Z-Ro – “Call Me Rother” review

Here we have the 27th full-length studio LP from Houston, Texas emcee, singer/songwriter & 1 Deep Entertainment founder Z-Ro. A member of the Screwed Up Click collective, he’s been holding it down for 3 decades already whether it be the Rap-A-Lot Records debut & my personal favorite in his discography The Life of Joseph W. McVey or his output as part of the Guerilla Maab & later the duo ABN. He dropped The Ghetto Gospel earlier this spring & fast forward 9 months later, he’s coming back telling everyone to Call Me Rother.

After the “Geto Boys Reloaded” intro, the first song “Charging” is this trap opener talking about it living life on the grind & getting his every single time whereas “Kingz” maintains a vainglorious trap vibe instrumentally rather keeping it peaceful when it’s anything but. “Live My Dreams” featuring Slim Thug keeps it rollin’ by talking about wanting to build shit with their cliques prior to “Side Dicc” gets back in the trap tip showing a sensual side to him.

“No Ice” mixes elements of dirty south & trap refusing to let anyone else sip with him admitting that he’s drunk as fuck already leading into the hypnotic trap joint “Paybacc” talks about getting his lick back & owing someone an ass-whoopin’ out of pure vengeance. “Vandross” produced by N.O. Joe boasts that he’s the young Luther Vandross & asking for everyone to keep their hands off while the guitar-driven trap joint “My People” makes a plea for everyone in his life believing it’s time for us all to come together.

As for “Log On”, we have Z-Ro over a moody trap beat finding all the haters runnin’ their lips whenever he turns around assuming that the circus is in his city with all these clowns just before “Love in These Streets” talks about his legacy out in the city that made him. “Rother” has a cool interpolation of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins on the hook not shrugging off his detractors while “Him” featuring Cee-Lo Green is another favorite from the Cory Mo instrumental to the boastful lyricism.

“Neva 4get” reaches the encore of Call Me Rother by hooking up an acoustic guitar & hi-hats with an occasional saxophone bringing all his guns for a specific individual promising that he’ll be a muhfucka that one won’t ever forget of going forward while “Motion” talks about having the very thing that a lot of these other people out here are severely lacking in. The closer “Die” wraps up his 2nd offering of 2024 by pondering where he’ll actually end up going in the afterlife.

Z-Ro’s recent output has ranged from the potent introspection of No Love Boulevard to the mediocrity of SäDISM & for his 2nd album this year, I happen to like it more than the predecessor. The production has improved, there are lesser guest appearances in comparison & he seems to be more comfortable playing the villain in your story this time around.

Score: 3.5/5

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Chuckklez – “Horrors from the Unstable” review

Here we have the sophomore effort from San Jose, California emcee Chuckklez. Emerging on Halloween of 2018 with the full-length debut A Mind of Evilness, he would later sign to Lyrikal Snuff Productionz & I even got to meet him in person at Fright Fest a couple years back. For his official LSP debut however, he’s tapping in with DJ Ill Sprite to produce Horrors from the Unstable in it’s entirety & putting it out on Friday the 13th to coincide with labelmate Mikahl Lawless’ own sophomore effort The Snuff Gremlin.

After the intro, the first song “Welcome to the Carnevil” is a grim trap opener giving y’all a glimpse of the horror show whereas “The Eater of Worlds” further emphasizes a heinous atmosphere instrumentally making people’s blood curl with the sickness. “Bloody Chainsaw” gives me a bombastic trap vibe to the beat likening himself to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre antagonist Leatherface just before “I See Dead People” featuring Razakel finds the 2 unable to get the images of corpses out their heads.

“A Scary Story” keeps it going by admitting that the sins of his life feel like they were ripped right out of a horror flick surrounded by hatred & vengeance while “Don’t Sleep” heinously talks about everyone looking at a bastard of 100 maniacs promising to reveal who the real face of horror is. “Furious & Dangerous” has some cool Memphis undertones simultaneously experiencing feelings of both fury & peril, but then “Gore Hounds” featuring Doc Gruesome & Donnie Menace goes trap metal comparing themselves to vicious dogs.

