Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” review

Toronto, Ontario, Canada rapper, singer/songwriter, actor, producer & entrepreneur Drake taking a break from his ongoing lawsuit against Republic Records’ parent company Universal Music Group for the 5-time Grammy winning Kendrick Lamar single “Not Like Us” spreading a “false & malicious narrative” when he was actually getting destroyed in a rap beef to do a collaborative LP with local singer/songwriter, rapper & producer PARTYNEXTDOOR in time for Valentine’s Day. One of whom is a pop rap star getting his start as an actor before becoming a Lil Wayne protégé signing to Young Money Entertainment/Cash Money Records over 15 years ago & the other was the very first artist OVO Sound ever signed. Take Care & If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late will always stand as Drake’s best full-length studio album & mixtape respectively with PND’s strongest material to me being his eponymous debut EP & the sequel debut album PARTYNEXTDOOR 2. The idea of $ome $exy $ongs 4 U doesn’t sound too far off since we’ve heard these 2 together on plenty of songs in the past like “Over Here” & “Preach”, it’s that Sony Music will notably be putting it out since I want to clarify for those confused that OVO as a label signed a new distribution deal with Sony last year & Drake has been on Republic as a solo artist since his YMCMB days seemingly trying to get out of his deal with everything going on.

“CN Tower” produced by Noel Cadastre expresses their feelings for their significant others through the colors of Toronto’s most popular tourist attraction over a moody instrumental shares concerns about their lovers’ thoughts whereas “Moth Balls” feels more like a Drake song with PND on the hook talking about being unable to get the smell outta their clothes. “$omething About You” psychedelically finds the 2 thinkin’ of lovin’ their partners all the way like nothin’ is holdin’ them back that is until the 2-parter “Crying in Chanel” stands as first of 6 Drake solo cuts feeling like an Honestly, Nevermind outtake.

PARTYNEXTDOOR links up with his mentor again on “$pider-Man $uperman” telling the women in their lives to admit that they wish both artists could save them over some guitar like while the only PND solo joint “Deeper” tells his girl to chill because he feels like he hasn’t been loving her properly rather get it right than wrong tonight. Drake pops back in for the woozy “Small Town Fame” talking about his girl having a brat summer & “Pimmie’s Dilemma” by Pim serves more as an acoustic interlude.

“Brian Steel” by Drake takes the trap route instrumentally publicly thanking YSL Records founder Young Thug’s lawyer of the same name for helping Big Slime come home last Halloween after the ridiculous R.I.C.O. case just before “Gimme a Hug” is another Drake solo cut reuniting with Gordo behind the boards responding to Ye formerly known as Kanye West saying that Kendrick eliminated in him in their beef when he really did & the questionable line “Fuck all rap beef, I’m trying to get the party lit. Trying to get the party lit for the bitches”. He even references 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 Hulk Hogan.

The penultimate & 3rd consecutive Drake solo joint “Raining in Houston” gets on the 2-parter vibes once more a bit talking about chilling with the guys on a Friday evening & arguing on a rainy day in H-Town itself while “Lasers” marks the return of PARTYNEXTDOOR singing about staring at their lovers’ tattoos during intercourse. “Meet Your Padre” horrifically shows a bit of a Latin influence drinking like it’s Friday on a Sunday & the final Drake solo cut “Nokia” easily sticks out as the most hideous of the 6, later becoming the official theme song of the WWE’s inaugural ESPN pay-per-view Wrestlepalooza V.

Jordan Ullman of Majid Jordan saves one of the more interesting beats for “Die Trying” has even if it feels like another Drake song with PND on the hook unable to decide if he should stay or leave with the woman he has in mind specifically while “Somebody Loves Me” featuring Cash Cobain on the remix sings about turning up in Miami knowing their special someone is out there. “Celibacy” is pretty much an R&B equivalent to “Life is Good” by Future which Drake is featured on while “OMW” works in synths & hi-hats getting calls from the condo to pick their partners up.

