Devstacks – “Soul” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Boston, Massachusetts producer & rapper Devstacks. Emerging off the Now They Know Us trilogy with the first 2 installments being EPs & the concluding chapter becoming his full-length studio debut, 3rd EP Scriptures has proven to become his breakout project & has gone on to produce for the likes of Ty Fontaine to Kevin Abstract & Diorvsyou His sophomore effort 4SouljasOnly had primarily trap feeling to it regalia sound he popularized & the rumors of Soul being a Scriptures sequel ahead of him producing an upcoming EP for Bktherula called Dirty Sticks.

The self-produced “Hand Me Your Soul” fuses elements of chipmunk soul & jerk so he can talk about this burning desire he has for more whereas “Stand for It” triumphantly flexes his lifestyle since being stuck at the top, having 2 bad hoes by his side snorting lines. “I See Dead People” bombastically talks about having white women tryna hook up with him just before “#1” incorporates some sampling chops so Dev can get more sexual with his songwriting.

“Yes” takes a cloudier approach instrumentally boasting his new Jesus piece & outfit leading into “Soulja Swag” ending the 1st half going full regalia telling everyone at home who misses him to stay strong until he’s home from being on the road. “Save the Day” gets the 2nd act going treading the plugg waters talking about money making his day better while “Maybe I Can Save You” suggests he could potentially rescuing this hoe he’s addressing over a regalia beat.

The song “You Can Have It Too” properly begins the encore of Soul on some cloudy trap shit advising people that they can what they desire in life if they believe hard enough while “Wish You Well” talks about money smelling like the Mason Margiela fit he’s wearing. “Slit Her Wrists” details a woman getting reminiscent when scrolling through his Instagram page & “Feel Like Ye” wraps up Soul shouting out one of my top 10 producers Ye formerly known Kanye West.

Commemorating the 3 year anniversary of Scriptures earlier this week, Devstacks retains the same production ideas that made it’s counterpart stick out from regalia to plugg & cloud rap although there are some additional influences of the main trap style 4SouljasOnly embraced including chipmunk soul & jerk elements being sprinkled in. He’s certainly a capable performer too, handling the performances solely by himself much like Scriptures rather than the previous album having only 1 guest performance.

Score: 4/5

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Strange Fruit Project – “Beautiful Rage” review

The Strange Fruit Project is a trio from Waco, Texas consisting of Myth, Myone & S1. Forming as a duo 3 decades ago, they would eventually drop their full-length debut From Divine after Myone joined at the turn of the millennium & their sophomore effort Soul Travelin’. It wasn’t until The Healing dropped in the summer of 2006 where they started to gain traction, garnering comparisons to both Little Brother & the Native Tongues collective. Last time we heard from them was when the M.A.S.K. (Making Art Sound Kool) extended play & their previous album A Dreamer’s Journey came out, returning after over a decade for a new EP.

After the titular intro, “Stay Kings” opens up with this boom bap beat produced by none other than S1 talking about only the strong prevailing whereas “Superman” featuring Theory Hazit instrumentally takes a more soulful route explaining that everyone has their own kryptonite referencing the DC hero of the same name merely 72 hours following Warner Bros.’ oligarchic merger with Paramount to become the Skydance Corporation was finalized.

“Kast Out” hits the midway point of the EP confidently talking about spirituality & after the “Becoming” interlude, “See My Pain” featuring Deontaye Daywalker soulfully kicks off the 2nd half wanting the world to look at the suffering they’ve had to endure. “Won’t Back Down” featuring Rapsody finds all 4 of them talking about their refusal of surrendering under any circumstance while “Honor” featuring Blu dustily breaks down the things that humble them.

S1 has spent the last 16 years producing for some of the biggest names in music from Ye formerly known as Kanye West to Drake & Young Thug, so for him to run it back with Myth & Myone for a Strange Fruit Project reunion has been a long time coming & would probably prefer it over M.A.S.K. (Making Art Sound Kool) as far as their EPs go. The guests are all carefully selected & all add their own perspectives to the conscious lyricism these guys have become known for over S1’s rich boom bap production.

