Valee – “Egonomics” review

In front of us is the sophomore effort from Chicago, Illinois rapper Valee. Making his name known by releasing 3 mixtapes & a couple EPs from the span of 2015-2018, it wasn’t until one of my top 10 producers of all-time Ye or the Nazi now formerly known as Kanye West signed him to a joint deal with G.O.O.D. Music & Def Jam Recordings. The next 2 EPs G.O.O.D. Job, You Found Me & Runnin’ Rich helped spread plugg music to a mainstream audience despite both receiving mixed reception to the point where he would go his own way from Thersday onward. I should also mention that Valee additionally has 2 EPs with AYOCHILLMANN as the duo The TrAppiEst as well as 2 more with ChaseTheMoney as the duo VTM & 2 with Stan Laneas the duo Vlane. His full-length debut Virtuoso produced by Harry Fraud from 2023 won me over on him as did Partridge produced by Black Noi$e & the Evilgiane-produced Grey Sky London, reuniting with Harry to tackle Egonomics.

“Numerical” begins with a vocal sample & synthesizers talking about him hitting the lottery being a miracle within itself whereas “Pocket Dial” featuring Fat Money finds the 2 flexing that the money be inadvertently calling both of them. “Cut Corners” featuring Wizz Havinn mixes soul & trap observing everyone who’s taking shortcuts rather than taking the longer route, but then “Top That” featuring D.R.A.M.makes a 180° by going hyphy.

The sequel to “Miami” lives up to the original featuring Pusha T during Valee’s time on G.O.O.D. Music while “Driver’s Ed” featuring Curren$y was a great jazz rap single to start the Egonomics rollout. “Orange Drop” featuring Sir Michael Rocks & Z Money finds the trio boasting over a sample-woven beat while “LegASee” featuring Bruiser Wolf speaks on their own respective legacies. “Dividends” lastly closes up fusing rap rock & trap to break down his lifestyle.

5 months since the Great Sky London EP expanding his sound in favor of plugg & jerk, it only makes sense for Harry Fraud to come back in the picture to make a Virtuoso sequel taking everything that made it a turning point in Valee’s career & take them to higher levels. Harry’s production feels much similar than the predecessor couple summers ago except for the hyphy & rap rock undertones with more guests than last time & most of them sticking the landing.

Score: 4/5

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ApolloRed1 – “Midnight Blassic” review

This is the sophomore effort & Opium Records debut from Atlanta, Georgia rapper ApolloRed1. Starting out a year ago off his full-length debut The Summer I Turned Red along with his first couple EPs Villain & Vamp Diary, his last EP Tantrum a couple months ago was enough to have his blood cousin Playboi Carti make him the newest member of the Opium roster by putting out a Midnight Blassic ahead of his upcoming collaborative project YVLFN with one of the newest YSL Records artists 9 Vicious at some point.

“PBrazy” produced by Clayco & OPM BABI felt like a promising start talking about the whole squad getting brazy with it now that he got a label deal whereas “Beauty Pageant” links up with Ayelavish!to rejects the news for an accountant since he’s been stacking bread since he was young. “Georgia Boy” turns up the rage a bit courtesy of none other than F1LTHY from Working on Dying getting on his bullshit since he’s from the ATL, but then “Ready2Purge” gives off a plugg vibe suggesting people listen & learn from him.

We get back on the hypertrap vibes a bit on “Hallucinating” putting money over everything & handing out bounties by throwing out prices on muhfuckas’ heads just before “Face Tattoos” reunites with F1LTHY to continue the rage beats talking about his girl wanting Chanel when she’s flat out broke. “Gotta B” breaks down the way he feels like he has to be for 2 & a half minutes leading into “XO Tourlyfe” responds to his chick hitting his phone in the midst of him being on the road.

