The Alchemist – “This Thing of Ours 2” review

The Alchemist is a 43 year old producer, DJ & rapper from Beverly Hills, California who started out as 1/2 of the duo The Whooliganz in 1993 with Scott Caan. They would only disband a year later after recording a debut album that eventually got shelved & Scott went onto acting like his father, but Mudfoot on other end quickly established himself as one of the greatest producers in hip hop history with a resume including ranging names from Mobb Deep to even Eminem. Over this past spring, he produced the latest Armand Hammer album Haram to universal acclaim & followed it up his 9th EP This Thing of Ours a month later. But now in light of the confirmation that he’ll be producing the next Earl Sweatshirt album, Uncle Al dropping a sequel to his latest EP hopefully as a little warm up.

“Miracle Baby” by MAVI is a heavenly opener proclaiming himself as such whereas “Lossless” by MIKE serves as a jazzy boom bap follow-up talking about never losing. The song “Flying Spirit” by the Bruiser Brigade works in a drumless loop for the group to proclaim their work isn’t done while the penultimate track “Wildstyle” by ZelooperZ has a more ominous sound showcasing his wordplay. “6 5 Heartbeats” by Vince Staples ends the EP by somberly recalling his youth.

Uncle Al has made it known that he’s one of the most consistent producers in the game & it’s no surprise that This Thing of Ours 2 wound up being a little bit more enjoyable than the predecessor. Another notable factor of it is that he brings in some less-bigger names into the fold & give them the exposure they truly deserve.

Score: 4/5

Don Toliver – “Life of a Don” review

This is the sophomore album from Houston, Texas rapper & singer/songwriter Don Toliver. Emerging in 2018 after quietly signing to Cactus Jack Records & Atlantic Records, his name truly wouldn’t be first known to the masses until he out his debut mixtape Donny Womack & then being featured on “Can’t Say” off his mentor Travis Scott’s latest album at the time ASTROWORLD literally the very next day. Fast forward a year & a half later right when the COVID-19 pandemic started, his full-length debut Heaven or Hell revealed himself as the most talented that Cactus Jack has to offer. But now that he started hitting the road again very recently, Don is dropping Life of a Don in the midst of it.

“Xscape” starts it off with a horn-infused R&B cut produced by DJ Chase B & Mike Dean about needing the love to keep his woman whereas “5X” almost has a bit of a West Coast feeling from the Cardo instrumental with Don detailing how fine this stripper is. “Way Bigger” gets boastful with the help of a psychedelic Sonny Digital beat leading into the woozy “Flocky Flocky” with Travis Scott talking about their blessings.

Meanwhile on “What You Need”, we have Don on top of a cloudy Hit-Boy instrumental saying he’ll do anything for his bitch just before “Double Standards” works in a Three 6 sample opening up about how it’s hard to be human. “Swangin’ on Westheimer” has some slick production from Metro Boomin’ getting charismatic, but then “Drugs n Hella Melodies” nocturnally pays homage to the 2 things he loves the most.

“2AM” hazily gets in his late night lust bag while “Get Throwed” works in some keyboards with the help of Murda Beatz & DJ Mustard talking about a rich hoe. “Company, Pt. 2” is an incredibly fun sequel to one of my favorites off Heaven or Hell whereas “Outerspace” with Baby Keem is an exhilarating 2-parter getting flirtatious.

On the other hand, HVN & SoFaygo tag along for “Smoke” for an entrancing party anthem while the song “You” finds Travis returning to playfully talk about what comes with their bitches. The penultimate track “Crossfaded” is a mind-altering ode to smoking weed & getting drunk but lastly, “Bogus” ends the album with a more glossier note saying he don’t go for bullshit.

Heaven or Hell was one of the most underrated albums of last year & for a follow-up, I think fans are gonna like Life of a Don just as much or possibly even more than the debut. The lyrics are bit more personal this time around & the lack of features throughout kinda exemplifies that in a sense.

Score: 3.5/5

Bronze Nazareth – “Ekphrasis” review

This is the 4th full-length album from Grand Rapids emcee/producer Bronze Nazareth. Coming up as a member of the group Wisemen alongside his late brother Kevlaar 7 & eventually the Wu-Tang Clan’s in-house production team the Wu-Elements, he would also go on to build a solo career for himself beginning with The Great Migration in ‘06 & then School for the Blindman only 5 years later. But after returning from a decade-long hiatus at the end of January by enlisting The 4 Owls’ very own Leaf Dog to produce Bundle Raps from front to back, Bronze is already kicking off the 4th quarter of 2021 by dropping a follow-up produced entirely by New York titan Roc Marciano.

