Babyface Ray – “Mob” review

Babyface Ray is a 31 year old rapper, songwriter & actor from Detroit, Michigan who emerged in 2014 by joining the Team Eastside collective. He has since gone on to drop 5 mixtapes as well as 5 EPs & a well received full-length debut within the last 6-7 years before turning heads worldwide & becoming one of the 2 biggest up-&-comers in the city next to Babytron, both of whom eventually landed spots in this year’s XXL Freshman Class over the summer. But Face is looking to end 2022 the way he started it by dropping a sophomore effort.

“Waves on Every Chain” is a lavish Detroit trap opener with Face dropping some braggadocio whereas “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” with Lil Durk is an off the wall banger coming through with some more menacing lyricism. “Rap Politics” has a more futuristic quality to the instrumental as Face talks about being a hustler goin’ corporate just before “Nice Guy” has a gloomier vibe courtesy of Pooh Beatz confessing that he’s tired of always trying to be generous.

Continuing from there with “Brand New Benz”, we have Face over some rattling hi-hats & bells showing off his new ride leading into the spacious “Vonnie” getting more personal this time around lyrically. Blxst comes into the picture for the R&B/trap duet “Spend It” talking about going on shopping sprees, but then “Bitch Wyd?” weaves some incredible background vocals thanks to Sledgren throwing in a bar referring to 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena.

“Crazy World” brings a more atmospheric approach to the table showing what he had draw down while “Massacre” has a more darker tone to it down to Face & Doe Boy talking about all the real ones in the building to stand the fuck up. The harp through “Masterpiece” is amazingly powerful as he flexes his left wrist while “Wavy Gang Immortal” with King Hendrick$ & Samuel Shabazz finds the trio over some hi-hats & eerily croooning vocals talking about learning from your favorites.

“Code + Love Me Some More” is a well sequenced 2-parter as Face gets on the more romantic side on the mic while “Spill My Cup” somberly admits that he’s been sensing hate from people that he genuinely cares about. The song “Corner Suite” is more synth-heavy sound to boast while the penultimate track “Hallelujah” with GMO Stax has a more suspenseful feel to it talking about staying in motion. “Famous” though delivers a piano/trap closer opening up on where he’s at in his life at this point.

I’ll admit that I had my bit of doubt going into this album & I personally prefer Face more, but I gotta say that I came away from Mob to be a fine sophomore effort. The features are kind of hit or miss yet one of the 2 best artists in the 313 right now above Babytron succeeds in Face’s goal to further establish himself with his more personal lyrics & the production continuing to expand on a diverse range of sounds.

Score: 3.5/5

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Ty Farris – “Pain for Ya Vein” review

Ty Farris is a veteran MC from Detroit, Michigan who came up under the name T-Flame. After landing features on a lot of projects throughout the mid-2000s, it wasn’t until the very end of the decade where he started to put out solo stuff at a prolific rate from Tyrant to Room 39. He just dropped his 3rd EP Moments of Mayhem back in March produced entirely by Italy’s very own Slim 1 & followed it up over the summer with his 7th album Fluorescent Mud produced by Sebb Bash but is looking to end the year in the form of his 8th album.

“Don’t Poke the Bear” opens the album a flute-tinged boom bap instrumental advising not to disturb him whereas the title track goes into more chipmunk soul territory talking about being designed for this shit & the fact that he remains undefeated. “Aged Wine” works in yet another vocal loop letting y’all know you catch him at a round table sipping the finest of the titular alcoholic beverages just before Asun Eastwood tags along for the raw “Black & Brown Spoons” taking you through the minds of 2 men who have nothing to lose. Continuing from there with “No Balance to Greatness”, we have Ty on top of a crooning soul sample talking about paying a steep price to be on the position that he’s in today leading into “5 Figures in the Bank Account” has a more calmer vibe to the beat thanks to Graymatter flexing his wealth.

“Fools in the Fold” is a synth/boom bap hybrid produced by Stu Bangas has talking about being married to the game like current WWE co-CEO & former WWE Women’s Champion Stephanie McMahon’s marriage to 14-time WWE world champion, WWE Hall of Famer, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE tag team champion & current WWE CCO Triple H making it my favorite on the album & after the “Vince McMahon Speaks” interlude appropriately enough, the song “Klitschko Fist” has a more drumless approach acknowledging the fact that he created a new wave in the 313. The penultimate track “Every Night’s a Test” flips “I Love You More & More” By Tom Brock reminiscing on the reckless times when he rides through & “Die on My Feet” is a incredibly woozy closer courtesy of Trox confessing that he’s searching his soul to find his peace.

