Asun Eastwood – “P.I.M.P. (Prophecy Is My Present)” reivew

Asun Eastwood is a 38 year old MC from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who came up as part of the Brown Bag Money collective. His 2017 debut mixtape Hollywood Briggs was a good introduction, but it wouldn’t be until 2 years later after dropping his Finn-produced debut album With All Due Respect where he would come to my attention. He just dropped Let Me Talk My Shit a couple months back & to celebrate his birthday, Asun has enlisted THETWINNING for his 4th full-length album.

The title track that starts things off tells God to look at him now over multiple beat switches that’ll make you feel like you’re riding like a roller coaster whereas the next song “Stillness is a Skill” with Lord Juco finds the 2 talking about their spirits being imprinted & not accepting failure over a swanky instrumental. The song “TeamWork Glow” talks about how “it costs a lot to get it on your own” over a spectral beat while the track “StepWork Glow” with Falcon Outlaw sees the duo talking about wanting paper & respect over a boom bap instrumental with some sumptuous keyboard melodies.

The song “L.O.V. (Life Of Victory)” with Lex Talionis finds the 2 talking about love over a repetitive vocal loop while the track “Framed My Pyrex Bowl” with Raz Fresco sees the 2 of course talking about whippin’ up dope over a mild boom bap beat. The song “Underrated” with Family Gang Black & donSMITH finds the trio responding to those who call them such over a lush instrumental while the track “Anfernee” with SLNC sees the 2 talking about the outcome their aiming for over a dope ass soul sample.

The song “Hurt ‘Em” with Richie aka Rapsy & Quinn the Comic finds the trio talking about murder over a downtrodden beat over while the track “Inspired by Death” pays tribute to the fallen over an elegiac instrumental. The song “Tie Ya Camel” with Rasheed Chappell sees the 2 talking about proving who you are over an inspiriting beat & then the closer “Muhammad Glow” with Maze Overlay finds the duo pondering why question things you can’t control over a steady instrumental.

To me, this is yet another example as to why Asun is the currently most hard-working dude in BBM right now. The features on here are a bit too much, but I think THETWINNING cooks up some of their best production to date & Asun still manages to rip it up on the mic.

Score: 3.5/5

MAVI – “End of the Earth” review

MAVI is a 21 year old rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina blowing up a couple years back off his well-received debut album Let the Sun Talk. His profile began to grow the following month after being featured on “El Toro Combo Meal” off of Earl Sweatshirt’s previous EP Feet of Clay & after doing features for a good bulk of 2020, the kid is returning in full effect by dropping a debut EP.

The EP kicks off with “TIME TRAVEL”, where Mavi talks about his spaceship being at full throttle over some keys & a melodic vocal sample. The next song “1,000 MILES” discusses making it this far with his gifts & that his strengths was never an effort flipping “Lady” by Gino Vannelli while the track “METHODS” talks about mulling the ways to master his municipality over some tribal drums that later builds up into a more aggressive beat. The song “LIFE WE LIVE” talks about not feeling alive by a synth-laced instrumental & then the closer “TOWN CRIER” talks about taking this shit to the moon over a saintly beat.

From start to finish, I think this is a pretty good comeback from MAVI. He does a good job detailing his growth & even though the abstract production isn’t the most cutting edge, it’s tolerable. I’m very excited to watch what he does on his upcoming sophomore album Shango.

Score: 3.5/5

SmooVth – “Amongst Wolves” review

SmooVth is a 35 year old MC from Hempstead, New York known for being a part of the duo Tha Connection alongside Hus Kingpin. But as far as his 11 solo efforts go, I recommend checking out Portrait of a Pimp as well as the Young SmooVth & Medellin duologies. The dude dropped something was the DJ Beanz-mixed rarities mixtape entitled Tha Conduit this past Christmas & now just a couple months later, he’s reuniting with Giallo Point for his 12th full-length album.