Sinizter joins Chuckklez on “Let the Bodies Burn” screaming over trap production that they want to see all y’all go up in flames after throwing a molotov while “Murder All the Time” pulls from trap metal once again talking about going on killing sprees. “The Last Laugh” is this organ-trap hybrid flexing the very thing that he gets in the end while “Darker Side” featuring Kung Fu Vampire finds the 2 talking about how they’ll never see it coming when the darker sides of themselves get reintroduced.

“Going Mental” angrily boasts that he’ll murder any instrumental that comes his way while the bass-heavy “Possessed Mode” featuring Bloody Ruckus talks about being possessed by demons. “Crime Scene” featuring VLNC is another trap metal cut with them catching bodies while “Hell’z Bells” takes us a trip to the fiery depths of eternal Hell itself. “Nameless Grave” ends the LP with a 5 minute closer pleading his headstone to be left nameless to hide his shame.

The LSP roster has been experiencing an exponential growth in recent years & Chuckklez’ follow-up to A Mind of Evilness surpasses it’s predecessor by amplifying everything that makes him right at home with the Denver gore hop powerhouse. DJ Ill Sprite’s production is a refinement of the San Jose emcee’s debut 6 years ago, the features are mostly on point & Chuckklez himself puts his Horrors from the Unstable on full display.

Score: 4/5

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Paul Wall – “Once Upon a Grind” review

Houston, Texas emcee, DJ & businessman Paul Wall returning with his 15th full-length studio LP. An affiliate of Swishahouse Entertaimment & a co-founder of The Color Changin’ Click, his 2005 sophomore effort albeit major label debut The People’s Champpropelled him as an H-Town veteran & has since been steadily dropping music whether it be Bounce Backs Over Setbacks becoming the best album of his from the previous decade to the mixed reception of The Great Wall last winter. Ahead of the latter’s 1-year anniversary this weekend, he’s got a story to tell Once Upon a Grind.

“Woke Up a Millionaire” produced by DJ Fresh perfectly starts with a spacious beat talking about how amazing it is the way he be stackin’ up his paper whereas “Platinum Playa” fuses Mobb & trap flexing his aptly titled status. “I Get Down” takes the ominous trap route instrumentally dedicating this one to all the go-getters listening worldwide just before “Can’t Talk, Chasing a Check” featuring Lil’ Keke & Slim Thug finds the trio tryna collect paychecks refusing to chit chat.

As for “All Money Good”, we have Paul heading for a soulful trap direction letting it be known that all kinds of money around his parts is good money as far as he’s concerned leading into “Way 2 Wet” reconnects with DJ Fresh once more for an anthem built his candy-painted whip. “Swang Down” featuring Z-Ro shoots for a laidback approach advising the soldiers to slowly do exactly that, but then “All Night” is another DJ Fresh banger getting what’s his throughout the whole evening.

“Underground Ambassador” featuring Berner, Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Rich the Factor & Termanology starts the encore of Once Upon a Grind with a nearly 5 minute posse cut while “Pocket Fulla Money” brings the Mobb flare from earlier back in the equation talking about his pockets being swole. “Run to the Money” featuring Yung Al sees the pair getting in that mode soon as they hop out of bed & “Love 4 Rent” sends it all off spreading the word of money being unable to buy love.

Once Upon a Grind redeems Paul Wall from the mixed reception of it’s predecessor almost 365 days ago & I’ll even make the argument that it’s the most I’ve enjoyed a solo effort from him in quite a while. It’s more well-produced, the guests’ performances stick the landing for the most part & Paul himself coming off more focused all culminates in this 41 minute LP that he conceived out of love for the very city that made him.

