Mi$tuh G – “Bird’s Eye View” review

Here we have the 2nd extended play from Sacramento, California emcee/producer Mi$tuh G. Emerging within the underground at the beginning of this current ongoing decade off the strength of his full-length debut G Files, I myself was subsequently introduced to his music in the summer of 2020 back when the whole world shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic through his debut EP G.W.O. (G-World Order) conceptually revolving around all the events that had transpired at that point. He & Mak7teen brought Your Worst Nightmare to life a year later & coming off Keep It G back in 2024, he’s looking at things from a Bird’s Eye View.

“Thought It Was Over” after the titular intro hops on top of this nervous instrumental talking about shutting down any & all opposition whereas “Hatin’ on My Name” continues from there firing back at everyone who’s been disrespecting him. “Go” featuring Rayven Justice links up to talk about their desires of parting with naughty women while “B.T.A. (Bounce That Ass)” properly concludes the 1st half of Bird’s Eye View cooking up a decent strip club ballad.

The self-produced “Krown Me King” could most likely be my personal favorite track on the entire EP talking about never slowing down & taking the throne that’s rightfully his while “The 7th Letter” continues the 2nd leg proclaiming himself to be the big boss & never fallin’ off. “Kold as Me” winds down the last several minutes talking about nobody in his city being able to touch him lyrically just before “Family 1st” featuring Illa Jay & Mak7teen finds the trio rising above the dirt together.

A great bulk of this was conceived following Mi$tuh G’s recent experiences of backstabbing as well as broken loyalties & people smiling in his face despite praying on his downfall when he isn’t looking, which is why I’d consider Bird’s Eye View to be some of the most personal music he’s ever made. He’s painting a dark depicting of the price of elevation after realizing some of the closest people in our lives are the very reason some distance themselves out of necessity instead of making it personal.

Valid – “The Bronko Tape 2” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Valid surprise-dropping his 2nd mixtape. Introducing himself properly over a decade ago with Reach High, he would follow it up in 2019 getting more personal on the sophomore effort Mihajlo which I personally would recommend to anyone as the best place to start for anyone who wants to get up on Valid’s music & eventually the Plum Brandy EP only 9 months later. Coming off The Bronko Tape & Peach Brandy, he’s preluding this next chapter of his career with a Bronko Tape sequel.

“See It Twice” hops over a synth-driven boom bap beat Pig Pen cooked up talking about the rap game making him fatter than he’s ever been whereas “Gitchya Money” produced by Big Tone continues from there with a funky 2 & a half minute ode to making bread. “Riverwalk” embraces a smoother yet spacier vibe instrumentally talking about chillin’ close to the river staying fresh while “Debt Free” asks the world if anyone has the luxury of having no debts to pay off.

Huey 11 appears on “Champaign Knights” taking a more seductive approach from the subject matter to the Simple Cuts beat just before “Once in a Blue” featuring Kool Keith hits midway point admitting to smoking weed occasionally. “Live My Life” featuring eLZhi & Mikri Maus acknowledges those envious of the trio’s lifestyles while “Matter of Respect” featuring Jon Connor feels like the Michigan version of 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.

“The Town” begins off the 4th quarter of The Bronko Tape 2 combining kicks, snares & vibraphone taking through the Motor City where nothing’s unheard of while “Burying You” shows off Peace of Mind’s ear for sampling talking about a someone smacking up a hoe at 4 in the morning after learning she was fucking someone else until she slits his throat in self-defense. “Pašteta” featuring Noti Limun once again takes a few moments to show more love towards Valid’s Balkan heritage while “Passing Down” advises against being like him losing the ones you love the most.

Valid takes it back to what made The Bronko Tape such an exciting listen coming up almost 3 years ago in preparation for his upcoming European tour set to kick off at the end of the month making further comparisons to to Bronko Lubich who competed in the Billy Corgan owned National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the Hart family-owned Stampede Wrestling, the WWE Hall of Famers Von Erich family-owned WCCW, the Crockett family-owned JCP & WWE Hall of Famer Verne Gagne-owned AWA from the early 50s to the early 70s considering their Serbian background & building their reputation behind the scenes.

