New York recording artists NEMS & Ron Brown joining forces for a new collaborative studio LP. One of whom is an underground veteran hauling from Coney Island, Brooklyn emerging in the battle rap circuit back in the early 2000s & the other’s a Harlem native gaining widespread recognition for producing Nas’ iconic JAY-Z diss “Ether”. They’ve crossed paths a couple times already on tracks like “The Bar Exam” & “Count It Out”, so I had no problem with Ron fully producing I Should Boom You. That said: Him rapping on every track did make me somewhat concerned since I’ve never considered myself a fan of Etherlibrium.
We get this gully boom bap instrumental for the intro so they can trade bars about being the “Hottest in America” & reminding the weirdos what the hammers can do whereas “Earl Manigault” featuring Lil’ Fame finds the trio calling for everyone to go home since they’re going harder. “First48” blends some pianos with kicks & snares talking about having guns tucked in their waists while “Kruger” compares themselves to the iconic Nightmare on Elm Street antagonist.
“Here I Go” featuring Papoose reaches the halfway point sticking to the traditional boom bap sound & having all 3 of them issuing a warning that anyone who targets them will become a statistic but after “P Anthem” shifts it’s focus towards the clubs exemplified by the raunchy approach both artists take with their songwriting, “Nothing Gon’ Stop Me” instrumentally pulls some inspiration from reggae music talking about being unstoppable forces.
Wrapping up I Should Boom You’s final minutes, the 2nd & final single “The Mush” goes for an old school vibe responding to all the doubters who’re mad at both performers for catching Ws & making new money while “Bendicion” talks about catching them on top of a cop car smoking or butt-naked on your girl’s fire escape. “The Bar Exam” sends off the album with a horn-inflicted boom bap outro flexing their lyrical proficiencies & the best verse being saved for last.
Some people like to say that both of NEMS’ full-lengths under Goliath Records are the worst in his discography, but I’d say that’s blasphemy since Rise of the Silverback would go behind Gorilla Monsoon for some of his best material & America’s Sweetheart had it’s moments even if the Fuck Ya Lyfe General himself wasn’t very happy with my criticisms of it. That said: I Should Boom You was more enjoyable than I had anticipated it being although the Gorilla Twins’ eponymous debut is more superior. The production’s more rawer than America’s Sweetheart & some of Ron Browz’ best rapping makes its way on here even if NEMS has the sharper pen.
Score: 4/5
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