“Rick Addiction” kicks off the 2nd half of Midnight Blassic with him, BryceUnknwn & Clayco linking up again to publicly address his fascination for Rick Owens while “Delta” cloudily talks about his chick promising that she’ll ride with him until the very end even if she drives him crazy & Clayco sticking around. “Tom Holland” makes a witty reference to the actor who plays Spider-Man in The Walt Disney Company-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) over a Rafmade/Trgc instrumental while “Halo” skeletally calls out people who ain’t really saying shit.

To get the encore of Apollo’s debut with Opium going, “Honest” brings a bit of a robotic trap flare to the table coming clean with having too many close calls while “Chanel Shooter” talks about not needing to call any backup because of him being his own person. “Drug Love Demo 2” serves as a spiritual successor to a loosie single he put out at the beginning of February leveling up compared to the original & the closer “Back to That” finds him unwilling to be a nobody again.

Looking at all 4 of the other artists Opium has to offer, it’s not too hard for me or really anyone else familiar with them to see why they would want to bring ApolloRed1 on board as the most recent addition to the label roster since it takes the potential displayed on Tantrum & turns it up a few volumes. The trap, rage & plugg production in only 35 minutes feels more cultivated than what I’ve heard from him previously & holds the fort down by himself in an effort to elevate himself.

Score: 3.5/5

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Aminé – “13 Months of Sunshine” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Portland, Oregon rapper, singer/songwriter & music video director Aminé. Making his full-length debut in the summer of 2017 with the Republic Records-backed Good for You & fulfilling his contract with them releasing the sophomore effort Limbo during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. KAYTRAMINÉ made their eponymous debut in the summer of 2023, now joining 10K Projects to embark on 13 Months of Sunshine coming off a handful of well-received singles.

“New Flower” produced by DJ Dahi & FNZ was a funky ass intro to get the ball rollin’ talking about success being all he wants whereas “Feels So Good” takes a rawer approach instrumentally flexing that the drank & his girl got him feeling great. “Sage Time” awkwardly admits to having depression soon as he nuts dabbling with hip house just before “I Think It’s You” tropically chooses to think about everything he’s lost.

Meanwhile on “Cool About It”, we have Aminé crossing over funk & house trying to maintain his composure with this woman he wants to sleep with leading into “History” taking a shot at alternative R&B talking about the previous run-ins he’s had with his partner. “Vacay” brings back the hip house vibes expressing his desire to get away from everything for a certain amount of time while “Familiar” blends alternative R&B, hip house, deep house, glitch pop, microhouse, chillwave & French house showing obsession for his romantic interest.

“Doing the Best I Can” gets the 2nd half of 13 Months of Sunshine going by hooking up some pianos singing that he’s trying when all of us are, but then “Temptations” soulfully talks about not knowing what he has until it’s eventually taken from him. “Be Easier on Yourself” opts for a slicker approach to the best advising not to be so hard on themselves while “Raspberry Kisses” asks for a woman to take him in now they’ve sealed the deal.

The title track starts the final leg with a 2-parter refusing to put shame on his name since he was named after his grandfather while “Changer” explains he has to be at terminal 7 when his girl wants to have dinner at 7, hoping the love he has for her doesn’t change. “Arc de Triomphe”samples “Has it Come to This?” by The Streets to make this hip house/UK Garage fusion wanting to know what everyone else on & “Images” featuring 454 ends by calling days in our life moments in time.

When you take in consideration of Aminé descending from Eritrean-Ethiopian heritage, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to many that 13 Months of Sunshine acts as an overt love letter to his African ancestry. The production shows influences of alternative R&B, hip house, deep house, glitch pop, microhouse, chillwave, French house, UK garage, speed garage & 2-step refraining from having guests join him for most of the performances to his ancestors.

Score: 4/5

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Rico Nasty – “Lethal” review

Maryland recording artist Rico Nasty finally releasing her sophomore effort. Turning heads in 2018 off her 6th mixtape Nasty, I was still very much impressed by her unique personality & her eclecticism although it was just ok. However the next spring, she got Kenny Beats to produce her debut EP Anger Management in it’s entirety & that ended up being my favorite body of work of hers even to this day. Nightmare Vacation was a bit of a step down from Anger Management even though it has a good share of bangers like “iPhone” & “10Fo”, but Las Ruinas showed a more experimental side to her & A Nasty Summer was kinda mediocre truthfully. HVRDC0RE DR3AMZ produced by Boyz Noize showed improvement building further anticipation for Lethal approximately 12 months later.