Score: 4/5

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BigBabyGucci – “Temporary Fix” review

This is the 8th studio LP & from Charlotte, North Carolina recording artist BigBabyGucci. Starting almost a decade ago off his debut EP ART HOE Collection, he would continue to build a name for himself by putting out 19 more EPs as well as his last 7 full-lengths & his last 5 tapes along the way. When U Wake Up, When You Go to Sleep, Baby 5 & the heavily alternative ANTI have all become his strongest material of the 2020s although I can’t the same for Isolation 2.5 a month after the latter. Internet Explorer was a fun redemption for himself, following up And When I’m Alone as well as Serotonin & Asleep at the Wheel to drop Temporary Fix.

“Por Vida” opens up with a cloudy trap instrumental talking about being out here livin’ his life whereas “Trust Issues” expresses his refusal of trusting anyone who isn’t from his side of town & being in Miami feelin’ untouchable. “LeBron” featuring Benzeli finds the pair putting bands on the floor on some young shit over a rage beat leading into “Euphoria” admitting the Benjamins are his main focus & that he could give a fuck less about fame.

Meanwhile on “Backpainz”, we have BBG psychedelically talking about his back hurting from carrying the game just before “Paranoia” cautions against letting the drugs spill. My favorite track here would easily go to “Where in the World?” produced by Internet Money Records in-house producer Nico Baran reaching the midway point of Temporary Fix getting crossfaded so he can ask this woman where she wants to go for a night out she desperately needs.

“Face It” gets the 2nd half of Temporary Fix officially underway talking about his bitch being bad & pourin’ drinks in the back of the club he couldn’t even measure over a plugg instrumental while “Oceanz” discusses splitting racks with his team & sliding with tints so dark, he can’t even see outside. “I’m Him” issues a stern warning of splitting heads open as a repercussion for speaking ill against his team while “Tolerance” talks about getting high & doing whatever he wants every night.

The song “Blackout” feels like a cross between rage & digicore discussing him curving a bitch off ecstasy & demanding to have someone tell him which body to drop since he’s off the pill while “Goin’ Steady” talks about him staying in the kitchen along with silencing every single last person who’s been playing with his name. “Fake Rich” concludes the album in the form of 1 last digicore cut admitting to eating steak when he only came for the gravy.

So it was brought to my attention a few weeks earlier that BigBabyGucci has been having some trouble with his distributor ONErpm, but Temporary Fix gives me hope of them sorting out their issues continuing to prelude these next couple albums he has ready to go Side Effects & 1 Long Trip by taking it back to 2018 making the funnest music he possibly can without having any pressure kicking his drug addiction in favor of drinking more.

Score: 3.5/5

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Sham Blak – “Man of My Word” review

This is a brand new extended play & the 4th overall from San Diego, California emcee Sham Blak. Releasing his full-length studio debut Money Well Spent all the way back in 2013 when I was teenager, he would follow it up with his debut EP ShamRock along with the D Day Project & The Evolution of Sham Blak: As Lucc Would Have It EPs respectively. He recently put the sophomore effort Gratuity as well as Something Out of Nothing & ShamRock 2, coming off last summer’s Red October to be a Man of My Word.

“Power & Capability” featuring K4NO finds the pair linking up to talk about no one being realer than them whereas “Deebo’s” shifts towards a boom bap vibe instrumentally so Sham can lyrically get in his conscious bag. “Principle, Loyalty, Legacy” featuring Destruct joins forces so they can discuss keeping a cyclops vision when carrying tradition & after “Ain’t Nothing Like San Diego” props up his hometown, “Out the Window” featuring Mischif talks about doing this for the kinfolk.

