YN Jay – “Flint 2 Detroit” review

YN Jay is a 24 year old rapper from Flint, Michigan emerging in the late 2010s/early 2020s off his first 3 EPs MVP, Coochie Land & Watch This as well as the subsequent trilogy of mixtapes Ninja Warrior, Coochie Chronicles and Young, Wild & Free. His profile began to grow from there, following those up with the full-length debut Album Mode, preluding the sophomore effort Coming 2 Coochie Land with a 4th tape Coochie Goat. Looking to bounce back from the mixed to negative reception of Life Before Death & Been Havin’ last summer however, the Coochie Man returns for his 3rd album.

“Difference” featuring Kash Doll & Tay B begins with the trio over prominent bells & hi-hats comparing & contrasting themselves to their opposition whereas the only song without a guest “I Ain’t Done Yet” stands out for it’s cloudy Detroit trap flare to the beat talking about being nowhere near finished musically. “US 23” featuring Grindhard E & Rio da Yung O.G. takes a bit of a rubbery turn instrumentally vividly painting images of the gangsta lifestyle, but then another highlight “She the 1” featuring Babytron & Baby Money talks about the special women in their lives over more upbeat 808 percussion.

Sada Baby & Skilla Baby join YN Jay on the distorted, string-laced “Hangover” energetically passing the mic to one another nonstop breaking down their lifestyles for almost 4 minutes leading into “Boss” featuring Payroll Giovanni jumping on top of 808s & pianos to spit that G shit. “Stupid & Crazy” featuring Icewear Vezzo displays an exciting back-&-forth chemistry for 100 seconds keeping the keys & upbeat percussion in the fold while “Figure It Out” featuring Drego brings the bells back to discuss getting it on their own referencing WWE’s 2nd flagship program SmackDown.

“Dear Rio” featuring Peezy serves as a touching open letter to Rio da Yung O.G. since already he’s incarcerated for a while just before “Rich Ugly Motherfuckers” featuring Babyface Ray humorously talks about being wealthy & unhandsome. “Cup Holder” featuring BandGang Lonnie Bands mixes strings & 808s for an ode to lean while “3 Stooges” featuring Los & Nutty likens themselves to the titular comedy trio.

Cash Kidd appears for the penultimate track “I-75” referencing the interstate that runs north–south from Miami, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and “Flint Stones” featuring Babyfxce E, BFB da Packman, Grindhard E, Krispylife Kidd, Louie Ray, RMC Mike& YSR Gramz ends with a 6 minute posse cut representing some the finest artists in Flint currently. Standout verses excluding Jay’s for me are Krispylife’s, Ray’s & Mike’s.

Normally I get skeptical about projects with an insane amount of features top to bottom, but I didn’t mind it throughout the Coochie Man’s latest album here because I understand what he was going for & that would be a star-studded love letter from Flint 2 Detroit. Both cities are represented properly as YN Jay takes some of the biggest names in the Detroit trap scene for the ride, a lot of whom I’ve already covered in the past & the production is really what you’d expect from this style of music.

Score: 3.5/5

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Lupe Fiasco – “Samurai” review

Chicago, Illinois emcee Lupe Fiasco is back after nearly 2 years releasing his 9th LP. Blowing up in 2005 after appearing on “Touch the Sky” off of Kanye West’s sophomore album Late Registration, he then went on to release 2 classic albums Food & Liquor and The Cool in 2006 & 2007 respectively. However, his output since then has been very inconsistent. His next album Lasers in 2011 is easily his worst yet, Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album in 2013 was just ok but then Tetsuo & Youth in 2015 was a near perfect return to form for him. Given that, I was excited to see what he was going to do in the future. DROGAS Light wound up being a disappointing mixed bag, but DROGAS Wave eventually made up for it. Drill Music in Zion produced by Soundtrakk on the other hand was a near-perfect sequel to Tetsuo & Youth, so I found him going the way of the Samurai from there to be an interesting move.

The title track sets the tone of the album by hooking up a jazzy, lo-fi boom bap instrumental comparing himself to an actual member of the powerful military caste in feudal Japan whereas “Mumble Rap” groovily talks about a woman drawn to the vibe of his remarks waking up with a song on the heart. “Cake” works in an organ & hi-hats showing his fans gratitude for sticking by him even when times were tough prior to “Palaces” bringing back the kicks & snares to talk about being tormented for so long.

