Pitched A No No

This man has served quite the career in 2026 from singles to albums to feature verses and now to EP’s this man has done it all while highlighting a whole range of different artists in the process but this one is sizing up to be one of the most impressive feats we’ve seen of him yet and with that in mind let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new EP by MC -Mr. Ripley with Production efforts from the following
-Murda Megz
-SLVRBCK Lauren
-Shade Cobain
-FreakShow
-VanGunz so AKA The beat makers over at 6th Man who you already know I fuck with heavy! And executively produced by the boss man -The Bad Seed this one is more precious than most because this isn’t just 6 hip hop tracks this is a conceptual album based on baseball player -Doc Ellis and his insane life as described on the ‘rulerzinc’ website and that’s what makes this one more interesting in Ripleys discography!

Already that introduction to the record was powerful! It’s a snippet of who I assume the real player talking about his experience taking LSD and talking to his girlfriend! Sets up the vibe perfectly for what’s to come!
As the EP continues we get the music side officially starting with the first song being produced by -Murda Megz and on this one we hear this funky instrumental that consists of a blend of these abrasive chords in the background, rhythmic drum beats, luscious strings with some light bass that comes together in a smooth harmony that you’d expect from Megz!

We have tracks like -Writers Block by -SLVRBCK who creates this interesting combination of 90’s Hip Hop and 80’s DanceHall! You’ve got those vocal snippets that loop occasionally on the beat that reminds me of something you’d hear on a -Corona album!
You combine that with those plucked keys and sterile drum patterns with some high pitch violin in the background to give this one a theatrical feel to it!
This one reminds me of Goodie Mob and their song -Cell Therapy! Except covert the keys to the strings and you’ve got a similar melody!

Or what about the track -VanGlorious which is the most elegant way to close the EP off! It’s got a vivid blend of Soul, Jazz and Gospel! For example those choir vocal loops? Gospel! Those lush piano keys? Jazz! And those colorful use of violin and drum work gives me a strong Soul atmosphere! This might be one of my favourite pieces of beats I’ve heard Van on yet!
A side note, I love how each track ends with Baseball snippets to maintain the concept of the EP alive!

Now onto the lyrical side of things we have Mr. Ripley! A man I’ve so often associated with frequent features on an album! But let me tell you how refreshing it is to hear him not only conceptual but solo is something I’ve wanted to hear for a while and he with all pun intended ‘knocked it out the park’

Firstly, I love how each song maintains the theme of this player. Each track utilises a different part, exploring various aspects of his life and fleshing out key moments for maximum entertainment value to the listener!
He utilises his trademark buttery flow, sharp wordplay and focused delivery to create an atmosphere that draws you in because from the introduction to the finale his bars keep you engaged at all times on the topic at hand!

Again I have to emphasise how good he sounds solo! I get it he’s established a career helping his fellow brothers and sisters in music and is in the process of creating a well known collective of names and that’s a noble and dope pursuit that I respect! BUT as someone who is vocally biased to less feature, more solo work type albums this one hit me harder! The way he commands the tracks, the way he lets his individual voice, enunciations and cadence to make or break the album and there’s a certain rush when your expectations are riding on the acts of one rapper! And under that pressure he fucking killed it!

Definitely hands down my favourite release by Mr. Ripley yet and it’s not close. Production collaboration by 6th Man? Individual rapping?, Conceptual art? Give me more of that! This is the EP you’ll want to check out!