Score: 3.5/5

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Autumn! – “##B4B2MR” review

Louisiana rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Autumn! preluding Back 2 My Roots with his 22nd EP. Gaining traction off all 21 of his previous EPs & a full-length debut on SoundCloud since 2018 prior to signing to Victor Victor Worldwide & Republic Records following the Not Much Left EP, he made his major label debut nearly 2 years ago with his sophomore effort Antagonist! as well as following it up with the last 2 installments of the Golden Child trilogy & Midnight Club. Wick just delivered a sequel to Solitary in the spring & You Never Was Mine over the summer, but is surprise-dropping ##B4B2MR ahead of the main course.

“Something New!” starts with a psychedelic, self-produced plugg intro talking about not doing any 9-5s since his money be ridin’ tryna show his girl some new shit while “Laws of Power!” works in some synthesizers to talk about 10 rules that he lives by daily. “Both Ways!” heads for a cloudy trap direction instrumentally likening his hoes to Cullinan doors since they’re bisexual flexing that he’s still talkin’ hot & “Did It Again!” finishes the EP by keeping it atmospheric promising that this is only the beginning for him.

Wick’s last couple offerings Solitary 2 & You Was Never Mine were both welcomed to mixed feedback having less of a plugg emphasis to them focusing more on pop rap, trap & Chicago drill containing highlights that demonstrate his artistic range. However considering Back 2 My Roots’ title & the prominent plugg direction he goes for on this prelude, these are huge indications that Autumn!’s next body of work will mark a return to form to the sound that blew him up.

Score: 3.5/5

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Pro Dillinger – “Dirtwave 2” review

This is the 8th full-length studio LP from Haverstraw, New York emcee Pro Dillinger. A member of the Umbrella collective as well as 1/2 of The Steiner Brothers, he has released a total of 5 mixtapes along with his last 7 albums & even 7 EPs. Favorites include the Finn-produced debut Pray for My Prey, the Machacha-produced Dirt Don’t Hurt, his 3rd EP MOSFoul, the Sting vs. Flair collab EP with Mickey Diamond & the Steiner Brothers’ eponymous debut. Dirty Work celebrated it’s 1-year anniversary earlier this summer & the dirtiest of the Umbrella brought Sean Kelly back to handle production for Reasonable Dirt much like Forever Foul & more recently the Futurewave produced Dirtwave becoming his most acclaimed work to date. Keeping the latter in mind, both parties are now getting back together for a sequel.

“Heavy Heart” sets the tone with this cutthroat boom bap opener talking about how everyone else can’t ball with him & the rest of his squad whereas “Play the Game” works in more kicks & snare cautioning that the smoke’s gonna bide up. “Outside” featuring Shordie brings the pair together over an uncanny instrumental telling us what it’s like where both of them come from, but then “Stay Moving” passionately advises to keep it pushing.

Eto joins Pro Dillinger on “Honourable Activities” warns that your best friend could actually be your enemy in disguise & to never snooze while “New Sneakers” returns to the boom bap figuring out where to return the shots that were sent his way. “Mind My Business” somberly addresses those skating around the noise instead of not being there for it just before “Church Socks” featuring Bub Styles & Chubby God delivers a 3-minute hardcore joint.

“Bigger Picture” properly sets the tone of Dirtwave 2’s final moments hopping over this groovy beat to talk about the game being full of pussies this day in age calling the whole block broke since they ain’t chasing paper & “Pray 2 God” wraps it up with this drumlessly cloudy loop praying to the Man Above for him to bring Pro Dillinger’s enemies back because of the battery in his back at this point in his career.

Dirtwave last month surpassed everything that the Haverstraw lyricist had done in the past & the sequel as one would’ve anticipated going into it amplifies every single thing that made the predecessor so enjoyable whether it would be Futurewave’s superb production or the Umbrella’s dirtiest MC taking it up another notch with the pen for a half hour.