“Who Want It?” produced by Rogét Chahayed kicks it all off with an industrial hardcore hip hop intro asking if anyone wants smoke with her whereas “Teethsucker (Yea3x)” works in elements of rap rock, trap metal, pop rap & pop punk boasting that she has pulled up to the spot. “On the Low” fuses pop rap, trap, electropop, rage, digicore & pluggnb promising she’ll keep this relationship she has on the DL leading into the bubbly “Pink” talking about her bitch’s favorite color.

Pop rap, experimental hip hop, Jersey Club rap, digicore & emo rap all collide during the final single “Butterfly Kisses” moving like a nomad making her neighbors thinking she’s selling keys while “Eat Me!” keeps the aggressive trap flares going talking about people looking up to her these days. “Soul Snatcher” boisterously runs with the paper taking guys’ souls since the head was so good, but then “Grave” darkly talks about rocking shit as if she’s ripping a guitar.

“Son of a Gun” gets back in her trap metal roots so she can advise not to run whenever she shows up & refusing to let anyone put batteries in your back while “Smoke Break” turns the heaviness up talking about fucking shit up for herself. “Crash” brings a pop punk vibe to the table looking for a place she can let off some steam much like waves while the cloudy “Can’t Win ‘Em All” asks if she’s a bad person & if it’s ever enough.

The song “Say We Did” reaches the backend of Lethal finding Rico in her sassy bag having a trick or 2 up her sleeve & becoming unsure of what this person in her life exactly wants while “You Could Never” disses those who’re trying to steal her shine & people criticizing her for being too out of the box when that’s what made many including myself pay close attention to her. “Smile” is an acoustic closer dedicated to the special someone in her life while “Pepper” starts the deluxe run reuniting with Kenny Beats to flex her new Attico boots.

“Pretea” takes inspiration from pop punk again singing about her being a diva while the cloudy trap crossover “Pearls” telling anybody who’s sittin’ down the section that they’re not gettin’ lit enough. “Black Lace” shifts towards a rage-inducing direction suggesting this bitch is late to findin’ out about her when approached regarding Rico being late to a party & the final bonus track “Stunna” boisterously talks about being a top dog.

Feeling there was an investment she needed to make in herself, Lethal further reveals every facet of Rico Nasty whether it’s the styles that made her a household name or more guitars than previously & even touching on her own motherhood journey. She taking the energy of her previous output & channels it in a very cocky way with the production drawing inspiration from rap rock, trap metal, pop rap, pop punk, industrial hip hop, hardcore hip hop, electropop, rage, experimental hip hop, Jersey Club rap, digicore & emo rap.

Score: 3.5/5

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Tee Grizzley – “Forever My Moment” review

Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter Tee Grizzley continuing the Moment series going with his 6th mixtape. Originally a member of the quartet ASBH, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earned a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like his debut mixtape My Moment, the debut album Activated, his 2nd tape Still My Moment, the Timbaland exec-produced sophomore effort Scriptures or my personal favorite: his 3rd mixtape The Smartest. Built for Whatever, Chapters of the Trenches, Half Tee, Half Beast & Tee’s Coney Island were generally mixed, coming off the sonically diverse Post Traumatic declaring it’s Forever My Moment.

The title track produced by Helluva boasts that he’s never done any hoe shit ever since being in the rap game for a little over a decade whereas “Customs” explains most people being aware of his life being different since the fame & not being broke in a grip. “They Shot at Trump” reassures the fact nobody is immune to being touchable regardless of money, power or fame over a Chopsquad DJ instrumental while “Overthinking” finds him becoming his own biggest critic.