Lorde Sims appears during “Tap In”, kicking off the 2nd half shittin’ on everyone & everything regardless of who it is while “Intentions” featuring Navy Jonez LKR rawly confronts someone regarding their precise objectives. “Round the City” featuring Mischif gets to the cake together without anything derailing their path & after “Shadowboxing” featuring Mr. Brady aggressively treads the battle rap waters topically, the outro “Farewell” sends off Man of My Word talking about going to bed when the sun does.

Documenting the mindset required to stay authentic & building something meaningful on his own terms, Sham Blak blends gritty introspective lyricism with hard hitting production & collaborative energy for an EP built upon principle, loyalty & legacy. Man of My Word calls for the world to stand behind what he believes exploring ambition, self belief to loyalty, relationships, community, internal battles & ultimately letting go & moving forward.

Score: 3.5/5

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Fuse – “Womanizer” review

Fuse is a 46 year old producer from Roosevelt, Long Island, New York known for being a member of the 808 Mafia. Some may recognize him for producing the Spring Clean series for Curren$y although he’s additionally crossed paths with many notable names from Future & Rick Ross to Royce da 5’9” & Benny the Butcher. He was recently motivated by Southside following his full-length debut Break the Silence last summer to take a jab at rapping & has brought Providence, Rhode Island producer araabMUZIK behind the boards for his own solo debut.

“She Not Mine” hops over an atmospheric boom bap instrumental explaining his preference in women specifically being the hood type whereas “New Bitch” talks about having all sorts of hoes & growing up listening to Too $hort instead of Biggie. The uncredited female rapper featured on “High Maintenance” wasn’t too bad if it caught me off guard passably admitting she & Fuse need a lot of work until the R&B-tinged “South Beach” talks about meeting a freaky chick in Florida.

K Camp joins Fuse on the moody pop rap track “Head Shots” cranking up the seductive subject matter to wrap up the 1st leg of Womanizer just before “Date Night” telling the story of him taking a woman out for dinner costing $100 each to get the 2nd half underway. “Unstable” continues from there talking about a chick who needs some serious healing while “Couples Therapy” admits to dating a female without having any intentions of committing.

“Always Around” featuring Landstrip Chip finds the pair linking up over a sample-driven trap beat speaking to the type of women they should ghost instead of fucking in luxurious vehicles while “Ring the Alarm” featuring Sy Ari da Kid joins forces so they can issue a warning regarding someone’s girl being unfaithful to him. “Burnt Out” spends the remaining 2 & a half minutes of Womanizer asking this thot who lost all her values sleeping with guys for nice things she won’t receive in return.

Taking an opportunity to focus on himself as a recording artist after producing for others for almost 2 decades, I do think there’s room for Fuse to grow as a performer & Womanizer as a whole makes for an average beginning to this new chapter of his career. araabMUZIK killing it the production was a given to me since I’ve been paying attention to him ever since the stuff he did with Slaughterhouse in my adolescence, but the romantic subject matter gets tiring after a bit & had expected more out of the guests.

Score: 3/5

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Bronze Nazareth – “Elysian” review

Here is the 7th solo LP from Detroit, Michigan emcee/producer & Black Day in July Productions founder Bronze Nazareth. Known for his membership with the Wisemen alongside his late brother Kevlaar 7 & eventually the Wu-Tang Clan’s in-house production team the Wu-Elements, he made his solo debut The Great Migration almost 2 decades ago & then School for the Blindman only 5 years later. Bundle Raps & Ekphrasis produced entirely by Leaf Dog & Roc Marciano respectively became his strongest output since his debut, coming off his childhood friend Apollo Brown producing Funeral for a Dream in tandem with Escapism Recordings last summer to have his sibling behind the boards 1 last time for Elysian.

After the “Elysian Invocation” intro, the opening song “Soul Stirrer” hops over a boom bap instrumental talking about being next in line whereas “Adesanya” shows some love towards UFC Hall of Famer & former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. “All I Could Do (Open 2)” whips up a sequel to a track off Illah Dayz’ 3rx album Ponch’e leading into “Lupus” featuring Hollywood Dots the Oncelor talks about the disease that killed the late, great J Dilla over 2 decades ago.

