TDF – “Culture” review

TDF is a 21 year old producer from Minnesota who emerged in 2020 off his debut EP TDF & Friends and the sequel marking his full-length debut studio LP. He later followed it up with next EP EP Patient 0 as well as the sophomore effort I Love You & the final entry of the TDF & Friends trilogy, I Love You later spawning a 2nd & a 3rd installment with Religion bridging both sequels. It’s been a while since Blueprint & love4you, shaping his 9th album in front of us to be his biggest one ever.

“need some more” by Okaymar is this cloudy trap intro talking about his neck floodin’ & this bitch giving him throat whereas “been too long” by Omgkeon continues the trillwave vibes flexing that he’s stronger than ever after going through some pain. “still my patna” by ATL Smook goes for more of a plugg direction instrumentally to talk about the scammers, trappers & robbers he knows leasing into “attached” by Jojo discussing a woman who he feels can change his life.

Spoof get his own song with “bankroll” promising on his whole entire squad that he’s gonna be the one who’ll snatch your chain, but then “1 for me” by NYM Riz gets back on the plugg tip telling the specific woman he has in mind that she’s his soulmate. “numb” by Jssr samples “Novacane” by Frank Ocean nothing away from the way these good drugs got him feeling while “stamped” by 1oneam talks about already being official.

“ghetto symphony” by ohsxnta maintains a plugg edge to the beat boasting that he’s come a long way & having too much swag just before “bands gone” by Jojo, omgkeon & Spoof unites the trio on top of this crazy Angry Birds flip getting high to hide the emotions. “rave” by BenjiCold continues to bare a plugg influence talking about balling out & liking to dance with his girl while “water” by Dom Corleo warns people to stop flexing as if they meant something.

Thr33 & wildkarduno link up on the 2-parter “out of kontrol / paparazzi” telling the fuck boys they’re gonna be shot on sight along with coming out the mud as if they were pigs while “cassava leaf” by Thr33 holds the fort down by himself talking about the money being green & preaching over the instrumental. “yo lane” by wildkarduno discusses the plug being late shooting like the Los Angeles Clippers & “bta” by Smokingskul sticks out since it recaptures the dark plugg energy of what makes this duo gel greatly.

“used to be” by Smokingskul & wildkarduno delves further deep into the evil plugg sound feeling like Facebook founder & Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg as well as calling for Luigi Mangione’s freedom since they consider him a real one while “Fried” by Okaymar tones down the darkness in favor of a general plugg flare cautions that’s exactly what will happen if you even try to run up on him while “what you said” by Okaymar & 1oneam talks about not hearing what you say since they smoke loud.

Pasto Flocco delivers another standout performance with “swervo” cloudily breaking down the streets being cold & a woman wanting to kick it with him prior to “late night drinks” & face card” showcasing both Okaymar & 1oneam’s chemistry for the final time. “make it work” by ohsxnta remains optimistic of his music career sorting itself out in his favor & the closer “hope you know” by 1oneam advises that success is the loudest response to those who ever doubted you.

Skul was one of the first dark plugg artists that I got into when I started listening to the subgenre & TDF has laced some of his most popular songs, which was a reason why I gave Culture a listen & it sure enough is his most enjoyable solo effort in his discography. His production centered around plugg, dark plugg, cloud rap & trap is some of the strongest that he’s crafted with the varied list of underground trap performers laying down their unique styles stronger than previously.

Score: 4/5

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Giffy Pluggo – “Douda” review

This is the 2nd EP from Chicago, Illinois emcee & ATIP Records founder Giffy Pluggo. Emerging a couple years ago off his debut mixtape Paid Leave & it’s sequel last summer, he recently put out a deluxe version of his debut album Los Pluggos a few months ago followed by the last EP Pluggo’s Birthday at the beginning of 2025 itself. Only a couple months later, the Black Soprano Family Records affiliate’s still applying pressure by putting out Douda & one that really caught my interest considering the single “Casino” has been proving to be his biggest song yet.

