Lucy Bedroque – “c” review

This is the sophomore effort from Los Angeles, California rapper, songwriter & producer Lucy Bedroque. One of the most prolific members of the lumina collective, their full-length solo debut Sisterhood in the summer of 2023 has quickly become a digicore standout. Coming off the Amy & Fête de la Vanille extended plays alongside their widely celebrated deadAir Records debut Unmusique, lostrushi’s dropping the inaugural entry of the c trilogy ahead of an upcoming tour.

“All Speakers Go to Heaven” hops over a rage beat talking about his bitch making hoes disappear whereas the self-produced “9th Circle” leans towards a digicore vibe responding to all the people who think they ain’t with the shits when that couldn’t be any more false. “Speed Demon” produced by Ginseng takes a more melodic approach so Lucy can talk about fame & touring just before “Stone in Focus” flips the Aphex Twin track of the same name seeing this person in their core lies.

As for “Miss Behavior”, we have Lucy pleading for this person not to depend on them & getting ready to spend a check because they have too much guap leading into “B.Y.O.B.” turns up the hypertrap influences asking how they hear one’s rage only for it to leave them yawning outta boredom. “Orochimaru” digs up a loosie that came out on SoundCloud this past February talking about doing better by a landslide while “Married to My Jeweler” ends the 1st half advising that fucking over the bros is against principle.

“C Section” combines digicore, cloud rap, jerk, lowend, rage, pop rap & plugg talking about how they haven’t dropped in 9 months when Unmusique was 16 months earlier while “Co Poison” wants to know what the fuck’s up with everyone hating them over a rage beat. “Safespace” brings the digicore elements back in the picture talking about moving forward regardless of nowhere being safe while “Zygote” condemns ICE in the midst of recalling meeting a nerdy woman discussing the cells formed via fertilization.

The song “SSJ2” talks about one’s lies catching up to them & declining an ex’s pleas of wanting Lucy back in their life while “Erase Your Social” blends jerk, digicore, cloud rap, pop rap & plugg to talk about racism, issues with women & their rise in popularity. “Peace in Pandemonium” has a repetitive songwriting structure to it asking for this person who’s no longer in their life for some closer & the rage-inducing “Blackpink Yzy” ends cshouting out Ye formerly known as Kanye West.

I’m sure we’ll get Musique, Svelte Child, Vanilla & Null by Design at some point but the inaugural entry of this ongoing c saga further cements Lucy Bedroque amongst the most interesting artists in the underground trap scene. They take a backseat from the groundbreaking rage production pulls secondary influences from digicore, pop rap, cloud rap, jerk, lowend & plugg to focus on their focused melodic performances to prepare for c² & c³ carrying the series on in their own ways.

Score: 4.5/5

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Yeat – “Cocoon” review

Portland, Oregon rapper Yeat dropping off his 8th extended play. Emerging in 2018 off his debut EP Deep Blue $trips, he’s been dominating the mainstream since 2021 whether it be him dropping a plethora of projects or receiving cosigns from the likes of Drake & Earl Sweatshirt. He eventually signed to Geffen Records, who backed his sophomore effort albeit major label debut 2 Alivë few years ago & its companionable deluxe EP Gëek Pack shortly after. Lyfë, Aftërlyfe, the experimental Capitol Records debut 2093, Lyfestylë, Dangerous Summer and A Dangerous Lyfë & A Dangerous Love all followed except Cocoon looks to make up for the latter’s disappointing reception.

“Earnëd It” kicks things off with this decent intro talking about buying his girl a Birkin bag & living like royalty whereas “In2That” flexes to find him where all the bitches are. “Miss My Dawg” was better than I had anticipated it being hopping over a Noel Cadastre instrumental calling for everyone who misses anyone in their lives that’ve passed away just before a favorite of mine “Luh Burk” produced by Trgc talks about giving this person a taste of fame since they’re never having it.