“#1 Headband” jazzily kicks off the 2nd half of the album promising that he’s gonna be the one referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 2-time WWE Champion & 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion Yokozuna just before “Bigfoot” singing the things that you’d normally keep inside your head out loud maintaining the jazz influences instrumentally.

Meanwhile on “Outside”, we have Lupe mellowly advises to wait for him out in the open nearing the conclusion of the LP leading into the piano-driven “‘Til Eternity” ending Samurai with a reference to former NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion or most notable in TKO Group Holdings as WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, TNA Hall of Famer & the UFC Hall of Fame’s inaugural inductee Ken Shamrock.

“High Note” soulfully starts the deluxe run by talking about the type of music he makes grabbing people by the jugular whilst referencing WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson during the final verse while the other bonus track “SOS” finishes the extra flavor with a jazzy, lo-fi boom bap single talking about holding down the bass similarly to Guile from the カプコン-owned Street Fighter set to be played by the current 2-time WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in next spring’s theatrical reboot.

I mentioned at the beginning of the review about Lupe’s discography being inconsistent at times in the past but if we’re continuing to get albums from him on the same quality as Samurai & Drill Music in Zion, then I’m all for it because he went back-to-back here. In contrast to the latter being a sequel to one of his most acclaimed offerings, what he gives us here is a loving & living portrait to one of his all-time favorite artists: Amy Winehouse.

Score: 4.5/5

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Krispylife Kidd – “B.A.G. (Born A Goat)” review

Flint, Michigan rapper Krispylife Kidd continuing to apply pressure by dropping his 14th mixtape. Since 2019, his popularity in the local trap scene has been gradually increasing going on to release a total of his previous 13 tapes & 4 EPs all in that span of time. Icewear Vezzo even signed him to Iced Up Records during the pandemic & Lil Yachty had him featured on Michigan Boy Boat. Now I’d start with Krispylife 2 & The Art of Spice Talk trilogy if you wanna dive into Krispylife’s music. He put out his 4th EP Juice in February a few weeks after Vezzo released his Quality Control debut Live from the 6 & is staying in his B.A.G. (Born A Goat).

“Run That Down” begins by jumping over a sinister Detroit trap instrumental celebrating every time an opp gets killed & being all about the spinach like Popeye whereas the piano-driven “‘96 Bulls” featuring Rio da Yung O.G. finds the 2 likening themselves to the Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen of the subgenre that both artists hold it down for. “Stacks on Stacks” works in a soul sample & upbeat 808 percussion to flex his wealth while “Ain’t Enough” goes for more of a atmospheric trap vibe to the beat talking about not knowing too much.

Babyfxce E, Icewear Vezzo, RMC Mike & YSR Gramzall join Krispy for the dark 2 & a half minute Detroit trap joint “Just Talking” with Vez & Mike’s verses standing out the most amongst the 4 guests personally referencing the greatest WWE superstar ever; Hall of Famer, former 7-time world champion, 7-time tag team champion & WWE Hardcore Champion The Undertaker leading into “Gucci Jogger” hooking up some bells talking about catching him in traffic rocking the titular Italian luxury fashion house. “In the Air” featuring Cash Kidd interestingly fuses jazz music & Detroit trap together talking about being in love with the new Maybach, but then “Fanning” grimly cautions that nobody can duck all these shots he firing.

“Make Me Sick” flexes that he uses Flint water every time he whips up with tense keys & 808s backing him prior to “In That Case” taking another jab at a jazzy Detroit trap hybrid to hit his hood with 100lbs after his first deal. “Scratching Off” featuring AK Bandamont has an apocalyptic flare instrumentally explaining how foul they are while “Sheesh” warns y’all not to make him lose it over bells again. “King Griffeys” advises not to say the wrong shit to piss him off & “Today Was Bool” dissing all the divas.

Juice was a short yet fun bounce back from the moderate reception that 3-Peat & Krispylife 4 Life both received the previous year & B.A.G. (Born A Goat) further hammers home on that. There are more interesting ideas within the production than the EP we got from him 4 months ago (particularly the jazz-inspired cuts), I found roughly 60% of the guests’ performances to be enjoyable & some of Krispy’s lines on here are observingly funnier.