“Couple Myles” is this trap intro that Benny’s nephew Myles laced reflecting on the days people went from hating on him & counting him out to signing a label deal whereas “Villain Origin Story” keeps the hi-hats in tact including a dope bar at the end referencing the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef. “Roseland” featuring C. Bill$ finds the pair over a sample-driven boom bap instrumental getting hit hard by the quest for fame while “Tracy” goes for a soulful vibe to the beat wanting better for him & his romantic interest the track is named after in a perfect world.

To start the other half of the EP, the song “How I Came Up” hops over some pianos returning to the boom bap once again discussing his upbringings until a switch-up during the outro remembering his late homie Dilla just before “Plugs & Violins” featuring & produced by Rick Hyde finds the pair suggesting to boss up you want more out of life. “See You in Hell” reunited with C. Bill$ so they can talk about doing well as of late & finally, “Casino” featuring Jae Skeese on the remix ends with a soulful trap heater warning your fate will be sealed if you run up on them wrong.

“Douda 2” begins the deluxe run promising that you’ll meet your Ruler soon as the mistake of running up him had been made feeling like he might be killed out of envy while “Right Before Your Eyes” switches back into boom bap territory talking about becoming a star in front of us all. “Reggie’s Return (Nuck’s Fall)” poses the question of when his funeral was since his detractors thought he was dead while “No Turning Back” featuring ELZ talks about being nice since Ludacris was popular in the 2000s.

C. Bill$ & Henry Ali join Giffy during “Plug Party” assuring that they’ll cover the tabs for this jazzy celebration being thrown while “Mortgage” aggressively talks about him, refusing to tuck his chain because he’s way too important. “Tiffany” stylistically has a more chilled out approach to it boasting his girl being so bad that she can be considered an enemy while “Dinner at Smokey’s” blends a vocal sample with some horns explaining that this is in regards to the choices he’s made throughout his life instead of the money or the cars.

“Waddup” gets in his Chiraq bag lyrically over a decent trap beat telling all his detractors all their hatin’ failed ready to get shit crackin’ now that his exposure has been steadily increasing & to finish up the ATIP CEO’s most pivotal statement of his entire career, the final bonus track “London Towne Soldiers” featuring Cash Bundlez instrumentally takes inspiration from boom bap 1 last time spending the last 5 minutes coming together to recall the West Pullman living complex they grew up at.

Basing itself around a character from The Chi on the Paramount Skydance Corporation-owned Showtime network executive produced by Common who was a gangsta & also the mayor, Giffy Pluggo’s story is similar given the fact he’s from Chicago & educated with had a street/rough upbringing in a neighborhood on the southside of Chicago called Roseland. Scenes from the show can be all throughout the EP & the production that Myles primarily handles takes it a few levels above Pluggo’s previous material.

Score: 4/5

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S.O.N. – “The Bastard Son” review

This is the sophomore effort albeit Long Live Evil debut from Sharon, Pennsylvania emcee S.O.N. notable for his associations with the Legion Realm & the Hivemind movement. His popularity started to grow in the summer of 2021 after releasing his debut album Grant Us Eyes & performing at the 21st annual Gathering of the Juggalos. I got to meet him after his set at the only Gathering that I’ve been to thus far & with the news of him signing to LLE couple years ago, The Bastard Son’s time has arrived.

After the “Invocation” intro, the Billy Obey-laced title track l gives praise to the beast that weeps over an ominous boom bap instrumental whereas “Requiem” featuring Billy Obey himself finds the 2 talking about setting fire to the church at an act of remembrance. “Sulfur” discusses feeling that very chemical on his lips whenever he raps & after the “Hanged Man” skit, “Where Fear Lives” awakens in a field of blue roses no longer telling what’s real & what isn’t.

