Stetsasonic – “Here We Go Again” review

Stetsasonic is the first ever hip hop band from Brooklyn, New York consisting of Daddy-O, MC Delite, Wise & Bobby Simmons. They would only put out 3 full-length albums together during the late 80s/early 90s, but remained inactive as a unit although what they did would eventually pave the way for The Roots. But after teasing a comeback by releasing singles over the past 3 years, the band is getting back together for their 4th LP signing to SpitSLAM Records.

“Message in Our Music” is an old school-inspired opener produced with C-Doc talking about the message in their music has always been clear asking if you have what it takes to escape & change your fate whereas “(Now Y’all Giving Up) Love” works in these triumphant horns to boasting their return after over 3 long decades. Mala Reignz & Smoothe da Hustler both join Stet on the first part of a “Cypher” with Smoothe having my personal favorite of the 2 features, but then “Lolita” gets into their storytelling bag a bit over heavy sampling talking about the titular character.

Moving on from there, “Handled” brings the horns back into the fold reminding y’all they’re known for handling styles that others simply can’t leading into what is probably & with all respect here the weakest track on the album “Stet Dreams Come True” featuring Calvin III being this awkward reggae/pop rap fusion about being the Biggie to her Lil’ Kim. The soulful title track makes their case as being old school like Melle Mel without the disgruntled bitterness he’s shown in recent years while “Notes of Impression” featuring Ruste Juxx hooks up a crooning loop with hi-hats bringing you non fiction.

“Stetsa Anniversary” switches from trap to full-blown g-funk continuing to delve more into their comeback while the song “People in Your Neighborhood” goes for a humorous approach beatboxing & talking about drugs. The penultimate track “Hanging on a String” sonically pays homage to Zapp for a charming club banger rap & “Fallen Soldiers” concludes Here We Go Again by paying tribute to all of those who can’t be with us today.

I was hoping Prince Paul was gonna have at least some involvement behind the boards with this album, but I’m still very happy with what we got on Here We Go Again because it’s similar in a way to one of my personal favorite groups A Tribe Called Quest releasing We Got It From Here…Thank You Your Service nearly 2 decades after The Love Movement. It’s still very much a return to form for the band from the production to everyone sounding genuinely happy to be back doing what they do.

Score: 3.5/5

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Bryson Tiller – Self-Titled review

This is the eponymous 4th full-length LP from Louisville, Kentucky singer/songwriter & rapper Bryson Tiller. Beginning over a decade ago off his debut mixtape Killer Instinct, he would eventually sign to RCA Records & release the ground breaking debut T R A P S O U L celebrating it’s 9-year anniversary this fall. The sophomore effort True to Self was underwhelming & A N N I V E R S A R Y proved to be a step in the right direction but coming off 4 more tapes & EP since (more recently the Slum Tiller trilogy, Bryson’s looking reintroduce himself & show the world what he’s capable of.

After the “http://” intro, the first song “Attention” is a spacey R&B opener singing about being drawn by a captivating woman whereas “Stay Gold” clashes the pop rap & R&B styles together to address the value of the relationship & willingness to make things work. “Persuasion” featuring Victoria Monét is a trap soul duet detailing a flirtatious encounter between 2 people, but then the standout “Ciao!” sings about being finically taken advantage of over a laid-back instrumental from Charlie Heat, FNZ & Leon Thomas III.

“Peace” continues to mix passionate vocals derived from contemporary R&B with nocturnal & atmospheric trap production to admit his need for peace just before another favorite “Rich Boy” finds Vinylz, Boi-1da, Ging & Allen Ritter sampling “Throw Some D’s” by Rich Boy himself spending everything on his romantic interest qfrom the night. “R.A.M. (Random Access Memory)” brings some heavy synthesizers into the fold wanting the old him back that is until “No Thank You” blends hi-hats & lower register synths talking about an endured bond.

The summery guitars on “Find My Way” singing that believe in love except the problem is that he doesn’t know what else to call it while yet another highlight “Prize” fuses alternative R&B & pop rap to tell the woman in his life that no one ends can do it the way that she does. “Waterfalls” brings a psychedelic flare to the beat to sing about paintin’ waterfalls in his woman while “ÆON L U S T” goes afrobeats thanks to KAYTRANADA telling the story of being fascinated by someone special.