The song “Holy Watër” reunites with Internet Money Records in-house producer Synthetic so he can discuss splitting lids right when he pulls up to the spot leading into Trgc getting behind the boards for the title track talking about poppin’ out wearing all white when he began touring a month ago. “Tënnis” spends the remaining minutes of Cocoon going back-&-forth with this woman assuring her it ain’t as much of a game as she’d initially thought.

Yeat preludes his upcoming 7th album Reborn next year with an EP he made on the road that debunking the washed claims that were emerging when A Dangerous Lyfë & A Dangerous Love came out roughly 5 months earlier, which has me hoping this step in the right direction. It feels more aggressive & less commercial than the last full-length, revisiting his artistic origins rather than trying to make something that appealed more to the masses than his earlier stuff.

Score: 3.5/5

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Kurupt, Masta Killa & Rakim – “The Godbody LP” review

New collaborative full-length between Hawthorne, California by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania emcee Kurupt alongside Brooklyn, New York emcee Masta Killa & finally pioneering Long Island emcee/producer Rakim. All 3 of whom are notable in their own rights where it be Rakim being acknowledged as The God MC or Young Gotti & Jamel Irief coming up as members of Tha Dogg Pound & the almighty Wu-Tang Clan respectively. They linked up a couple years ago on the “Be Ill” single & that singlehandedly sparked interest in making The Godbody LP produced by Nick Wiz & Rakim under Holy Toledo Productions & Compound Interest Entertainment a reality.

“Goin’ Down” gets things started hopping over a sample-driven beat talking about wanting no parts with any of these fake ass rappers whereas “DPG Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang DPG” goes for a boom bap vibe instrumentally reminding the world exactly what they do best. “Rock Ya Body” by Tha Dogg Pound, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon brings all 5 of them together over some horns for a hardcore hip hop skullsmasher leading into “Push the Button” getting on grown man time.

WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg appears during the remix of “Rabbit” whipping up a west coast anthem suited for driving around in a low rider & after the “God Speak” interlude, “A Different Kind” by Rakim talks about The God being a whole breed of his own category. “Is It Love?” treads the symphonic boom bap waters topically demonstrating a more romantic side to them just before “Thelonius” featuring Buckshot, Rim & Trigga goes full rap rock so they talk about being the ones.

“Nights Over Brooklyn” by Masta Killa further embraces the rap rock elements recalling a lot of lives & souls being lost when the 80s crack epidemic happened while “Upstate Introspective” bittersweetly lets the most Wu’s most proficient affiliate Killa Sin spit a brief verse from a prison phone. “Still Ill” featuring Kool G Rap & KRS-One comes through with a worthy “Be Ill” sequel while “9 & Chrome Fiend” by Kurupt properly sends off The Godbody LP heavily sampling “Microphone Fiend”.

The Godbody LP was simultaneously built to showcase the diversity & versatility of Kurupt, Masta Killa & Rakim while simultaneously reshaping a vision the late 2Pac has prior to his death of bridging the east & the west coast for a planned album called 1 Nation that the Outlawz tried to recreate in 2021 preceding their disbandment following Young Noble’s passing. Hopefully this means we’re a step closer to the G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH) sequel containing lesser guest appearances than its counterpart now that the mission of building upon mutual respect, legacy, uncompromising artistry & coastal unity was a success.

Score: 4/5

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Montener the Menace – “Mercurial” review

Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee, teacher & Hidden Hobby Records founder Montener the Menace back for his 3rd studio LP. Catching wind of him during the COVID-19 pandemic when he released his full-length debut I Have a Hidden Hobby, dude definitely proved himself lyrically even though it was overloaded with features & the production sorta sounded similar to one another. Coming off both Anyone Home? & The Miserable Git Next Door though, Mercurial has finally arrived almost 2 years since it was initially announced.