The song “Glorious” again feels like another Drake track featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR on the hook to kick off the encore of $ome $exy $ongs 4 U telling this woman to fuck him like she really means it while “When He’s Gone” that Internet Money Records in-house producer Niketaz laced finds the 2 hitting on women who’ve recently broken up with their previous boyfriends wanting them to call them once their exes leave. “Greedy” rounds out the collab project we should’ve gotten a decade ago with them talking about being gluttonous for love.

Don’t wanna come off as biased here because I still tend to enjoy Drake’s music from 2007-2015 & even For All the Dogs although “First Person Shooter” hasn’t really aged well. Point is: “euphoria” as an attack on Drake’s authenticity & personal image even naming itself after the Warner Bros. owned HBO show that Drake is the executive producer of currently preparing for their 3rd & final season has been proven to be the case considering John River claiming that the artwork concept was stolen from him & Bootleg Kev confirming the $ome $exy $ongs 4 U title was taken from Freddie Gibbs’ final Warner Records album $oul $old $eparately not to say that’s why I’m not a fan of the music on here. Feels dated.

Score: 2/5

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unConventionAl KingZ – “UKMF (AZ2KC)” review

The unConventionAl KingZ are a duo from Phoenix, Arizona consisting of High Deafinician & Lowkey tha Wizard known for their unique fusions of hip hop, rock music, country music & funk music. They appeared on The Bootleg Kev Podcast around this time a year ago to kick a freestyle that was so dope, that Strange Music founders Tech N9ne & Travis O’Guin signed the duo to their It Goes Up Entertainment subsidiary for their official full-length debut album following a total of 6 singles.

“Kingmaker” produced by Lowkey tha Wizard is a rap rock intro letting everyone listening know as to who the fuck they are whereas “I’m Down” takes a funkier vibe instrumentally talking about being down for whatever. “Round Me” featuring Taebo tha Truth finds the trio getting together to tell those who have negative energy they can hit the bricks whilst elevating while “Run Away” gets goes rap rock once again talking about making a runaway.

Mario Casalini brings a more playful vibe to “Up, Up & Away” showing a boastful side to the duo lyrically just before “Shadows” featuring Joey Cool & Lex Bratcher shows the rap rock influences once more talking about a free woman you can find in every city. “Ashes in the Wind” passionately maintains the fusion of hip hop & rock expressing the plans that were previously made burning, but then “Mexico” blends country rock & rap homaging the country it’s named after.

“Brown Skin Cowgirl” keeps the sounds of the previous cut in tact talking about the type of woman who’ll drive you wild while “Feeling Me” wanting to know why certain people can’t keep it real with either one of them. “Enemy Lines” asks who exactly does everyone else think they’re fucking with while the trap-rock hybrid “Execution” featuring Big Doobie & Tech N9ne talks about no one being able to handle the death of the condemned.

King Iso appears for “Iron Addicts (The Anthem)” venturing beyond rap rock in favor of rap metal as the trio pretty much give a middle finger to the concept of rehabilitation while “I’m Free” featuring X-Raided talks about the trio each having a strong sense of freedom. “We the People” featuring Lex Bratcher & Wrekonize points out not knowing what tomorrow brings watching out for evil while “U.S.A.” salutes those who’ve fought for our country whether it be past or present.

“Hustlin’” soulfully shows off the KingZ’ continuous grind referencing 10-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion, United Football League (UFL) co-owner, TKO Group Holdings board of directors member & $7 Productions co-founder The Rock who appeared on the developmental NXT brand’s New Year’s Evil V last month while “W.A.D.S.A.N. (Work All Day, Smoke All Night)” featuring New Oracle talks about the relatable theme of keepin’ it movin’ & getting stoned at the beginning & end of each day. The song “Mary Jane” shows appreciation for marijuana over a trap rock instrumental while “The Way It Goez” talks about the industry turning friends into foes. “On My Mind” concludes the LP by melodically admitting they didn’t think they’d get this far.