“Calypso” was a mediocre contemporary R&B choice of a single with additional elements of afrobeats & dancehall likening her body to Carribean music altogether while the cloudy albeit snappy “Outside” expresses his sexual desire to a freshly single woman who was unable to escape a disastrous previous relationship. “Undertow” strips things back saying he can feel her heartbeat in his chest while “F4U” flips ”Feenin’” by JoDeCi rapping his ass off. “Assume the Position” goes for a groovier approach telling her to put both her hands where he can see them prior to Whatever $he Wants” ending self-titled with a flavorful hybrid of pop rap, Detroit trap, alternative R&B & even hyphy music.

Decent album altogether, but the highs are high enough to the point where I’d actually put this eponymous effort right behind A N N I V E R S A R Y as my 3rd favorite LP of his. The production matches the caliber of that previous full-length combining contemporary R&B & none other than of course the trap soul sound he pioneered with pop rap, afrobeats, alternative R&B & electropop as Bryson invites listeners into a world where genre boundaries are not only crossed but reimagined in vignettes of his love life.

Score: 2.5/5

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Reuben Vincent – “General Admission” review

This is the 2nd EP from Charlotte, North Carolina emcee Reuben Vincent. Emerging under the original moniker Esau, his debut mixtape IDOL.escent would catch the attention of 9th Wonder & would sign Reuben to Jamla Records in 2016. His debut album Myers Park would be released the next fall followed by the previous EP Boy Meets World, the latter of which resulted in Roc Nation Records handling distribution for Reuben’s future output much like fellow Jamla signee Rapsody beginning with the sophomore effort Love is War almost a year & a half ago continuing to elevate his popularity. But starting the 2nd quarter of 2024, he’s following it up with General Admission.

“Troops” is a dizzying trap opener talking about the block boilin’ whereas the hypnotic “Big Bank” likening his pockets being deeper than Toni Braxton feelin’ like Mike Jones simultaneously. “Fufu” brings a more playful trap vibe instrumentally to tell everyone business is business, but then “32 Flavors” hooks up a sample & hi-hats talking about his closer coming in 32 different flavors & the crew like the 36 Chambers a.k.a. the almighty Wu-Tang Clan.

Beginning the encore of the EP, the lead single “Grand Cherry” goes for a luxurious atmosphere likening the taste of revenge to exactly that although I respectfully prefer the original version over the remix featuring Chris Patrick & SWAVAY that follows “Jump” featuring Southfield, Michigan’s very own Malaya properly concluding General Admission fusing pop rap with trap & R&B talking about bringing some change if you tell ’em what you goin’ through.

It makes me happy to see Reuben getting more love as of lately & this EP much like the last album continues to find himself continually evolving from an artistic standpoint. He’s at his most introspective balancing the wordplay, awareness & bravado you have come to expect from him exploring generational trauma & triumph, self-identity, success, struggle & growth all over a gumbo palette of soulful, southern & tribal sounds.

Score: 3.5/5

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The Musalini – “Mackaroni” review

New York emcee & Jamla Records recording artist The Musalini teaming up with Cookin’ Soul for his 6th EP. Beginning to take the underground by storm since 2018 after dropping his debut mixtape Musalini Season, he went on to release 3 full-lengths & another tape before signing to TCF Music Group. Since then, he’s made himself home by dropping a few EPs & Return of the Oro in the early part of this decade. In God We Trust produced by 38 Spesh, The Don & Eye alongside its sequel fully produced 9th Wonder & Pure Izm produced by Khrysis have all quickly become his best material over the past 3 years. And with the run Cookin’ Soul’s been on these past couple months, I can say stakes for Mackaroni were pretty high personally.

“Say You Love Me” featuring Hus Kingpin & Reuben Vincent starts us off with the trio over a soulful admitting to their flings that can’t say they care whereas “Never Be a Stranger” takes the groovy boom bap route talking about being a pimp. “‘92 Olympics” featuring Tha God Fahim gives me a mafioso atmosphere a bit instrumentally likening themselves to the US men’s basketball team over 3 decades ago just before “I Want It All” featuring Planet Asia taking the luxurious route expressing their desire for everything.

MadeinTYO interestingly joins Mu$ on the luxurious boom bap cut “Mack of the Year” talking about being the pimp’s pimps of 2024 leading into “Got Her” showing a J Dilla influence to the beat getting in his romance shit. “1 Time” featuring Le$ works in these organ-synths with kicks & snares bringing that style for the block whilst turning it up a notch while “Fresh Air” featuring Raz Fresco & Skratch Bastid keeps it boom bap with lavish piano chords talking about mornings on the beach. “Lay Up” warmly looks to turn everything he touches into chicken & “Pay the Man” is a jazzy closer demanding to be paid what he is owed.