Of the 3 projects that Ty has given us this year, you can’t really go wrong with either one because dude managed to go on a 3-peat here. The production teeters between drumless & boom bap as the hard-working Detroit veteran continues to drop the insane quotables that we all come to know & love him for. I already know that the 5th & final installment of the No Cosign, Just Cocaine series is gonna be something truly special.

Score: 4/5

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Napoleon da Legend – “Buckets” review

This is the 20th full-length album from Paris, France born albeit Brooklyn, New York raised emcee Napoleon da Legend. By now, underground heads should be familiar with at this point considering the lengthy discography that he’s built up for himself for nearly the past decade ranging from Coup D’État & it’s sequel to Street Universe & Dragon Ball G. But coming fresh off the Sicknature produced Colossus of GOATS about 6 weeks back, Po’s linking back up with Giallo for the first time in 2 years with Buckets.

“Reminisce to ‘88” finds Napoleon reflecting on how much the titular year means to him over a boom bap instrumental whereas “Federer’s Racket” has a more lavish quality to it for a dedication to his counterparts. The piano sections throughout “Order Seconds” were a very nice touch in my opinion with the lyrics talking about being “Rather Unique” much like the underrated Brooklyn veteran himself AZ, but then “Guard Ya Grill” has a more rawer approach to it down the aggressive subject matter & delivery.

Moving on to “Intermittent Blasting”, we have Supreme Cerebral tagging along on top of a glossy beat calling themselves the biggest bag-getters just before “Avirex Days” delivers a classy boom bap ballad acknowledging that his output is really the only thing you hear about from him. “Nas & AZ” has a funkier groove to it was Nejma Nefertiti coming into the picture to engage in some crazy back & forth chemistry with Po comparing themselves to the titular New York veterans leading into the soulful “Buzzer Beater” referencing 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 Hulk Hogan.

“Spoils for War” works in a drumless orchestral sample talking about wearing his scars proudly & time flying when you’re fearless while “Asylum” embraces a more luxurious vibe encouraging one to slide up in the nuthouse & talking about no longer being surprised because of his conscious being anchored to reality. “The Finest Things” is an upbeat ode to exactly just that while the dusty penultimate track “Stress” cautions what ages you the fastest. The closer “All Eyez on Me” however has some stellar jazz undertones to the beat flexing on them.

Everything that Giallo Point has laced for Po has become amongst the best work in his ever-growing discography & not only is Buckets is a welcoming addition to that, but it’s just as fantastic if not better than The Colossus of GOATs only a couple months ago. Both of them continue to bring the best out of one another from Giallo’s raw production to the highly impressive songwriting that Napoleon hits down.

Score: 4/5

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Mickey Diamond – “Gucci Ghost” review

This is the 5th full-length album from up-&-coming Detroit emcee Mickey Diamond. Emerging at the beginning of 2020 off the strength of his debut EP Bangkok Dangerous, the dude has since gone on to turn quite a few heads in the underground by building up the impressive discography for himself with his previous 4 albums alongside 5 EPs & a mixtape. But when it was announced that Big Ghost Ltd. would be jumping behind the boards to lace Gucci Ghost in it’s entirety, I had to check it out considering the fact that the revered underground producer tends to bring the best out of the MC that he links up with.

After the “Crimes of Fashion” intro, the first song “The Invisible Man” sets off the album with Mickey hopping on top of a synth/boom bap instrumental with lyricism more stunning than WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin whereas “Vineyards in France” has a more sinister atmosphere to it advising wack rappers to tear up the contracts that they just signed. “Icicles” has a more symphonic flare to it whilst keeping it dusty showing off his ice just before The Steiner Brothers tag along for the forlorn “Stone Island Shooters” to insult their opposition.

However with “Maurizio’s Ghost”, we have Mickey over some dramatic boom bap production delivering some wig-splitting rhyme schemes for nearly 5 minutes asking what you’d expect while the song “Deluxe Flux” following the “Answer to a Dream” interlude keeps it in the basement as far as sound talking about being more than just an emcee. The penultimate track “GG Buckets” has a more grimier aesthetic to it with it’s blaring beat & Mickey referencing WWE Hall of Famer, 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Hardcore Champion, IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, the inaugural 6-time TNA World Champion, TNA X Division Champion & 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion Kurt Angle prior to “Chain Gretzky” is such a perfectly gully finish to the instrumental to the war-ready pen-game.