It totally makes sense for a group as unique as the unConventionAl KingZ to sign with It Goes Up Entertainment & Strange Music because UKMF (AZ2KC) captures their whole style stronger than their Bootleg Kev freestyle did. Their production shows influences of all 4 genres that helped their name grow bigger in the underground, both past & present Strange Music artists all fit in with the duo fluidly & their songwriting makes their case as a dominant force in Arizona hip hop.

Score: 4/5

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Brother Ali – “Satisfied Soul” review

Here we have the 9th studio LP from Minneapolis, Minnesota activist & battle emcee Brother Ali. Exploding within the underground off his 2003 sophomore effort Shadows in the Sun & of course his 2007 follow-up The Undisputed Truth, he would continue this string of acclaimed releases with Us as well as the Jake One-produced Mourning in America & Dreaming in Color and All the Beauty in This Whole Life. Can’t forget to mention Ali’s debut EP Champion, his debut mixtape Left in the Deck or the Evidence-produced Secrets & Escapes either. His 4th EP Brother Minutester marked his departure from Rhymesayers Entertainment after nearly 2 decades, reuniting with Ant on Mello Music Group for Satisfied Soul almost a year after Love & Service.

The title track is a rap rock intro showing confidence of himself being the only one who can injure himself whereas “Deep Cuts” hooks up some pianos to talk about it always being love from his end calling God the eternal & everlasting. “Higher Learning at the Skyway” brings the guitars back in the equation wanting to make sure one’s speaking the lexicon just before the gospel-influenced “Drum” talks about gathering around the instrumental like a campfire.

Meanwhile on “The Counts”, we have Ant keeping it a little funky so Ali can address those who stay ready to count him out whenever they get the chance to do so leading into “Cast Aside” talking about being unable to describe having too much to say. “Ocean of Rage” kinda has a jazzy boom bap vibe letting y’all know to catch him by the moonlight letting the cool breeze through, but then “Under the Stars” explains you can’t do what you want when nobody wants you.

“Personal” goes for a more stripped back approach trying not to take shit personally & letting you be the first to know if he ever changes while “2 Dudes” brings the pianos back in the fold getting distracted by the city lights in an effort to navigate correctly. “Better But Us” soulfully talks about things improving other than a relationship where he & his partner fight & fuss while “Name of the One” talks about praise getting raised in the rays of the sun.

As for “Immortalized”, the pianos seep in once more calling himself an authorized street preacher while “Head Heart Hands” talks about getting all 3 of those parts of him right. The summery “Mysterious Things” sounds observes the enigma of human beings while the song “Handwriting” talks about seeing his impossible dreams become reality. “Sing Myself Whole” ends Ali’s debut with MMG showing his singing chops feeling all alone.

If the Rhymesayers mainstay’s gonna make himself at home with Mello Music Group going forward, then what a way to make his debut on the label. Ant’s production feels like a sonic mosaic of dusty drums, warm vinyl crackle & ghostly rhythms that feel like they’ve been pulled from the deep pockets of America’s forgotten record shops to make room for Brother Ali’s thought provoking, spiritual lyrics full of jagged self-reflection & unflinching critique rooted in hope & defiance.

Score: 4.5/5

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Napoleon da Legend – “F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds)” review

French-American veteran Napoleon da Legend wasting no time on his 30th studio LP. Heads in the underground should already be familiar with him due to the lengthy discography that he’s built up for himself for nearly the past decade including Coup D’État, it’s sequel, Street Universe, Dragon Ball G, the Sicknature-produced Colossus of GOATs, Buckets or the DJ D-Styles-produced Invincibl Rap Mislz & the DJ Rhettmatic-produced Legmatic. He & JR Swiftz came together on the outstanding Great Minds last month, bringing Giallo in the fold again on F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds).

“Chasing Shadows” ominously kicks off Napoleon’s 2nd body of work this year by talking about being on the verge of doing something drastic whereas “Life or Death” featuring Jay Royale finds the pair talking about this being survival of the fittest. “That Ain’t It” keeps it in the basement to break down the concept of hustling on the daily prior to “Welcome 2 the Theater” featuring Ghost Machine working in some strings referencing 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, アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン & The Crash’s inaugural Mundial Pesocompleto Campeon Rey Mysterio.