Despite the fact that some of of Mu$’ output can be a bit too overloaded with the amount guests, I’m not gonna deny that Mackaroni is the most I’ve enjoyed his music in a while. Cookin’ Soul goes on a 3-peat with the production since it’s on par with Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga’s & Bakin’ Soul’s, the performances from the features themselves are more consistent & Mu$’ is straight mackin’ for nearly 26 minutes.

Score: 4/5

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Eddie Kaine – “Last Exit to Crooklyn” review

This is the 6th full-length LP from Brooklyn, New York emcee Eddie Kaine. Turning heads at the beginning of the decade off his Big Ghost Ltd.-produced debut album A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the next couple albums Wonderful World of Kaino & Chosen were both moderately received until the Finn-produced Quincy Street Blues marked a return to form for Eddie. But coming off the BP Infinite-produced House of Kaine last fall, Kaine & Big Ghost are linking back up to take the Last Exit to Crooklyn.

“The Wrong Era” opens up shop by bringing a jazzier flare instrumentally so Eddie himself can admit he feels like he’s gettin’ lit in the wrong era giving flowers to those who paved the way like Gil Scott-Heron & Bobby Womack whereas “Reflections” works in some piano chords to get more spiritual than some think he is. “Gylan Kaine” shifts into soulful territory talking about the only goal is to do what they say he can leading into “Chain Walkers” featuring Planet Asia bringing the 2 backed by horns to get in their battle rap bags.

Moving on from there, “Could Never” clashes these somber keys with kicks & snares boasting that he cannot be touched just before “Crooktown” featuring Rim going back & forth with one another perfectly over a rugged boom bap beat sounding better than most of the cuts off their collab EP Meta if I have to be honest with myself here. “To the Pedal” has a warmer approach sonically talking about having his foot on the gas pedal full throttle, but then “Lanier vs. King” featuring Jae Skeese brings back the soul flips referencing Marcus Lanier & Lee King.

“Misery” keeps the chipmunk vocal sampling in tact talking about feelin’ like B.I.G. with all the Versace & Coogie on while “Cutthroat Drills” mixes pianos with kicks & snares getting back on the hardcore tip lyrically. The penultimate track “Roundtable Meeting” featuring Emilio Craig, Odawg, Passport Rav, Rim, Smaccz & Spoda is a cool 4-minute posse cut with a rawly rock-inspired sound just before “All the Above” shows off Eddie’s artistic versatility since he’s singing his heart out during the LP’s final moments.

A lot of the same essence that made A Tree Grows in Brooklyn so personal & relatable had crept it’s way onto Last Exit to Crooklyn, but it’s still very much a different story with new perspectives & some artistic maturity thrown in the mix. Big Ghost’s production is a bit jazzier than last time although the elements of boom bap, chipmunk soul & drumless are still present as Eddie touches on topics & has a true gift for making you feel like that’s your homie from round the simply just talking to you.

Score: 4.5/5

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1600J – “16GTC” review

This is the 24th EP from Bronx, New York up-&-comer 1600J. Emerging in the winter of 2018 off his first EP Mud Motel, he would go on to drop 22 more EPs, a solo mixtape & 4 collab efforts. Standouts include Hitmakers, GTA 6, NextDoorNeighbors with Ghetto Luxury Entertainment general Pasto Flocco & RealYung16’s eponymous debut EP. However coming fresh off producing Casey Veggies’ latest mixtape Nostalgia over a month ago, Dylvinci is teaming up with 1600J the day after April Fool’s Day 2024 for 16GTC.

“Clear Out the Room” is a warm plugg opener with 1600J talking about his shooters making all the rooms empty whereas “Bag It” continues to bring a summery atmosphere to the table admitting that he’s not looking to be boxed in & I completely understand that. “Look At Me Now” featuring Lil Xellybrings this infectiously groovy trap flare reflecting on going from being clowned to where he is currently while the sensual “Blowin’ My Phone” featuring Rx Papi finds the 2 talking about chick continuously callin’ them & telling them to come to the spot. France’s biggest artist in plugg right now Serane joins 1600J on “Global” giving me a cavernous trap vibe with them flexing that no one compares to them & “What He Can’t” by RealYung16 featuring BoofPaxkMooky finishes 16GTC on a cloudy note as the trio talk about being better than the dudes you’re already with since they can do shit that they wouldn’t.

Going through the insane amount of EPs that 1600J has put out in only 6 years, 16GTC has to be my favorite one that he’s put out. Dylvinci’s production refines 1600J’s whole plugg/pluggnb style consistently start to finish, the performances from 1600J himself are on par & even the features during the last 4 cuts all bring their individual flavor on top of it. If we so happen to get another project from them down the line with a shorter guest list, it really could be on par if not better.