“Jacob’s Ladder” combines elements of soul boom bap to hit us with a flow smoother than cologne & after the “Kevlaar 2” intermission, “Bad Boys ‘04” featuring Salute da Kidd finds the pair likening themselves to the Detroit Pistons back when they won their last NBA Championship to date. “You’ve Been There” continues the 2nd half of Elysian with another soulfully dusty crossover talking about superstition not having a place within the journal inside his head.

Kevlaar 7 himself appears posthumously on “So7o” so the Cross siblings can rock the mic together 1 last time while “House of Legends” runs it back with Salute da Kidd provides an audio visitation rather than performing verses talking about feeling alive again inside. The final song “My Dead Brother Superhero” featuring Lord Jessiah preceding the “Elysian Benediction” outro ends Elysian with a soulful boom bap closer remembering his brother.

Nearly a dozen years since Kevlaar 7 passed away around Christmas 2014 of a blood disorder, his younger brother Bronze Nazareth digs up some of the final batch of beats he made giving them everything it deserved from his perspective & I don’t see how anyone who’s been down with them since the Wisemen days would be disappointed with the results of Elysian if he were here. Bronze ambiguously tackles streetology, life in the Motor City, aspirations, the wins & the losses while simultaneously making it clear K7’s sound hasn’t left.

Score: 4.5/5

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The Go – “Free Electricity” review

The Go was a garage rock revival band from Detroit, Michigan formed by frontman Bobby Harlow, guitarist/bassist John Krautner & drummer Marc Fellis. They would go on to release a total of 5 full-lengths including their 1999 debut Whatcha Doin’? under Sub Pop Records as well as the sophomore effort Supercuts& their eponymous 3rd album. Howl on the Haunted Beat You Ride & Fiesta, disbanding after the latter. A 6th studio LP however dating all the way back to 2000 has been authorized by Sub Pop & hearing they initially shelved it for being too “uncommercial” at the turn of the millennium only to dig it out of the vaults was intriguing to hear.

The title track fires it all up with an intro reminiscent of proto-punk bands MC5 & The Stooges pleading for his partner to let out the love she has for him whereas “Secular Century Man” takes a more lo-fi garage rock approach singing about the trials awaiting beyond a set of gates. “All Dimensions Are Loose” continues to take heavier inspiration from MC5 & The Stooges making a statement regarding freedom of expression & after “Peacock’s Angel” sings over these buzzing guitar tones about ready to blow your mind with a great time, “Pharaoh’s Tomb” reaches the halfway point with a free jazz-influenced ode to the late Pharoah Sanders.

“Into Outer Space” kicks off the 2nd half of Free Electricity on a more tranquil note pleading for this woman to brought back home leading into “Turnin’ On” fusing glam & punk rock despite the subject matter heading towards a more sexual direction. “Blood Red Sun” would easily be my least favorite song here due to the unnecessary length on top of the repetitiveness but once “Muthers of the Earth” hooks up some psychedelic guitar tones for a peaceful Mother’s Day anthem, “Golden Dawn” concludes the album we should’ve gotten after Whatcha Doin’? with 1 last garage rock jam singing about a sunflower making you feel alright.

Supercuts & self-titled were ok largely because they didn’t really explore beyond the garage rock revival style when Free Electricity was shelved, so I really felt like things would’ve looked differently had Sub Pop Records let The Go release it as originally planned because it deserves it’s spot with the likes of Whatcha Doin’? & Howl on the Haunted Beat You Ride as the top 3 most crucial offerings in their catalog. The production’s significantly jazzier compared to their debut although there are moments that have the same acid garage rock revival feeling as it’s predecessor, drawing additional inspiration from the late spiritual/free jazz icon Sun Ra.