Score: 3.5/5

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Scum – “Nobody Spared” review

Denver, Colorado emcee & Lyrikal Snuff Productionz founder Scum back for his 17th LP. Starting as a member of an experimental grind/noise band called Down Syndrome about 3 decades ago, his solo debut Enter the Asylum arrived in the winter of 2003 & he’s outdone himself plenty of times since. Case in point: The Gorefather, Out with the Old & Bad Uncle fully produced by Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux. I also found myself enjoying the Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy, coming off Anti-Human & IOUz to make sure there’s Nobody Spared.

“On God” kicks things off with this 92 second trap metal intro talking about giving a fuck less if people get offended by him & his style of music whereas “Mass Murder” featuring Řezník finds the pair joining forces for a bilingual horrorcore anthem with an instrumental that has a boom bap quality to it. “Moovbaak” continues from there apocalyptically sending that very advise to anyone who’s in his way prior to “1 by 1” featuring King Gordy gets right back to the wicked shit.

Moving on from there, “The Final Straw” furiously talks about leaving a muhfucka face down if 1 more thing in his life goes wrong while “Chainsaw Gandhi” spends 101 seconds dropping horrorcore lyricism over an organ-inflicted beat. “Type O Fuck” featuring Bloody Ruckus & Donnie Menace finds the trio testing the world to really let them see what they’re really about while “T.M.K.Y. (They Might Kill You)” cautions what happens when you push someone too hard.

Chapter 17 Records signee & LSP alumni Darby O’Trill joins Scum for “Stop Playin’” telling everyone to quit fuckin’ around incorporating some secondary influences of trap metal i the picture while “Definition of Wrong” grimly talks about what he considers the meaning of incorrect hooking up these suspenseful piano chords. “Bleed Out” speeds up his flow so he can keep it wicked leading into “What Would Jesus Do?” grimly talks about the son of god having love for all the victims that’re being slaughtered.

“Like You” featuring RazoR has Sin Rip & Tha Roka both joining their mentor in discussing some people being better off dead while “Drugs” talks about the fact that more people in this country have lost their lives to opioid addictions more than gun violence in recent memory. “Hole in Your Neck” featuring Madopelli has Ant Dog & M.A.D accompanying the man who gave them a deal instrumentally going for a boom bap vibe while “Better” suggests it’s best he aims far until pulling the trigger of of shotgun.

Meanwhile on “Enjoy the Horrors”, we have Scum over another trap beat hoping that people enjoy the wickedness he was meant to please the underground with preceding “Point of No Return” by Devil’s Trident ruggedly talking about burning bridges without having any fear. “Drip, Drip, Drip” starts the deluxe run with a symphonic instrumental talking about blood dripping off the blade of his weapon while “Left Alone” featuring A.Z. the Fallen links up to explain that they’re better off on their own.

“Last Confession” finds himself asking what the fuck’s wrong with him while “They Don’t Want None” featuring Gibby Stites & Zak Pacillo returns to the boom bap talking about no one wanting any sort of smoke with them. “N.H.N.H. (No Help No Hope)” makes the clear distinction that one’s helpless if there isn’t anyone to assist them while “Nightmerica” featuring Mikahl Lawless & Skeezus talks about this being a nightmare one can’t wake up from.

There’s a heavy rap metal groove to “Originalz” looking to smash skulls with a spiked bat while “So Tired” featuring RG Stoner talks about being sick of giving in unprovoked. “Dig Deeper” throws shots at the people hating on his name while “Empty Shell” featuring metroGHOST talks about the other versions of them being dead for some time. “Living in a Nightmare” bombastically observes the world burning & the final bonus track “Death Choice” talks about having no fear of being incorrect.

This dude’s been experimenting with bars, dark humor, lyrical hip hop, personal songs & mental health anthems after bringing us the Gore Hop we’ve come to know The Gorefather for going on damn near 3 decades at this point & Nobody Spared takes it right back to his roots with some of the angriest, darkest & most violent material Scum’s recorded in a some time. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the 2nd disc touching base regarding more introspective subject other than a couple occasional moments where he delves into butchery.

Score: 3.5/5

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Souls of Mischief – “Clean Getaway” review

Souls of Mischief are an alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California consisting of A-Plus, Opio, Phesto & Tajai of the Hieroglyphics collective. Their 1993 full-length debut ‘93 ‘til Infinity under Jive Records has since become a west coast masterpiece although the reception of their sophomore effort No Man’s Land as well as the Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings-backed Focus & Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution were average at best. Montezuma’s Revenge mostly produced by Prince Paul & There’s Only Now produced by Linear Labs Music founder Adrian Younge both join ’93 ‘til Infinity amongst their top 3 material, coming off Hiero’s widely celebrated return All Said & Done to drop a new extended play of material.

