture of two MC’s Here’s Johnny and Supreme Allah AKA Prime Omega, and with G Rocho on the beat, we have ourselves two minutes and twenty-five seconds of one of the most interesting tracks of the year!

So, the beat on this one sounds like a combination of spacey, ambient, muddy, and theatrical. The best way I can find myself describing it is to imagine if you were in a spaceship watching the Earth and the empty void of space.

Now imagine what that feeling and view would sound like in Boom Bap form? I know that’s an unusual visual to picture, but that’s how it sounds to me: it’s eerie, fascinating, and infectious all in one. Definitely haven’t heard a beat like this all year!

As far as the rapping goes, Here’s Johnny has seemed to have found himself a great MC partner to bounce off his energy and enthusiasm with! This track features the highlights of both these men giving incredible and memorable verses back to back.

You have the high-spirited and ever-so-unhinged Johnny with his signature raw and powerful style of delivery and flow. Then on the flip side, you have Supreme who carries with him a more laid-back, casual yet equally as powerful and methodical flow that acts as the Yang to Johnny’s Ying in this respect.

Both are different sides of the same coin and both master this beat beautifully!

All in all, a great original single with a fantastic beat and equally impressive verses by both men! 

https://youtu.be/0Rht2KZ7fls?si=hNMcJ9E2fceIfBI1

(No Fish, No Money)

I’ll tell you one thing, this has a lot easier song title to input! 

We are back with a new single by Here’s Johnny, and this time it features producer Skip The Kid, with whom I’ve had experience only a few days ago with his EP for Malcolmsef, so I’m excited to see what the two of them bring to the table!

This time around, the beat has a larger-than-life, old-school cinematic quality to it! Like a 1960s Godzilla film score. With those epic horn chords and that boom Bap-flavoured beat, it all comes together amazingly! It also features a vocal snippet at the start with these dramatic chords that really give this song a ‘theatrical’ flavour to it that only embraces my idea of it being a classical cinematic-style experience!

As far as Here’s Johnny goes. Although not as intense as his previous single, he still maintains his raw and lethal precision in his rap style! His trademark in-your-face, brash, and aggressive voice and delivery. He doesn’t really have an off switch when it comes to his flow and presence! In the same breath that Onyx or DMX didn’t, neither does he, so any single you’re going to expect this level of aggression, and it suits his personality and studio cadence! 

This one is a lot more quick and abrupt. Even the way it ends, just with the song fading as Johnny is rapping, gives a more savage feel to the listening atmosphere, but I think these types of cuts are where he shines best! Both of them, in fact, utilise shorter tracks well!

So make sure you don’t forget to listen and take in what is arguably the most consistent rapper of the year! 

https://youtu.be/HYLDHvOgXmU?si=gICayqzuhnYPGnZC

(Cashapppickedapart)

It looks like I have to finally admit defeat to the audience. Here’s Johnny is admittedly the only artist I struggle to keep up with. That’s with me being up till 2 am most nights and waking up early doing reviews, and still he makes more than I can cover! It’s insane. But I’m still going to try!

What’s ironic is, I thought he only released a new single (which was this one), only to find out there were seven others. Absolutely hectic work ethic. Anyway, here we go with the latest single featuring producer LordMixer, who, if I’m not mistaken, is on a lot of these singles upcoming! 

This single is two minutes and forty-nine seconds and features what sounds like a demented circus theme turned into hip-hop score! It has this hypnotic fast-paced piano key beat that is a loop of all the keys hit continuously from deepest to highest sound! This is the kind of music I’d expect to hear when they bring out the juggler while he’s trying to run on a flame-covered hula hoop circle! Regardless, when manipulated with a traditional hip-hop beat, it actually sounds pretty dope, so can’t hate on it! But it is interesting!

As far as the rapping goes. If you’ve been reading my reviews up until now, you’ll know I’ve covered a lot of Here’s Johnny, and his style hasn’t changed on this one! We are talking trademark high energy, explosive studio cadence, aggressive vocals and delivery combined with intricate, vicious, and witty lyricism that makes for an original and devastating MC in the game.

He spits an infectious rhyming chorus with a few bars of hardcore-styled bars and verses that almost sound like shouting! But that’s how he normally presents himself, and for new listeners, it might come across as ‘extreme’, but for me and long-time fans, they’ll tell you it’s just usual Johnny!

This track is a nice shot of sonic adrenaline! The beat is wild, the chemistry between these two is great, and overall a memorable track that will surely stick with you for days on end. 

https://youtu.be/9CTd6tZjWzU?si=LRpoG21f-aETI6vQ

(Biblen)

It seems Machacha doesn’t know the meaning of ‘rest days’ because he’s already back with a brand new single promoting his new upcoming album, and it’s featuring the MC ‘Trepac’ and features ‘Copehaniacs’. This trio makes a dope track that will go viral all over socials, guaranteed!

Starting with that beat, Machacha is using a grimy/skeletal beat with a female vocal choir style loop over a traditional beat with light synth-like strings in the background played towards the end of the loops right before it starts over. Overall, a very minimal type instrumental, which is the perfect sonic recipe for the two MC’s to go off on!

Speaking of, we have these two. Both being Danish in origin, both absolutely go off on this track, leaving nothing on the floor. 

They bring with them a surreal, methodical tone that suits the beat they are rapping on! They both provide raw and unadulterated energy and rhythm in their words! Such a confident studio cadence and smooth flow and delivery! Obviously, I can’t understand what they are saying, but when it comes to artists with high aura and vibrant presence, that stuff doesn’t matter!

This single got me hyped for the album! This trio has perfect chemistry, and even if I can’t end up understanding anything on the upcoming album, I know it will be a banger regardless!

https://open.spotify.com/track/7fHtivf2WNRSQHgIrxodje?si=VWJ4s9Z9RqWjOoMPEAyElQ