“Jalen Hurtski” was a great choice of a single referencing the Philadelphia Eagles star QB Jalen Hurts in terms of how hard his shit stays hittin’ leading into “My God” making a plea for people to stay focused & not let be tricked out in the streets on top of him acknowledging his own imperfections. “Me Too” promises that that’s exactly what you’ll get hit with the second you try to press any of his buttons & provoke him, but then the lead single “Rick Jameski” talks about people being shocked at his status in Detroit trap.

It was only a matter of time until the bells made their way into the equation on “Stash House in Dearborn” letting y’all know you can find him wherever the racks are while “I Can’t Cap” finds him talking about never lying because he’ll always be blessed. “Beware of Dog” suggests that people should be more cautious regarding the sticks he has on him while “Pullin’ New Foreigns” describes the ways shit is different around his parts.

“Gone But Not Forgotten” takes 2 & a half minutes to remember the people in his life who’re no longer here whether it be his mother, his friend Charles Brown or the late PnB Rock telling God that he would give all this shit back to Him in a heartbeat to see either one of them 1 last time & the closing track is actually the 9th installment of Tee Grizzley’s prolific “Robbery” series, teasing a 10th entry down the line since he finished the tape by saying the saga’s incomplete.

Meshing confidence & gravity together, Forever My Moment feels like a full-circle statement from the Detroit star who changed the game almost immediately after coming home from behind bars 8 years ago. He gives nods to his beginning whilst making a testament to his artistic growth since My Moment was when most people heard him for the first time by channeling the hunger of his early days & the reflection of a man who’s lived through love, loss, loyalty & lessons.

Score: 4/5

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Xzibit – “Kingmaker” review

Xzibit is a 50 year old MC, actor, television presenter, radio personality & record executive from Los Angeles, California starting as a member of the Likwit Crew collective. His first 2 full-lengths At the Speed of Light and 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz under Nightz under Loud Records & RCA Records were prominently bout around the traditional boom bap sound, forming his very own label Open Bar Entertainment & fulfilling a 1-album deal with Epic Records for my favorite of his Restless. X later signed to Columbia Records to put out Man vs. Machine & Weapons of Mass Destruction, opting to release Full Circle & Napalm independently through distribution by MNRK Music Group & EMI Records respectively. Over a decade later, Mr. X to the Z is joining former UFC Featherweight & Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor’s newly formed Greenback Records to back his 9th studio LP.

“Play This at My Funeral” was a tight boom bap single to start off the rollout suggesting to say it with your chest if you want to make it out in the west whereas “Everywhere I Go” produced by Dem Jointz thunderously talks about rockin’ both coasts regardless of where he’s at. “Been a Long Time 2”recaptures the energy of a Restless highlight avoiding a conversation that was had almost 25 years ago while “The Moment” featuring Busta Rhymes & Jason Martin formerly known as Problem promises to fuck up any pussy on sight over a boisterous Focus… beat.

The horns on “Earth is Over” were a nice touch dismissing these muhfucka out here for being actors instead of experiencing the hardships of the streets like X has just before “Leave Me Alone” featuring Dr. Dre hooks up some organs with the help of Swizz Beatz so both of them can talk about wanting to have some peace. “Belly of the Beast” featuring Jason Martin aggressively tells everyone to manifest their destinies & making them into reality, but then the sample-driven “History” nods some of the albums that’ve inspired him.

“Genesis” finds him telling this woman that he can be her everything acting all innocent & her becoming his origin or beginning of something while “Perfect Alibi” makes his own a statement under suspicion of a crime he was in a different place around the time the offense was committed. “American Idol” featuring Symba goes for a soulful flare courtesy of Sndtrak explaining that they’re make to kill they own through circumstances they were given while “Crash” featuring Royce da 5’9” reminds us the million ways to die.

