ΠΔV – “Emergency Tsunami” review

This is the 5th mixtape from 30 year old Toronto, Ontario, Canada rapper, singer/songwriter & producer ΠΔV. Coming onto my radar in 2016 after signing to The Weeknd’s Republic Records imprint X♥O Records along with his feature on “beibs in the trap” off of Travis Scott’s sophomore effort Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, he would go on to release a total of 4 mixtapes as well as 3 full-length albums & an EP. Now I personally haven’t been the biggest fan of ΠΔV’s music up to this point because of his monotonous delivery, insipid lyrics & generic production choices. But once I found out Wheezy was producing Emergency Tsunami from top to bottom, my morbid curiosity got the best of me & I decided to go into it with an open mind.

After the “Breaking News” intro, the opener “Friends & Family” is a surprisingly compelling rags to riches story backed by a triumphant beat whereas the next track “Young Wheezy” with Gunna sees the duo paying tribute to the man behind the boards himself over a nondescript instrumental. The song “Nasty” of course gets raunchy over a buttery beat while the track “Repercussions” with Young Thug finds the 2 warning their opposition that they don’t want the smoke over a wavy instrumental.

The song “Vetement Socks” talks about how everything he buys is expensive over a tropical beat while the track “Don’t Need Friends” with Lil Baby sees the 2 talking about feeling relieved now that they’re getting money over an atmospheric instrumental. The song “Make It Right Back” over a woodwind-infused beat while the track “Trains” with Lil Keed finds the 2 talking about sleeping with hoes over an instrumental that sounds like it was made for Playboi Carti.

The song “Do Ya Deed” with SahBabii is a HIDEOUS ode to getting head despite the piano-inflicted production while the track “Droppin’ Tears” boasts over a wavy beat. The penultimate song “Modest” talks about being humble over a symphonic instrumental & before the “Breaking News” outro, the track “Turn & Twist” talks about going full throttle on top of an instrumental with some synthesizers & GORGEOUS background vocals.

Even though I don’t care for this mixtape, it’s actually safe for me to say to call it a cut above anything he’s done since Reckless. The features are cool & Wheezy’s production is top notch as is Mike Dean’s mastering, but I’ve come to terms that ΠΔV just doesn’t captivate me as a rapper. I mean I think his performances have improved a tad bit, but the songwriting is still pretty subpar

Score: 2/5

Common – “A Beautiful Revolution” review

This is the brand new EP from Chicago, Illinois veteran Common. Coming up with off his first 3 albums in the 90’s produced entirely by No I.D., he then made his major label debut in 2000 with Like Water for Chocolate & followed up with the experimental Electric Circus in 2002. Then during the mid 2000s, he released a trilogy of albums with Kanye West’s GOOD Music beginning with Be, bridged by Finding Forever & then ending with Universal Mind Control. In the 2010s, we saw Com reuniting with No I.D. on The Dreamer/The Believer & Nobody’s Smiling. However, he started working closely with Karriem Riggins on Black America Again in 2016 as well as Let Love last summer. But with the presidential election coming up next week, Com & Karriem are back with A Beautiful Revolution.

After the intro, the first song “Fallin’” talks about how black people aren’t actually free over a mellow beat whereas the next track “Say Peace” with Black Thought sees the 2 talking about racism over a dub/boom bap fusion. The song “What Do You Say? (Move It Baby)” gets romantic over a funky beat while the track “Courageous” talks about meaning of such over a piano & live drums. The song “A Place in this World” gets optimistic over a luxurious beat while the track “A Riot in My Mind” talks about internal conflict over some live drums & guitars. The before the outro, the final song “Don’t Forget Who You Are” talks about self-worth over a joyous beat.

Personally, I think this is just what we needed to hear in light of the election. Karriem’s production is as beautiful as ever & the commentary that Common makes is very much relevant that what’s been going on all year.