After the intro, the first song “Double Dutch” talks about using ice cream trucks to cover up them slanging dope over a dust boom bap beat with some glistening chimes while the track “Grey Heron” talks about his rapping prowess over some prominent string loops. The song “Rogue” talks about disappearing with his best friend on top of an overcast beat while the track “Nickel” talks about him & Hus “supersizing” over a funky bass-line & some opulent piano chords.

The song “Joe Blow” talks about sending “30 deep poppin’ on ya man” over a cinematic instrumental while the track “Bullet Holes” with Asun Eastwood sees the duo talking about being them dudes over a boom bap beat. The song “Boss” with Rigz finds the 2 literally talking about being mob bosses over a drumless, meditative instrumental a while the track “38 Corridor” talks about how no one’s fucking with him over a well incorporated soul sample.

The song “Real Me” talks about giving the listener a good look as to who he is over a sleek instrumental while “The Ave” talks about his family & I really dig the guitar licking in the beat a lot. The song “Mega” talks about gangsta leaning over some synths & finger-snaps while the track “Hillside” talks about not giving a fuck about a judge over a symphonious beat.

The song “Hieroglyphics” finds Tha Connection comparing their lyrics to such over some pensive keyboards glistening away in the instrumental while the track “Sparks Fly” with Big Twins sees the 2 talking about living it up over a foreboding beat. The song “Plates” with Stuyville finds the trio barring shut out for 3-minutes nonstop over a sullen instrumental & then the closer “War” talks about standing tall over some organs.

Whenever this emcee/producer duo come together, it’s always something special & their 4th outing together is no exception. Giallo Point continues to cement himself as one of the best producers that the UK has to offer currently & his sound continues to suit SmooVth’s razor-sharp lyricism best.

Score: 4.5/5

Trippie Redd – “Neon Shark vs. Pegasus” review

Trippie Redd is a 21 year old rapper from Canton, Ohio who rose to prominence in off his first 2 mixtapes: A Love Letter to You & A Love Letter to You 2. His profile would continue to grow with projects like LIFE’S A TRIP & A Love Letter to You 3 however, the quality of his music wouldn’t begin to decline until the release of his sophomore album ! in 2019. Trippie followed it up by dropping A Love Letter to You 4 a few months later & it was a decent bounce back that gave me hope of him continuing to redeem himself. But then came the overloaded & painfully generic Pegasus this past fall, which is undoubtedly his worst body of work to date. Fast forward 3 months later, Trippie is attempting to crossover into rock territory for his 4th full-length album with the help of blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.

The album kicks off with “PILL BREAKER”, where genre: sadboy teams up with blackbear to talk about drugs over a trap beat with a faint electric guitar in the background. The next song “WITHOUT YOU” talks about going insane if this woman leaves him over a pop punk instrumental while the track “SWIMMING” lyrically is based on the famous Dory quote from Finding Nemo over a headbanging beat. The song “FEMALE SHARK” expresses Trippie’s desire to have a fearless woman in his life over a bass guitar & some live drumming while the track “GERONIMO” with Chino Moreno of all people sees the 2 talking about protecting their significant others over a heavy beat.

The song “SEA WORLD” talks about his love for his significant other lasting forever over a fast-tempo instrumental while the track “RED SKY” by genre: sadboy discusses exes leaving them in the cold over an acoustic guitar & some drums. The song “MEGLADON” talks about being born to terrorize over a more hard rock instrumental while the track “SAVE YOURSELF” talks about fighting his demons & the riffs on here could very well be the best on the entire album.

The song “DREAMER” asks his girl what she was waiting for over a Yeezo Beats instrumental sampling the “Have You Ever Had a Dream Like This?” kid while the track. “IT’S COMING” talks about facing your fears & the instrumental sounds like early LINKIN PARK for God knows what reason. The song “LEADERS” talks about not being a believer when he was younger over a sample of the Deftones’ “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” while the penultimate track “FROZEN OCEAN” talks about feeling broken & hopeless & the instrumentation on here is somewhat a heavy version than what we heard on “LEADERS”. The album ends with “DEAD DESERT”, where Trippie enlists ZillaKami & Scarlxrd to talk about dropping dead referencing the A24 Films crime thriller Uncut Gems over a filthy trap metal beat.