“Believers” begins with the 4 showing off their chopper skills over a boom bap instrumental whereas the only single “Nothing Without You” featuring Brookfield Deuce & Damian Lillard shows their gratitude to their hometown although both guest appearances were simply alright in my opinion. “Road Runnin’” featuring Jay Worthy produced by A-Plus kicks off the 2nd half shrugging off any worries they have regarding law enforcement bumpin’ classics & “Up With the Sun” featuring Phonte ends the EP on a funkier note looking to have fun.

It’s already been confirmed via the Souls of Mischief’s social media platforms that they’re planning to release their upcoming 7th album soon & although I didn’t end up loving Clean Getaway as much as All Said & Done last month, it’s still a passable prelude. The way everyone trades verses with each other proves regardless of there only being a couple guests I could’ve done without, but I feel like there could’ve been some improvements made within the production department.

Score: 3/5

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ovrkast. – “Striking” review

New sophomore effort from Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. in the midst of my favorite duo of all-time OutKast filing a ridiculous trademark infringement lawsuit between him a few weeks ago. For over a decade now, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of 13 EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. KastGotWings produced by Cardo became my favorite EP of his even if some might still disagree, coming off his full-length studio debut While the Iron’s Hot a year & a half ago to drop Striking.

After the Ant Bankx intro, the self-produced “Windo” blends jazz rap & boom bap talking about finding himself in many situations he can’t control whereas “Static” featuring Joey Bada$$ finds the pair discussing the only thing they saw growing up around them over another jazzy beat. “Pane” takes a smoother approach instrumentally talking about indignation just before “WashedOut” wakes up thanking god for the storm & advising not to get washed.

“Home” soothingly up the 1st act of the album talking about usually resting on the edge of the studio instead of being on the wrong side of the bed when getting up in the morning while “ActTransit / Lemme at ‘Em” featuring DAVIDTHETEAGIC links up for a 2-parter with a soulful beginning until switching into trap territory. “Knock” featuring MAVI & Samara Cyn returns to the boom bap calling for people to cut the bullshit while “Heroes & Villains” featuring Ben Reilly & Marco+ plots world domination together.

The lead single “Wata!” featuring Niontay experiments with a jerk sound talking about not having time for everybody since they all want some shit & boasting that they got hotter every time they rap while “Hopecore!” hooks up a crooning soul sample so he can take a joint to the face along with trying to get through on his own. “Phree (Swing)” spends the remaining minutes of Striking talking about stitching up his wings, tryna break free.

Never in my life have I heard anyone get ovrkast. confused with OutKast & that’s a huge reason why many people are against this ongoing suit, but I digress. Striking however still comes out after some presumed it would get pushed back for a solid half hour although I don’t love it as much as either KastGotWings or While the Iron’s Hot. His jazzy production incorporates more live instrumentation & the abstract penmanship conveys the message of acting decisively & becoming comfortable with failure in the midst of pursuing personal evolution beyond traumatic situations.

Score: 3.5/5

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Olu – “The 11th Hour” review

Olu is a 37 year old rapper & singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia notable for being 1/2 of the EARTHGANG & a member of the Spillage Village collective. His partner-in-rhyme WowGr8 made his solo debut 12 months ago with Howl at da Moon leaning more towards a comedic hip hop style for something vulnerably dramatic compared to everything he’s done in the past, but Johnny Venus has been hinting towards a full stylistic departure for his own debut embracing an R&B sound & signing to Epic Records rather than putting it out independently.

After the “11:00” intro, “On & On & On” co-produced by Wu10 sets the tone of what’s to come with this R&B intro singing about being in love prior to the self-produced “Porsche 911” taking a smoother approach altogether pleading for her to break it down to the floor. “Runway Killer” moves on from there atmospherically singing about running away from heartbreak with a killer guitar during the hook while “Sarahtonin” featuring Alissia & Ink finds the trio bringing back the funk for some seductive vibes.