We get this soulful boom bap instrumental on the intro “Special” delivering this brief freestyle clocking at only a minute whereas “Tin Foil Hat” talks about his paranoia. “Lost & Found” featuring Blade, Farma G, Micall Parknsun & Verb T joins forces for a UK hip hop posse cut but once the chipmunk soul-inspired “Fight for Flight” talks about acute stress response, “The Devil Chose Me” featuring Jadakiss ends the 1st leg cautioning demons are coming.

“I Still Have a Hidden Hobby” kicks off the 2nd half with a sequel to his debut’s title track while “The Game” featuring A-F-R-O & Fashawn talks about only reciting heat when they take the mic. “Falling Down” fuses some kicks & snares with a pitched sample so Montener get in his conscious bag lyrically while “My Thoughts” featuring the late Chino XL & Keith Murray finds themselves wrapped up in their minds, “Dark Book” featuring Declaime & Ruste Juxx produced by DJ Sam Seed takes us where the light doesn’t go.

Hidden Hobby has slowly yet surely been on the verge of becoming one of the biggest underground labels in the entire UK hip hop scene potentially joining the likes of High Focus Records & Blah Records with all these artists/producers Montener the Menace has been signing putting out their own music through his imprint. Mercurial however raises anticipations for it’s sequel made whether it’s dropping in the next few months or 2027 with my favorite thing Montener’s ever made from the soulful boom bap production to the performances that he & the guests deliver.

Score: 4/5

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Chaka Khan – “Chakzilla” review

Chaka Khan is a 73 year old singer/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois who’s earned herself the title of the Queen of Funk after releasing Chaka, Naughty, Whatcha Gonna Do for Me?, self-titled, I Feel for You, Destiny, ck & The Woman I Am under Warner Records. I don’t even mind the NPG Records-backed Come 2 My House all that much either, considering it quite possibly her finest material since her Warner days. It’s been over 7 & a half years since Island Records dropped Hello Happiness & the iKhan Sounds founder’s going independent for her 13th studio LP.

The title track opens up singing about waiting for this moment her entire life & being a giant on top of a synth-funk, dance-pop & nu disco instrumental whereas “Boogie’s in My Soul” featuring WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg comes through with a nu disco/dance-pop ode to Chaka & Melle Mel’s rendition of “I Feel for You” by the late Prince. “Curious Subject” embraces a synth-funk vibe singing about the friends she’s lost saying she has a lot going on & after “Cool You Down” featuring Sia teams up for a reggae duet regarding men who take their breath away, “I Know You Can” ends the 1st leg declaring herself to be the real one.

“Bring the Party” featuring Lenny Kravitz kicks off the 2nd half of Chakzilla warmly singing about today being all we have just before “Always Love the Challenge” reminds the world she likes it rough & her capability of maintaining her own balance. “Heart of Gold” brings some heavy synthesizers in the picture singing about a partner who she firmly believes is the one for her but once “Now & Forever” pleading for this person to become her man for all eternity, the outro “Dreamy Stuff” sends off Chakzilla

Regardless of the fact a great deal of Chaka Khan’s output for the past 4 decades has mostly been welcomed to lukewarm reception, I can definitely say Chakzilla makes some points in terms of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer still having a place in today’s musical landscape even after becoming a spiritual guru hosting meditation sessions online becoming the most I’ve enjoyed a full-length from her since the underrated Come 2 My House. Greg Kurstin gives her some of the strongest production she’s had since being signed to the Purple One drawing inspiration from synth-funk, dance-pop, nu disco & reggae advising the world to find our power no matter where we’re at in our lives.