I’ve already covered a few of the Umbrella collective’s members in the past like Substance810 & Jay Royale, so it was really overdue for me to be to get to one of Mickey’s project & I’m sure as Hell happy that I did because Gucci Ghost just so happens to be is the crown jewel of his discography thus far in my eyes. Lyrically, dude’s the best he’s ever sounded & Big Ghost’s signature boom bap production compliments his gruff style in an impressive fashion.

Score: 4.5/5

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Skribbal – “Road to Dystopia” review

Skribbal is a 30 year old MC from Los Angeles, California who came up in 2016 off the strength of his full-length debut Drug Spun Funk. This would catch the attention of the rising Wisconsin underground label Force 5 Records & they would put out his sophomore effort Skinwalker a couple years later. But once Skribbal dropped his debut EP Quarantine Sessions a month after the pandemic started, he would leave the label to form his own Sony Music imprint Hell Patrol Records & celebrated this newfound independence by dropping his 3rd album Black Eyed Children last spring distancing himself from horrorcore in favor of a more hardcore hip hop style. We’ve already gotten 2 EPs from him in 2022 with In Their Blood…& from the Gutterand Man with the Screaming Brain, but is finishing the year with a 4th EP.

“Son of Paleface” is a twangy boom bap opener dropping some battle bars whereas “Dorothy Lamour” works in a crooning vocal loop talking about searching for his soulmate. “Ralph & Alice” has some dejecting piano chords throughout as he & Brittany Dominguez compare one another to the titular couple from The Honeymooners while “Thanks for the Memory” reminiscing on how gorgeous this chick that he saw was over a vintage sample. The closer “Jackie Gleason” with Mopes is a horn-boom bap combination continuing to bring the hardcore prior to the bonus cut “Mambo Italiano truly ending the EP with an Italian flip explaining how crazy he is.

All 3 of the EPs that this dude has dropped throughout the year are solid in their own rights, but I think that Road to Dystopia is my 2nd favorite of the trilogy behind In Their Blood…& from the Gutter. The heavy 40s/50s influence throughout is pulled off in an interesting fashion & you can tell Skribbal has a genuine appreciation for that specific time in history. Whatever’s next in 2023, I’m interesting in hearing where it goes from here.

Score: 3.5/5

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Montener the Menace – “The Miserable Git Next Door” album

Montener the Menace is an MC from Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom who I first caught wind of him during the COVID-19 pandemic when he released his full-length debut I Have a Hidden Hobby. Even though overloaded with features & the instrumentals sorta sounded similar to one another, dude definitely proved himself lyrically & the sophomore effort he followed it up with a year & a half ago Anyone Home?. But as 2022 draws to a close, Montener is looking to return in the form of his 3rd album under his own label Hidden Hobby Records.

The title track kicks off the album with an orchestral boom bap instrumental cautioning how miserable of a person that he considers himself to be whereas “Tomorrow’s Never Promised” featuring A-F-R-O & Skyzoo works in a crooning vocal sample from Decksterror talking about how life is short. “Gunslinger” however comes through with a western-tinged sequel to “High Noon” off Anyone Home? just before “Sliding Doors” returns to a more symphonic-based sound vividly telling the story of someone whose mother always referred to as her greatest mistake.

However with “Decisions”, we have Guilty Simpson as well as REKS & Skinnyman joining Montener for a lavish boom bap anthem about the choices you make in general leading into “Hate to Love” has a more rawer approach instrumentally discussing what hate & love mean to him. “Teachered Artist” laces some dusty drums & trumpets confessing that his mission is to teach, but then Verbz comes into the picture for the keyboard/string-laced “Juxtaposition” produced by Domingo talking about crooked cops.

“Movie Decade Crusader” is a soulful dedication for all the film buffs out there while the song “Running My Mouth” is a triumphant boom bap ballad talking his shit whenever he happens to pull up in town. The penultimate track “About Love” comes through with a 6 crazy & a half minute UK hip hop posse cut featuring 14 other MCs with the most notable being bood, BVA, Cosm, Frisco Boogie, Cracker Jon, Genesis Elijah, Ramson Badbonez & Sean Peng prior to the outro truly ending the album returning to the boom bap with a plucky loop advising to leave him alone unless you wanna go to war.