Score: 3.5/5

Atmosphere – “The Day Before Halloween” review

Atmosphere is an highly regarded duo from Minneapolis, Minnesota consisting of producer Ant & emcee Slug. They’ve released a handful of classics through their label Rhymesayers Entertainment including Lucy Ford, You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having, Sad Clown Bad Dub 9 & my personal favorite: God Loves Ugly. But for the past couple years now, Slug & Ant been grinding like crazy by dropping Mi Vida Local in 2018 & then Whenever last winter. They just put out Felt 4 U with MURS over the summer & now a couple months later, Atmosphere is back with their 11th full-length album.

The album starts off with “Where the Road Forks”, where Slug talks about how he knows he doesn’t articulate himself correctly over a synthesizer heavy instrumental. The next song “Space is Safe” addresses someone who thinks he’s suffering from depression over a demented beat while the track “She Loves My Not” talks about a woman who only misses him when she’s drunk over a frightening instrumental. “The New People” talks about someone who doesn’t give him a reason to live over an portentous beat while “The Future is Disgusting” talks about romance over an 80s-style instrumental.

The song “DoubleTown” discusses how everybody knows somebody, but nobody knows anybody over a grim beat while the track “Stardust” tells everyone to stop biting his rap style over a monstrous instrumental. The song “Blotter Acid Reflux Syndrome” talks about having trouble on his mind over a futuristic beat while the penultimate track “Party Crashers” speaks for itself over a synth-funk instrumental. The album finishes off with “Sleep Apnea”, where Slug talks about how he wouldn’t commit to this chick if he could over an eerie beat.

This is almost as enjoyable as Felt 4 U in my personal opinion. Ant’s production is very synth-heavy except with a darker edge to it & Slug’s paints some very dope imagery from start to finish. Can’t wait to hear where they take things going forward.

Score: 3.5/5

Blaze Ya Dead Homie – “Cadaver” review

Blaze Ya Dead Homie is a 44 year old MC from Mt. Clemens, Michigan who came up as a part of the duo 2 Krazy Devils. After their demise, Twiztid brought him onto the Insane Clown Posse’s radar in 1998 & signed him to Psychopathic Records. Eventually, his eponymous debut EP in 2000 & his full-length debut 1 Less G n da Hood the following year would both go on to become some of the greatest releases on the label. He would go on to release 3 more albums on Psychopathic before leaving in 2013 to form his own label Grundy Entertainment & join Majik Ninja Entertainment the year after that. Last we heard from Blaze was in 2016 when he dropped The Casket Factory but on the day of 1 Less G’s 19 year anniversary, the Astronomicon mainstay is back with his 7th full-length album.

“I’m a G” talks about being himself over a nocturnal beat from Godsynth & after the “Unplug” skit, the next song “Tore Down” with Monoxide sees the 2 partying over a lively instrumental from Fritz the Cat. The track “They Say” featuring Jelly Roll talks about being a killer on the low over a Young Wicked beat that has a creepy atmosphere to it while the song “Be My Guest” takes you through a mausoleum over an instrumental that almost had a bit of a West Coast feel.

The song “Summer Breeze” gets introspective over a uptempo beat & after the “PSA from Ya Dead Homie” skit, the track “Back Window” talks about staying the same over a boom bap beat with some keys. The song “Get It Lit” with Jamie Madrox sees the 2 taking about getting fucked up over a weary instrumental while the track “Watery Grave” talks about sending his haters to Hell over a chilling beat.

“I’m Dead” talks about being a renegade over a spacious instrumental with some sick guitar-playing during the hook while the track “Dead Man Boogie” is a Drive-By reunion talking about popping slugs over a vibrant beat with some strings. The song “Let It Out” talks about not wanting poison in his soul over an electronic instrumental while the penultimate song “God Don’t Like Ugly” with Boondox & Lex the Hex Master finds the 3 talking about hateful people over a rap metal beat. Then after the “Cursed” skit, the closer “The Light” talks about being trapped in darkness over an abrasive instrumental.