Score: 3.5/5

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Megan Thee Stallion – “Megan” review

Houston, Texas rapper, songwriter & actress Megan Thee Stallion returning after 2 years for her 3rd album & Roc Nation Records debut. Rising to prominence in the spring of 2019 with the release of her debut mixtape Fever, I myself was very impressed with how it displayed Megan’s knack for catchy songwriting, dirty south/Memphis inspired production & a unique personality. Her popularity began to rapidly increase off her 3rd EP Suga & the full-length debut Good News, but Something for thee Hotties was a bit underwhelming in my opinion. Traumazine ended up being a decent sophomore effort with more highs & lows, so I expected Megan to be more personal given the title.

“Hiss” was a single that eventually grew on me heading for a hardcore Memphis trap direction tackling various aspects of her life up until this very moment whereas “Rattle” taking the eerie trap route to discuss having too many haters. “Figueroa” brings the scary vibes to the table dabbling with Detroit trap referring to herself as a Brat as opposed to a Barbie a.k.a. Nicki Minaj whose Megan diss “Big Foot” might be the worst diss track ever made, but then “Where Them Girls At?” moves on from there with a thunderous Hot Girl anthem.

Tay Keith cooks up one of my favorite beats throughout the album on the standout “Broke His Heart” vibrantly talking about making her ex Pardison Fontaine trick leading into “B.A.S. (Both Ain’t Shit)” featuring Kyle Rich produced by Lil Ju & Megan herself turns into cloudy trap territory painting a couple that both really ain’t shit since they lie to each other. “Otaku Hot Girl” playfully & wittingly shows her love for anime & Japan altogether just before “Find Out” has a rubbery tone instrumentally thanks to 30 Roc talking about her lil’ whoopty-woo.

“BOA” fuses trap, hardcore hip hop, pop rap, dirty south & electropop to show her boldness & assertiveness while “Mamushi” featuring Yuki Chiba on the standard version or TWICE on the remix works in pianos & hi-hats so both of them can declare themselves as the stars they are. “Accent” featuring GloRilla has this aquatic trap flare to the beat describing how thick they are while “Paper Together” featuring the greatest Houston duo of all-time UGK is a historic crossover representing different generations of the city.

Victoria Monét appears for the hook on the pop rap/trap hybrid “Spin” talking about putting that ass in a trance like you even have a chance to begin with while “Down Stairs DJ” hooks up a whistling sample & hi-hats thanks to Honorable C.N.O.T.E. telling everyone that she essentially loves her pussy. “Miami Blue” featuring Big K.R.I.T. has a grimier trap approach provided by Buddah Bless pointing out there must be something in the water & the pop rock/rap abomination “Worthy” could be the worst offender here despite the lyrics about being precious.

“Moody Girl” nears the conclusion of Megan picking things back up with a banger that Juicy J cooked up behind the boards leaving me fiending for the Three 6 Mafia co-founder to produce a whole project for her at some point since they’ve been bringing the best outta each other for 5 years now as further exemplified from the calming trap instrumental to the aptly moody lyricism Megan displays that is until “Cobra” closes her Roc Nation debut blending trap, rap rock, conscious subject matter & dirty south excellently.

Starting the deluxe run, “Bigger in Texas” hops over this dirty south beat paying homage to her home state while the bloodcurdling “Bourbon” fiercely addresses every hater of her’s who stay watching everything she does out here. Buddah Bless shakes it up with the playfully fun “#1 Rule” with Megan speaking to all the people who forget exactly who she is while “Roc Steady” featuring Flo Milli samples “Goodies” by Ciara & Petey Pablo so both of them can lock in for this exciting back-to-back delivery.

“Best Friend” continues with this decent trap joint cooked up by Nico Baran of Internet Money Records about forming a mixed tag team similarly to The Terror Twins while “Right Now” declares herself the baddest out with this dark Tay Keith & FNZ instrumental backing her, to which I agree with on a mainstream level. “TYG” featuring Spiritbox takes an ugly jab at trap metal that I find disappointing when you look at the gangsta-themed lyrics while “Motion” talks about bitches being sick of her & real quickly wanted to point out that I’ve been a fan Drumma Boy, but he went harder than he should’ve behind the boards on this one.

The boom bap direction “Fell in Love” takes might come as a shock to those who don’t keep with Megan addressing her current relationship with Chicago Bulls player Torrey Craig while “He Think I Love Him” & “Like a Freak” move on from there freestyling over “I Think I Love Her” by Gucci Mane & “Like a G6” by the Far East Movement respectively. Our final bonus track “Neva Play” featuring RM is now the current theme song as of me writing this for the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown program after moving from FOX back to the USA Network.