Score: 4.5/5

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Smino – “Maybe in Nirvana” review

St. Louis, Missouri rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Smino finally dropping his 3rd full-length album. Emerging in the spring of 2017 off his impressive full-length debut blkswn & notable for being member of the Zoink Gang supergroup, this was followed up with his 2nd & 3rd mixtapes NØIR & She Already Decided ahead of signing with Motown Records following his departure from Interscope Records for his critically acclaimed sophomore effort Luv 4 Rent. Couple years later, Maybe in Nirvana is finally here.

After the intro, the first song “Dear Fren” lusciously starts by breaking down how different shit’s been for him whereas the funky “Ready Set Goku” produced by Kenny Beats stands out telling this chick that they might need to be alone since they don’t get along on top of going on a run as if he’s Jackie Joyner & her getting attached being a catastrophe in the making. The title track likens every day to a different style dabbling with plugg music instrumentally while the cloudy “Lee” talks his cuzzo keeping the Clipse with No Malice & that he’s been drinking.

“Tequan” featuring Raven Lenae gets together for a summery, acoustic pop rap joint advising to change your position while “NSYNC” goes for a generally laidback vibe altogether talking about being a gentleman who late night walks as if he’s a pimp. “Ms. Joyce” featuring Bun B brings a psychedelic trap flare to the table referencing WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion Rikishi while “Hoe-nouns” featuring Reggie feels more like a Reggie song featuring Smino since Reggie takes up a bulk of it, but then “Glo-Fi” tropically ends the album by cautioning that he can’t be burnt out.

Fulfilling his Motown contract in favor of building up his own 0 Fatigue Records imprint, Maybe in Nirvana serves as a reflective & experimental prequel to Luv 4 Rent tackling themes of love alongside loss & self-discovery whilst maintaining Smino’s signature innovative style. He furthermore expands his artistic limits by fusing profound lyricism with immersive soundscapes that reaffirm his evolution as a musician & becoming more blatantly honest regarding his emotions.

Score: 3.5/5

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Real Psycho – Self-Titled review

Real Psycho is a superduo consisting of Los Angeles, California emcee B-Real as well as Queens, New York emcee/producer Psycho Les. One of whom is notable for being the frontman of Cypress Hill & the other being 1/2 of The Beatnuts. After only collaborating with each other a couple times in the past off songs like “Fuck ‘Em If They Listenin’” & the Robosonic-produced “High Like”, they’re getting together for an official full-length debut album.

After the titular intro, the first song “Doin’ What You Never Did” starts with a jazzy boom bap instrumental talking about never falling off whereas “Laugh 2 Da Bank” hooks up this mind-altering beat for them to talk about puttin’ in the work that they do & eventually cashin’ out. “What We Came to Do” featuring Too $hort unites the trio for them to aptly tear the party up prior to “You Might Know Us” warning your arms will get broken if you touch them.

“Put That Work In” featuring Son Doobie finds all 3 of them linking up for 4 minutes talking about showing y’all how it be done while “Excuse Me” goes for a generally old school vibe to the beat making this joint feel like it was taken straight from a mixtape. “Once in a Lifetime” has a quirkier instrumental talking about how you’ve haven’t seen this freshness previously just before “This Goes Hard” featuring Big Twins & Demrick lets off hardcore lyricism in their own unique styles.

Reaching the conclusion, “Timbos” hooks you Eric Bobo’s signature percussion flexing that he be tiptoeing around in the titular brand of boots while “Lyrical Hammers” embraces a rap rock sound reminding us that they be hanging around henchmen. “Stay Calm” brings a psychedelic boom bap flare suggesting to relax as they spark the bong & “Kitty Kat” for a closer feels underwhelming tackling the theme of sex in an uneventful manner.

For all the hardcore Cypress Hill & Beatnuts fans, I have a pretty good feeling that you’re gonna come away from Real Psycho’s debut with an enjoyable side project from both veterans. Psycho Les hasn’t lost a step with his production game attesting to The Beatnuts being underappreciated behind the boards & his chemistry with B-Real on the mic flows very well during 45 & a half minute experience.