Score: 3.5/5

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Miley Cyrus – “Bass Persuades” review

This is the 10th studio LP from Franklin, Tennessee singer/songwriter, actress & director Miley Cyrus. Breaking out as the older sister of Noah Cyrus & the 2nd eldest daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, she achieved greater success as the titular character on the The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Channel teen sitcom Hannah Montana preceding her first 3 full-lengths Meet Miley Cyrus alongside Breakout & Can’t Be Tamed under Hollywood Records were equally met with mixed or negative reception. Same goes with The Time of Our Lives. Her debut for RCA Records during my junior year of high school Bangerz was when her music started to improve since I prefer songs like “#GetItRight” produced by The Neptunes over it’s biggest hit “Wrecking Ball”. Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz became a polarizing take on neo-psychedelia psychic pop even with The Flaming Lips’ involvement, Younger Now went for a mid country pop direction aside from a DJ Premier remix of the title track, She’s Coming missed the landing with R&B & electropop and Plastic Hearts was a decent way to fulfill her RCA contract following her divorce from Liam Hemsworth of the mid A24 Films thriller Cut Bank. Moving over to Columbia Records, her debut for them Endless Summer Vacation once again divided public opinion. Coming off the widely celebrated Something Beautiful, she’s signing to Atlantic Records for Bass Persuades.

The title track combines electropop, dance-pop electroclash, electro house & synthpop singing about putting our phones down & getting lost in the music whereas “Different Religion” featuring Model/Actriz teams up for a pop rock duet praying to a new God together. “Let’s Get Married” acknowledges her engagement to Maxx Morando last winter carrying over the pop rock vibes instrumentally & after “Orbit” sings about being swept off her feet around him, the dance-pop cut Aftermath” sends a clear message to Liam Hemsworth that she was never his.

“Redlights” further embraces a dance-pop style singing about fearing nothing & going where ever Maxx does while “Neon Signs” featuring Andrew Wyatt suggests they could keep each other company regardless of not being each other’s specific type treading the pop rock waters once more. “Innocent Ways” makes a public confession regarding her being better to her sister Noah following their reconciliation merely days before Dolly Parton’s passing & once “Snow” atmospherically standing at the edge of eternity falling similarly to snowflakes itself, “Smile” ends with a dance-pop cut Maxx’s smile getting her high.

Moving past the themes of rising above all the trauma in her life, Miley Cyrus’ debut for Atlantic unfortunately takes it back to the averageness that’s defined a great deal of the output in her historic career. Bass Pesuades’ production moderately caters more to pop rock, dance-pop, electropop, soft rock, alt-pop, electroclash, electro house & synthpop as opposed to the predecessor’s vast exploration of countless different sounds reflecting upon her current relationship with Maxx Morando & the love she’s found within herself.

Score: 3/5

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Eastside Ninjas – “The Return of the Lotus” review

This is the sophomore effort from Detroit, Michigan quartet the Eastside Ninjas comprised of Jamie Madrox, Monoxide, Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Anybody Killa. All 4 of whom broke out after the Insane Clown Posse signed them to Psychopathic Records in the late 90s/early 2000s, they would eventually form a Pact of the 4 following the formation of their own labels Majik Ninja Entertainment, Grundy Entertainment & Native World Inc. respectively. A Return of the Lotus was announced this summer & was highly skeptical because 2 of the most important petals being missing.

After the intro, “Shadow” produced by Fritz the Cat & Grady Finch combines trap & rock so they can spit the wicked shit talking about death still following them whereas “Eradicate” embraces a darker atmosphere instrumentally admitting to being no good. “Wolves” discusses being left to die only for them to survive an encounter with a pack of carnivorous mammals just before “All of My Words” continues from there finding the Ninjas pleading for the universe to lift this curse off their intestines.

“Resilience” reaching the midway point of the LP showing strength of spirit in their characters when being spoken down upon leading into “Mummified” turning the rap rock influences up so they talk about not being free as long as their corpses are hanging on. “Thoughts Lethal” keeps the guitars in tact breaking down their individually fatal minds while the only single “I Kill ‘Em Better” decently talks about the animalistic monster living within every single one of us.