For years I’ve been telling people that Megan is the finest female lyricist in the mainstream (Rapsody’s kinda in the middle between mainstream & underground for me) & now that JAY-Z got her out of her 1501 Certified Entertainment/300 Entertainment deal, the future is certainly looking bright for the Hot Girl Queen since it could very well be better than her first couple LPs. It’s more personal & seems like she’s less restricted as far as creative freedom goes.

Score: 4/5

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Esham – “Amuse-Bouche” review

Detroit emcee/producer & Reel Life Productions founder Esham back for his 8th EP ahead of his 24th full-length. Widely acknowledged as the godfather of horrorcore alongside his former Natas cohorts Mastamind & the late TNT, his run from 1989-2005 (particularly the albums KKKill the Fetus, Closed Casket & Doubelievengod?) would go on to lay out the groundwork for subsequent horrorcore acts such as the Insane Clown Posse & even Eminem. His output from Sacrificial Lambz onwards (essentially after his 2-album deal with Psychopathic Records from 02-05) has been a little hit or miss even though I love the single “S.S.M.D. (Stop Selling Me Drugs)” & Dichotomy respectively. Psyops however was creative detour for Esham as he self-produced the whole thing for the first time in a while conceptually revolving around what it was like for him living in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the George Floyd protests & a more rap rock inspired sound. But coming fresh off escaping Purgatory last summer, East Side Hoes & Money is looking to serve the appetizer before the main entree on Amuse-Bouche.

The first song “Détroit (De-twah)” is a grimy self-produced trap opener to the EP talking about being stuck in the trap trying to get this cheese & after the first “French Lesson” interlude, “Back 2 Detroit” goes straight up boom bap charismatically telling the story of The Unholy himself. After the “Ahmooz-Boosh” interlude, Stretch Money went from growing up listening to his uncle playing Dead Flowerz & KKKill the Fetus to teaming up with the acid rap inventor himself on the single “Transmission Fluid” with it’s cloudy atmosphere & hi-hats repping 2 different generations of the east side, but then we’re treated to a surprising sequel to the title track of Esham’s first EP Erotic Poetry.

“Death by Snu Snu” named after a quote from one of the best Futurama episodes advising that “they don’t take sex styles back broken” & after another “French Lesson” interlude, “X-Men” featuring Jack Frost & Mastamind gives me a jazzy boom bap vibe instrumentally thanks to Dead Heat nearing the conclusion of the EP by having all 3 MCs explaining that some of y’all out here need to learn how to keep a different hoe & “I.G.S.O.I.D. (I Gotta Stop Or I’ll Die)” officially wraps up Amuse-Bouche talking about drug addiction & having to actually try to break the habit or else he’ll lose his own life.

Keeping in mind that Esham has a whole new LP coming down the pipe at some point in the near future, I completely understand why put banged out 7 new songs & sprinkling only 3 interludes in-between until then. In fact, this EP makes me excited for the new album since it further continues towards the trajectory that Psyops started & Purgatory traveled further down in the sense he’s gradually making better projects again. His production balances old & new sounds, the very few guests are fine represent different generations of motor city & the godfather of the wicked proves he’s still very much a capable storyteller.

Score: 3.5/5

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Da Beatminerz – “Stifled Creativity” review

Da Beatminerz are a production duo from Brooklyn, New York consisting of brothers Mr. Walt & DJ Evil D. Widely recognizable for their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik during the 90s, they managed to put out a full-length debut of their own Brace 4 Impak through Rawkus Records at the end of July 2001 & subsequently the April 2005 sophomore effort Fully Loaded w/ Statik. Nearly 2 decades later, the Dewgardes are reuniting to sign a deal with Soulspazm Records & releasing their 3rd LP after a string of singles building up anticipation for it previewing an intriguing list of guests.

After the “Live from Bushwick General Hospital” intro, the first song “Seckle” by KRS-One was the best single that I’ve heard from the Blastmaster in recent memory reminding the game that he don’t fight fair over a dusty boom bap instrumental whereas “Product” by Ruste Juxx eerily reminding y’all that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. “Back in Style” by Ras Kass gives off that funky west coast energy in lieu of the waterproof MC himself making it clear Da Beatminerz are back at it again, but then “Champion” by Mickey Factz gets back on the east coast tip excelling in hopes of seizing the moment for clientele.