Anyone Home? showed some significant improvements over I Have a Hidden Hobby & The Miserable Git Next Door continues to do that in an impressive fashion 17 months later. The production on the album was a tad bit superior, but I admire that the overabundance of features are continuing to be toned down to a respectable volume as Montener continues to reveal himself as one of London’s most skilled underground MCs today.

Score: 3.5/5

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Truemendous – “Great. On Purpose” review

This is the sophomore effort from Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom emcee Truemendous. Introducing herself in 2015 off her debut EP Whoremonal Moodswings, she continued to build momentum with the trilogy P.S. This Is Your Mother Calling began & bridged by P.S. This is Your Father Calling. The final chapter P.S. This is Your Aunty Calling eventually caught the attention of High Focus Records, who dropped her 5th EP Huh? right when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Coming off her debut album The Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson, the First Lady of High Focus looks to set the record straight of being Great. On Purpose.

“Womp (Uhuh)” begins in the form of this synth-funk/boom bap crossover talking about how working smarter does always go hand-in-hand with working harder whereas the 2nd single “Really Wanna Love” produced by Ghosttown takes up 105 seconds melodically yearning to have someone she can shower with affection. The 4th single “Yourself of the World?” featuring Skinnyman goes back to a boom bap vibe thanks to Illinformed talking about doing this music shit to instill their loved ones until the 5th & final single “In the World of of the World?” ponders if this was really her passion over a Telemachus beat.

Vaddy joins True on the dancehall-flavored “Curve” talking about doing better than ain’t being shit & her phone continuing to ring when it comes down to the money just before “Stooshe Then, Stooshe Now” picks things up with a hypnotizing celebration of womanhood. “Chatty Patty” ends the 1st half sampling an organ courtesy of Pitch 92 throwing some kicks & snares in the fold additionally calling out the people who go running their mouths regarding her while the lead single “Talkk” featuring MysDiggi gets the 3rd quarter started clarifying that neither one of them are looking to make small talk.

“Neither” combines electronic music & trap for a decent song pushing the 2nd leg of Great. On Purpose forward using it’s title to answer multiple questions like whether was born gifted or cursed & rather than getting hurt or learning a life lesson while “Flip a Coin” gives off a smoother approach talking about her having the ability to improve or worsen the lives of others. “Dark Shades” instrumentally radiates a summery atmosphere speaking of crying underneath the kind of glasses she’s rockin’ to avoid being seen in tears while “Beyoncé / Tortoise & The Hare” featuring Princessdkrazy comes together for a 7 minute 2-parter.

The song “Old Ting, New Ting” psychedelically addresses a toxic individual in her life who’s well aware of the poisonous energy he has to offer thanking him for all the moment he’s been able to share with her while the 3rd single “Still Don’t Wanna” maintains a respectable pace conveying themes of love, life & lust whilst returning to a bit of a nostalgically vintage boom bap sound. “I Feel Good (So Good)” concludes by sonically taking some cues from the realms of Latin music talking about how she’s doing better after taking some time to get herself together.

Huh? almost 3 years earlier remains the greatest musical statement in Truemendous’ career & although I enjoyed The Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson more than others did since there was some divisive feedback surrounding that previous full-length, Great. On Purpose could be the weakest project she’s done since the Hove, East Sussex imprint brought her on board. I can appreciate her taking a more ambitious approach compared to its predecessors, but the production during the 2nd act of it mostly doesn’t hit the same way Telemachus’ or Pitch 92’s did right when initially pressing play.

Score: 3/5

Homixide Gang – “Homixide Lifestyle” review

The Homixide Gang are a duo from Atlanta, Georgia consisting of Homixide Beno! & Homixide Meechie. They started turning heads a year & a half ago after dropping their debut EP Snotty World, which led to trap trailblazer/rage pioneer Playboi Carti making them the 3rd act to sign to his Interscope Records imprint Opium Records following Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely respectively. Ken showed a more mature side to himself on his sophomore effort X with Lonely revealing himself to be the most versatile Carti protégé yet in the form of HIS full-length debut No Stylist, so it was only a matter of time until Beno! & Meechie stepped up to the plate with a debut album of their own.

“Lifestyle” starts off the album with a chaotic sample-woven trap instrumental from Outtatown talking about how nobody can’t copy them whereas “Guitars” works in some synths & hi-hats to slide on the op block. Biggavelli’s verse on “Can’t Go” is a bit underwhelming despite the rage beat & lyrics about being unable to go to the club without the Drac’ leading into “Tatted”, which is a trap/rock fusion showing off the Homixide ink that they got.