The song “More Like Control” speaks of never giving up regardless of all the nonsense people would like to try sellin’ ‘em while the rap rock-tinged “Down 4 Life” poses the question of whether or not people would still support them after the situation with Majik Ninja’s ties to Psychopathic being severed almost a decade ago & as much as some would like to say yes, this album has caused reasonably more alienation than their 2020 attempt at reviving the Psychopathic Rydas. “Walking Disaster” spends the last 4 minutes talking about things not going their way with those they used to follow.

I really hope neither Twiztid or Drive-By take my criticisms of The Return of the Lotus personally because as someone who’s always stuck by them after leaving Psychopathic over a decade ago, this feels like an Eastside Ninjas sophomore effort that’s more wicked than the Pact of the 4 because it truly isn’t Dark Lotus without ICP hence why it could likely become the worst entry in MNE’s catalog. Outside of excluding Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) Commissioner Violent J & the shortest reigning JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion Shaggy 2 has AAA Dope’s crucial roles for obvious reasons or even the tolerable production, it’s simply no different than when D-Loc dropped that 25 to Life solo album under the Kottonmouth Kings name.

Score: 1.5/5

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9 Vicious – “Sedition” review

Here we have the 2nd mixtape from Atlanta, Georgia rapper & producer 9 Vicious. Breaking out in 2024 off the single “U Fancy” despite releasing his debut tape Naz in 2020, he would go on to further introduce himself on B4SA & the full-length debut Studio Addict helped him gain more exposure to the point where Young Thug signed him to YSL Records after B4TM dropped & Tumblr Music wasn’t that bad of a debut for the label other than “Clout Demons”. B4FN & For Nothing have both become the best things he’s made since the YSL deal, leaving when the Uy Scuti Bøyz consisting of diamond* & Tezzus signed. B4EM & Emotions were both welcomed to mixed reception, coming off his beef with che & Ken Carson recently dissing him to drop Sedition ahead of Sex Money Power & Life’s Beautiful.

“Anytime” begins with a rage beat from Patrick Garza for some mediocre gangsta rap bars whereas “Cracker” obnoxiously talks about him having sex with a white person. “Mind Racing” rambles on regarding a woman who he’s constantly thinking of & claiming to be the biggest in the game leading into “Sing to Your Heart” includes a hilarious bar about him having a good heart considering all of the controversies he’s constantly getting himself in.

As much as I love Patrick’s instrumental on “Roq & Kobe”, I can’t say the same for 9’s lyrics claiming to be freakier than Kevin Gates or having a girl who “eat the dick like a big back” while “Classy Girls” preludes Sex Money Power in the midst of talking about his women having class. “Stranger Things” denies OsamaSon’s claims that he pulled up to his house to end the 1st half of the tape while “Ace & Nicky / Casino” opens up the 2nd leg with a 2-parter.

“Chateau Moment” talks about pulling up to the wedding venue out in Clayton County with a bunch of hoes by his side while “Zone 3” splits itself into 2 separate portions touching base regarding his wealth. “Fuck Flags” responds to the backlash he got for waiving an Israeli flag onstage at a show in Prague a couple months ago while “U.O.E.N.O.” featuring NDO D homages the Rocko single of the same name that came out back when I was in high school.

The song “Sardinia” winds down Sedition’s final moments talking about being out in Italy with his toes out & a couple baddies accompanying him while “Go Bestie” produced by R8 of Vanguard Music Group discusses having sex in the back of a car & spending 20 in exchange for a neck piece. “To Be Continued” sends off the tape with 1 last 2-parter talking about all of his struggles fading away whenever he looks in the eyes of his partner & encouraging her not to let anyone else convince her she isn’t the biggest.

It is somewhat refreshing for 9 Vicious to let Patrick Garza handle most of the cloudy trap/rage production aside from R8 doing the last couple joints & a few other exceptions but unfortunately, Sedition doesn’t stick out any more than Emotions did although in no way shape or form does that imply that I’m looking forward to Sex Money Power whether it drops within the newest or in 2027 mostly because of the below average songwriting & of course his antics.