After the “Proem” intro, the first song “Crazy Horse” starts the album off with a little bit of a jazzy quality to it speaking of something in his spirit burning whereas “The Precipice” takes a grimier route saying you can bet them on the cliff. Skyzoo tags along with Brizz Rawsteen & Termanology on the synth-laced “Brass Jehova” to get on their battle shit but after the “Refocus” skit, the vocal sample that “Survivor’s Vow” is entrancing as fuck saying he has to live it up.

After the “Kevlaar” interlude, Fashawn comes into the picture for the bluesy “Fanta 6” to impressively spit back & forth with Bronze while the track “Kettle Black” with Lord Jessiah brings in a violin addressing elevation. The penultimate song “Papayas ’21” with Roc Marciano & Killah Priest finds the trio on some dusty hardcore shit & just before the “Epilogue” outro, I think “Nosebleeds” with Boldy James serves as the true closer opening up about growing up in Detroit with it’s folksy sample.

As much as I fucked with Bundle Raps, I think it’s safe to say that Ekphrasis is just a tad bit better. Marci’s sample-based production is ever so pleasing to the ear & lyrically, this could very well be the best that Bronze has ever sounded.

Score: 4/5

Guilty Simpson – “Ego” review

Guilty Simpson is a 47 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who came up as a member of the Almighty Dreadnaughtz collective & a frequent collaborator of the late J Dilla. However, it wasn’t until late March of 2008 where he officially branched out on a solo career by having Stones Throw Records back his incredible full-length debut Ode to the Ghetto. He has since followed it up with a handful of equally great projects including his Madlib-produced sophomore album O.J. Simpson, the Apollo Brown-produced Dice Game & the Oh No-produced Simpson Tape just to name a few. But with the 2 year anniversary of his 5th EP Actus Reus approaching in a little over a couple weeks, Guilty is having Mello Music Group help put out his 6th full-length album & is enlisting Gensu Dean to produce it in it’s entirety.

The title track starts off the album with a guitar loop getting on his battle shit whereas “Don’t Pull” is a much more confrontational boom bap cut. “Break’em Off” passionately throws shots at those who’ve betrayed him, but then the piano-laced “Could’ve Been” confesses that he’s only here for his people.

Meanwhile on “Deep Breath”, we have Marv Won & Black Milk tagging along to aggressively continue to go at their opposition’s throats just before “Talk to Me” spookily details how people will kill you for $1K. “Hating” takes a chipmunk soul route as Guilt & Skyzoo address their doubters leading into the gruesomely vile “Dead Breathing”.

“Only” introspectively expresses his desire to have good vibes around him from hereon out while the song “You’re the One” takes a more soulful approach getting romantic. The penultimate track “Right Mind” with Yarbrough brings in some dusty drums talking about taking their people out of their sanity & the organ-laced “Cohiba Smoke” ends the album by attacking his enemies.

Guilty has always been amongst the illest MCs to emerge out of this reviewer’s hometown & Ego has to be one of the best albums he’s out out yet. His ever so sharp pen-game & Gensu Dean’s signature boom bap production coming together as a whole is just as satisfying as PB&J.

Score: 4/5

KanKan – “##RR” review

KanKan is a 21 year old artist & producer from Dallas, Texas who emerged in 2019 as a member of Slayworld & by landing production credits for a wide range of artists from Summrs to even Little Pimp. He’s also dropped an eponymous debut mixtape & 14 EPs in that short amount of time, but all of that has but nothing but a pre-game & is ready to prove the world what he’s really capable of on his very 1st full-length album.

“Arcteryx” kicks it all off a fun little freestyle accompanied by a minimal yet joyous instrumental whereas “Red” is a bass-heavier cut speaking on his newfound fame. “Breakin the Bank” is a cool electro/trap fusion about his wealth, but then “Not da Same” feels like a leftover from Yeat’s latest album Up 2 Më given the lack of KanKan’s presence on it.

The title track brings in some hypnotic synth melodies celebrating the paper coming in by dropping it on a black Bentley & Roxis just before “Wreck” works in a blobby bass-line talking about walking in the club with that fire. After the acoustic-tinged “Oxy” interlude, “Milan” serves as a corny love ballad with an underwhelming Joony verse at the start leading into the cloudy yet monstrous “Dissin’” goes at his naysayers.