Score: 4/5

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M.A.D – “M.A.D (Me Against Death)” review

M.A.D is a 33 year old MC/producer from California City, California notable for being 1/2 of the duo Madopelli. Much like his partner-in-rhyme Ant Dog who put out his 3rd solo effort albeit LSP debut Sadistic Symphony yesterday, M.A.D himself has quite a few solo efforts under his belt already including Predominantly Me as well as Full Circle & 24/7. But considering the acclaim that Madopelli has gotten ever since Lyrikal Snuff Productionz signed them & Sadistic Symphony releasing a day prior like I said, it makes sense for M.A.D to go eponymous for his 4th LP by himself.

After the intro, the first song “Murder Music” opens the album with a bleak boom bap instrumental wanting his flowers when he’s here whereas “Tell on My Name” takes the trap route sonically talking about calling him Suge White since he’ll leave muthafuckas hanging off the balcony. “Ay Mad How You Feel?” brings back the kicks & snares with a soul sample in the mix admitting that he’s feelin’ incredibly high leading into “New Snuff Sound” by Madopelli putting a Snuff twist to the hardcore hip hop/boom bap style.

”Watered Down” incorporates more kicks, snares & even some piano chords calling out those watering themselves down artistically while “Gutted Like a Fish” keeps it dusty reminding that what goes around does in fact come around & that you’re only gonna hate your own self in the end. “Long Way Home” brings a bluesier flare to the beat for a dedication to those who never had a home & “Mt. Snuffmore” by Madopelli featuring M.M.M.F.D. establishes themselves as the LSP-equivalent to Mt. Rushmore itself.

Starting the last leg of the album, “Juggalo Love 2” is this acoustic trap crossover showing mad juggalo luv while “Go to Sleep” incorporates this high-pitched vocal sample with kicks & snares passionately asking why they be sleeping on his name. And before the outro, the final song “Feel Alone Again” concludes M.A.D’s best solo album yet going trap metal talking about loneliness.

Madopelli has quickly established themselves within the underground ever since signing to LSP & much like Sadistic Symphony which we got only yesterday, it’s counterpart M.A.D (Me Against Death) further exemplifies the freshness that they can do as solo acts. Very much indeed the best albums that they’ve done on their own. M.A.D is not only one of the most interesting producers rising in the underground wicked shit scene in the last couple years, but his hunger here is next level.

Score: 4/5

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Roc Marciano – “Marciology” review

Long Island emcee/producer Roc Marciano has returned with his 11th full-length studio album. Starting out in the very late 90’s as a member of the Flipmode Squad, he then went solo in 2008 to drop classic albums that would pave the way for those like Griselda such as Marcberg & Reloaded. He would begin focusing on producing projects for other artists like Flee Lord & Bronze Nazareth following Mt. Marci but after enlisting The Alchemist to produce The Elephant Man’s Bones which I gave a perfect score, we’re being taught Marciology.

The self-produced title track is this ominous opener reminding that he done brought game to the rap game whereas “Goyard God” works in these luxurious piano chords thanks to Animoss so he can shit on everything. “Gold Crossbow” keeps the exuberant boom bap vibes going boasting he has more style in his small toe than your whole torso leading into “True Love” going into soulful turf for a dedication to all his ghetto homies.

“BeBe’s Kids” brings a groovier approach instrumentally talking about others not digging your style because shit’s foul while the crooning “Bad JuJu” featuring Larry June strips the drums courtesy of Uncle Al breaking down to the rich lifestyles that they both live. “Tapeworm” brings a symphonic vibe to the beat talking about being too high class to work with purse snatchers & he is if we’re being honest with ourselves here, but then “Killin’ Spree” featuring Crimeapple brings the 2 together over a rock sample painting images of the gangsta life.

Meanwhile on “Went Diamond”, we have Marci over more strings teaching those who don’t know by now that their worst enemies be their own pride & ego just before “Higher Self” featuring Flee Lord & T.F. yet again builds itself on operatic sampling talking about leaving bullets flying even through your grandma’s room referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE United States Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Rick Rude. “LeFlair” ruggedly breaks down doing everything from scramblin’ to pimpin’ & panderin’ while “On the Run” featuring Jay Worthy having this infectious vocal flip talking about always being on the lamb.

“Larry Bird” featuring GREA8GAWD & Knowledge the Pirate draws near the end of our Marciology lesson with these jazzy woodwinds throughout referencing the titularly iconic Boston Celtics player of the same name that is until “Floxxx” concludes the album toning down the jazz influences talking about never losing his touch, which he hasn’t.