You can throw this album to the ever-growing pile of rappers attempting to go rock & failing miserably at it, because I did not care for it at all. Travis Barker’s production is really the saving grace of the entire thing, as Trippie Redd’s songwriting & vocals that make it VERY hard for me to sit through.

Score: 1.5/5

Yelawolf & Caskey – “Yelawolf Blacksheep” review

This is the brand new collaborative album from Alabama rapper, singer/songwriter, producer, fashion designer & entrepreneur Yelawolf as well as Floridian rapper Caskey. The pair have done songs together in the past such as “No Such Thing as Free” off of Trunk Muzik III & “Remember” off of Black Sheep 4 but to kick off their 2021, the duo are coming out of the woodwork with Yelawolf Blacksheep.

The album kicks off with “Just the Intro”, where Yelawolf & Caskey are going back & forth with one another for 4 minute straight over a victorious beat. The next song “Daytona” talks about how you can’t slow them down over a dim trap instrumental whereas the track “Been a Problem” talks about their stronghold on the rap game over some heavy bass & rattling hi-hats. The song “Billy & the Purple Datson” talks about doing what they have to in order to make that money over an unhinged beat while the track “Turn Up in Tijuana” talks about partying over a generic trap instrumental.

The song “Cookies” with Cub da Cookup Boss finds the trio talking about ride or die bitches over a sorrowful beat & then there’s the mediocre remix to “McQueen Fiend” off of Caskey’s previous album I Changed. The song “Open” talks about still being “open” after pulling out over a Three 6 Mafia-type beat while the track “C’est La Vie” talks about naysayers over a harp-tinged instrumental. The penultimate track “Tat Shop” talks about getting skulls inked on them for the haters over a trap beat with a cool flute incorporation & the fallen homies, but then the closer “$1M Deal” talks about being free from Shady Records & Cash Money Records respectively over a misty instrumental.

Coming away from this album, my feelings on it are mixed. I think the production plays well to both rappers’ respective sounds, but the chemistry is kinda odd considering that Yelawolf is outrapping Caskey on just about every joint.

Score: 2.5/5

Sylvan LaCue – “Young Sylvan” review

Sylvan LaCue is a 30 year old rapper from Miami, Florida who got his start in 2008 under the name QuESt. However, it wouldn’t be until a decade later when he dropped his critically sophomore album Apologies in Advance under his own label WiseUp & Co. with distribution by INgrooves Music Group. We haven’t heard much from Sylvan since then but after a 3-year hiatus, he’s marking his return by dropping his 2nd EP.

The EP kicks off with “Young Sylvan Back”, where the Floridian rips it up like he never left over a trunk-knocking trap beat. The next song “First 48” talks about trying to escape jumping from one trap house to the other over a euphoric instrumental before switching up into a more orchestral vibe. The track “Clam Chowda” talks about not feeling trauma coming over a spine-tingling beat while the song “M J” with Merlaku Ra sees the 2 talking about having hearts full of rage over an instrumental with some snares & bells. The closer “Backseat 2012” talks about being fresh out this bitch over a skeletal beat referencing 10-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & $7 Productions co-founder The Rock.

Not as good as Apologies in Advance, but still a decent EP in my book. The blatantly heavy Kendrick Lamar influence from that previous album makes it’s way onto here & it’s very distracting. I really Sylvan shakes that off & comes into his own whenever he puts out his next full-length effort, because the dude’s talent is undeniably there.

Score: 3/5

Gibby Stites – “The 13th Wonder” review

Gibby Stites is a 25 year old MC/producer from Millville, New Jersey who’s been making music for about a decade now at this point. However, he didn’t come to my attention until last spring when he performed during Netfest on Your Couch. But after signing to Majik Ninja Entertainment a few months back, the kid is putting out a new EP introducing himself to all the juggalos

The EP starts off with “I Heard You Got Signed”, where Gibby & Jamie Madrox talk about 77% of listeners being fans & the other 33% being jealous over an intimidating boom bap beat from Str8jaket. The next song “Rain Rain” talks about floating on that reefer cloud over a mystical instrumental while the track “Express Lane” talks about being tired of going slow in life over a rock-flavored beat from Young Wicked. “The Mission” reunites with Jamie Madrox to talk about getting money over some keyboards & a set of militant drums while the song “Bad Company” talks about chilling on his lonely over a cloudy beat with some jazzy undertones to it.