“Under My Skin” returns to the boom bap talking about producing new life just before “Tenebrous” angrily warns that the Legion Realm will always remain undefeated. “Absolution” featuring Keagan Grimm we’re all cattle for the cause left counting our scars & feeling worthless having no direction or purpose but after the “3 of Swords” skit, “Fire Walk with Me” talks about burning inside due to everlasting flames.

To get the final leg of The Bastard Son going, “The Rot” keeps it boom bap vividly painting the image of decay throwing up his arm & being in it’s clutches while “Apocalyptic” featuring Stray sees the pair talking cleansing the Earth with fire. “Death” produced by Slasher Dave speaks of the sky falling & the calling being inescapable leading into “Thy Will Be Done” finishing up by letting everyone know that they are bound in blood.

Almost 4 years since his breakout debut, S.O.N.’s long-awaited LLE debut continues to usher in a new era of the wicked shit called doom bap & evolving on every redeemable quality Grant Us Eyes possessed from the horrorcore-lyricism to the traditional boom bap production revealing that the fire of truth eventually reveals the Legion Realm will forever reign supreme & Long Live Evil rightfully continuing to bring back a feeling that was lost over a decade ago.

Score: 4.5/5

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J1Hunnit – “It Is What It Is” review

Smackover, Arkansas rapper J1Hunnit is back almost 11 months after Nevermind, I’ll Do It to release his 14th studio LP. Notable for his affiliation with the ShittyBoyz, he’s built up a discography of over a dozen full-lengths for himself along with 3 EPs & a couple collab efforts. Briefcase Boy, Modern Day Classic, Mink Coat Music, On Display, Planet Spunk & Don’t Be a Dweeb have all improved from his late 2010s/early 2020s material greatly & some of the guests who appear throughout It Is What It Is had me more excited than I typically get for his music.

“John Doe” starts the album by talking about wanting to sit from outer space & watch the world resolve itself over a Detroit trap instrumental whereas “Small Things to a Giant” how he views wasted time to be the worst thing ever referencing my 2nd favorite basketball player of all-time Kobe Bryant. “Encrypted” moves on to talk about clout being a hell of a drug leading into “Go 2 Work” speaks directly to those who ain’t built for this music shit.

Meanwhile on “Bad Muthafucka”, we have J1Hunnit over a fusion between cloud rap & Detroit trap talking about the kind of person that he is generally just before the personal favorite “Goyard Duffle” feels less of an interlude & more of an 155 second song feeling like he’s the same person he’s always been. “Finding My Passion” vents about feeling like he loves too hard & doesn’t hustle enough while “How I’m Livin’” breaks down his lifestyle.

“Lame” lets this chick know that she’s fed up with the broke ass dude she’s seeing & wanting to find out why she always got an attitude while “Wrong Type” featuring Tony Shhnow produced by Danny G & Jakesand introspectively talks about falling in love with the incorrect type of women. “Thumbin’” featuring Certified Trapper & G.T finds the trio flexing their wealth even if G.T. has my favorite guest appearance of the 2 while “9x Outta 10” talks about the kind who pump fake rich.

Babytron & Sada Baby both join J1Hunnit on the refreshing “Pop It” from the synths & 808s to the boastful lyricism while “Boston Baked Beans” featuring Babytron puts the pairing chemistry up for display clocking in at 2 & a half minutes approximately. “Chanelly” has to be another favorite of mine whether it be the Jakesand beat or the materialistic subject matter while “Avant Garde” talks about him being so fly, that he lets his closet hang glide.

“Fuck Fame” finds himself unable to tell if the love is coming from a genuine place & that he doesn’t want to be famous if his people only call him when they need him while “Missing You” passionately remembers the people in his life who’ve all passed away. “Aladdin’s Carpet” talks about wanting to take a shortcut as a quicker way of reaching his target while “Kamilla” gives a shoutout to Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky.