Ice Cube appears for the final single “For the Love”sampling “Quiet Storm” by the late Prodigy feeling the rain almost as hard as they did when they fell in love while DJ Battlecat provides a g-funk groove to “Shut Yo Mouth” featuring Compton AV clapping back at the people who’ve been doubting them. “Higher” featuring B-Real & Redman unites the trio for a funky weed smoker’s ballad clocking at 2 & a half minutes while until will.i.am flips “Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom)” by N*E*R*D throughout “Success” breaking down what that means to X.

Likwit Crew founder King T preludes his upcoming final album with his own solo joint “Notified” proving that he’s still got it 4 decades later with Beat Butchataking it into rap rock territory while DJ Khalil turns the funk up once more during “What U Like” featuring Guapdad 4000 talks about having fortunes on both of their sides. “End of the Day” featuring Domo Genesis& Tre Capital encourages everyone to do whatever it takes for them when it’s all said & done while the title track finishes by asking if you’re ready for the throne or something greater.

Kingmaker reads as more of a sign that he wanted to share his knowledge of the good, the bad, the ugly, the ups & downs he’s faced throughout his life & career that he attributes to making him successful rather than getting called royalty or sitting on the throne & being a part of some kind of hierarchy, which I ultimately feel improves on everything that made Napalm feel so mature during my sophomore year in high school over a decade ago. It may be the best he’s sounded production-wise in over 2 decades & yet, he hasn’t lost a step with the pen & the guests hold their own weight.

Score: 4/5

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Yuno – “Blest” review

Yuno is a 34 year old psychedelic indie pop singer/songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida by way of The Bronx, New York not to be confused with comedy rapper Yuno Miles considering he signed to Sub Pop Records in the summer of 2018 for his debut EP Moodie taking it’s name after an original moniker Yuno Moodie later shortening it. However, he’s returning to show his growth personally & artistically for a full-length debut studio album of his own following several years of inactivity.

The title track brings together alternative R&B & indie pop facing the overwhelming rush of emotions that comes with falling in love with somebody head-on whereas “We Belong” dabbles with rock a little singing about being back where he feels like he & his partner should be. “Massive” continues the indie pop & rock hybrids having a feeling in his soul that the bane of staying young is gettin’ older not understanding why it’s taking over while the final single “Unfair” goes for a dream pop direction singing about it not being right that he & his partner never had a chance.

“Perfect Pear” sounds reminiscent to P.M. Dawn during the duo’s final years actively releasing music while “Fall Apart” sings about the walls closing in him & his partner having time to kill. “Worst of Times” acknowledges how hard it is to be here with all the bullshit going on today prior to “True” breezily captures the tension of a relationship caught between misunderstanding & reconciliation. “Gimme Ocean” psychedelically asks for the ocean waves to make him float to his romantic interest & the closer “Blitz!” sings about people hating him from the bleachers trying to keep it peaceful.

Transforming the emo-tinged suburban malaise of Moodie into more expansively widescreen pop drama suited for big moves & bigger stages, the kaleidoscopic sound he devised as a millennial hermit in his childhood bedroom in Florida has since broadened his horizons. Blest bids for love & connection which especially in the fractured era of social media have resonated with many listeners who find solace in his vulnerability imbued with elements of dream pop, rock music, trap & psychedelia.

Score: 4/5

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Snoop Dogg – “Iz It a Crime?” review

Here we have the 21st studio LP from Long Beach emcee, songwriter, media personality, actor, entrepreneur, record executive & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg. His 1993 debut Doggystyle produced his mentor Dr. Dre is widely regarded as a west coast essential, but his output since has been hit or miss whether it be Tha Last Meal & Tha Blue Carpet Treatment almost reaching the same caliber of his debut or Da Game is to be Sold, Not to be Told & Bible of Love falling flat on their faces. He purchased Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group days ahead of the Super Bowl LVI halftime person hence why he’s B.o.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row) since. Missionary last winter drew mixed reception because of some delusional fans expecting it to be another Doggystyle, coming off the Altar Call compilation to ask Iz It a Crime?.