“American Dream” mixes elements of trap, rock & R&B singing about this woman’s religion being his peace to conclude the midway point of Johnny Venus’ debut just before “So Beautiful” featuring 6LACK kicks off the 2nd half with a duet yearning to call their partners throughout the whole evening over a slick Wu10 beat. Want to further mention Dominique Sanders known for his output for Strange Music as 1/2 of The Xtraordinair$ or solo getting behind the boards for “I Want You Back” was a pleasant surprise, where Olu’s singing about wanting to rekindle the flame with an ex.

The song “Feng Shui” slows it down admitting sex got ‘em fucking up the positive energy while “Swallowed Pride” would be another moment I’d revisit from the Patrick Paige II instrumental to the lyrics about putting his ego to the side. “Nightmares” hops over a guitar singing about having bad dreams being in love with this individual & “Can You Pray for Me” sends off The 11th Hour in the form of an appropriate Spillage Village posse cut featuring Asha Imuno clocking at almost 8 & a half minutes.

Now that both members of the EARTHGANG have their solo debuts out of the way, The 11th Hour makes me think of the comparisons that’ve been made between them & OutKast in the sense of this Howl at da Moonbeing like Speakerboxxx retaining a hip hop sound & this being a stylistic departure similarly to The Love Below. I felt like the funky & atmospheric R&B production Olu handles other than a few big names was superior to WowGr8’s album last fall & sings as well as he raps.

Score: 4/5

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Babystaydown – “Soon” review

Athens, Georgia rapper Babystaydown dropping a 3-pack behind bars. Somebody who already has his previous 16 EPs under his belt including PL Top Recruits, 1,350, Drugz Sex & Money and it’s sequel, 17, Genesis, his Cegular Records/Sony Music debut Hate da Way Um Livin, Saint, Pain Before Pleasure, Chief 13, Aimai, I.L.M.F. (I Love My Friends), ##Kool ##Kat & the Lost Files duology. His full-length debut Born Anew as well as the sophomore effort Art of War & I.B.S.D.W.M.P. (I Been Still Dealing With My Pain) have all continued to elevate him from an artistic standpoint, coming off the introspective Lil Yae promising he’ll be home Soon.

“Parting Ways” produced by Internet Money Records in-house producer Vendr opens up the EP with some acoustics & hi-hats promising all his homies that he’ll be back out in the streets sooner than later while “On a Shelf” instrumentally retains that same vibe thanks to Traiqo talking about living up to all his raps. The final track “No Love” sends off the 7 minute EP on a cloudier note courtesy of both Cade & Whyceg admitting he’s been waiting for things in his life to improve.

So it turns out Babystaydown had his house raided & was arrested weeks after Lil Yae came out under several charges from gang participation to firearm & drug possession, facing up to 35 years in prison if convicted although Soon makes an optimistic indication that he won’t have to serve the entire 3 decade plus sentence. Like he said: This whole case justifies the gangsta reputation he’s built for himself & if he beats it somehow someway, then I hope he learns from it & stays outta trouble going forward since this was short but sweet.

Score: 3.5/5

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Joe Hendry – “Beyond Belief” review

Joe Hendry is a 38 year old professional wrestler & singer/songwriter from Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom who’s also a former アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン, TNA World Champion, the longest reigning TNA Digital Media Champion & NXT Champion. Some however might not be familiar with him being the former frontman of an alt-rock/pop punk band called Lost in Audio in the early half of the previous decade, having the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE financially back his 2nd extended play following the independent Total Hendry EP.

“Give Joe Hendry Every Single Belt (Right Now)” opens up with this pop rock intro interpolating “Know Your Enemy” by Green Day desiring to hold every championship in the WWE whereas the country rock-tinged “Tables, Ladders & Chairs” likens a bad relationship to the type of wrestling match pioneered by the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz alongside former 7-time WWE Tag Team Champions & AEW World Tag Team Champions Adam Copeland & Christian Cage and former NWA World Tag Team Champions, 2-time IWGPタッグチャンピオン, inaugural 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champions, WWE Hall of Famers & former 18-time WWE tag team champions The Dudley Boyz.

We have Joe demanding the WWE’s current Director of Live Events & general manager for Monday Night Raw in former 5-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion & PWG World Champion Adam Pearce to “Fire Logan Paul” considering that I’m not a fan of the former WWE United States Champion & WWE tag team champion as a person either just before the anthemic “If I Can’t Have Joe Hendry” sings about there being no one in the world like him. “If You Don’t Love Joe Hendry” contains an interpolation of “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber discarding his haters as useless trash while “Going Up to SmackDown” sings about eventually moving over to Friday Night SmackDown working for their GM in former 2-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGPタッグチャンピオン, GHCタッグチャンピオン, 2-time TNA World Champion & TNA World Tag Team Champion Nick Aldis.