The song “Wagwaan” winds down the last few minutes of It Is What It Is with J1Hunnit asking what the fuck’s going on with a delivery that was supposed to touch down selling hits with Lando out the Bando while “Hollywood” finishes up the LP talking about witnessing someone he knew mutating into a monster. “Streets Don’t Love You” featuring Spice 1 starts the deluxe run reflecting on when they walked past the flames while “I Hope You Hate Me” featuring Samuel Shabazz oozes of bitter ex energy.

“Girl Wyd?” turns up the bass & atmosphere for 139 seconds talking about how he ain’t ever gonna stop throwing cash in the strip club while “I’m a Just Boy” gets his in spiritual bag topically. “Rikishi” references none other than the WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion himself while “Photosynthesis” featuring Babytron goes back-&-forth with each other 1 last time. “1st Day Out” marks the final bonus track talking about getting to the bread immediately.

Coinciding with his birthday, J1Hunnit makes it his newest mission now that he’s got his chips stacked to take over the world under Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records & It Is What It Is welcomes him home after some time incarcerated with the most captivating project he’s ever done. Tight production catered to the Detroit sound & an almost perfect list of guests joining quite possibly the most entertaining hip hop artist in Arkansas right now making up for lost time.

Score: 3.5/5

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Tory Lanez – “Peterson” review

This is the 9th full-length studio LP from Toronto, Ontario, Canada rapper Tory Lanez. Blowing up a decade ago off The New Toronto mixtape, he ended up signing with Interscope Records the following year & releasing a total of 4 albums until departing at the beginning of 2020. Daystar that same fall gaslight everyone after shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot & if that wasn’t enough, we’re getting a successor 5 years later after teasing it with multiple singles last summer.

After the intro, the first song “Free Me” calls for his freedom due to him having a family & some homies who need him advising to not let your emotions supercede your intelligence whereas “Sneeze Wrong” talks about the game not being based around sympathy & finding his way home until he loses himself. “White Lightning” finds himself getting drunk in his cell off that moonshine while “Guide Me Through the Storm” talks about needing God more than ever.

“9$ide / Amethyst” is a 2-parter with the 2nd half of it sounding rather unfinished compared to the other & after the “MAWA” interlude, “Lunch Tray” promises that shit won’t ever be the same again once he comes home. “$ailor Moon” has one of the better instrumentals courtesy of araabMUZIK dissing a woman who fucked his dog after becoming incarcerated just before “Verdict Day” reflects on the very day he was found guilty.

After the “Lawyer Fees” interlude, the actual Lawyer Fees” song itself admits that he doesn’t have the money he needs since he’s down bad & his pockets are currently light leading into “Slipping & Falling” coming off as a decent homage to one of the late DMX’s most popular cuts “Fallin’”. We get treated to a couple more 2-parter with the first “Charlie Row / Wishing Well” having a more repetitive 2nd half, but then both halves of “Phone Secs / FaceTime” feel fully complete except the themes of love portrayed don’t do it for me.

“T.D.F (Turn Down Fades) / County Jail” produced by Lex Luger has to be my favorite 2-part joint on the album rejecting any fades that come his way & asking where everyone was when he was fucked up in the county while “Gangland / Fargentina 4EVR” featuring WolfGang Petersen finds the 2 being fed up with these bitches playing with them. “I Fucked a Lady Cop” tells a female officer that she’s his best kept secret while “My Shayla / SPICE-RILLA” featuring D$TNY responds to being served restraining order papers in his cell.

The track “Back Out$ide” featuring SOS oddly begins the encore of Peterson by defending disgraced Bad Boy Entertainment founder Puff Daddy a.k.a. P. Diddy or Diddy ahead of his trial a couple months from now & after TB’s interlude, “Free Tory” wraps up the Daystar sequel by promising to God that he’ll be released from prison at some point later on in 2025 & even if I personally am not so sure of it, we’ll just have to find out for ourselves in due time.

Tory’s 5 Fingers of Death freestyle on Sway’s Universe back in 2018 epitomizes the amount of talent he has & it’s a shame that he hasn’t put anything out channeling that same energy since. Peterson for being a continuation of his most panned body of work isn’t as bad as the predecessor albeit it almost is. I’d be lying if I said the production wasn’t only a smidge above Daystar almost half a decade ago this fall & his performances for a good run of it are subpar.

