Grafh – “Stop Calling Art Content” review

Grafh is a 39 year old MC from Queens, New York who came up in 2003 off his debut mixtape The Bang Out. However, he went on to release 7 more tapes before dropping his first full-length album Autografh only a few years later. But with a total of 18 mixtapes & an EP under his belt now, Grafh has signed to Benny the Butcher’s very own MNRK Music Group imprint Black Soprano Family Records for his official sophomore effort produced entirely by the late DJ Shay.

After the intro, the first song “God Bless” is a rich opener praying that his homies make it out the hood whereas “Very Different” with Benny the Butcher works in some high-pitched saxes to compare & contrast themselves to their opposition. “No Reason” has a more settler boom bap tone talking about being the top chef, but then “Chosen” takes a more occult route comparing himself to that of a prodigy.

Meanwhile on “Out the Pot”, we get some keyboard embellishments & dusty drums to talk about how it’s all in the wrist leading into Heem & Rick Hyde tagging along for the uptempo “Promise” which despite it’s annoying hook has a great message to it about staying true to their words. CyHi the Prynce & 3D Na’Tee come into the picture for the ominous “Slums” detailing their way up to the top just before the soulful “From the Start” with Bun B & Styles P speaks on foreseeing their success.

“Bellini” has a bit of a theatrical tone instrumentally talking about doing it all while the organ-laced “Crystals” spitting that slanger shit. The penultimate track “Valid” with Ransom & Sheek Louch sinisterly talks about everything being well-founded & if you couldn’t tell by the title of “God Must Love Me”, it serves as a heartfelt closer thanking the higher power for where he is today.

I’ve enjoyed a couple of this dude’s tapes every here & there throughout the year, but Stop Calling Art Content really exceeded my expectations coming away from it. Quite possibly his finest hour in my opinion. Even though Shay has been gone for almost a year now, his sound & Grafh’s lyricism bounce off each other so naturally on this album.

Score: 4/5

1017 Global – “So Icy Boyz” review

1017 Global is a record label founded in 2009 by Atlanta, Georgia trap pioneer Gucci Mane after his departure from Mizay Entertainment. They’ve housed a revolving door of artists ranging from Waka Flocka Flame to Asian Doll during it’s first decade, but regained momentum last year after revamping itself along with putting out it’s first 2 compilations So Icy Summer & So Icy Gang last year showcasing their brand new roster of young talent. Most notably Pooh Shiesty, who earned a spot in this year’s XXL Freshman Class over the summer. But now with 3 new signees coming into the picture, it’s only right for Wop & the rest of the 1017 family to come together for their 3rd showcase comp.

“Poppin’” by BigWalkDog & Gucci starts the comp off with some keyboards & hi-hats to show off their charisma whereas “Sno Cone” by BiC Fizzle & Gucci has a more symphonic sound with the help of Tay Keith talking about how cold they are. BigWalkDog returns alongside Bankroll Freddie to detail the “Trap Life” over an instrumental kin to the opener, but then BiC & Wop return alongside Cootie on “TrapMania” to reaffirm their big dog status despite the nondescript beat.

Meanwhile on “Rolling Loud”, we have Hotboy Wes alongside Big Scarr & BigWalkDog over some more piano trap shit using the title as a few clever metaphors just before “Whole Lotta Ice” by BigWalkDog, Lil Baby & Pooh Shiesty of course lavishly details the chains they got. Big Scarr gets his own solo joint with “From da South” grimly detailing life in Atlanta leading into the [Honorable C.N.O.T.E.]-produced “Trap God”, where Gucci rightfully proclaims himself as such alongside BigWalkDog.

“Free Smoke” by Big Scarr & Hotboy Wes finds 2 heinously detailing how they living while the guitar-driven BiC Fizzle solo cut “Mo Money” speaks on the increasing problems them dollar bills bring. “Free Foo” by Foogiano works in a bassy instrumental talking about doing better & the BigWalkDog solo joint “So Icy” incorporated some strings paying homage to the squad.