“Out of Nowhere” recalls his WrestleMania XLI match against former 14-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & WWE United States Champion Randy Orton for an upbeat rock track while “Highland Cow” represents Scotland alongside former 5-time WWE world champion, NXT Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & TNA World Champion Drew McIntyre. “Everybody Else” cheerfully sings about being people’s favorite wrestler because of his abilities as a performer & as a musician while “Jingle Balls” pokes fun at 2-time WWE Champion, 8-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion & 9-time WWE tag team champion The Miz.

I do however appreciate the closing track “NXT Year” showing love to the WWE’s primary developmental brand NXT as well as the youngest DPW Worlds Champion Je’Von Evans and former PWG World Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, EVOLVE Tag Team Champion, AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeon, NXT Champion & NXT North American Champion Ethan Page. Of course I can’t can’t forget to mention the shoutout to the AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeon co-holder during Ethan’s reign in the current WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green, who’s also the inaugural 2-time WWE Women’s United States Champion & a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion in addition to being a former TNA Knockouts World Champion & TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion.

Beyond Belief won’t make my Best of 2026 list or anything like that but I can’t deny Joe Hendry gave the WWE what probably the best musical body of work they’ve released in 2 decades since 17-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE United States Champion & 4-time WWE tag team champion John Cena fresh off his outstanding Coyote vs. Acme performance did the You Can’t See Me collaborative album with his cousin MC Trademarc that Spada4 of CZARFACE’s in-house production trio The Czar-Keys executive produced for Columbia Records. Especially when you compare it to def rebel’s formulaic entrance themes or that AFTERTHETIDES EP former 6-time WWE tag team champion Montez Ford put out couple months back.

Score: 3/5

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Victoria Monét – “Frequency of Love” review

Victoria Monét is a 37 year old singer/songwriter from Sacramento, California who independently released the Nightmares & Lullabies and Life After Love series of extended plays throughout the course of the previous decade with the other 2-part saga coming out through EMPIRE Distribution. Her next EP Jaguar arrived in the summer of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic & signed to RCA Records afterwards to make a sequel out of the 2023 full-length studio debut, returning for an official sophomore effort.

After the intro, “Come Back to You” samples “Voyage to Atlantis” by The Isley Brothers to sing about returning to this guy repeatedly if she had the choice whereas “Say Dat” produced by DJ Camper following the “Care for Somebody” interlude encouraging her partner to speak what they’re really feeling. “Head to Toe” flips “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” by Joe singing for her man to kiss her all over her body just before “Almost” continues the lustful subject matter.

“Juicy” blends contemporary R&B & boogie so Victoria can plead for her lover not to tease her & not waste any time getting down to business while “You Mean the World to Me” featuring Leon Thomas III after the “Dark Side of the Moon” interlude for a duet dedicated to Victoria’s daughter Hazel Monét. “Maybe” featuring Lucky Daye suggesting morning glory will come if the story goes the way they hope while “You Hurt Me Too” after the “Money” interlude airing out someone for doing what they said they wouldn’t do.

SZA appears during “See You in My Dreams” so they can sing about sleeping on these dude to the point where they fantasize of them at night prior to “That’s Why I Love You” featuring Bruno Mars sampling “Ritornerai” by Bruno Lauzi discussing loving each other until the venues closed & the streetlights come on. “Single” featuring Bryson Tiller puts us inside the shoes of 2 people who’re developing feelings for one another while “Reach Out” combines KAYTRANADA’s signature deep house sound with dance-pop & contemporary R&B singing about wanting to be his forever.

“I Want You” preceding an interlude of the same name interpolates “In My Bed” by Dru Hill while “Lose Myself” featuring Chlöe sings about what they feel like they have to do in order to find the ones they love. The alternative R&B/trap soul lead single “Let Me” tries convincing this person she can’t get enough of to become his piece of mind riding or dying for him & after the “No Love Like Yours” interlude, “For You” finishes Frequency of Love singing about providing a lifetime of stability for her soulmate since their life together has been nothing short of great.