The track “U Can Miss Me” with Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Boondox finds the trio talking about dodging bullshit over a perilous instrumental while the song “I’m Good” talks about how he doesn’t feel the way he should be over a malicious trap beat from Charlie Beans. The penultimate track “Make ‘Em Smile” with Jamie Madrox over a funky boom bap instrumental & then the closer “Feel This Way” finds the duo sticking together 1 last time to talk about mental health over a desolate beat from Stir Crazy with some heavy guitars during the hook.

I was curious to hear how this would turn out & it’s not a bad EP. The production is refined compared to Gibby’s previous output & his pen-game has definitely stepped up as well. Looking forward to see what MNE has in store for him in the near future.

Score: 3.5/5

Jim Jones – “The Fraud Department” review

Jim Jones is a 44 year old rapper from The Bronx, New York who came up in as a member of The Diplomats in the 2000s. His first 5 full-lengths from 2004-2011 had some highlights in them, but they were all average at best as whole albums. However it wouldn’t be until 2018 after dropping Wasted Talent where he would really start putting out his best material ever & then came out with his magnum opus the following year El Capo. But just 3 months after putting out the sequel El Capo 2, we’re already being treated to Jimmy’s 9th full-length album produced entirely by Harry Fraud.

The opener “Laps Around the Sun” talks about being grateful over a bare flute instrumental whereas the next song “Fucked Up” is about a lil bitch who got her perception of Jimmy wrong over some harmonizing & a saxophone. The track “Aunt Viola” with Dave East finds the duo talking waiting your turn & then turning tables over an airy trap beat while the song “Lose Lose” talks about his success over a soul sample & some snares.

The track “Bada Bing” with French Montana sees the 2 on their gangsta shit over a rubbery beat while the song “Barry White” talks about turning the hood into a paradise over a ghostly instrumental. The track “Say a Prayer” with Curren$y & Jay Worthy finds the trio talking about hustling on the block over a triumphant beat while “The People” with Conway the Machine sees the 2 talking about George Floyd’s murder over a boom bap instrumental with a haunting vocal sample.

The track “Luxury Lies” shows his doubters what he can do over a jubilant beat while song “3 Cuts” with Maino finds the duo on their fly shit over some exuberant horns. The album finishes off with “Make It Home”, where Jimmy talks about his fallen homies over a boom bap beat with some dour keys.

It’s very rare for artists to be putting out their best material later in their careers, but this puts Jimmy on a 3-peat because I like The Fraud Department almost as much as El Capo & El Capo 2. Harry Fraud comes correct on the production as he usually does & when it comes to Jimmy’s lyrics, it seems like this isn’t even his final form.

Score: 4/5

Insane Clown Posse – “Yum Yum’s Lure” review

The Insane Clown Posse are a horrorcore duo, the founders of Juggalo Championship Wrestling & the longest reigning JCW World Juggalo Tag Team Champions consisting of Violent J & Shaggy 2 Dope. There have been a total of 6 members in the group since its inception in 1989, but has been boiled down to J & Shaggy since the release of their 1992 debut album Carnival of Carnage. Together, they would create an empire whether it be subsequent albums like Riddle Box & The Great Milenko or expanding the self-owned Psychopathic Records as a force to be reckoned with in the underground by signing artists from Twiztid to more recently Ouija Macc. Now I wasn’t the biggest fan of ICP’s previous full-length album Fearless Fred Fury back in 2019 because I felt like it was rushed, however I do respect how angry it was. But as they gear up for the next joker’s card Yum Yum Bedlam, the wicked clowns are preluding it by dropping Yum Yum’s Lure on Juggalo Day.