Score: 1.5/5

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Doodlebug & 80 Empire – “A Galactic Love Supreme” review

Doodlebug is a 58 year old MC from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania notable for being 1/3 of the Digable Planets. Following their disbandment, he would branch out in favor of a solo career beginning with his 2011 debut Futuristic Sci-Fi as well as The Expendables & more recently The Calidelphian roughly a decade after Futuristic Sci-Fi dropped. West coast duo 80 Empire are officially joining him for a new collaborative LP & have signed a deal with Fat Beats Records to help put it out into the universe.

After the “Galactic Intro”, the first song “Outtaspace Connection” is a funky romance tune throwing it back to Zapp during the hook talking about the laws of attraction whereas “Breathe” slickly talks about his passion for drums coming from his uncle having a drum set at his grandmother’s house growing up. “Mother Earth is Dying” jazzily discusses our planet slowly deteriorating leading into “Spread Love (Communicate)” talks about positivity & communication.

Shabazz Palaces joins Doodlebug for “Deliveries” letting it be known what they stay constantly running & getting paid off of these days while “Amore” soulfully gets back on the themes of romance. “Time Keeps Slipping” featuring Nejma Nefertiti finds the pair talking about life flying by the way does just before “Intergalactic Love Supreme” featuring YaH-Ra spaciously speaks on love once again.

“I Am” featuring Emma Lee M.C. & Skrewtape unites the trio they can demand that you obey the empire, but then “Nothing Lasts Forever” featuring Bone Crusher & KXNG CROOKED officially concludes A Galactic Love Supreme with all 3 of them cooking up what could possibly be my favorite collaboration reminding us all that there isn’t a single thing out there that’ll last until eternity.

Sir Analog & Duke of Digital both really nailed it helping Doodlebug make a provocative body of musical escapism with every song revealing itself to be a different painting making the canvas at its core hip hop although it’s meticulously textured with so many other influences from jazz to soul music. Reminiscent of a time when music’s sole obligation was to make you feel good & think critically, they portray a healthy marriage of analog & digital or nostalgia meeting contemporary.

Score: 3.5/5

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Dough Networkz – “Dis for the Project” review

Dough Networkz is a music management executive & underground hip hop curator from Inglewood, California notable for having the duo DirtyDiggs produce his full-length studio debut LP Above Cloud Vision in the summer of 2019. He even helped curate an East to West compilation from Lord Mobb Music about a year & a half ago, turning the sophomore effort here into a double album except both discs were released a week apart from each other.

“Niyyah” by Osbe Chill & Tek is a soulful intro talking about being strong & wrong simultaneously whereas “A Day Late & $1 Short” by Boldy James & Trizz featuring Jay Worthy on the remix was a great lead single linking up to boast they’ve been getting money since prior to them getting laid for the first time. “Fake Dead” by Jason Martin formerly known as Problem, Jayson Cash & WeSSmont SSkeme brings a west coast vibe with Jason Martin having the best verse while “Dreamin’” by Big Twins soulfully feels like the hood is his.

Conway the Machine & Sirrealist join forces for the gully boom bap joint “Sawed Off” talking about getting your nose blown the fuck off if you stick it where it shouldn’t be leading into the cloudy “3 Hours Past Noon” by Jay Worthy boasts that it ain’t a party until he pulls up to the spot. The soulful “Never Knew” by Jameel Na’im X, King Akeem & Young Roddy admitting they didn’t think the love the trio have would be the way it is & “Sunsets Over Inglewood” by Domo Genesis featuring Smoke DZA on the remix proved to be another great single choice representing the southwest.