Score: 1.5/5

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Tha God Fahim – “Lethal Weapon 5” review

Yes, we have a new extended play & the 76th overall from Atlanta, Georgia emcee/producer Tha God Fahim. Starting as an affiliate of Griselda Records & being 1/3 of the Dump Gawds alongside Mach-Hommy & Your Old Droog, we also can’t ignore the massive discography that he’s managed to build for himself, some of the standouts include Breaking Through tha Van Allen Belts & Dump Assassins. He’s been putting out amongst his best material in the past few years like the Camoflauge Monk-produced Dark Shogunn Assassin, the Nature Sounds-backed Iron Bull, the Nicholas Craven-produced Dump Gawd: Shot Clock King tetralogy, the Oh No-produced Berserko, the Mike Shabb-produced Dump Gawd: Rhyme Pays, Tha Supreme Hoarder of All Pristine Wealth, Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga produced by Cookin’ Soul, Machine Gun Vocabulary produced by Cartune Beatz, Slam Dump alongside it’s sequel, the self-produced Ultimate Rapper 5000 Guillotine & of course the historic Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap anthology. However, he’s running it back with Drega33 for a 5th installment of the Lethal Weapon series.

“Lethal Weapon” hooks up a sample-driven boom bap instrumental talking about haters trying to decline the mastermind now that he’s been reactivated whereas “Vega” strips the drums to explain his whole function being leaving deathtrap in both the rap game & the trap. “All I Know” expresses his desire of trying to make millions & the wrong move resulting in facing time while “Times of War” soulfully talks about harmony coming before conflict sometimes.

Kicking off the 2nd half, “Verses N Curses” continues the sampling so Fahim can sling lightning while “New Life” featuring Jay NiCE jazzily talks about doing this shit for the next generation. “Stimulate the Mind” treads the drumlessly jazzy, soulful waters speaking of keeping his head high because he’s the chosen one until “Wear Fear n Love” concludes Lethal Weapon 5 talking about defining greatness as opposed to it defining him.

It’ll be almost 7 months since I last covered Tha God Fahim when Slam Dump 2 came out, which I’m not gonna beat around the bush admitting the reasons for being because neither The Blacker the Berry or Tha Nighthawk Chapter impressed me like his past material AND I felt like a break having reviewed him literally dozens of times in only a few years. Lethal Weapon 5 on the contrary has me more optimistic of his output ahead of Fanonmenal later this month from the improved production to the focused performances.

Score: 4/5

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WRLD Tour Mafia – “For the Fans” review

New surprise extended play from Detroit trap outfit the WRLD Tour Mafia consisting of Rafa, DaeMoney, WTM Solid, WTM Miles, WTM Re, WTM Amex & WTM Bankroll. Originally forming in 2019, they dropped their debut mixtape World Tour Mafia or Die a couple summers later followed by Tourmania the fall after that & the Mob Ties EP. Tourmania II marked DaeMoney’s final appearance as a member until his initial departure, returning after Blood, Sweat, Tours & C.$.B. (Cross $tate Boys) strictly For the Fans.

“Common Name” by Rafa & WTM Solid starts us off with both of them trading bars with each other whereas “Tour Signs” by DaeMoney, Rafa & WTM Miles produced by the latter alongside LulRose gets back to basics reppin’ the team. “Never Seen B4” by WTM Re & WTM Solid talks about pulling off shit they haven’t done previously but once “Quarter Zip” by Rafa & WTM Amex gets on their gangsta shit together, “Goated” ends the EP with a proper posse cut.

These guys’ last couple of full-lengths each have their fair share of tracks I still revisit even if I wouldn’t rank either of them in the same category as the Tourmania series & For the Fans dethrones the original Mob Ties to become the WRLD Tour Mafia’s greatest EP, putting all the bullshit Rafa had with Slae aside for a celebratory reunion over this tight collection of beats catered to none other than the Detroit sound giving the world only a taste of what we can expect from them hereon out.

Score: 4/5

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