After the “Bewitching” intro produced by 1 Man Kru of the Keepaz of the Krypt, the next song “Loyalty” finds J & Shaggy detailing what it means to be faithful over an ominous piano instrumental whereas the track “Afraid of Life” might be one of the worst ICP songs I’ve ever heard, as they talk about preferring to be a zombie phantom over a rock-flavored beat from Alien Ant Farm of all people.

The song “Smell of Rain” talks about women consuming them including a reference to 新日本プロレス founder, 3-time IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, 10–time G1クライマックス winner, WWE Hall of Famer & unrecognized WWE Champion アントニオ猪木 over a happy go lucky instrumental from Shaggytheairhead while the track “Ding Ding Doll” tells the story of a boy who buys a cursed Ecuadorian pull string doll from the dark web & the doll comes to life to wreak terror over a pillowy beat over a pillowy beat.

The song “I’ve Had It Worse” talks about how life sucks for everyone over a skeletal trap instrumental from the homie Devereaux while the penultimate track “Candyman” is a solo Shaggy cut with some of his most cringey lyrics on top of a more playful Mike E. Clark beat. The EP ends with “Clownheads”, which is a bloated & redundant advertisement for their Clownhead Paintings.

Coming from a Detroiter who’s been down with the clown since I was in middle school, I think the House Party Peep Show EP is much better because this is just as bad as The Calm & Eye of the Storm. I think the production is decent, but the execution on a good portion of these songs are terrible in my personal opinion. Really hope these songs aren’t on Yum Yum Bedlam & hopefully that album isn’t as disappointing as the material we got on here.

Score: 1/5

Fat Ray – “Santa Barbara” review

Fat Ray is a 39 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who came up as 1/3 of the production trio B.R. Gunna alongside local veterans Black Milk & Young RJ. He would eventually go solo in 2008 by releasing the criminally slept-on The Set Up entirely produced by Black Milk, following it up until a full decade later with both The Lunch Room mixtape & the subsequent sophomore effort Perseus. However out of nowhere, the Bruiser Brigade member has seen fit to return by dropping his 3rd full-length album.

The title track that kicks the album off talks about being happy to be back on his shit over a jazzy boom bap beat from Raphy, who produced all 3 joints on the entire thing. The next song “Flight Risk / Plead the 5th” gets on the gangsta rap tip over an instrumental, that starts off jazzy, but later switches up into a bare soul sample. The track “Menacing” talks about going to war if you want it over a beat that sounds like something RZA would’ve made for Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) while the cleverly-titled “Ethan Hunt” makes references to the Mission: Impossible franchise over a more chilled out instrumental.

The track “Jordan vs. Bird” gets on his mob shit over a boom bap beat with a dark atmosphere to it while the song “Dopeman Heaven” with Danny Brown finds the 2 talking about slanging drugs over a Black Milk instrumental with some downcast keyboard melodies. The track “Old Faithful” featuring Bruiser Wolf sees the duo talking about being fresh to death over a sleek beat while the song “Top Ramen” talks about not having much coming up over a psychedelic instrumental.

The track “Bar Smithing / Off-Safety” shows off his lyricism & the beat once again has that vintage Wu-Tang feel at the start, but it switches up into something more apprehensive. “The One” talks about how everyone wants to be that guy over a Crisfantom instrumental that’s clearly inspired by the late J Dilla while the penultimate track “The Sword” talks about being the 2nd level of crazy over an otherworldly beat. The album ends with “Mental Case”, where Ray talks about his homie Kutty over some harmonious vocal melodies.

Perseus might be the weakest of the 3 studio LPs we’ve gotten from Fat Ray so far even if there are a few songs I still go back to, but I’d put Santa Barbara right behind his debut & have no doubts that he can top it if he decides to put out more music a few years from now. The production’s more boom bap oriented than its predecessor & he brings a couple of his Bruiser Brigade brethren to spit hardcore gangsta lyricism for almost a half hour.

Score: 4/5