I feel like everything about “On God” is a bit of a rehash of “TrapMania” down to how it’s structured, but “My Lil Dance” by Gucci & Hotboy Wes energetically details the latter’s past with his mentor talking about getting him right. Sure enough, Wes gets his own solo song with “Slide” spitting that gangsta shit while the penultimate track “Freestyle” by Big Scarr & Gucci feels like some off-the-cuff shit despite it’s flute-heavy beat. “Never Trust a Soul” by Enchanting, Foogiano & Gucci ends the comp by living up to it’s title concept-wise even though there’s not much to the instrumental.

It’s been made pretty clear that label compilations like this can be either hit or miss & as much as I really admire the camaraderie between everyone on 1017, I’m kinda torn by So Icy Boyz. I genuinely think there is potential with the signees, but the production is very generic even by Gucci’s standards.

Score: 3/5

Dax – “Pain Paints Paintings” review

Dax is a 27 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & janitor from St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada who originally worked as a janitor before blowing up after dropping the single “YourWorthIt.org” with Hopsin in the summer of 2018. This was followed up with his debut EP It’s Different Now shortly after & now after dropping his 2nd EP I’ll Say It For You under the Strange Music subsidiary It Goes Up Entertainment a year & a half ago, all of that has been leading up to the man’s very first full-length album.

“Suffocating” begins things by melodramatically whining about the pressure of fame on top of some pianos whereas “The Devil’s Calling” gets on the Detroit trap sound saying his music gives off Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, MLK, Harriet Tubman & Emmett Till energy in such a delusional fashion. Like why listen to this when you have “Pig Feet” or even “The Bigger Picture” for God’s sake? Then there’s “40 Days 40 Nights”, which has a bland instrumental & a wack Nasty C feature talking about “getting right”.

Meanwhile on “Searching for a Reason”, we get a hideously sung diatribe about how “people hate me because I’m real” when in reality: he takes a very surface level approach to conscious hip hop with his music. “Battles with Faith” is a lot like the opener in terms of the sound except he’s telling his critics “Hey I’m not perfect, man” & his flow on here is just so hilariously bad every time I hear it.

“Eternity” tries to pull at the heart-strings by reminding us that “eternity has no end” even though it’s common fucking knowledge, but then “Does God Cry?” tries to say that “rain is actually God’s tears” & it makes ME wanna cry myself because of how corny it sounds. If you thought that wasn’t enough, Tom MacDonald tags along for the hypocritical “Propaganda” trying to edgily “call out” the bullshit in “Nightmerica” & not really exposing anything.

The title track tries to blandly take the atmospheric route saying he has no regrets while “Stadiums” serves as an air-headed temper tantrum to his haters by telling them “I hit like hail, man”. Snow tha Product has one of the better features on the album with “A Lot at Stake” addressing the theme of betrayal as does Lecrae with “Bad Things Happen to Good People”, except on here Dax is just saying “Hey we’re all equal guys”.

“PTSD” has little to nothing to do with the actual disorder itself, but rather him talking about how “I’m not looking forward to anything in my life because it never liked me” with a cavernous beat. Yelawolf’s verse on the guitar-driven “Fame” is cool, but Dax’s just seems flat to me in comparison. The penultimate track “Wounded” with Clever instrumentally is similar to “Fame” except it’s about “the pin deep inside”, but “My Eyes Bleed” ends the album with poorly sung ballad praying that “the pain will stay inside these songs”.

Now that we’re at the concluding paragraph of this review, let me start off by saying I have absolutely nothing against Dax as a person whatsoever & I’m happy for the success he’s seen in recent years. However, I had a really hard time sitting through this album & didn’t enjoy it at all. A few features are decent, but it’s not enough to make me wanna go back to hear the melodramatic tone in a majority of Dax’s verses or the cut-rate production.

Score: 0.5/5

Jae Skeese – “Revolver Ocelot” review

Jae Skeese is a 31 year old MC from Buffalo, New York who first emerged in 2010 off his debut mixtape W.A.C.K. (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks). However, it wasn’t until a decade later where he & 7xvethegenius got their biggest break thus far after the very first signees to Conway the Machine’s very own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group. But with only a few dates left on the Love Will Get You Killed Tour, he’s dropping a precursor to his upcoming sophomore effort Abolished Uncertainties in the form of his 7th mixtape.

“Seek/Find” is a soulful, jazzy boom bap opener about how he translates what he sees into music whereas “No Bricks, No Airs, No Rimmys” works in some vibraphones & harmonizing to look for the perfect shot on his opponents. Conway the Machine & OG Sole come into the picture for the vibrant, shit-talking trap banger “Chessmen” leading into the Loveboat Luciano-assisted “Calm Bapes” which Cartune Beatz helps make feel like something out of a perfect crime flick.