“Old Rules” by N8NOFACE angrily gives a middle finger to the kids who be calling him an old head when he feels like you should rightfully have pride in your shit just before “Automatic Lovers” by Airplane James & The Jack Moves switches gears stylistically departing from hip hop in favor of a smooth soul ballad. “Rap Camp” by Ab-Soul, Baron Davis, Dazy Lyn, LaRussell, Malachi & Mani Coolin is this cool 7 & a half minute posse cut while “Crime Networkz” by Crimeapple & RLX feels reminiscent of their recent collab album Los Pollos Hermanos.

Tha God Fahim jumps on top of this haunting instrumental throughout “Eyes of the Beholder” doing squats with the weight of the world on his shoulders while “Goodbye Twice” by Baron Davis & T.F. soulfully talks hitting the parlay like it’s Uncut Gems. The song “Lil Bobby” by Hyde Park Firebug & Traffic discusses the realest shit meaning more to them & “Play Your Role” by Cala the Prophet & Eastside K-Boy offers nothing more than advice.

“Don’t” by Drebo sets off Side B with a west coast g-funk banger with a hook reminiscent of the late, great Nate Dogg carrying over elements from that era onto “Black Bentley” by Black C & Lil Woofy Woof except both of them are showing off their gang ties. “Player Made” by Brodie Fresh & The Musalini hops over a sample to talk about them being the players they are while “Beverly Hills Car Club” by AJ Snow finds therapy within wiping down the rims of his ride.

Osbe Chill & Rome Streetz appear for the crooning “However” talking about getting rich while “Phone Call from Dough” by Westside Webb jazzily making it clear that he really be hustling & flowing out here staying in his own zone. “Cash Rules” by Kai Ca$h goes boom bap so he can explain that money talks while “West to East” by Flee Lord & MC Eiht perfectly represents both Queens, New York & the city of Compton, California.

“Sticks & Scars” by Da$h & Win or Lose Records has a slower boom bap tone realizing that the payback is way past due the way they see it while “Mika & Sef” by Baron Davis & 2-1 keeps it in the basement showing off the different type of skill they’ve already mastered. “Center of Change” by Chance Infinite grittily performs prayers instead of a seance in the middle of chaos observing the devils having awareness of being wrong & “Designer Drugs” by Jonah Love makes me feel like I’m listening to Boldy James.

Mitchy Slick & Trizz come together to make “Money on the Fly” backed by a sample while “The Invitation” by Vel 9 finds her drifting on a star. The song “No Fronts” by Huey Bliss cloudily talks being reliant on his clientele & “Where We Are” by Sadat X opens up on only needing a few individuals by his side rather than a whole army with these piano chords playing behind him. “Time is Now” by Big Cheeko & JAY NiCE closes Side B with them talking about what a shame it is that people act lame & gossip.

After the “Follow Your Dreamz” skit, “Clearing My Mind” by G Perico starts the deluxe run with a drumless sample looking to free himself mentally while “3 for 50” by O.T. the Real soulfully talks about trappin’ since his halfway house days. “Allahu A Lem” by Osbe Chill & Tha God Fahim teams up together again to discuss God eternally knowing best while the funky “Black Business” by All Hail Y.T. & EDIDON talks about African American entrepreneurship.

“Came from the Bottom” by Morray cloudily admits to the mistake of bringing too much fake in his mix & not having anything growing up while “Cocaine Heroin” by G4 Jag & T.F drumlessly talks about pushin’ weight. “Darkside” by Reaper Mook continues the bare sampling to state he was in the trap too long because he felt like it was the only way while LIFEOFTHOM’s title track bodies a jazzy boom bap beat for 112 seconds.

After the “Follow Your Vision” spoken word interlude, “Handle Business” by Southside Vic smoothly talks about running up the money with bad ambition & his girl’s response when he told her he was in the lab while “It’s a Compton Thang” by Mari Ruger & MC Eiht represents their hometown with a g-funk flare. “Limo Tints” by Jay Worthy & Tiona Deniece experiments with trap soul hoping to make haters sick with their success while “Stronger Than My Pain” by EDIDON & Tha God Fahim talks about there being no love lost because it doesn’t cost shit.