Score: 4/5

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Teknology – Self-Titled review

Teknology is an east coast hip hop duo consisting of Tek & Termanology. One of whom hails from Brooklyn, New York & the other coming straight outta Boston, Massachusetts. Collaborating with each other multiple times over the years from tracks like “Walk with Me” to “Nobody” & “T2”, they’re coming off an appearance on UFO Fev’s 8th album Strapped from this summer to deliver a full-length debut of their own to start 2024’s final month.

After the intro, the title track produced by Statik Selektah sets the tone of what’s to come with a boom bap cut introducing us to both underground veterans as an official unit whereas “Hustler’s Soul” featuring Freeway groovily talks about the hustler mindset they have. “Money Deposits” featuring Ea$y Money works in more kicks & snares from Cartune Beatz advising to put your hands up just before “The Connect” featuring Bun B, Lil’ Keke & Paul Wall dabbles with trap for a homage to the south.

“I Got What You Need” featuring UFO Fev & Wais P atmospherically calls out those who don’t really want smoke when they be fakin’ it for the bullshit they be pullin’ leading into “She’s Got a Thing for Me” featuring 5 Mics shows off a more sensual side to all 3 performers & even the Statik beat gives off a laidback approach. “Boom Bap or Die” featuring Flash is Hip Hop pays homage to the titular sound that Nottz whips up, but then “The Sun Will Shine” featuring Steele warns the convo ain’t happening if money ain’t involved.

Meanwhile on “The Game Ain’t the Same”, we have Teknology atmospherically talking about the fact shit done changed while “What They Want” morbidly asks these bitches what exactly they want from them. “Toe to Toe” goes jazz rap & delivers well-articulated hardcore lyricism while “No Stoppin’” talks about them not slowing down over a Dom Dirtee instrumental. “Been Around” featuring UFO Fev ends it all by reaffirming their legacy on top of a Sndtrak instrumental.

Soon as I first heard “UFO Teknology” off Strapped during the summer, I knew that both of east coast MCs would eventually come together for an official body of work sooner rather than later & they sure did deliver on it. The production’s consistent, the guests all match the duo’s energy & they elevate their chemistry even further outstandingly bouncing off of each other’s intensities.

Score: 4/5

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Siete7x – “Stucc in the Hole” review

This is the 2nd mixtape from Compton, California up-&-comer Siete7x. Breaking out in 2019 off his debut mixtape Ccut from a Blue Cloth in the summer & later the full-length debut Compton Soul Child that same winter, he returned last fall off the sophomore effort Long Live My Therapy & recently had a verse on “dodger blue” off Kendrick Lamar’s latest album GNX couple weeks ago. Keeping that same energy, he’s striking while the iron’s hot on Stucc in the Hole.

After the “3704” intro, the first song “Make It Out” starts the mixtape by hopping over a solemn trap instrumental to discuss making it out of the trenches whereas “Feelin’ Me” featuring Bino Rideaux” takes the synth-trap instrumental talking about letting him pick his girl’s brain. “Trynna Make Away” has a bit of a cloudy trap edge as he addresses needing a way just before “Dive In” featuring Kalan.FrFr produced by Blxst fuses pop rap & trap in an enjoyable fashion.

“Make It Right” brings an acoustic trap flare to the table as he does whatever he can to make it up to this woman that he’s been seeing leading into “Anybody” featuring Sietegang Yabbie talking about both of them not simply being any other dudes out here. “Tell Me What You Know” brings back a stripped-back trap vibe wanting this chick to come clean with him regarding everything she knows, but then “Keep Going” featuring Kalan.FrFr playfully talks about the checks being nonstop.

Lil Bean & Siete team up on “Auntie Baby” warns not to trust any of these lames out here since they stay cappin’ in their music while “Only 1” featuring Lefty Gunplay shows ‘em somethin’ when the beef cracks off. “Up Late” featuring AD finds them tryna touch $1M while “All My Life” featuring Wallie the Sensei talks those envying them because of the cash flow. “Who Can I?” featuring RJmrLA gets on more of a raunchier tip topically & “Real True Story” admitting it’s been hard for him to focus for a couple minutes.