“Under Me” continues where the previous cut left off thematically albeit with a mistier beat while “Take It to Trial” serves as an underwritten shot at studio gangsters. The song “Fuk tha Clout” with Yeat finds the 2 on top of a mind-altering instrumental saying they don’t care about the fame while the penultimate track “Russian Shit” works in some piano melodies getting on his hardcore shit & “Demon Time” is a short yet grim finisher to the album displaying his recklessness.

Overall, #RR is a pretty respectable debut album & I’m curious to hear where he goes from here in the subsequent future. A couple songs seem like they’re unfinished & not fully realized, but KanKan continues to make his mark as one of the biggest names in the plugg scene today as he vibrantly details where he’s at currently.

Score: 3.5/5

Lute – “Gold Mouf” review

Lute is a 32 year old rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina who came up almost a decade ago as a member of the short-lived Forever FC as well as his debut mixtape West1996 a little bit after their disbandment. This would catch the attention of local legend J. Cole & he would sign Lute to his Interscope Records imprint Dreamville Records the very day the label dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Revenge of the Dreamers II in December of 2015. Fast forward to his full-length debut a couple years later being a respectable sequel to his breakout tape but now, he’s enlisting Rapper Big Pooh to oversee this sophomore album of his.

“100” is a dreamy boom bap opener about keeping it real whereas “G.E.D. (Gettin’ Every Dolla)” has a bit of a lush trap instrumental speaking on making the money. “Myself” addresses being extroverted with a meditative Trox beat, but then “Be Okay” has a bit of an R&B-flare optimistically looks forward to the future in the midst of dark times.

Meanwhile on “Eye to Eye”, we have Cozz tagging along for a piano ballad about how real recognizes real just before “Changes” vibrantly details that he’ll never switch up like a lot of other cats did. “Ghetto Love” is a decent romance cut that I can do without whereas “Amen” with fucking Little Brother gets on the boom bap tip takes another whack at it doing a much better job with it’s spiritual references.

SABA comes into the picture for “Birdsong” to talk about living how they want over an alluring vocal sample leading into the dusty, boastful “Flossin’” featuring Shady Records’ very own Westside Boogie & produced by Marco Polo. The song “Life” vulnerably details how he handled the hurdles 2020 threw at us while the penultimate track “Overnight” is a guitar ballad reminder that Rome wasn’t build in a day. “Crashing” serves as a cloudy finisher saying he’s been stuck in his ways & been in control of his own faith.

For anyone who enjoyed the West1996 duology, I think you’re gonna like Gold Mouf just as much if not even more. Big Pooh brings in a gang load of fresh faces behind the boards to demonstrate their talents, the features are well-picked & Lute’s at his most honest lyrically.

Score: 3.5/5

maticulous – “no caps” review

maticulous is a 40 year old producer from Brooklyn, New York who originally broke out a decade ago off his eponymous debut EP & then a self-titled debut a few years later. This was followed up with The Chrome Tape in 2016 but after producing a couple albums for Justo the MC More recently, he’s dropping a sophomore EP with a jam-packed cast of MCs coming along for the ride.

“Shouts To…” by Homeboy Sandman starts off the EP with an alluring boom bap propping up those who got him out of a bind whereas “Everything” by Justo the MC & Skyzoo finds the pair putting all on the line on top of some strings. “Close Range” by J Scienide & Kev Brown takes a more soulful route getting at their competition, but then “Home Goin’” by Guilty Simpson is an airy boom bap cut detailing going to a funeral with the killers in the room.

Meanwhile on “Take Heed”, we have Breeze Brewin’ & Al Skratch coming together over a harp-laced instrumental advising to watch your surroundings just before “Bein’ This Nice” by Uptown XO & yU gets in that grimy shit talking bag. The penultimate track “Keep ‘Em High” by Beedie, Justo the MC & Rim has a more smoother vibe encouraging listeners to move with them & the closer “Survival Mode” by Ill Conscious & M.A.V. has some slick guitar melodies speaking on how it’s normal for them trying not to get killed in the hood.

Between this & the self-titled joints, I think no caps has to my favorite solo projects that maticulous has dropped so far. Some of the best beats he’s ever made pop up on here & the guests are a bit more consistent in terms of their performances.

Score: 4/5

Stanwill – “Full Auto” review

Here is the 3rd solo EP from Detroit, Michigan rapper Stanwill. Coming up as 1/3 of the ShittyBoyz with Babytron & TR Dee signing to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records, he eventually branched out on his own during the COVID-19 pandemic off last summer the debut EP $camwill as well as it’s successor Gifted turning 1 this winter & the debut mixtape Van Gundy earlier this year. However, he’s looking to completely go Full Auto in preparation for a full-length debut studio album.