Continuing with “5 Ways”, where Beno! & Meechie over some hypertrap production both speak on being the realest leading into “V-Friends” keeping things in rage turf talking about meeting a bitch from out of town that’s fucking their homie on the low. “B.B. (Big Coat Balenci)” has more of synth-trap flare to it detailing the rockstar lifestyle, but then “Lif3” surprisingly fused acoustic with trap talking about going through this pain throughout their entire lives.

Biggavelli returns with Destroy Lonely for “TF!” asking what motherfuckers are gonna say when they pull up with the blick over a rage beat with Lonely’s verse outshining Biggavelli’s while “Notice It” keeps things in hypertrap territory talking about how they really be running shit. “None 2 Some” however laced some hi-hats & synthesizers speaking on going from nobodies to where they are today while “Scale Stretcher” with Biggavelli has a wavy vibe to it talking about moving weight.

Following that, “Tripping” touches on getting to blastin’ & whackin’ in this bitch prior accompanied by a monstrous rage beat prior to Ken Carson coming through with my 2nd favorite feature on the album on “Stunt” getting on the more braggadocious side making more money than Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder, Neuralink founder & Twitter owner Elon Musk. “Drakon!” goes full blown trap metal spitting that gun talk while the song “CV” brings back the rage talking about being on drugs as of late. The penultimate track “Wings” swearing that they don’t give a fuck over an alarmingly blaring beat & the 5unna-assisted Shots Off” rounds it out with some quirky synthesizers as the trio talk about pulling up on the gang in the southside.

I’m well aware of the flack that Opium has been getting recently due to Anthony Fantano’s harsh reviews of both X & No Stylist over the summer, but Homixide Lifestyle is just as solid in my personal opinion. I’ll even say it’s right in the middle behind Lonely & above Ken’s latest efforts. With all respect to the Melon because he’s the one who actually inspired me to write reviews myself to begin with & I’ll die on that hill, Beno! & Meechie both sound 10x hungrier than they did on their debut EP whilst refining their style for a wider audience.

Score: 3.5/5

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BROCKHAMPTON – “T.M. (The Mountain)” review

BROCKHAMPTON was a hip hop “boy band” that originated in San Marcos, Texas in 2010 via the “KanyeToTheForum under the original name AliveSinceForever. But when things started to look good for them after they released the SATURATION trilogy to universal acclaim in 2017, one of their founding members Ameer Vann was kicked out midway through the following year due to sexual misconduct resulting in the boys’ next 2 albums following iridescence & GINGER were both released to moderate reception. ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE however became their best post-Ameer album a year & a half ago at this point but after announcing their disbandment following their Coachella performances this past April & only a day after their de facto leader Kevin Abstract dropped his new solo effort The Family, the boys are getting back together one last time for their 7th & final album.

“F.M.G. (Fuck My Gang)” is an aggressive trap opener produced by Kiko Merley & JOBA with Dom McLennon & Matt Champion accompanying Kevin to quit being humble whereas “Animal” finds Jabari Manwa, Kevin & Matt talking about turning into beasts over a cloudy Romil Hemnani instrumental. “Listerine” though returns to trap territory as Dom & Jabari addressing a bitch that’s tripping ’cause it’s less on them prior to the playful sounding “New Shoes” with Kevin, Dom, Matt & Merlyn Wood assuring everyone that the group is still on good terms with one another even though they’re disbanding & Matt wanting a house in 大阪 or the home prefecture of former 3-time WWE women’s world champion 3-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion 明日華.

However on “Keep It Southern”, we have Kevin & Merlyn over a trap beat with some synths paying tribute to their Texas roots just before “Man on the Moon” dives into more melancholic territory with a cool dance break at the end for Kevin & Matt to talk about wanting to make out with their lover on the actual moon itself & the hook is probably the catchiest on the album. “Better Things” is pretty much a moody Kevin Abstract solo cut with Matt on the hook & an outro from JOBA to speak on the next chapter of their lives just before “Crucify Me” works in some live drums & pianos for Kevin & Matt express their desire to rewind & pretend that they knew what they were in for with a crazy instrumental outro pulling from jazz music.