Invisible Handz joins Napoleon for the drumless “Unforgiving” talking about the game never being fair from what they understand & their former opps ain’t breathing no more leading into “No Morals” returning to the boom bap suggesting that conscious hip hop & gangsta rap are the same other than being packaged differently. “Doing What I Gotta Do” speaks of one doing what has to be done in order to get by, but then “Nesquik” eerily talks about making everyone take Ls quickly.

“Solar Opposites” featuring Eloh Kush finds the 2 including a reference to SpaceX founded by Tesla CEO, Neuralink founder & Nazi Elon Musk while “Motivation” hollowly talks about everyone having it if it was much easier. Sunez Allah teams up with Napoleon on the title track so they can explain one always being wounded by following lies while the piano-driven “Peace” talks sitting back & counting his stacks.

Nejma Nefertiti appears for “Presume the Unpredictable” to get the final moments of F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds) calling themselves the deadliest you’ve ever seen on the mic from the womb to the tomb & the closing track “Marathon” completes the 2nd consecutive classic in Napoleon’s catalog within 2 months tackling the Japanese philosophy of having 3 faces.

Exactly 4 weeks after Great Minds marked the halfway point of the first month of this year, Napoleon gets back with another album maintaining the high quality underground hip hop that it’s predecessor & even Legmatic achieved. Giallo Point’s production is on par with JR Swiftz’ & although I will say I wasn’t as big on the features since I preferred the couplet of guests last time, I appreciate Napoleon warning everyone of the consequences that come with following lies.

Score: 4.5/5

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Sleep Lyrical – “Broken Hearts on My Face 2” review

Tampa, Florida emcee Sleep Lyrical making his Dirtcore Music debut with his 3rd studio LP. Known for his M.S.B.K. series of mixtapes, he discography further includes the Watch Me Work EP followed by the debut album The 12th Hour & the sophomore effort Broken Hearts on My Face. Coming off M.S.B.K. 6 last summer, Sleep’s looking to switch it up by giving the underground what they ain’t used to hearing from him getting a lot off his chest throughout the course of Broken Hearts on My Face 2 coinciding Valentine’s Day.

After the intro, the first song “Stay a While” produced by Crossworm is a somber trap opener suggesting that you shouldn’t be making any promises to him if you’re gonna fold whereas “Dealing With” featuring Senorita Sin finds the 2 talking about making it through this rough patch. “Trying Not to Fall” soulfully fights against the fog in an effort of saving his shine just before “Ease My Mind” get rid of the pain by smoking it all away.

“Back To” shows more of a hyphy influence instrumentally talking about initially thinking he was done dealing with all these broken hearts leading into “Hole in My Heart” talks about focusing on himself & still falling apart. “Circles” goes for a trap vibe to the beat feel like he’s moving around in circles some days, but then “Mission by Myself” eerie talks about being alone with his thoughts.

As for “Might Go Crazy”, we have Sleep Lyrical openly discussing the possibility of him losing his mind that’s already on the brink of sanity while the syrupy “Insignificant” shows a romantic side to him. The song “Fight” featuring Samson Samson gets aggressive over a dusty boom bap instrumental while the trap-rock fusion “Roll Alone” talks about rollin’ by himself. “Let Me Down” wraps up his Dirtcore debut talking bout the only thing he needs is his partner next to him.

The homie Rone Bone of The Beneath the Dirt Podcast was the one who put me into Sleep Lyrical several years ago & for his first album on Dirtcore Music, the sequel to Broken Hearts on My Face surpasses it’s predecessor. A personal catharsis, Sleep works through the trauma of betrayal, the death of his ex & the closure he never got from years of toxicity over some of the strongest production that I’ve ever heard him on.