Meanwhile on “Stolen Benz”, we have Toney Boi joining Jae Skeese on top of a smooth instrumental to call out those who weren’t there for them when they needed it just before “EKIN” brings in a bare vocal loop from EYEKETYSON to flex his lyrical prowess for a minute & a half. “Grindin’” serves as an ode to his dedication with a psychedelic Camoflauge Monk beat while the song “She Threw Her 4’s Up” tells the story of a woman he met & I love the enticing sample throughout.

The penultimate track “Mandarin Manuscript” has a bit of a futuristic boom bap sound with the help of none other than JR Swiftz as Jae comparing his music to that of fine art & “All In” with 7xvethegenius is a jazzy finisher to the tape motivating the listener by reminding them it’s either all or nothing. Conway only pops up at the end delivering a spoken word bit about Drumwork taking over the industry which I wasn’t expecting, but it’s still really cool.

If you loved his verses on “Crack in the 90’s” & “Sister Abigail”, then I think you’re really gonna dig this tape. It’s a proper way to reintroduce himself to the new fans as he basically guides you through as to who he is personally & artistically. At this rate, Abolished Uncertainties is destined to be the crown jewel of Jae Skeese’s discography.

Score: 3.5/5

Day Parkay – “Boss Pains” review

Day Parkay is a 31 year old rapper from Englewood, New Jersey who started out playing for the Lincoln University Lions basketball team in the NCAA during his senior year. He then broke out in the underground a couple summers back by dropping his full-length debut Achieving While Bleeding & celebrated his born day by dropping this sophomore effort of his.

“Things Changed” kicks off the album by symphonically telling his story whereas “She Can’t Get It” with Juelz Santana is a soulful ladies jam. Vado tags along for “Due Time” to lavishly talk about running it up sooner than later, but then Cory Gunz tags along for “Gunz & Buttuh” showcasing a great back & forth chemistry with one another over some strings.

Meanwhile on “Save All My Wishes”, we have Stargiela joining Day in classily talking about keeping the money coming just before “Across the Bridge” drearily speaks on being turned into a soldier. “The Black Man” of course provides some incredible social commentary with the hi-hats sounding off like machine guns leading into “Top Tier” serving as a spacey boom bap banger flexing his lyrical prowess. “Why They Mad?” works in yet another soul sample calling out those who’re bitter towards him whereas the Shan Shizzy-assisted “Ju Burger” angelically talks about spitting that spice whenever they’re on the mic.

Showly pops up for “On My Block”, which is basically a cool rendition of one of my favorite Scarface cuts & “Level Headed” is much more calmer venting what’s on his mind. The song “Jay & B” sadly tells the story of someone he fell in love with in the basement while the penultimate track “Dream Girl” is a decent little R&B-infused tune about the perfect woman. Lastly, “Still Eating” finishes the album with an emotional piano ballad.

Although Achieving While Bleeding is a solid debut, he’s really stepping his game up on Boss Pains. The production’s better, the features are a bit more consistent & he really continues to take you through as to who he is both artistically & personally.

Score: 3.5/5

Oh! The Horror & Blaze Ya Dead Homie – “Oh! The Horror Meets Blaze” review

This is the brand new collaborative EP between Oh! The Horror & Blaze Ya Dead Homie. One is a rap metal trio from Sacramento, California & the other being a Detroit, Michigan household name in the juggalo scene for a little over 20 years with the help of his childhood friends Twiztid & their mentors the Insane Clown Posse. They’ve only worked with each other a few times in the last couple years but to kick off Majik Ninja Entertainment’s favorite time of the year, they’re taking things to new hights for Oh! The Horror Meets Blaze.

After the “This is a Breakdown” intro, the first song “I.D.G.A.F. (I Don’t Give A Fuck)” is a cool little rock/gangsta rap fusion to kick the EP off whereas “D.R.E.A.M. (Death Rules Everything Around Me)” follows it up with a cavernous take on the iconic Wu-Tang cut “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” with some guitars sprinkled in the mix. After the “Meeting Blaze the Dead Caretaker” skit, we get right back into the music with “Can’t Fuck with Us!” fusing together electronica & metal talking about being top dogs.