The Dead Man has never dropped anything that I disliked, so I was very excited going into this new album over here. And at the end, I’m impressed with what I’ve heard & just shows how consistent he’s been throughout his career revisiting everything that makes him who he is. He takes it back, but he’s simultaneously moving forward & bringing a more personal side to himself into the spotlight.

Score: 3.5/5

Ill Bill – “La Bella Medusa” review

Ill Bill is a 48 year old MC & occasional producer from Brooklyn, New York who rose to prominence as a member of the seminal quartet Non Phixion. He would become one of the most hard working dudes in the underground, whether it be his solo discography or his output as part of groups like La Coka Nostra & Heavy Metal Kings. Earlier this year, Bill formed the Gorilla Twins with NEMS & put out their self-titled debut. However as Halloween approaches, he’s continuing to grind by dropping his 5th full-length album.

The album kicks off with “What’s My Drug?!”, where Bill tells the story of a corrupt cop over an eerie beat from Stu Bangas. The next song “Be Afraid!” with Conway the Machine & Pharoahe Monch finds the trio coming with the battle bars over a ghostly instrumental while the track “Illest Killers” with Tech N9ne sees the 2 talking about how no one can stop either of them over a rap rock beat from Bill himself with co-production from Scott Stallone.

The song “Meдy3a” gets over a boom bap beat with some keyboards along & with occasionally dramatic vocals popping in & out but after the “Justice to the People” skit, the track “Dinner Plate” finds Bill teaming up with his Non Phixion bandmate Lord Goat along with Jay Royale & Recognize Ali to talk about some gangsta shit over a demented instrumental referencing former 3-time CWA Tag Team Champion, WCW World Heavyweight Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 10-time WWE tag team champion, 2-time WCW World Television Champion, 2-time IWGPタッグチャンピオン & 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion Scott Steiner.

“Chrissy Snow” with Kool G Rap finds the 2 talking about drug dealing over a beat with a predominantly melancholic guitar passage while the track “Call the Coroner” of course sees La Coka Nostra getting bloodthirsty over a Finn instrumental with some gorgeous keyboards. The song “Only Built 4 Gucci Drip” with Crimeapple & Lord Goat finds the trio getting mafioso over an intimidating beat from MoSS while the track “Bora Bora Aura” with NEMS, Vinnie Paz & Tony Yayo of all people sees the 4 talking about death over an ominous boom bap instrumental. The song “Watch the City Burn” is a flawless Non Phixion reunion down to the symphonic DJ Skizz beat & then the closer “Superb Clientele” talks about his legacy over a grimy instrumental.

I personally prefer the Gorilla Twins album in comparison, but this is still a worthy addition to Bill’s ever-growing catalogue in my personal opinion. His lyricism has remained unmatched throughout time, the features are all well incorporated although it may seem like too much & it’s well produced also.

Score: 3.5/5

Trippie Redd – “Pegasus” review

This is the 3rd full-length album from Ohio superstar Trippie Redd. Blowing up a few years ago off the first 2 installments of his A Love Letter to You mixtape series, he would go on to release a solid debut album LIFE’S A TRIP in 2018 & then a subpar sophomore effort ! last summer. This followed up in November with A Love Letter to You 4 but as Halloween approaches, Trippie is finally coming through with Pegasus.

The opener “Let It Out” is a mediocre duet with Myiah Lynnae about 2 partners expressing their feelings of loving one another over a spacious beat whereas the next song “Moonlight” talks about being a helping hand to his partner over a moody instrumental. The track “Love Scars 4” tries to convince his lover to trust him over a woozy beat while “The Nether” talks about how it’s impossible for him to get this woman off his mind over a cloudy instrumental.

The song “So Stressed” with Yung LB sees the 2 telling their significant others about why they’re blessings to them over a skeletal beat while the track “Excitement” with PARTYNEXTDOOR finds the 2 singing about how their lovers make them feel over an atmospheric instrumental. The song “Mood” tries to find out why his bitch is mad at him over a cavernous beat while the title track talks about where he’s at right now over a glamorous instrumental.

