BAD DREAMZ

A trend I’m seeing more & more frequently across the underground is artists who take small influences from the mainstream sounds and blend it with the independent scene to create a new wave of the culture! I’ve reviewed a handful of these already in 2026 and now it seems we can add another one to the list! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new album by MC and Producer -Tony Black who is accompanied by the features/Producers of
-Alma 16
-BigBeasBeatz
-Tauren Wright
-Mike Senze

And as soon as this project begins we are met with this looming, dark & gritty production that is an instant hit to the face that you can’t ignore! With those swaying echoing keys combined with that heavy bass and methodically charged drums to create this eerie atmosphere that sets the tone for those vicious rhyme schemes!

We have tracks like -CLIQUEUP which I loved because it reminded me of prime ‘Saturation’ era -Brockhampton! This one features those distorted feel chords that ring in that menacing fashion while we hear those glistening keys go off in the background!
This one has some more ridiculous bass and drums that work in pairs to create this vivid instrumental that seeps into your body and soul while you’re sitting there mean-mugging your surroundings!

There’s even the song -DIE4ME which begins with more haunting interlude notes that later evolve into this guitar-heavy groove that blends rock with Hip-Hop in the most interesting way possible!
The first thing that hits you are those looping electric guitar strings that are accompanied by those echoing chords in the background and stripped-back drums that act as a type of skeleton to the track!
This one reminds me of -SchoolBoy Q in the beats structure and execution! Especially the way the feature verse feels on the backend!

As far as the MC side goes, I fuck with Tony because he consistently tries to match the intensity of the production with his own thrilling performances which helps the album in it’s overall direction and replay value!
Across all ten tracks he maximises his time on the mic with a sharp, raw and in-your-face attitude that makes you feel like you’re listening to a 90’s rapper in action!
His timing for his bars is on point as he utilises a nice mix of power and originality to create verses that stand out while somehow feeling familiar at the same time?

The energy definitely is 90’s influenced to me but the performing cadence reminds me a lot of the mid-2010s trap era! Think of prime -Migos and skinny -Gucci Mane it’s filled with buckets of charisma, brash lyricism and a colorful sense of language and penmanship that makes you feel like your there in person during the situations he’s described!
The features do a nice job at maintaining the same energy and atmosphere set up by Tony! Each contributes nicely to the various aspects of the songs they are on! My favourite feature had to be my main man -Alma16 but the rest killed it for sure!

So, what are you waiting for? This is a motherfucking invitation! The only one that you’ll ever need! Go tune in today and see for yourself the hype!