After the “Smoked Out” skit, we have “Listen Up!” serving as a straight up rap rock crowd energizer while the penultimate song “Chop Shop” aggressively gets on their murder shit just before the “Level 1: Horde Swarm” skit comes into effect. “Blood, Sex & Violence” then ends the EP by manically detailing the only 3 things they give a fuck about.

Although I think 1692 is Oh! The Horror’s best work yet & being a big Blaze fan, I was admittedly a bit skeptical going into this EP because there are collabs on MNE’s latest Attack of the Ninjas compilation that felt forced. That being said: It’s not bad, but it feels more like an Oh! The Horror project & I mean that in terms of the overall sound of the EP.

Score: 3/5

Guilty Simpson – “Ego” review

Guilty Simpson is a 47 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who came up as a member of the Almighty Dreadnaughtz collective & a frequent collaborator of the late J Dilla. However, it wasn’t until late March of 2008 where he officially branched out on a solo career by having Stones Throw Records back his incredible full-length debut Ode to the Ghetto. He has since followed it up with a handful of equally great projects including his Madlib-produced sophomore album O.J. Simpson, the Apollo Brown-produced Dice Game & the Oh No-produced Simpson Tape just to name a few. But with the 2 year anniversary of his 5th EP Actus Reus approaching in a little over a couple weeks, Guilty is having Mello Music Group help put out his 6th full-length album & is enlisting Gensu Dean to produce it in it’s entirety.

The title track starts off the album with a guitar loop getting on his battle shit whereas “Don’t Pull” is a much more confrontational boom bap cut. “Break’em Off” passionately throws shots at those who’ve betrayed him, but then the piano-laced “Could’ve Been” confesses that he’s only here for his people.

Meanwhile on “Deep Breath”, we have Marv Won & Black Milk tagging along to aggressively continue to go at their opposition’s throats just before “Talk to Me” spookily details how people will kill you for $1K. “Hating” takes a chipmunk soul route as Guilt & Skyzoo address their doubters leading into the gruesomely vile “Dead Breathing”.

“Only” introspectively expresses his desire to have good vibes around him from hereon out while the song “You’re the One” takes a more soulful approach getting romantic. The penultimate track “Right Mind” with Yarbrough brings in some dusty drums talking about taking their people out of their sanity & the organ-laced “Cohiba Smoke” ends the album by attacking his enemies.

Guilty has always been amongst the illest MCs to emerge out of this reviewer’s hometown & Ego has to be one of the best albums he’s out out yet. His ever so sharp pen-game & Gensu Dean’s signature boom bap production coming together as a whole is just as satisfying as PB&J.

Score: 4/5

Bronze Nazareth – “Ekphrasis” review

This is the 4th full-length album from Grand Rapids emcee/producer Bronze Nazareth. Coming up as a member of the group Wisemen alongside his late brother Kevlaar 7 & eventually the Wu-Tang Clan’s in-house production team the Wu-Elements, he would also go on to build a solo career for himself beginning with The Great Migration in ‘06 & then School for the Blindman only 5 years later. But after returning from a decade-long hiatus at the end of January by enlisting The 4 Owls’ very own Leaf Dog to produce Bundle Raps from front to back, Bronze is already kicking off the 4th quarter of 2021 by dropping a follow-up produced entirely by New York titan Roc Marciano.

After the “Proem” intro, the first song “Crazy Horse” starts the album off with a little bit of a jazzy quality to it speaking of something in his spirit burning whereas “The Precipice” takes a grimier route saying you can bet them on the cliff. Skyzoo tags along with Brizz Rawsteen & Termanology on the synth-laced “Brass Jehova” to get on their battle shit but after the “Refocus” skit, the vocal sample that “Survivor’s Vow” is entrancing as fuck saying he has to live it up.

After the “Kevlaar” interlude, Fashawn comes into the picture for the bluesy “Fanta 6” to impressively spit back & forth with Bronze while the track “Kettle Black” with Lord Jessiah brings in a violin addressing elevation. The penultimate song “Papayas ’21” with Roc Marciano & Killah Priest finds the trio on some dusty hardcore shit & just before the “Epilogue” outro, I think “Nosebleeds” with Boldy James serves as the true closer opening up about growing up in Detroit with it’s folksy sample.