“Martial Law” by Apathy rawly declares that your whole block will get popped since he’s firing missiles over a piano-driven boom bap beat just before “Fear None” by Da Villins adds kicks & snares on top of a gospel sample advising to learn early so you don’t have to fear shit. “It’s All 4 U” by Halley Hiatt & Al Skratch fuses boom bap & R&B tackling themes of romance just before the passionate “Can’t Live Without It by Marquee & Monifah prior to another “Live from Bushwick General Hospital” skit showcasing their musical inclination rapping AND singing.

Black Moon gets together on “Anti” taking back to basics since maybe it’s been too long since their outstanding comeback album Rise of da Moon even though that was almost 5 years ago while “The Birds” by Bishop Lamont jumps on top of more kicks & snares showing off crazier flows. “Adore H.E.R.” by Keith Murray hypnotically picks up from there calling women the most beautifullest thing in God’s creation while “Where You From?” by Loaf Muzik for a decent hardcore anthem about being dressed to kill.

“B-Ville Pioneers” by Lil’ Fame & Steele unites 1/2 of both M.O.P. & Smif N Wessun to represent the Hell outta Brownsville while “Cheeba” by Camp Lo & Stahrr moves on from there with a chilled out theme for the smoker’s that is until “It’s All 4 U” remix swaps out Al Skratch’s verse in favor of a new one from AZ, outdoing the original. “100 Proof” by Ras Kass gets on some jazzy boom bap shit personifying alcohol & after a final “Live from Bushwick General Hospital” skit, “My Year” by De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch & Rasheed Chappell ends the album with everyone talking about the streets 1 last time.

Turns out Walt & Evil D have been working on Stifled Creativity for 15 years now in the midst of doing other things like DJing all over the world, it’s just that they were inching their way up to this point especially after the last Black Moon album. Now that we’re finally here, the duo are returning having a better grasp on reality when it comes to down to certain things & it makes a welcoming comeback. They both stick to their signature sound being the Boom Bap Ambassadors they are relying more on samples than Fully Loaded w/ Statik & a mostly solid guest-list.

Score: 4/5

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Your Old Droog – “Movie” review

Ukrainian-American lyricist Your Old Droog returning after 2 years for his 9th full-length album. Breaking out through his self-titled debut, many actually first thought he was an alter ego of Nas given that their voices are somewhat similar. He eventually became a legend in his own right off later projects such as Packs as well as It Wasn’t Even Close, TIME & the Nicholas Craven-produced YOD Wave. The 4 EPs he’s given us since YOD Stewart, Yodney Dangerfield, The Yodfather & The Shining weren’t as great in my opinion yet most certainly had their highlights at the same time. So after taking 2023 off, Droog’s releasing a Movie to get summer rolling.

“Success & Power” produced by Just Blaze couldn’t have been a better choice of an opening track from the grand boom bap production to the lyricism about rappers being in comtpetition with each other & YOD being in competition with fish in comparison whereas “Crescent Moon” keeps the kicks & snares in tact going for a rawer approach asking these John Kerry rappers “why the long face?”. Harry Fraud gives “How Do You Do It?” a soulful trap vibe instrumentally admitting that he should’ve been the one asking questions when he was younger just before the drumless “I Think I Love Her” talks about the most important woman in his life other than his mother.

La Musica de Hairy Frog returns behind the boards for the luxurious “Mantra” preaching that no matter how difficult things may get, anything is better than that leading into the piano boom bap crossover “Grandmother’s Lessons” paying tribute to his own grandmother. “Mercury Thermometers” has to be one of my favorite singles building up to the LP since we have Droog dropping more jewels than a Harvard lecture over a Conductor Williams beat leading into “What Else?” aggressively telling artists to tell their listeners an alternative to the cap with Cartune Beatz.

“The Sandbox” keeps it boom bap thanks to K-Nite 13 profoundly looking back on his younger self having no idea that he was gonna be as big as he is in the underground today & after the “Interview” interlude, “3 Milli” thunderously expresses that he’s living so good now to the point that it all feels surreal to him while “Yodi Dodi” hooks up some woodwinds with kicks & snares talking about staying in his own bubble. After another “Interview” interlude, “A Damn Shame” maintains that same energy saying a man ain’t complete without a woman while “DBZ” by Droogie Otis featuring Denzel Curry & Method Man was in my opinion THE strongest single since Madlib’s unique ear for samples come to play sampling “Deep Shadow” by Little Ann for a generational barfest.