The song “Weeeeee” talks about being the big dog over a psychedelic beat while the track “Personal Favorite” with Rich the Kid sees the 2 talking about how their lovers deserve the throne over a generic instrumental. The song “V-12” talks about expensive cars over a piano-inflicted trap beat while the track “Spaceships” with Young Thug finds the 2 talking about being trapped in their own heads over a dystopian-sounding instrumental.

The song “Never Change” talks about staying true to himself over angelic beat while the track “Good Morning” talks about spoiling his girlfriend over a bland instrumental. The song “No Honorable Mention” with Lil Mosey & Quavo sees the 2 talking about their wealth over a comatose beat while “I Got You” is pretty much a Busta Rhymes joint as Trippie only handles the hook & the 2 get romantic over a calming acoustic instrumental from Wheezy.

The song “Too Fly” gets braggadocious over an airy beat & much like “I Got You”, the track “Red Beam” sees Trippie once again appearing solely on the hook as Sean Kingston spits about him going to places you can’t go to over a druggy instrumental. The song “Oomp’s Revenge, Pt. 2” talks about never living unemployed again over a vibrant beat while the track “Take 1” is essentially Trippie doing his best Future impersonation.

The song “Sleepy Hollow” compares himself to Ichigo Kurosaki over a sinister beat while the track “Kid That Didd” with Future & Doe Boy finds the trio talking about his crew pullin’ up in your city over a bass-heavy instrumental. The song “Don” is an ode to the champagne brand Don Pérignon over a minimal beat while the track “Hell Rain” with Lil Wayne finds the 2 talking about them fucking up over an instrumental with a Godly feel to it. The Swae Lee dominated “TR666” talks about his 3rd eye being open over a gorgeous Scott Storch beat & then the closer “Sun God” discusses the cons of being in a relationship over a drab instrumental.

Can’t really think of anything else to say about this album other that than, it’s just such a mess in comparison to everything he’s put out in the last. It’s way too bloated, mostly 1-dimensional, poorly produced, the features are just ok & Trippie’s painting himself in a corner with his style at this point.

Score: 1.5/5

Busta Rhymes – “E.L.E. 2 (Extinction Level Event 2): The Wrath of God” review

Busta Rhymes is a 48 year old MC from Brooklyn, New York who came up as a member of the Leaders of the New School. Becoming the stand out member of the quartet, he branched out for a very successful solo career & dropped 4 classics in a row from 1996-2000. Last we heard from Busta was in 2012 when he released the universally panned Year of the Dragon marking his only full-length for Cash Money Records but after nearly a decade, he’s back with a sequel to E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front.

The intro starts off with Busta rapping about being a God over a boom bap beat from Nottz with some strings & a vibraphone, but then Rakim accompanied him as it switches up into a more atmosphere instrumental. The next song “The Purge” talks about rioting over a Swizz Beatz instrumental with some prominent sirens while the track “Strap Yourself Down” talks about challenging his opponents over a dynamic beat from the late J Dilla & Pete Rock. The song “Czar” featuring M.O.P. finds the 3 talking about being the leaders of the new shit over a symphonic instrumental from Rockwilder while the track “Outta My Mind” is a fun club banger backed by a sample of Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison”.

The title track gets conscious then over a monstrous instrumental whereas “Slow Flow” is a sequel to “I Remain Raw” backed by a video game-esque beat & sampling Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Brooklyn Zoo” for the hook. The song “Don’t Go” with Q-Tip sees the 2 getting romantic over a luxurious piano instrumental while the track “Boomp!” talks about every hood having love for him over a boom bap beat from DJ Scratch with some keys & a synthesizer.

The song “True Indeed” talks about leaving dudes dead over a DJ Premier instrumental with a suspenseful loop while the track “Master Fard Muhammad” with Rick Ross finds the 2 getting materialistic over a jazzy beat from Hi-Tek & Terrace Martin. “YUUUU” featuring Anderson .Paak sees the 2 talking about money over a snap instrumental while the track ”Oh No” takes aim at anyone fucking with his click over a wavy trap beat.