Score: 4/5

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KARRAHBOOO – “Not da 2” review

KARRAHBOOO is a 29 year old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia who blew up in 2023 after former TNA World Champion, NXT Champion, NXT North American Champion & WWE United States Champion Trick Williams’ manager Lil Yachty signed her to Concrete Rekordz. Not only would she depart the label the following summer, but she was most notably the only artist in its brief existence who was actually talented other than Yachty himself of course. However coming off a string of guest appearances, she’s ready to make a broader introduction to the world with her official debut extended play.

“Inside the Booth” produced by Coupe talks about needing space from her clingy partner because she’s too high whereas “Pull a Luh Band Out” boisterously looks to walk her opps like dogs over a bell-driven trap instrumental. The lead single “No Hook” talks about being ready to drop for a minute & her past issues with Concrete embracing the Detroit sound just before the 2nd single “WYD?” hops on top of this cloudy Take a Daytrip beat describing a guy who’s constantly hitting her up.

Monaleo appears for the off-kilter “W.Y.O. (Whatever You Want)” taking shots at their completion over some buzzing synthesizers & hi-hats just before “Patched It Up” featuring Lil Yachty gets more in detail about their beef being squashed. “Make Her Dance” featuring k3 hits us with my least favorite guest appearance of the 4 which sucks because I don’t mind the sinister atmosphere while the 3rd &!final single “Keep Up w Me” featuring Zukenee makes up for it talking about learning from their mistakes & needing no pity.

“Swerve” wraps up the final moments of Not da 2 cautioning that anyone who fucks with her will wind up dead in the ocean & not being shy whenever money’s involved while “Understand Me” discusses being misunderstood, blocking out all the hate from the type of individuals who envy her & chasing the bag for her family’s sake. “Do U 1 Better” spends the remaining 115 seconds of the EP talking about upstaging everyone with her mother providing a sweet spoken word bit during the outro.

I’m fairly certain Mercury Records & Republic Records will do much more for KARRAHBOOO’s career than Concrete Rekordz ever did in the short amount of time she was signed to Yachty, but Not da 2 fell somewhat short of my expectations & hope for her full-length studio debut to be much grander statement in her discography. She does her part telling the world where she’s at in her life right now bringing a few guests on board who mostly kill it except the production choices could’ve been better.

Score: 2.5/5

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Dizzee Rascal – “We Want Bass” review

Dizzee Rascal is a 41 year old MC, songwriter & producer from London, England, United Kingdom who’s often considered a pioneer of the grime subgenre. His 2003 full-length debut Boy in da Corner under XL Recordings has been hailed as some of the best UK hip hop this millennium although Showtime & Maths + English were mildly received in comparison. Tongue ‘n Cheek launched his own label Big Dirtee Records in tandem with Island Records, following it with The 5th as well as Raskit & E3 AF respectively. Don’t Take It Personal was a modest declaration of independence & was intrigued by what his 9th studio LP had to offer almost a week after FTR, Kanji, Connor Mills, the current CMLL Mundial Femenil Campeon Persephone, Swerve Strickland alongside The New Level, The Brawling Birds, Mercedes Moné, Will Ospreay, La Parka, Kelani Jordan, Jackson Drake & Grayson Waller all respectively became the new RPW British Tag Team Champions, RPW British Women’s Champion, RPW British Heavyweight Champion, AEW tbs Champion, AEW World Trios Champions, AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, AEW Women’s World Champion, AEW World Champion, AAA Latinoamericano Campeon, NXT Women’s Champion, NXT North American Champion & NXT Champion.

“Foxtrot Oscar” opens up taking inspiration from electronic dance music instrumentally talking about doing whatever he wants because he’s a rockstar whereas “VIP” hooks up a rubbery bass-line so he can boast of not having to show ID when pulling up to the club. “Hit the Spot” leans towards a house vibe for a raunchier approach topically including a cringey sample of “Candy Shop” by 50 Cent until the 3rd single “So Hot” serves a weird blend of hip house, jackin’ house, Euro house & Brazilian bass sampling “Hot in Herre” by Nelly.