Warren Wint gets introspective over some keys during “Out My Window” simply trying to survive around his parts livin’ to get by while “Triumph” by Bale & Neko Brim soulfully talks about this sounding like a victory lap to them. “Patterns” by Boldy James, Grafh & T.F. unites so each of them can describe livin’ like legitimate gangsters while the funky “Sliding” by B-Legit & LE$ talks about tying up anyone who tries to mess with their bread.

“Paisa” by El Nino switches up with a full-blown Latin rap song backed by a classy instrumental while “Yote Networkz” by Coyote makes up for it’s minute & a half brevity with both LadiesLoveGuapo & Ricky Blanco spitting aggressive verses in that matter of time. “Sushi” by Sirrealist & Starz Coleman prefers to peak out the window like Malcolm instead of turning the other cheek while the final bonus track is pretty much Win or Lose Records speaking “Straight from the Heart”.

Since both discs of Dis for the Project are finally in front of us now, it reveals itself to be an exciting double LP following up on Dough Networkz’ official debut Above Cloud Vision. I prefer the production that NoyOne & J.R. cooked up 6 years ago, except I appreciate the quality list of performers that he had to bring on board whether it be established veterans or some lesser-known names looking break down the wall of obscurity & get themselves out there.

Score: 3.5/5

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Icewear Vezzo – “Undefeated” review

This is a brand new EP from Detroit trap veteran & Iced Up Records founder Icewear Vezzo. For over a decade now after appearing on the studded “Detroit vs. Everybody” remix, this dude has been making waves locally by releasing the Rich Off Pints trilogy of LPs & over a dozen mixtapes. The previous tape Paint the City hosted by DJ Drama preluded his Quality Control Music debut album Live from the 6 celebrating it’s 1-year anniversary a little over a month ago & remains Undefeated after the sequel.

“Fuck the Internet” gets the door broken down with an ominous Detroit trap intro talking about refusing to chase trends whereas “Streets Ain’t the Same” samples “Regulate” by Warren G & the late Nate Dogg letting off his observations of shit changing in the hood & getting the actual Warren G himself on the remix. “Geeks” references WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin just before “Cake & Rice” pours up enough drank that can give him stomach aches during the evening.

Meanwhile on “Good to Me”, we have Vezzo talking about a woman who wants someone rich leading into “Worth Something” featuring Big Sean & Skilla Baby finding the trio making the whole block jump. “Minnesota” morbidly takes the wocky to the North Star State while “Richer Than I’ve Ever Been” featuring GT of course boasts their wealth. “Dumb Dumb” finishes by leaving the plug & coming right back since his packages be slapping.

It’s been 4 months since the Detroit trap star & IUR CEO celebrated his birthday by putting out a Live from the 6 successor that explored 6 Mile even further than the predecessor did & he warms up the streets for whatever has coming next by cooking up 9 tracks bringing along a few of the city’s biggest artists for the ride letting y’all into the way they be living over the Motor City’s unique take on trap music.

Score: 3.5/5

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Whitechapel – “Hymns in Dissonance” review

Whitechapel is a deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennesse consisting of drummer Brandon Zackey, lead guitarist Ben Savage, rhythm guitarist Alex Wade, the 3rd guitarist Zach Householder, bassist Gabe Crisp & frontman Phil Bozeman. They would later fit right in with Metal Blade Records following their debut The Somatic Defilement by putting out This is Exile, A New Era of Corruption, self-titled, Our Endless War & Mark of the Blade. Their last couple The Valley & Kin have proven to be their most acclaimed, returning after 6 years for the band’s 9th full-length studio LP.

“Prisoner 666” opens with this hellish deathcore intro bearing the number of the beast whereas the title track further integrates brutal palm-muted & tremolo-picked riffing, blast beat-focused drumming & guttural vocals with groovy breakdown sections coming to consume all the seas. “Diabolic Slumber” talks about life being a lie & suggesting that everyone meets their demise just before the lead single “A Visceral Reach” throws it back to The Somatic Defilement era.