Score: 4.5/5

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Twiztid – “Welcome to Your Funeral” review

Detroit, Michigan’s demented duo & Astronomicon founders Twiztid finally linking up with Rob Zombie’s engineer Zeuss for their 17th studio LP & the official Unlikely Prescription sequel. Consisting of Jamie Madrox & Monoxide, both of whom originally started out as part of the House of Krazees alongside their childhood friend The R.O.C. in 1992 before their initial disbandment 5 years later. Almost immediately after, the Insane Clown Posse took Jamie & Mono under their wings by signing them to Psychopathic Recordsas who they’re known as today. They would become the label’s 2nd biggest act being their mentors off projects like Mostasteless, Freek Show, Mirror Mirror, The Green Book, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day & Abominationz. Shortly after the latter was released, Twiztid left Psychopathic to form Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2014. Since then they’ve released 7 albums & 9 EPs on their own label, my favorites of which being /ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/ & even their last full-length Glyph. They made their full-blown rock debut Unlikely Prescription in 2021 to mixed reception & are celebrating Juggalo Weekend by putting out the long-awaited successor Welcome to Your Funeral.

“like we’re gunna die” breaks the door down with this intense rap rock opener living every day of their lives as if it could potentially be their last whereas “i don’t need this” gets a little heavier talking about something killing them. “fed up” couldn’t have been a more perfect lead single to get the rollout going welcoming everyone to the underground hip hop scene ahead of the angsty “leave the world” watching the world burn this evening.

Meanwhile on “the wake”, we have Twiztid over some synths & guitars confessing that they don’t feel like the solutions to their unfixable problems exist in any way shape or form just before last year’s Fright Fest single “inside out” brings back the rap rock vibes observing the hidden anger in everyone. “light the way” heavily talks about their moods changing as if it’s altitudes, but then “let me go” angrily expresses their frustration with all the bullshit.

“plastic” begins the encore of Welcome to Your Funeral with both Jamie & Mono taking about feeling like neither one of them belong anywhere while “dance on my grave” vents over the ghosts that haunt their brains, hearing the prayers of the ones who cannot be saved & finding a way for them to get their minds rights. “thunder from the sky” concludes the LP on a nu metal note talking about the understanding of life having it’s ways of kicking you down & “fyd” was this heavy bonus cut explaining their minds got them looking for their souls.

Twiztid has always had rock songs in their discography like “Darkness” & “Familiar”, that’s no question about that except Unlikely Prescription catered to more of a mainstream alt-rock sound. Welcome to Your Funeral on the contrary, I can genuinely say that it’s what Unlikely Prescription should’ve been. Zeuss’ production has a predominant nu metal sound that I absolutely can’t get enough of, Twiztid’s rapping more & the subject matter gets on the wicked shit.

Score: 4.5/5

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Westside Gunn – “Hitler Wears Hermes XII” review

Buffalo, New York emcee, songwriter, entrepreneur, curator & now professional wrestling promoter after forming the 4th Rope independent circuit promotion Westside Gunn continuing the Hitler Wears Hermes series with his 12th mixtape & the 12th installment overall. Proving his legend status & that he’s to be a force to be reckoned with all in nearly a decade whether it be running one of the hottest hip hop labels in recent memory to his first 2 full-lengths FLYGOD & Supreme Blientele. Initially set to come last month, the 12th chapter is here ahead of joint pay-per-view between 4th Rope & Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) called For the Culture taking place in Las Vegas during the same weekend as WWE’s WrestleMania XLI live on the Comcast Corporation subsidiary NBCUniversal streaming service peacock.

After the “Michelle World” intro, the first song “Boswell” featuring Estee Nack & Stove God Cook$ is this 5-minute boom bap opener dropping hardcore lyricism including a reference to the current ROH World Tag Team Champion & ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champion Dustin Rhodes leading The Sons of Texas faction in AEW/ROH over a sample provided by Denny LaFlare whereas “Adam Page” featuring Stove God named after the former AEW World Champion, AEW World Tag Team Champion & 2-time ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champion who became more over after his feud with former AEW World Champion, AEW World Tag Team Champion, CZW World Heavyweight Champion, CZW Wired TV Champion, 3-time DEFY World Champion, DEFY Tag Team Champion, Evolve Champion, MLW World Heavyweight Champion & NXT North American Champion Swerve Strickland talks about being crazy rich these days.