The self-produced “Slime Ball” starts by talking a whole lot of gang shit whereas “Ándale” flexes that he & the rest of the Dog $hit Militia collective will slide in ア・ベイシング・エイプ, which is one of my favorite clothing brands personally. “Max Payne” references the Rockstar Games-owned franchise of the same name & promising a mugger he’ll get his ass beat if he tries him while “Fast Lane” talks about living in the fast lane.

“Been That” gives a shoutout to Louis Vuitton men’s creator, Off-White founder & RSVP Gallery founder Virgil Abloh for the fit leading into “8 Phones” talking about not giving a fuck regarding the little guns or petty stacks because they got bigger sticks & longer money. “Kick Ass” finishes the Full Auto experience by talking about receiving slow head because the whip’s too fast, spending a total of $400 on 2 steaks.

I wouldn’t rank Full Auto above $camwill or Chosen, but it’s still a worthy Detroit trap solo EP from Stanwill displaying what he’s capable of doing by himself ahead of his inaugural LP whenever he decides to put it out. Production isn’t as interesting as the Van Gundy tape or his first couple EPs, except I like that he holds down the mic by himself as opposed to the guests on Full Auto’s predecessors.

Score: 3.5/5

King Klick – Self-Titled review

The King Klick is a West Coast supergroup consisting of Chucky Chuck, Johnny Richter & Obnoxious. 2 of the members have already made themselves household names with the Malibu-based independent powerhouse Suburban Noize Records by lending their hands in founding the groups DG@F & Kottonmouth Kings respectively, but the other is a bit of a fresh face to the label after signing to them about a year & a half ago. However with a few well received singles under their belts so far, the Klick’s finally dropping their eponymous debut EP after much anticipation.

“Throne of Spades” is a soulful boom bap opener reminding listeners how they do whereas “Subnoize O.G.’s” rightfully proclaims themselves as a such on top of a g-funk instrumental. “Everyday” is a epic 7 & a half minute posse cut showcasing a majority of the current Suburban Noize roster while the song “Who’s Next?” apocalyptically talks about slaughtering shit. The penultimate track “Spaceships” with Lil Saint & Underrated has a bit of a robotic beat getting on their weed shit, but then “We Want It All” with Madchild & M.C.U.D. ends the EP with a grimy trap banger getting at their enemies.

I’ve been looking forward to this EP from the very first time I heard that closer when they dropped it as the lead single over the spring & my God, did they deliver. The chemistry between the trio comes off as natural than forced, each member stands out in their own unique way & the production has a little something for everyone. Suburban Noize really gave their fans a true celebration of their legacy with this one.

Score: 4.5/5

Lucky 7 – “Lucky & the Laser Gun” review

Lucky 7 is a 35 year old MC/producer from Buffalo, New York who I first started noticing after he laced what I personally believe is one of the mort underrated Conway the Machine singles ever: “Temple”. But he’s dropped a total 2 albums, a mixtape & 3 EPs since then before signing to Drumwork Music Group over the spring of this year. And now with only 8 dates left on the Love Will Get You Killed Tour, it’s only right for Lucky to prelude his upcoming debut on Con’s very own EMPIRE imprint with his 4th EP.

After the intro, the first song “Nuke Dropper” works in a blaring boom bap instrumental to tell his opposition to get the fuck out of his way whereas “You Gotta Make It” has a more uptempo vibe encouraging listeners to getting theirs. “Motorbike Music” takes a more luscious turn with Luck & Elcamino proclaiming themselves as rebels, but then Flee Lord tags along for the morbid “Orange Soda” talking about their young shooters.

Meanwhile on “Metal Arm Tesuo”, we have Luck & Jae Skeese wickedly bragging about their extraordinary skills leading into “Kaneda Loves Kei” soulfully pays tribute to his lady. The song “Snoopy’s Penthouse” smoothly details the lavish lifestyle while the penultimate track “Playgrounds” has a more grimier sound with the help of Stu Bangas & Elcamino returning to help shoutout those who’ve been there since the beginning. “Goodbye to Your Life” ends with some strings & lyrics about getting the millions if you follow him.

Coming away from Lucky & the Laser Gun, it’s definitely a solid precursor to Lasertron Arcade. I think the anime concept is well executed, I fuck with the wide range of emotions throughout it’s 24 minute run & how Lucky brought in some fresh faces behind the boards for him to showcase his penmanship to new listeners.

Score: 4/5