To begin the climax of the Movie, the song “Roll Out” radiates jazzy boom bap energy from Harry Fraud telling everybody that sometimes they need to know when to dip while the title track serves as the album’s official closer soulfully promising that he’s gonna stay true to himself until the casket falls. “Care Plan” by Droogie Otis featuring Yasiin Bey on the contrary is the perfect bonus track that YOD himself announced on Twitter a year & a half ago continuing to tease a full Droogie Otis project that in my opinion would feed generations.

YOD Wave is already my favorite EP Droog has ever done & although I still maintain the 4 he put out after weren’t as great as a whole even with their own individual highs, his first LP in over 3 years by far has to be the most I’ve enjoyed a project from him in over 2. It’s more well produced improving on the sounds of jazz rap, boom bap & drumless joined by only a few deserving high profile guest spots basically likening the life he’s lived up to this moment to a feature length film.

Score: 4/5

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G-Eazy – “Freak Show” review

Here we have the 7th full-length studio LP from Oakland, California rapper G-Eazy. Breaking out into the mainstream with his 3rd album These Things Happen in 2014, this was followed up a year later with When It’s Dark Out as well as The Beautiful & Damned back in 2017. Scary Nights was a subpar prelude to These Things Happen Too, Everything’s Strange Here easily stands as his embarrassing body of work yet & the These Things Happen was only better by a small margin. Almost 3 years later, G’s bringing the Freak Show to our ears.

After a cringeworthy intro, the first song “Showbiz” has a general hardcore sound than what I typically expect from him describing his musical influences whereas the title track featuring French Montana is where shit really starts heaping up in piles gratingly talking about having 3 hoes each over an uninteresting trap instrumental. “Femme Fatale” featuring Coi Leray & Kaliii samples “Heaven & Hell’s on Earth” by the 20th Century Steel Band discussing feminism although Coi has the best verse, but then Lancey Foux washes G-Eazy harder than Coi on the grimier “Say Less” advising to do simply that.

“Backseat” clouding reminisces being in the backseat of a taxi in New York during the fall with an ex who left him asking if happiness is possible to achieve when it most certainly is while “W.T.F.D.I.K. (What The Fuck Do I Know?)” turns back into trap turf trying to persuade the audience he’s grown when he’s still dropping corny bars like he’s the Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley of hip hop when his music has never been enjoyable as either late artist prior to “South of France” returning to the boom bap asking what he is if he isn’t a star, which I can answer with a below average pop rap artist with a proving discography who went multi-platinum.

Leon Bridges’ hook on “1 Day” might be my favorite on the album nor do I mind the kicks & snares, it’s that I’ve heard the theme of giving his partner the world done better previously. “Love You Forever” produced by Apex Martin was a genuinely heartfelt single dedicated to Gerald’s mother while the 3rd installment of the “Love Killers” trilogy takes it back to his pre-fame roots. “Anxiety” atrociously ends the LP butchering a sample of the London Callingtitle track by The Clash like he wants to be MGK to talk about getting high to ease the pain away.

The Outsider & The Endless Summer have always remained as the most I’ve ever enjoyed any of G-Eazy’s output & granted both of those mixtapes are average at best, none of the EPs or full-lengths he’s offered us over a decade of mainstream popularity have been able to surpass them in quality by punching under their weight & Freak Show sure enough adds on to the pile. Gerald occasionally displays some cool personal moments outside of his usual corniness like “Showbiz or “Love You Forever”, the guest performances are 50/50 & the production makes me appreciate These Things Happen Too’s more by a hair.

Score: 1/5

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Vinnie Paz – “Jacinto’s Praying Mantis” review

Philadelphia underground veteran Vinnie Paz following up his 8th album All Are Guests in the House of God roughly 7 months after with his 2nd EP. Breaking out as the MC of Jedi Mind Tricks & the leader of the Army of the Pharaohscollective, he put out his first 2 solo albums Season of the Assassin & God of the Serengeti in 2010 & 2012 respectively until returned in 2016 with The Cornerstone of the Corner Store. The Pain Collector would become my favorite of his since his first 2 but since as above so below, Paz has been staying consistent by delivering a new solo effort every year. Something he’s continuing to do by dropping Jancinto’s Praying Mantis almost 5 months after 2-time AJPW三冠ヘビー級チャンピオン, 4-time AJPWタッグチャンピオン, MLW World Tag Team Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, NWA World Tag Team Champion, 2-time IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, 7-time IWGPタッグチャンピオン, NEVER無差別級6人タッグチャンピオン, GHCヘビー級チャンピオン & GHCタッグチャンピオン小島聡 became a record 2-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion in his city.