“Veert” by Estee Nack & Stove hops over a drumless piano instrumental from Daringer to showcase their skills the soulful “055” demands you praise West & Stove. “Health Science” featuring Brother Tom Sos that the homie CG slickly laced lets off shots to the head as if it’s personal leading into Brother Tom Sos sticking around for “Gumbo Yaya” having somewhat over a funkier vibe to the beat talking about them living it & having it for a grip. “East Miami” featuring Estee Nack strips the drums again to portray the gangsta lifestyle for 4 & a half minutes just before “Bury Me with a Stove” featuring Estee Nack gives their flowers to former 4-time WWE world champion, WWE United States Champion & CWA Heavyweight Champion Sid Eudy.

The only single “Outlander” finds Rick Hyde’s son & Benny the Butcher’s nephew Myles behind the boards interestingly hitting the backend of the 12th installment of the Hitler Wears Hermes saga referencing the late WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion & 2-time WCW World Television Champion “Rowdy” Roddy Piper showing some jazzier influences this time around prior to the drumless “Dump World” featuring Stove God Cook$ taking shots at those who failed at throwing dirt on their names.

Hitler Wears Hermes XI last Devil’s Night was a huge indication that the infamous series can carry on right when everyone initially thought Hitler Wears Hermes X would be the end of it & if anything, Hitler Wears Hermes XII feels more like a sequel to Peace FLYGOD other than both of Brother Tom Sos’ appearances primarily because of Estee Nack & Stove God Cook$ being featured all over it like they were on Peace FLYGOD in addition to the strong production during the 43 & a half minutes.

Score: 3.5/5

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Action Figure 973 – “JxllyB & Blunts” review

Belleville, New Jersey emcee/producer Action Figure 973 reuniting with Queens, New York producer Wulverine for his 5th EP. Introducing himself off the UFO Over City Music beat tape followed by a couple solo mixtapes & the last 4 EPs he’s put out, I should further mention that the beatsmith from Act-Lo’s neighboring state has fully produced Luchadors Going Platinum Was Destined to Come & it’s sequel Luchadors Going Diamond Was Destined to Come the previous year respectively.

“Outside” opens with a reference to both 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 & known racist Hulk Hogan and former 7-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE tag team champion, 5-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart whereas “Fuck Bill Goldberg” featuring Ricky Mapes & the homie 100GrandRoyce disses the WWE Hall of Famer, former 4-time WWE world champion, WWE United States Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion of the same name.

Book$ joins Action Figure 973 for “Coke & a Smile” to reference former 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, JCW World Juggalo Tag Team Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, TNA Hall of Famer, WWE United States Champion 5-time WWE tag team champion & 26-time WWE Hardcore Champion Raven’s former valet Beulah McGillicutty taking piledrivers from her husband in former 2-time アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン, 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, 3-time ECW World Tag Team Champion, TNA Digital Media Champion & 14-time WWE Hardcore Champion Tommy Dreamer.

“Mets vs. Sox” featuring Chyna Baejing strips the drums so both of them can talk about treating hip hop as if it’s a martial art & after the “Smoke Break” skit, the final song “1 Night in Sue” officially wraps up JxllyB & Blunts with a drumless guitar instrumental putting the Belleville luchador’s storytelling abilities on full display breaking down an encounter he had with a woman of the same name & admitting that he hasn’t been getting out much as of late because of him spending time in the studio continuing the everlasting hustle.