After the “Ex Infernis” instrumental cut, “Hate Cult Ritual” begins the 2nd half revealing themselves as disciples of hate as well as rage & murder leading into “The Abysmal Gospel” talks about having a silver tongue continuing to fuse death metal & metalcore together. “Bedlam” reassures everyone listening that they’ll never be reborn descending towards the mouth of failure & doubt while “Mammoth God” talks about his greed growing strong. “Nothing’s Coming for Any of Us” ends with 1 more deathcore track revolving around nothing being real.

It’s really a sequel to This is Exile, but the band residing in the same city that made former 3-time WWE women’s world champion & 2-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair returns to their heavier roots prominently shown throughout their earlier material on Hymns in Dissonance following the story of a cultist who’s gathering worthy people to join his cult including moments in the storyline where the cult followers are singing an evil hymn to open a portal for the head cultist to enter. Some of the characteristics that made The Somatic Defilement so special notably seep their way throughout the dynamic, brutal musicality backing the compelling lyrical story.

Score: 4/5

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Ill Tone – “The Outcome” review

Ill Tone is a producer from Buffalo, New York known for his collaborations amongst the iconic underground labels Griselda Records, Drumwork Music Group & Black Soprano Family Records. His resume beyond that whole realm further includes the likes of Krayzie Bone & Project Pat, signing to B$F to put out an official debut album of his own through the local indie enterprise staying increasingly consistent with the output a week after Duffel Bag Hottie put out his new EP Shut Down the Dance Floor by recording his vocals through a prison phone.

After the Westside Gunn intro, the first song “Impossible” by Conway the Machine along with Jae Skeese & Rome Streetz fuses rap rock & boom bap doing what others thought couldn’t be done whereas the title track by Benny the Butcher ruggedly talks about his flow being unmatched when it is. “Supper Immaculate” by AZ & Elcamino doesn’t disappoint with its name since both of them kill it over some magnificent sampling & “Pick a Side” by Conway after the Ghostface Killah interlude talks about being either with them or against them.

Following the “Journey” skit, Benny gets another solo cut with “36oz & a Mercedes” discusses not being as humble as everyone else backed by this crooning soul sample just before “Raw Cain” by Elcamino reflects on the way things used to be for him back then. “The Mood” by Flee Lord & Gully talks about them holding it down for several blocks even if they don’t rule the world leading into “I See” by Elcamino & Player K soulfully promising the player shit coming with them when their time comes.

“Supreme Balla” by Elcamino & Smoke DZA brings a jazzy boom bap vibe to the table as both of them admitting that these weak MCs out here be pissing them off acting like they the shit when they’re gonna call them as they see them while “Punctuality” by The Black Abstract, Chase Fetti & Jae Skeese maintains the jazzily dusty flare talking about missing your future if you dwell on the past. “B.T.L.” by Elcamino, O.T. the Real & Stove God Cook$ ends with pure lyrical pressure from all 3 of them with some fresh ass sampling behind them.

Starring the deluxe run, “My Side of the Story” by Rick Hyde & Sule unites the pair to talk about the blood, sweat & tears that’ve led them to glory & no longer being ignored while “Colosseum Rap” by Elcamino & Fuego Base explains that this is for the men trying to get the bread & not for the suckas. The final bonus track “Kenny Solomon” by Jae Skeese & YoungstaCTP gets on some mobster shit instrumentally bridging the gap.

Showcasing the distinct sound of B$F that has drawn acclaim from critics & fans alike, Ill Tone’s full-length debut studio LP will easily stand until December as one of if not the best producer album that has come out in 2025 because the hard-hitting verses from a near-flawless list of guests over the Buffalo beatsmith’s dynamic production balancing boom bap, drumless, chipmunk soul, jazz rap & rap rock remain consistently aggressive from start to finish.

Score: 4/5

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