“Contra Cocaine” is a boom bap opener talking about killing every chance he gets whereas my favorite cut on the EP “Blood Bank Affair” produced by The Czar-Keys & Scott Stallone hooking him up with some guitars, kicks & snares so he can in his Boxcutter bag lyrically. “Ghost Limb” has a futuristically eerie approach instrumentally thanks to Nickel Plated assuring you prolly a saw a body in Pack Pistol Pazzy’s city leading into “Bullet in the Head” incorporating sampling talking about being an animal.

The song “Brainscan Exorcism” featuring Boob Bronx & Recognize Ali brings the trio together on top of a grisly piano/boom bap crossover wanting everyone to enjoy them while they’re still alive while “Funeral Pyre” has to be another standout track complexly taking y’all to a different level over a sample-woven Shuko beat. “Zoë Lund” wraps up Jacinto’s Praying Mantis mixing woodwinds, kicks, snares & a scratch hook from 7L to get outrageous.

I’m unable to speak for where the Ikon the Verbal Hologram will go from here whether it’s a 9th solo LP or a new Jedi Mind album, but he gave the underground a solid prelude EP until that time comes. Production-wise, I’m personally leaning more towards his last couple full-lengths although Scott nailed the engineering. Squatdeadface furthermore doing the artwork makes me happy as a Griselda head who’s been following him since FLYGOD is an Awesome God & lyrically, Odrama vin Laden remains one of the greatest from the City of Brotherly Love.

Score: 3.5/5

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Stacc Styles – “Live Your Best Life” review

This is the 3rd full-length LP from Tucson, Arizona recording artist Stacc Styles. As the founder of Dope Shop Records, he introduced himself in the spring of 2015 off the debut album Inside the Ride followed by the sophomore effort Mr. Purple in the fall of 2020. Stacc has also been an affiliate of Suburban Noize Records dating back to being a roadie for the punk band Mower, eventually signing to the west coast underground label this past January. 4 singles later, he’s kicking off the summer & warming everyone up for the 2nd of half 2024 encouraging them to Live Your Best Life.

After the turntablism intro, the title track sets the tone for Stacc’s debut for Subnoize with a psychedelic west coast hip hop banger toasting to having a good time & getting high whereas “Another Day” works in pianos talking about us meant to be here to complete the holy cycle. “Gold Mine” has a bit of a funky pop rap flare with themes of romance, but then one of the 3 founding Kottonmouth Kings & the other half of Kingspade himself Johnny Richter now a member of the supertrio King Klick returns on the superior “Leave with a King” hopping over a gnarly vocal sample to steal bitches.

“In the Mood” takes the atmosphere trap route instrumentally airing out the plug for being late just before “Weed, Wax & Whiskey” celebration of all things cannabis remembering his friends & family that he’s lost to addiction or suicide recapturing the vintage Suburban Noize sound in the process carrying on the KMK legacy & the memory of it’s late original member Saint Dog. “Renegade” featuring Obnoxious also of the King Klick alongside battle rapper YNOT finds the trio hustling all night over mellow boom bap production leading into “DGAF Nonstop” featuring the DGAF General Chucky Chuck now a part of the newly reformed Kottonmouth Kings & produced by Eddie Ruxspin pays homage to the latter emcee’s DGAF roots.

Slumerican Records signee & Yelawolf’s longtime high school friend Big Henri links up with Stacc on the country trap fusion “Keep Going” delivering an inspiring message while “Sometimes Why” keeps the guitars & hi-hats going thanking God he’s here to see another day. After the “Staccs” outro, we are treated to a “Without a Crown” remix featuring Lethal Injektion frontman Jon Russell as a bonus track surpassing the stand alone single that came out 2 & a half years ago since it’s built around the rap metal sound that the Tucson nu metal band is known for.

When you think about how the guy went from being a fan of Suburban Noize to the Mower connection in 2005 & now officially releasing his own music through the label, I’d say that would have to be a dream come true & a full circle moment for him in his career. His unique blend of THC-infused hip hop & trademark technical precision for high-speed raps that his first couple albums he put out independently are elevated to higher levels keeping the Subnoize essence alive with the help of the King Klick individually spread across & a few outside collaborators.

Score: 4/5

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