Siete7x’s sophomore tape here comes off the biggest guest appearance of his career applying further pressure out in the streets of Compton telling his story along with hoping to become a leader in his community & uplift the youth. I very much appreciate the entire concept of everyone involved trying to make it out of the hole they’re stuck in, except the features take up roughly half of it with their performances being either hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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Rich Amiri – “War Ready” review

Boston, Massachusetts up-&-comer Rich Amiri returning for the final month of 2024 with his 3rd full-length studio album. Beginning to turn heads since the fall of 2021 off the strength of his debut EP Ethereal, the 4ersona member would go on to follow it up with 6 more EPs before signing to Internet Money Records & introducing himself to a wider audience on the aptly titled Evolution followed by the sophomore effort Ghetto Fabulous. He landed a spot in this year’s XXL Freshman Class over the summer & is now War Ready roughly 6 months later.

“Amiri Trendsetter” featuring OsamaSon finds the pair kickin’ things off with this psychedelic trap instrumental from Noah Mejia talkin’ about people bitin’ their styles & that life can’t be any better in 2025 whereas “Oh Myy” has a bit of a rage influence living life as if it’s a movie. “Don’t Make Me” hazily suggests that he can show y’all how to move & finesse thanks to Internet Money in-house producer Synthetic & venny just before “U Want That?” flexes that he’s at Maggianos with a baddie over a siren & hi-hats courtesy of Rio Leyva.

OsamaSon & Amiri link back up on the futuristic trap joint “I’m wit It” explaining that shit’s getting gnarly in addition to showing off their new sticks & everyone else’s glitching while “Touché” works in a hypertrap beat talking about bitches tryna fuck him for his paper being outta their minds. “Count My Bandz” with co-production from Taz Taylor triumphantly clarifies that the world don’t owe you shit, but then the hypnotic “That’s It” boasts his lifestyle.

“Hunchos” ends the first half of War Ready expressing his fear of telling a bitch that he loves her because he’ll feel completely stupid if she ends up cheating on him while “Same Old Me” samples “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala to talk about those thinkin’ shit’s sweet being goners. “I’m Gone” admits that he doesn’t want to choose violence & he’ll dead any beef if they bring it to him over a rage-inducing instrumental while “Stormi Daniels” likens his girl to the titular pornstar.

Meanwhile on “Keep It Cool”, we have Amiri maintaining the hypertrap vibes saying y’all better keep it cool ’cause shit could get ugly at any point while the carefree “So Easy” talks about having his way. “Gutta Gutta” promises that he won’t ever switch on his Day 1s shell shocking people & leaving them wrapped up while “G23” turns the bass up staying focused off the adderrall.

“U Like?” reaches further towards the backend of War Ready turning the distortion up a bit addressing a mischievous bitch who doesn’t love him at all & actually wants to beef him coming to the apparent realization that he doesn’t think he can save himself anymore while “Day After Day” finishes the LP with a cavernous trap cut knowing he’s been making it look like a breeze as a result of doing it from the very beginning.

Starting the deluxe run with a bang, “Heavy Steps” that Toom of Vanguard Music Group helped laced asks how you saying you have a check when you can’t even afford your rent while the intergalactic trap cut “New Celine” talks about him refusing to cop a plea deal. “Ray Charles” happens to be the final bonus track of the 3, treating a bitch as if she’s the rhythm & blues icon not seeing shit alluding to his blindness when he was still here.

Many have criticized Amiri for having a supposed “lack of authenticity” & he pretty much takes the opportunity to silence those individuals by putting out an album that reinforces why he landed a spot the 2024 XXL Freshman Class nearly 6 months ago. Although he’s been experimenting with his music for a while now, he’s trying out more new sounds on here & it results in his most eclectic offering.

Score: 3.5/5

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