Continuing from there with “On Rpt”, we have more romantic lyricism over house beats containing a bit of an R&B twist to it just before the 2nd single “C U Dance” talks about wanting to watch a woman’s dance moves over a self-produced hip house instrumental. “Don’t Say a Word” further combines hip hop & house suggesting for people to listen & follow rather than merely speaking while the grime standout “Muy Bien” aggressively gets on his hardcore shit.

“All Night” began the whole rollout in the form of this uninspired lead single talking about letting the bass blast until sunrise while the 4th & final single “What U Need” treads the bassline waters promising to give his lover whatever it is she desires. “The Baddest” goes back to the hip house side of things talking about a lean-bodied woman being the best thing he’s seen all evening while “Oh Why” rattles off a list of questions he’s had for some time.

The song “Look Twice” prepares to wrap up We Want Bass speaking of a lady who’s so beautiful that Dizzee had to double check by looking at her a 2nd time while the delightfully surprising “Ridin’ Round Slow” featuring [Bun B] finds the pair talking about driving around in their whips slowly so all the pussies can see them. Another favorite would be the closing track “Tell Me Why” because he’s really taking these final minutes to get some serious shit off his chest.

Would’ve never imagined Dizzee Rascal making something almost as bad as The 5th if not worse since Raskit, E3 AF & Don’t Take It Personal we’re all average at best but here we are with another low point in the grime pioneer’s discography. I completely understand the hip house, jackin’ house, Euro house, Brazilian bass & bassline production was meant to homage the UK club scene except it all feels repetitive & the hardcore joints all outshine the sexually charged cuts.

Score: 1.5/5

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Button Masher – “Super Button Masher” review

Baltimore, Maryland chiptune & jazz fusion producer Button Masher making his full-length studio debut. Since the turn of the decade, he’s dropped a total of 10 extended plays & 4 mixtapes including the Tracker Vision series. One of the most iconic names in the entire LA beat scene Flying Lotus signed him to Brainfeeder Records distributed by Ninja Tune earlier this summer & it was more than enough for me give the Super Button Masher a listen so I could get a better understanding of who he is artistically.

“Pastel Roses” beautifully sets the tone of what’s to come with this 3 minute intro blending jazz fusion & 16-bit whereas the lead single “Magic Dragon Ride” comes through with a tribute to 菊田 裕樹 that feels reminiscent of the soundtrack to the iconic SNES RPG Chrono Trigger. “Tower Climb” brings saxophonist Nicole McCabe into the picture for another 16-bit/jazz fusion crossover further incorporating some wavy synth melodies & after the 2nd single “House Party” featuring Amanda Barise instrumentally treads funkier waters, “The Space Between Worlds” takes it back to the combination of jazz fusion & 16-bit reminding me of something outta the earlier Sonic the Hedgehog games.

Kicking off the 2nd half of his debut, “Dance of the Twin Bees” retains those 2 styles I had mentioned earlier for a colorful composition until “Hidden Power” hits us with a rush of synthesizers emphasizing the 16-bit side of things. The 3rd & final single “Tallinn Massage Chair” featuring nu jazz duo Sungazer was conceived after coming across a weirdly shaped massage chair at a hotel in Tallinn, Estonia when they were touring but once “EDBM” featuring drummer Dana Hawkins & bassist Evan Marien for a jazz fusion cut, the closer “Pause Menu for the Broken Hearted” finishes the Button Masher’s inaugural LP with 1 last 16-bit track.

The soundtrack to what many including myself would the greatest Mario game of all-time Super Mario World has been universally accepted as the pinnacle of 16-bit, so for FlyLo to bring an artist in that vein on board the Brainfeeder roster was an exciting move & Super Button Masher definitely encapsulates Button Masher’s growth over the years. He essentially produced a half hour’s worth of jazz fusion & 16-bit mixtures taking us back to simpler times in the midst of merging nostalgia with all he’s learned throughout his career up until this point.

Score: 4/5

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