“The Don & The Boss” featuring Vybz Kartel finds the 2 talking about strippers over a triumphant instrumental while the song “Best I Can” with Rapsody sees the 2 talking parenthood over a soulful beat from none other than 9th Wonder. The track “Right Where I Belong” is a redundant sequel to “I Know What You Want” down to the Rick Rock production while “Deep Thought” gets confessional over a dreary boom bap beat from Busta himself.

After the “Young God Speaks” interlude, the track “Look Over Your Shoulder” featuring Kendrick Lamar finds the 2 talking about hip hop needing them over a sample of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” while the song “Another Me” talks about being unique over a smooth beat. The penultimate track “Freedom?” gets back on the conscious tip over a moody boom bap instrumental & then the album ends with “Satanic”, where Busta gets religious over an angelic beat.

“Blowing the Speakers” starts the deluxe run with some trap vibes thanks to Murda Beatz talking about fucking up the streets again while “Who Are You?” makes the hood fiend with Jahlil Beats. “Hope Your Dreams Come True” gives a middle finger to everyone who ain’t fucking with him while “Calm Down” featuring Eminem finds Scoop DeVille sampling “Harlem Shuffle” by Bob & Earl to battle each other.

The song “Follow the Wave” marks the reunion of the Flipmode Squad for 7 minutes of hardcore lyricism while “Blow 1,000,000 Racks” loosens up a little for a mediocre strip club anthem. The final bonus track “Hey You” featuring Trillian finishes up with the father/son duo over pianos & hi-hats to ask what one would wanna do because they gotta get to the money.

It’s been a longtime coming but at the end of the day, this is a great return to form for Busta & I’ll even say it’s his best since The Big Bang. There are a few filler cuts in the track listing, but I really enjoy how he spends most of the album sticking to his guns instead of trying to appeal to an audience that doesn’t exist.

Score: 4.5/5

Yak Gotti – “Gotti Outta Here” review

Yak Gotti is a 27 year old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia who I first caught wind of by hearing his feature on “Dream” off of Young Thug’s Barter 6 in 2015. He eventually put out his debut mixtape Mind of a Maniac later that year but after a stint in prison & officially signing to YSL Records at the beginning of 2020, the man is ready to drop his full-length debut.

The album starts with “Chrome Heart Wave”, where Yak Gotti talks about his newfound success over a triumphant trap beat from Wheezy. The next song “In the Coupe” talks about cruisin’ in Cali over a druggy instrumental from Taurus & Turbo while the track “Rock Solid” with Demon Child sees the 2 talking about how they never crumble over a cloudy beat. The song “Slatt Walk” talks about still being with the shit despite being wealthy now over a violin-inflicted instrumental while the track “Lemonade” with Lil Duke sees the 2 flexing over a rambunctious beat.

The song “Truly Be Missed” talks about a friend of his since 9th grade over an oddly amusing instrumental while the track “Free the Goat” with Shad da God finds the 2 talking about living large over an acoustic-trap beat. The song “Friends with Benefits” is a painfully robotic love ballad despite the futuristic production while the track “All Day” with Lil Gotit & Lil Keed sees the 3 boasting over a bassy beat.

The song “Still Spazzin’” prays to God over a lively instrumental while the track “Super Slimey” talks about being down by law over a beat that’s ripping off Pi’erre Bourne. The song “Biggest Opp” with Real Talker, Yung Mal & 5th Ward Greedy is a decent moshpit starter with a horn-inflicted beat while the penultimate track “Down Bad” talks about loyalty over another acoustic trap-beat.

The album ends with “Finally Free”, where Yak talks about getting out of prison over a keyboard-inflicted instrumental & why Thugger is credited as a featured artist on the official YouTube upload of the track when he doesn’t even appear on it? I don’t know, but it’s odd.

I was curious to hear how this album would turn out but at the end of the day, it’s just mid. Half of these songs are really catchy & fun, but the other half is just generic & boring as Hell. Hopefully his next effort is more consistent.

