H.N.I.P

I feel at this stage of the game, if an artist isn’t careful (no matter who they are) they run the risk of sounding stagnant and repetitive. The wave that everyone loves can only sustain itself for so long before change is inevitably needed. This is where the genius of this man comes into play! He’s a man who has maintained relevance by working with a variety of producers and sounds to stay fresh and sharp.
This album though, might be his most diverse yet and it definitely took me by surprise! Let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new album by MC -BlueHillBill with production from
-ABAT BUT LBAG
-EvillDewer
-Mallori Knox
-Deevo Da Genius
-Work Scorsese
-Man0stij3ras
-God Damn Chan

And Features from
-Kil The Artist
-Mazi Kamar
-BOSSDONGUNZ
-INF
-ANKHLEJOHN And the first thing I noticed about this album was its resemblance to the 90’s blueprint of rap albums. Let me explain, across this album we hear Blue utilise various skits and pre/post song interludes that feel dangerous again! My mind instantly went to -Biggie Smalls in how he would add what sounded like real-life situations into his music to give it a more theatrical vibe!
From tracks like -Going Back To Cali, -One More Chance, -Suicidal Thoughts and more!

There are a lot of instances of the same! Hell the intro track -Out Of Bounds has that distorted news snippet about gang violence! That already sets the tone for what’s to come. As the album continues we hear more aspects of theatrics from the track -Hollywood Talk! We hear an argument pop off that starts the song off! Or songs such as -The Set Up which is one of many skits added just to add fuel to the cinematic fire of the album!

Throughout all this BlueHill gives us some of his best work yet! He’s not only striving to pay respect to the 90’s in the production but also in his verses! He sounds alot more fluent and conscientious in his lyricism. He’s pushing his own ghetto movie narrative that is filled with graphic imagery and set up bars that tell an overall story of crime, violence, Don statuses and the consequences of living this lifestyle.

In the past I feel he’s been coasting his insane vocal performances over lush beats with no more concept direction then making banger albums. This one feels different! As if he’s trying to create a score that’s worthy of winning an Oscar! It’s that fucking phenomenal.
So are the features he brings on board! I was shocked to see names like -INF who annihilated his verse on the track -Baby Stroller of course -Kil The Artist is a must on any BlueHill album as they have the best chemist out of anyone!
-ANKHLEJOHN Body Bagged his verse on -Black Money! One of the most intense and eccentric artists in the culture right now and he didn’t miss!

A track that surprised me was -BLUE BROTHERS as this was essentially a freestyle-based track where the two men spin over an a cappella track! Once again reminded me of something a 90’s album would have featured! A dope-as-fuck effort by both!

As far as the production elements go we have his most diverse cast of names yet. A few of them I’ve been dying to hear a collab! Such as -Mallori Knot and -Work Scorsese and now it’s finally here.
These names help lend a solid and cohesive score to this record that I haven’t heard in a minute from Blue. A more conceptual and surreal approach that screams 90’s brilliance!

Whether you are talking about tracks like -Baby Stroller which brings to light that dark and twisted gritty instrumental which has those haunting piano keys, those heavy drums that kick you in the throat! There’s also this re occurring synth style droning sound that stabs through the entire track!
This one is absolutely murderous and it makes -INF’s verse that much more deadly!

The song -Black Money has an opposite contrast to that last track. This one feels optimistic in execution! We’ve got those lavish violin arrangements combined with some light, shimmering keys with some stripped back drum
Patterns that add a sonic skeleton to the track! This one knows how to work with the least to make the most in the most atmospheric fashion! It ends with a BANGER as -ANKHLEJOHN closes the song off with conviction!

We can even talk the track -Anything Goes! This one feels as gorgeous as any beat I’ve heard BlueHill rap on! From those orchestra-tier piano keys that sound like they have a hired pianist in the booth with them! That’s what takes over the tracks most!
I love how this one has two distinct layers of keys that make this feel absolutely cinematic!
On top of that we have those hypnotic drum beats and tastefully blended bass that feels light yet powerful at the same time!
I also love how this track has various sound effects and adlibs from screams to two-second choir notes!
I also love how at the end of the track we get what sounds like some distorted guitar notes!
One of the most unique beats I’ve heard from him yet!

Any BlueHill album is exciting news. But when he decides to push the envelope further? Take inspiration from the era that made all of us? That’s when it becomes special. Do not sleep on this one!