As much as I fucked with Bundle Raps, I think it’s safe to say that Ekphrasis is just a tad bit better. Marci’s sample-based production is ever so pleasing to the ear & lyrically, this could very well be the best that Bronze has ever sounded.

Score: 4/5

Don Toliver – “Life of a Don” review

This is the sophomore album from Houston, Texas rapper & singer/songwriter Don Toliver. Emerging in 2018 after quietly signing to Cactus Jack Records & Atlantic Records, his name truly wouldn’t be first known to the masses until he out his debut mixtape Donny Womack & then being featured on “Can’t Say” off his mentor Travis Scott’s latest album at the time ASTROWORLD literally the very next day. Fast forward a year & a half later right when the COVID-19 pandemic started, his full-length debut Heaven or Hell revealed himself as the most talented that Cactus Jack has to offer. But now that he started hitting the road again very recently, Don is dropping Life of a Don in the midst of it.

“Xscape” starts it off with a horn-infused R&B cut produced by DJ Chase B & Mike Dean about needing the love to keep his woman whereas “5X” almost has a bit of a West Coast feeling from the Cardo instrumental with Don detailing how fine this stripper is. “Way Bigger” gets boastful with the help of a psychedelic Sonny Digital beat leading into the woozy “Flocky Flocky” with Travis Scott talking about their blessings.

Meanwhile on “What You Need”, we have Don on top of a cloudy Hit-Boy instrumental saying he’ll do anything for his bitch just before “Double Standards” works in a Three 6 sample opening up about how it’s hard to be human. “Swangin’ on Westheimer” has some slick production from Metro Boomin’ getting charismatic, but then “Drugs n Hella Melodies” nocturnally pays homage to the 2 things he loves the most.

“2AM” hazily gets in his late night lust bag while “Get Throwed” works in some keyboards with the help of Murda Beatz & DJ Mustard talking about a rich hoe. “Company, Pt. 2” is an incredibly fun sequel to one of my favorites off Heaven or Hell whereas “Outerspace” with Baby Keem is an exhilarating 2-parter getting flirtatious.

On the other hand, HVN & SoFaygo tag along for “Smoke” for an entrancing party anthem while the song “You” finds Travis returning to playfully talk about what comes with their bitches. The penultimate track “Crossfaded” is a mind-altering ode to smoking weed & getting drunk but lastly, “Bogus” ends the album with a more glossier note saying he don’t go for bullshit.

Heaven or Hell was one of the most underrated albums of last year & for a follow-up, I think fans are gonna like Life of a Don just as much or possibly even more than the debut. The lyrics are bit more personal this time around & the lack of features throughout kinda exemplifies that in a sense.

Score: 3.5/5

The Alchemist – “This Thing of Ours 2” review

The Alchemist is a 43 year old producer, DJ & rapper from Beverly Hills, California who started out as 1/2 of the duo The Whooliganz in 1993 with Scott Caan. They would only disband a year later after recording a debut album that eventually got shelved & Scott went onto acting like his father, but Mudfoot on other end quickly established himself as one of the greatest producers in hip hop history with a resume including ranging names from Mobb Deep to even Eminem. Over this past spring, he produced the latest Armand Hammer album Haram to universal acclaim & followed it up his 9th EP This Thing of Ours a month later. But now in light of the confirmation that he’ll be producing the next Earl Sweatshirt album, Uncle Al dropping a sequel to his latest EP hopefully as a little warm up.

“Miracle Baby” by MAVI is a heavenly opener proclaiming himself as such whereas “Lossless” by MIKE serves as a jazzy boom bap follow-up talking about never losing. The song “Flying Spirit” by the Bruiser Brigade works in a drumless loop for the group to proclaim their work isn’t done while the penultimate track “Wildstyle” by ZelooperZ has a more ominous sound showcasing his wordplay. “6 5 Heartbeats” by Vince Staples ends the EP by somberly recalling his youth.

Uncle Al has made it known that he’s one of the most consistent producers in the game & it’s no surprise that This Thing of Ours 2 wound up being a little bit more enjoyable than the predecessor. Another notable factor of it is that he brings in some less-bigger names into the fold & give them the exposure they truly deserve.

Score: 4/5