After the intro, the title track featuring October London on the hook samples “Is It a Crime?” by Sade asking how many out there are still living by the code whereas “Joy” crosses over soul & boom bap to talk about it being that time for him to fuck up the streets making a feast out of the crumbs he was given. “Unsung Heroes” works in some cool organ melodies responding to people criticizing him for his half hour DJ Snoopadelic set at the Crypto Ball in January when even I myself found that odd due to the video he shared on Instagram in 2017, but then “Sophisticated Crippin’” sampling Marvin Gaye courtesy of DJ Battlecat talking about his 3+ decade legacy.

“Can’t Wait” featuring LaRussell finds the pair linking up so they can get shit poppin’ together over a g-funk instrumental from Nottz just before “Can’t Get Enough” featuring Jane Handcock cooks up a smooth R&B & west coast hip hop duet portraying 2 lovers who’re quite obsessed with being in each other’s company. “Keep It Moving” brings the g-funk vibes back in the fold thanks to Rick Rock talking about never stop pushin’ leading into “Just the Way It Iz” featuring Wiz Khalifa teaming up on top of a moody Soopafly beat to not change shit in their lives.

Akeem Ali easily delivers the worst feature on the entire album during “You Want My All” kinda sounding like a Lil Wayne knockoff when I’m sure Uncle Snoop could’ve easily got Weezy himself on there if he wanted to while Charlie Bereal takes a shot at g-funk behind the boards on “What’s Hattnin’?” giving a shoutout to everyone who’s been with Tha Doggfather from the very jump. “Spot” reunites with Pharrell for a pop rap joint reminiscent of “Beautiful”or “Perfect” with a modern twist & “ShutYoBitchAssUp” disses Suge Knight.

“Cold Summer” switches it up with a synth-pop cut & the vocal performances predominantly sung by it’s own producer mR. pOrTeR formerly of D12 while “Snoop Will Make You Dance” returns to a g-funk direction for a good old fashioned west coast party anthem. “Life’s Journey” feels like a bit of a response to his daughter Chocc fresh off dropping her debut EP Journals to Johnny last winter & becoming a mother a few months ago while “Me N O.G. Snoop” featuring Sexyy Red still remaining one of the most polarizing, controversial & popular artists in hip hop today talks about their ties to the Crips & the Bloods respectively.

Getting the final leg of Iz It a Crime? started, “Let Me Love You” heads for a bit of a delicate boom bap approach instrumentally for a tribute to his wife of almost 3 decades Shante Taylor while “West Up” slides through with a g-funk love letter to the west coast asking why the fuck should he retire when the west justifiably dominated the previous year. “My Friend” featuring mR. pOrTeR unites both of them for a passionate remembrance of Snoop’s cousin Darryl Daniel passing away 10 months ago & “Live Life” ends by talking about his only advice being to love yourself getting what’s yours.

Uncle Snoop here’s trying to understand if it’s a felony for him to do the things he’s done, to take care of people, to love them & to be there for them due some of the things that he’s done & becoming speculation. My response to those questions is absolutely not, although many including myself found it hypocritical for him to post said IG video 8 years ago with the “Lavender 2” music video literally months later only to do that Crypto Ball DJ set. Iz It a Crime? top to bottom however feels reminiscent of B.o.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row) due to the way both albums feel heavily inspired by the older days in career from gangsta rap to boom bap, g-funk & pop rap.

Score: 3.5/5

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Crossworm – “Dirtwave” review

This is the 4th EP from Grand Rapids, Michigan rapper, singer/songwriter, producer & Dirtcore Music founder Crossworm. Starting as 1/2 of 2Korpse before branching out on his own for the full-length solo debut Phoenix, this was followed up by a sophomore LP Ready to Burn alongside 2 EPs Mouth Full of Dirt & jaws: Deciduous respectively. Taking a few years off after the latter, he returned in the summer of 2014 by dropping 4 more albums: Parasite Avenue, Drowning in Restricting Thought, Finding X & Eat the Weak. I’ve covered the Gōst EP along with the synthpop inspired ANTI & of course the eponymous Bodies Below Sea Level debut, dropping off not 1 but 2 EPs this month.

