In front of us is the 10th studio LP from Sacramento, California emcee Mozzy. Becoming a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his debut 1 Up Top Akh & he went on to be featured on the soundtrack for Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more full-lengths through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records prior to Memphis veteran Yo Gotti landing him a contract with Collective Music Group/Interscope Records. His major label debut Survivor’s Guilt was more poignant than what Mozzy had done previously & Children of the Slums last spring exemplified growth in his rap career & personal life, although Brash Dummies became a letdown. 8 months later, some Intrusive Thoughts of his are becoming let out in the open.
After the “$FlyMoney2X” intro, the first song “Press Play” is this nervous opener talking about never taking a weekend off & never leaving his dogs despite what people say online whereas “Death Before Dishonor” featuring EST G finds the 2 hoping a gangsta shot them if they happen to die in their sleep. “Under Oath” works in more traffic music influences talking about the slums having a hold of him while “Katta Clips” dabbles with Detroit trap throwing it back to a deep cut in his catalog “Dear XXL”.
Lil Poppa joins Mozzy on the sample-driven “Nightmares” talking about it being hard to sleep at night trying to be doing alright leading into the solemn although much necessary “Keep Callin’ My Name” getting some pain off his chest lyrically. “7 2’s” continues the introspection feeling fed up with seeing graduation pictures whenever he checks the news, but then “Role Model” talks about him not trying to become someone others should take examples from.
“Pac Proud” hooks up these prominent piano chords gives his flowers to the late west coast icon 2Pac & speaks on being unable to forget the trenches since he’s a child of it throughout while “Hella Hyphy” taps in with his Northern California roots embracing the hyphy subgenre Keak da Sneak pioneered. “Who Want War?” featuring Polo G gives off a bloodthirsty trap vibe asking if anyone wants beef with them while “10%” advises to ask him why he signed to CMG.
E Mozzy & Maine Musik appear for “Modify It” catchin’ somebody lying about catching a body while “Reputation Everything” featuring Celly Ru breaks down their name around the street being everything to them. “Blood Diamonds” featuring Peysoh blends nervous music & gangsta rap themes together for a collab that makes up for the latter 2 while Tsu Surf gets his own solo cut with “Free Surf” calling for his freedom. “No Fabrication” finally ends the album brushing off any notion that his life is all cap.
Similarly to his CMG debut, Intrusive Thoughts doesn’t shy away from the trials & tribulations that drive some of Mozzy’s most memorable recordings bouncing back from the mediocre reception of Brash Dummies with his best since Children of the Slums. He continues his journey towards inner peace attempting to silence his unquiet mind & move forward from his traumatic youth in Oak Park in addition to imparting some knowledge on how to keep your mind strong enough to navigate street life & emerge with your soul intact.
Score: 3.5/5
Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!
Legends Will Never Die 