B.I.L.L.Y.2

We already discussed the first, the second has to follow! Let’s go!

This is the second album dropped by the duo of Big Ghost Ltd and Mickey Diamond. This album contains the features from
-Swab
-CRIMEAPPLE
-Big Trip
-Method Man

Now It’s evident that Diamond is a student of ‘tradition’ it’s actually a staple of the ‘Umbrella Collective’ as a whole. Each artist created their own distinctive vocal design and kept it! See I often say I respect those who can step outside the box and experiment and I mean that BUT what’s also respectful are those who can maintain what they’ve perfected and continue to create bangers without forcing unnecessary change and that’s the category we find Diamond in. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it and he’s in the best shape we’ve seen him period!

Just like the first Billy album we are hearing a cerebrally focused, sharp and determined Mickey reminiscent of his early career. That same chip on his shoulder that he carried to the top of the rap game is the same he’s using to close off this new chapter.
Could it be that he felt slighted for dropping a more heartfelt, lyrically sensitive projects? Maybe he felt he got too complacent in his legacy and felt he had lost his hunger? Don’t get it twisted, the other handful of albums we’ve gotten since his return have been SOLID but I wouldn’t say they’re been ‘aggressive’ but that’s no longer an issue on these last two albums.

You can hear the blood thirsty drive, his penmanship is so focused on calling out the current landscape! He brings back an even more diabolical delivery that makes his feel that much stronger and powerful!
If the world forgot the Umbrella chokehold they had for the better part of 15 years then this album is a cold reminder of what happens when that conviction is back
Take track -Servin & Swervin’ for example! We hear Mickey team up with CRIMEAPPLE? Talk about a ghetto fever dream come true. Two of the illest spitters dominating their respective parts to create a hood anthem unlike any other!

On -Hallelujah/Amen we hear a snippet of that ‘Umbrella domination’ as we hear the return of -Big Trip to accompany his brother Mickey in a funky instrumental that will force you to move your head! Their iconic back and fourth antics is absolutely dope!

We even end on a remix track with the return of Method Man! This was from the first edition and this remix sounds just as dope as the original and the perfect way to close the album off. To be able to stand toe to toe with the Wu Tang legend is not an easy task and yet Diamond shines as usual!

Since I just finished listening to the first part earlier today it makes writing this comparison post a lot easier. On the production side of things for this second offering it felt like -Big Ghost was going for a more ‘traditional’ score himself with not as many experimental or out the box ideas as he had on the first tape and holding down the sonic structures and patterns he’s known for best and here’s a few of my favourites!

Firstly we have -Servin’ & Swervin’ I found this instrumental so compelling because it starts off with this hilarious intro snippet about a man talking about what he will do to get high which sets the track off perfectly into what will become this intense energy 90’s flavoured beat that has these shrieking chords that loop in fast paced fashion across the song.
We have some deep bass lines and stripped back and heavy drum patterns as well some infectious cuts and scratches to add to that old school influence!
You couldn’t ask for better track to invite -CRIMEAPPLE!

I love the song -X’s & O’s for it’s funky & soulful charm! First of all it has those rhythmic and hypnotic piano keys that loop constantly throughout the track!
You’ve got those soft jazz drum beats mixed with those plucked bass strings that all come together to create an infectious atmosphere that I found myself coming back to more then most! It’s like a Jazz Boom Bap fusion!

The song -Takin Respect has a nice classical vibe to it that I fucked with heavy! First of all it was the return of Mickey & Swab together! It’s been since the ‘Gucci Ghost’ series that we saw that and it feels like they never left as Swab hasn’t lost a step at all!
This track contains some gorgeous violin strings alongside some heavy handed bass lines and methodically paced drum work that all comes together to create a vintage version of Mickey we came up with! This could have been from a decade ago and we wouldn’t have argued it!

The end of an era unlike any other. The return of Swab, the chemistry of CRIMEAPPLE, Method Man and Big Trip. The flawless synchronicity of Big Ghost and a catalogue no one can touch, if this was his last album he ever made the world will remember him as the one and only

‘Billy GOAT’