“Losing You” kicks off the Dirtwave with a synth-pop intro singing about needing & wanting to get rid of somebody to no avail whereas “Meet Me at My Grave” works in a guitar sample & synthesizers explaining that everything they wouldn’t dare say being in the middle of them. “Watch Us Die” featuring THE H0LL0W goes for a summer vibe advising to sit back & watch their demise while “Out in Space” is another great synth-pop cut. “Drown Me” featuring Grounds gets heavier asking to be drowned if they become weak & “Beyond the Grave” finishes by throwing it back to late 2000s/early 2010s-era LINKIN PARK.

Pretty sure that we were gonna get Shelter Skelter before Dirtwave since that was initially teased a month ago, but I’m fine with it being held off for a couple weeks for a 19 minute EP that recaptures the Depeche Mode influences prominently displayed throughout ANTI a year & a half ago as a warm up to Shelter Skelter since it’s more based around industrial & witch house music. His singing feels reminiscent to the late Chester Bennington at times, both remixes take their original versions to greater levels of quality & Crossworm’s versatility continues to extend further.

Score: 3.5/5

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Action Figure 973 – “DOOM Was Right” review

This is the full-length debut studio album from Belleville, New Jersey emcee/producer Action Figure 973. Somebody whose growing discography comprised of a couple mixtapes & 7 EPs has been steadily making waves in the underground for a few years already, most notably Dark Side of the Ring & it’s sequel. Signing to Bars Over B.S. Records not too long ago, he’s paying tribute to one of my all-time favorites MF DOOM throughout the duration of DOOM Was Right.

WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, The Crash’s inaugural Pesocompleto Campeon & アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン Rey Mysterio gets referenced on the intro “Take Me to Your Leader” as does former 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, FTW Champion, ECW World Television Champion, 3 time ECW World Tag Team Champion, JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン & the longest reigning XPW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu.

“Operation: Doomsday” gives off a jazzier boom bap direction instrumentally referencing former 2-time CWA Heavyweight Champion, 2-time CWA World Tag Team Champion, 2-time SMW Heavyweight Champion & WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler alongside WWE Hall of Famer & AEW’s senior advisor Jim Ross but after “Echelon” dustily talks about not being on the same time as these other lames, the uncannily slow “Nanlib” references 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair.

The infamous fingerpoke of doom spot between the inaugural IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, former 12-time WWE world champion, WWE tag team champion, 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, Real American Beer founder & Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF) co-founder Hulk Hogan and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 5-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & TNA World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash gets referenced on “Nanlib” leading into the soulful “Puerto Rican Wrestling” talking about his rich history.

“Mmm…Food” strips the drums completely so he can talk about going into business for himself while “Madvillainy” featuring Vega7 the Ronin references both the inaugural WWE Universal Champion, former 2-time NXT Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 3-time IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 6-time IWGPジュニアタッグチャンピオン & RPW British Cruiserweight Champion Finn Bálor as well as former 3-time WWE tag team champions The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection & former 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Maven.

Bloo Azul joins Action Figure on “Rae’s Killa Tape” referencing former 14-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & WWE United States Champion Randy Orton alongside WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger while EricTheRed13 gets his own drumless track with “DOOM Tattoo”. The song “Romantic Comedy” chops up a soul sample to talk about the happiness in his brain prior to “Latin Porn in the 90’s” finishing up by telling us what this woman he’s currently seeing makes him feel.

Coinciding with the current 17-time WWE world champion John Cena’s first defense of his final reign at Backlash XX tomorrow, Action Figure takes a good 35 minutes of DOOM Was Right to show his appreciation for the late Viktor Vaughn’s philosophy of presenting music for what it really is & the luchador’s dexterity gets fully realized in the process. His boom bap production is at it’s most detailed since the UFO Over City Music & the heavy wrestling nods are enough to satisfy Griselda fans who haven’t been too big on their most recent output.

Score: 4/5

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