As a 90’s baby who got into professional wrestling during the Ruthless Aggression Era a little over 2 decades ago already & a hip hop head for as long as I can remember, Action Figure 973’s potential as a lyricist is undeniably bright & compared to the last couple EPs that he had Wulverine fully produce for him, JxllyB & Blunts leaves me torn with slightly more highs & lows. I don’t mind the boom bap/drumless production or Act-Lo’s lyricism, but the guests’ performances don’t really do the same aside from 100GrandRoyce.

Score: 3/5

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Fat Ray – “Food From the Gods” review

Detroit, Michigan veteran Fat Ray returning after 4 years for his 4th album. A member of the trio B.R. Gunna alongside Black Milk & Young RJ, he would eventually go solo in 2008 by dropping the criminally slept-on The Set Up, but it wouldn’t be until a full decade later when it was followed with both The Lunch Room mixtape & then his sophomore effort Perseus. Santa Barbera proved to be the strongest since his debut & he’s taking it back to where it all began on Food From the Gods.

After the “From the Gods” intro, the first song “Elderberry” starts with a trippy boom bap instrumental wanting to know how to sow & reap whereas “Talcum” psychedelically talks about having that powder. “Cane” featuring Guilty Simpson works in a guitar sample to warn that you’ll get popped for playin’ with them, but then “Just Say No” featuring Danny Brown fuses jazz rap & drumless together cautioning that this ain’t chess.

“Double It” continues the sampling boasting that he’s been doubling up while “Franky Lymon” featuring Bruiser Wolf atmospherically talks about who these hoes think they are. “El Hongo (The Mushroom)” explains that you either fight or fly heading for a rap rock vibe just before the orchestral “Stash” talks about cashing ruling. The final song “Gotta Know” ahead of the “Daily Bread” outro charismatically shows off his brilliance to finish his best album since his debut.

Over 15 years after Black Milk helped cook up Ray’s acclaimed debut, they get back together for a successor that show’s how much both of them have grown since then. Granted that Food From the Gods can be quirky sometimes, it’s mostly a grimey sonic ride through the streets of the Motor City with raw tales told through the lens of the ever so sharp & witty standout of the Bruiser Brigade crew.

Score: 4.5/5

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G-Mo Skee – “The Toast Tape” review

Richmond, California lyricist G-Mo Skee remembering his dog Toast on the 1-year anniversary of his death with his 4th EP. Emerging as a member of the trio Stampede & later the Inf Gang. He would drop 2 official mixtapes Got Filth & Got Filth II: The Great Adventures of G-Mo independently before Twiztid signed him to Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2016. His full-length debut My Filthy Spirit Bomb coming out that same winter to significant acclaim, but I personally think G’s sophomore effort Chaly & the Filth Factory is his best work so far because of it’s incredible concept & the instrumentals accompanying it (mostly handled by former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7). The Filth Element commemorated his 30th birthday by proving that he didn’t need MNE, returning to The Dojo for 8 Bit Filth II: Hero Hunter & Filth City produced by Stu Bangas. Ahead of Huckleberry Filth however, The Toast Tape gives a taste of what to expect from it as Astronomicon approaches in a couple months.

“The Story of Toast” talks about the untimely death of his dog Toast turning him into a whole new person over a lo-fi boom bap instrumental whereas “Ghost Dog” samples the “Song of Healing from The Legend of Zelda games Majora’s Mask & Twilight Princess telling Toast his sprit lives on in his heart & mind. “Slide 4 Toast” flips Twinrova’s theme from the iconic Ocarina in Time game getting in his gangsta rap bag looking for smoke & sliding for his beloved dog, but then “The Gates” ends the EP opening up about sneaking off to cry & mourn Toast’s passing a month after his death.

G-Mo is known to be a huge fan of The Legend of Zelda franchise & sampled video games numerous times on both installments of the 8 Bit Filth series of EPs, but I actually enjoy The Toast Tape more than either entries in the 8 Bit Filth saga since the lyrics in only 14 minutes recaps the past year since Toast was taken way too soon remembering & mourning his best friend only days after his 10th birthday. Huckleberry Filth is said to be G at his most personal & if anything, The Toast Tape is only an appetizer.

Score: 4.5/5

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