Marc always comes correct whenever he puts out new music and although Marciology isn’t flawless like The Elephant Man’s Bones was, anyone who’s familiar with his discography should know what they’re getting themselves into by now. The production is mostly drumless with additional undertones of boom bap & jazz rap very much like the predecessor charismatically spitting that illustrious pimpire shit.

Score: 4.5/5

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Ant Dog – “Sadistic Symphony” review

Ant Dog is a 35 year old MC from California City, California notable for being 1/2 of Madopelli along with having a couple solo albums under his belt so far in The Devil’s Deal & Here 2 Stay. Madopelli wound up signing to Lyrikal Snuff Productionz a year & a half ago with their last couple LPs both going on to become the best of their careers, so it makes sense for Ant Dog to put out his 3rd solo effort through LSP coinciding with M.A.D putting out the eponymous M.A.D (Me Against Death) later this weekend also.

After the intro, the first song “Sunday Service” is an organ-laced trap opener talking about taking a crucifix to your neck whereas “Sacrifice” featuring Scum works in some strings & hi-hats so both of them admitting memories of the past brings them to their knees sometimes. “World with No Sun” dabbles with trap metal talking about rolling with the lost & the lead single “Lifeless” by Madopelli joins forces for a wickedly off-the-wall banger.

“Stay Away” hauntingly asks if you can help him get through this maze called life over more hi-hats prior to the futuristic “Death from Above” flexes that he’s been puttin’ in work. “Blood Remains” experiments with trap metal once again to talk about the silence getting us nowhere in the end, but then “Poison” reunites Madopelli once more fuses heavy guitars & hi-hats seeing the darkness in one’s eyes.

Str8 Krazed joins Ant on the orchestral/trap crossover “Feel the Same” talking about the fact that they don’t know why they act the way they do while the morbid “Damned” featuring Bloody Ruckus morbidly finds the 2 clarifying that everyone’s damned anyhow. The final song before the outro “Come Home” featuring Rozz Dyliams finishes Sadistic Symphony with heavy guitars talking about surely running out of time.

The Devil’s Deal & Here 2 Stay both stand as fine examples of what Ant Dog is capable of doing on his own, but Sadistic Symphony really takes it to the next level as his most well-crafted body of solo material thus far & M.A.D (Me Against Death) tomorrow will surely do the same. Improved production, he shows his artistic versatility & the features all bring their own freshness to the table.

Score: 4/5

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Zukenee – “Player Slayer” review

This is the official full-length debut studio album from Atlanta, Georgia up-&-comer Zukenee. Getting his start in the spring of 2021 off his debut EP Undiscovered, he would continue to make a name for himself in the underground by putting out a couple more EPs in Castle & Playful alongside the debut mixtape Stop Playing last summer. Subsequent exclusive singles like “OJAYS” & “Chest” would later become amongst his best singles since both of them were released in the span of a year & a half, so it was more than enough to peak my interest for Player Slayer.

“CURSIVE” is this psychedelic trap opener talking about signing the pussy as if the characters are all joined similarly to the titular writing style whereas “X OFF LIST” looks to shoot back without giving a fuck who it is bringing a quirkier tone to the instrumental kinda. “PEEP” dives into rage turf talking about having to check out the spot prior to the syrupy “STOP TRIM” admitting the 1 thing he knows for certain is that bitches come & go, hence why he doesn’t stress over hoes.

Moving forward, “ACTRESS” brings an exuberant trap flare to the beat flexing that he fuckin’ actresses out here while “BAE SLAY” continues to incorporate pianos & hi-hats clarifying that trap isn’t dead when it’s actually the bitch-made who’re simply scared. “SARAN” featuring Talinwya finds the 2 talking about catching them if you can with a once again quirky instrumental, but then “ZACK BIA” clashes keys & synthesizers together shouting out the Field Trip Recordings founder of the same name.

“PROJECT LIVING” vibrantly asks if you’re down or pussy while “BAD WOMEN” futuristically boasts his lifestyle. “RAPUNZEL” featuring Sk8star has to be one of the best tracks on the album from the synth-inflicted beat to both of their performances while “BANKROLL PLAY” talks his shit over some plinky chords. The bassy penultimate track “POP” sayin’ they either push it or move it & “HOODWINKED” finishes the album by needing a hood queen to smoke good weed with.

Even though we’ve been seeing a progressional artistic growth in Zukenee over the course of these past 3 years with all 4 of his previous projects that I mentioned at the very beginning, Player Slayer here as a debut outdoes himself to the point where his status is bound to get bigger from here. The production is uniquely interesting, the 2 features are tight & his performances keep getting stronger.

Score: 3.5/5

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