The song “Duct Tape” has a more booming quality to the instrumental as Jabari, Matt & Kevin admitting that they don’t have anything to talk about anymore as a unit while the penultimate track “Always Something” shoots for a more melodic approach as Dom, JOBA & Kevin sing about letting motherfuckers in something they should know. But then, “GOODBYE” serves as a bittersweet EDM-influenced coda with JOBA & Matt talking about not the “best time of our lives” for granted.

I’ll never forget seeing the SATURATION artwork everywhere when that album was first released when I was 20 & it prompting me to check out their music because it was good enough to make me to stick around for the whole ride, to which I’m happy I did because this was great swan song from them. I like how they fuse elements of trap, alternative R&B, cloud rap & even neo-psychedelia with their west coast pop rap style as everyone braces themselves for the next chapter. And before I end this review, I just wanna thank BROCKHAMPTON for all the dope music they’ve given us in the last 5 years & I wish them all nothing but the best going forward.

Score: 4/5

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Vinnie Paz – “Tortured in the Name of God’s Unconditional Love” review

Vinnie Paz is a 45 year old underground veteran from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania known for being the MC of Jedi Mind Tricks & the leader of the Army of the Pharaohs collective. He put out his first 2 solo albums Season of the Assassin & God of the Serengeti in 2010 & 2012 respectively, but returned in 2016 with The Cornerstone of the Corner Store. The Pain Collector would become my favorite of his since his first 2, but as above so below & Burn Everything That Bears Your Name were both almost as great, so I had no worries going into his 7th album considering his consistency.

“Pistol Opera” is a creepy boom bap opener with some piano chords talking about respecting violence including a reference to WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion, 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion & AJPW世界タッグチャンピオン Ted DiBiase until Method Man comes into the picture for the unsettling “Invisible Ether” produced by Stu Bangas talking about what happens when they start to flow. “Faith Healer” goes into trap territory thanks to longtime Enemy Soil Entertainment in-house producer C-Lance cautioning that shit’s all fun & game till the drum-magazines are empty, but then “Be Wise as Serpents” is a rap metal boom bap fusion with a ghostly hook & Vinnie acknowledging that motherfuckers think it’s cool to behave stupid.

Continuing from there with “Heroin on a Harpoon”, we have Geechi Suede talking about becoming rich as soon as his mom gave birth to him & Pazzy referencing the late WWE Hall of Famer Luna Vachon over a boom bap instrumental with a blaring guitar & some jazzy undertones until “Curse of Canaan” with Kurupt finds the 2 talking about keep pushing the lines & the main loop throughout sounds like video game sound effects to me. I also love the lines referencing Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Rick & Morty since those are some of my favorite shows. “Rambo Knife” however has some amazing vocal samples throughout speaking on cutting coke & causing panic, but then “3 Levels of Hikmah” is a triumphant jazz rap cut laced by Oh No with some incredible ad-libs talking about people shooting at him like paparazzi & a line referring to WWE superstar Mustafa Ali.

“Killpoint” returns to the boom bap with some horn sections courtesy of Vic Grimes as Vinnie & M.O.P. get malicious lyrically while the piano-trap joint “Deadman’s Hand” calling himself the most ignorant of all-time while “Winged Assassins” with Boob Bronx & Ras Kass ruthlessly compare their rhymes to black hand-grenades including a reference to former 3-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE tag team champion, 7-time WWE Hardcore Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Dustin Rhodes. “A War Chest & a Propaganda Machine” has a more delirious quality to it provided by DJ Muggs being straight up & telling anyone who wants smoke with him to say his name while “Gunpowder Plot” with O.T. the Real spit some drug trafficking tales.

“Slight Rebellion Off Madison” is a woodwind/boom bap hybrid talking about how his shooters don’t die while “Father Yod” by the Heavy Metal Kings & Lord Goat finds the trio over some grim piano chords to spit that gun talk. The song “Spoils of War” with Big Twins aggressively talk about stomping on motherfuckers heads when they be outside over some ominous production while the penultimate track “Loro Pianas Robes” with Thirstin Howl III discuss being the upmost & being left cut in half over a glistening boom bap beat. “Zafiro Añejo” with Boob Bronx & Recognize Ali ends the album with the 3 referring to this as beautiful architecture with a flute hanging behind them.

Ikon the Verbal Hologram has always remained consistent with his music & even though God of the Serengeti is my personal favorite album of his, I definitely think this is the most I’ve enjoyed since The Pain Collector. The production has some more trap undertones to it this time around surprisingly, but best believe Paz & nearly every feature are absolutely catching bodies with their pens the whole damn time.

Score: 4/5

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