Score: 2.5/5

Tech N9ne – “FEAR EXODUS” review

Tech N9ne is a Kansas City, Missouri veteran who’s music I’ve covered countless times up to this point. From founding the independent powerhouse Strange Music alongside his manager Travis O’Guin to his insane work ethic & an incredibly lengthy discography, the man really has done a lot to the culture to solidify himself as one of the all-time greats. He just put out his 22nd album ENTERFEAR back in April, which was followed up by a great outtakes EP MORE FEAR just a couple months ago. However with the Halloween season approaching quickly, Tech is finishing the FEAR trilogy by releasing his 8th EP.

After the “Rally the Troops” intro, the first song “EPOD” with JL sees the 2 talking about being the illest over a woozy trap beat from MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 whereas the next track “I Think” is a fresh showcase of the current Strange Music roster over a grimy instrumental. The song “Sprocket” with Krizz Kaliko is yet another addition to Tech’s long list of club bangers backed by a vigorous beat from N4 while the track “Tech’s Mex” talks about his originality over a spacious instrumental.

The penultimate song “Becoming Too Famous“ talks about the crazy amount of press coverage he’s received recent years over a settle trap beat & after the “Exodus” skit, the closer “Making a Killin’ (I Ain’t Scared of Shit)” talks about moving on from the FEAR trilogy as he announces his upcoming 23rd album Asin9ne dropping next year over a ghostly instrumental.

Man, what a good way to segway into the next chapter of Tech’s career. He gives listeners an introspective look at where’s at currently whereas 7 & N4 both continue to prove both of their own sounds compliment Tech the best. Beyond excited to hear where he takes things next year.

Score: 3.5/5

clipping. – “Visions of Bodies Being Burned” review

This is the brand new album from Los Angeles experimental hip hop trio clipping.. Fronted by Daveed Diggs, he joined forces with William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes to drop their midcity mixtape in 2013 & it landed them a contract with Sub Pop Records shortly after. The label granted them a full-length debut the following year but I didn’t completely hop on board with these guys until their Deathbomb Arc debut Splendor & Misery in 2016, which is a fantastic sci-fi odyssey. They returned around this time last year by dropping their magnum opus There Existed an Addiction to Blood & to celebrate it’s 1-year anniversary, Daveed & company are back with a sequel.

The intro talks about how the album will pick up where the last one left off over a dark ambient instrumental whereas the next song “Say the Name” retells the story of Clive Barker’s Candyman over an electro-industrial beat. After the “Wytchboard” interlude, the track “’96 Neve Campbell” with Cam & China pays tribute to the final girl characters in slasher films over a hyphy beat while the song “Something Underneath” talks about a monster lurking over a buzzing beat.

The track “Make Them Dead” talks about murder over a noise instrumental while the song “She Bad” gets flirtatious over a skittering beat. After the “Invocation” interlude, the track “Pain Everyday” gets paranormal over a breakcore instrumental while the song “Check the Lock” is a worthy sequel to the classic Seagram joint “Sleepin in My Nikes” with a deranged beat.

The track “Looking for Meat” with Ho99o9 sees the 2 groups talking about cannibalism over an industrial beat which & after the “Drove” interlude, the song “Eaten Alive” is a homage to the Tobe Hooper film of the same name over a hollow beat. The track “Body for the Pile” talks about murdering 3 cops over a harsh noise instrumental from Slickness & before ending off with the Yoko Ono-inspired “Secret Piece” outro, the final song “Enlacing” gets on the Lovecraftian tip over a cloudy beat.

Much like the new Alla Xul Elu album Mauxuleum that dropped the week before, I think Visions of Bodies Being Burned just goes to show how underappreciated horrorcore is in the hip hop culture. The concepts that Daveed bring to the table throughout have only leveled up in comparison to There Existed an Addiction to Blood & the trio’s production is a lot more darker as well.

Score: 4.5/5