If you take off the ridiculous amount of interludes, there would’ve been a serious chance of me putting Frequency of Love above both Jaguar & Jaguar II considering some of Victoria Monét’s personal material winds up here. The contemporary R&B/smooth soul production DJ Camper handles a vast majority compliments Victoria’s reflections of what she was going through or feeling as she was dating, motherhood, her love for the world & what she wants to see for it.

Score: 3.5/5

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Mickey Diamond – “B.I.L.L.Y.” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Mickey Diamond wasting no time to get the 4th quarter going with his 19th studio LP. Emerging at the beginning of this decade off the strength of his debut EP Bangkok Dangerous, the dude has since gone on to turn quite a few heads in the underground by building up the impressive discography for himself with his previous 18 albums alongside 8 EPs & a mixtape. Since 2022 however, Mickey has been consistent putting out some of the best material of his career thus far. This includes the Gucci Ghost series produced by Big Ghost Ltd., the Ral Duke-produced Oroku Saki EP, the Sadhugold-produced Death Threat$ album, the Camoflauge Monk-produced Capital Gains album, the outstanding Oroku Saki sequel Super Shredder & Gucci Gambinos. A new trilogy called The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat comprised of Wolf Tickets as well as Black Sheep & Blood of the Lamb has spanned across the last 10 months & B.I.L.L.Y. officially ends the saga with an epilogue.

The title track opens up shop with a boom bap intro talking about anyone going against him losing their lives right then & there whereas “Missed Calls II” comes through with a sequel to the highlight off Wolf Tickets. “That’s Diamond” goes for more of a rap rock/boom bap vibe instrumentally so he can tell us what type of guy he is leading into “Higher Steaks” featuring Cise Greeny finds the pair talking about doing this shit legitimately.

“Pat Sayjack” moves on from there with this gritty piano-inflicted beat talking about knocking the heads off your favorite rappers because they’re pussy while the irate yet rugged “D.A.R.E.” confronts these bum ass dudes asking what they want from him. “Lamb Chops” takes a more soulful yet jazzier approach to the instrumental talking about the life of a hustler just before “Goat Cheese” heads for a lavish boom bap direction musically, explaining that money doesn’t make a man.

As for “Invisible Enemies”, we have Diamond talking about his style being too addicting to shake off & people pretending to be authentic when that isn’t the case while “U-Tang Forever” featuring Method Man links up over a crooning beat flexing that they close rappers instead of opening for them. “Ocean Prime” drearily talks about being the friend one can call whenever times get tough while “Statute of Limitations” discusses always playing in the field instead of getting sidelined.

“William” kicks off the other half talking about being the greatest on some eerie boom bap shit while the symphonically raw “Takin’ Respect” cautions not to ever step against him & not finding anyone else who can carry the weight he does. “To Whom It May Concern” talks about still being the same as he was when he began making music despite having over a dozen full-lengths under his belt already while “7 Day Theory” boast the fact everything he writes turns out ill.

Crimeapple appears during the tense “Servin’ & Swervin’” getting in their mafioso bag together pushing dope while “Forbidden Fruit” blends some keys mixed with kicks & snares to talk about him searching for the hidden truth back when he was a kid. “Hallelujah (Amen)” featuring Big Trip kinda has a funkier instrumental combining themes of religion & the gangsta life to it while “School House Rock” ruggedly talks about the realest always selling.

“Goldie Mack” winds down the final act of B.I.L.L.Y. addressing a bitch who introduced herself to him as a lame & wanting her to give him another chance while “X’s & O’s” talks about not being afraid to spend a lot of money considering it’s forever coming & going. “Wire Tap” though wraps up the album alongside The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat saga altogether with the 3rd & final chapter of the “Missed Calls” trilogy pleading to stop hitting his line in a sketchy manner.

Big Ghost Ltd. has helped Mickey Diamond craft some of his most personal & thoughtful material of his career this past year whether he’s pouring his heart out, reopening wounds, provoking thoughts, looking back at some his own mistakes, challenging the norms of society or making serious conversations with both his loved ones & God. B.I.L.L.Y. closes the book on The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat story once & for all in the form of a 2-part postscript simultaneously celebrating most of the 7 deadly sins when they’re not glorifying sex, drugs & money since all of it played their own roles in making America what it is presently.

Score: 4.5/5

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