Devin the Dude – “Soulful Distance” review

Devin the Dude is a 50 year old rapper & singer from Houston, Texas who came up as a member of the trio Coughee Brothaz. They would eventually catch the attention of J. Prince in 1993 & sign to Rap-A-Lot Records, only releasing 1 album Fadanuf fa Erybody!!. However, Devin would break out as a solo artist by releasing 4 albums before departing in 2008. He’s gone on to make 6 albums since then but much like his previous effort Still Rolling’ Up: Somethin’ to Ride With that dropped a couple summers ago, Devin is teaming up with Blyne Rob for his 11th full-length outing.

It all starts with the title track, where Devin talks about wanting the pandemic to end & go back on the road over a synth-funk instrumental. The next song “Discouraged” talks about life not being easy over a tranquil beat while the track “To Each His Own” talks about the rap game over a slow boom bap instrumental. The song “Nothin’ Really Just Chillin’” perfectly lives up to it’s name as Devin talks about relaxing over a druggy trap beat while the track “My Left Nut Itch” talks about sluts over a skeletal instrumental.

The song “Just Ridin’ By” with Big Pokey & Lil Keke finds the trio talking about pulling up into a party over a psychedelic beat while the track “You Got No Time to Play” gets romantic over a sensual instrumental. The song “He Don’t Have to Know” talks about infidelity over an acoustic beat while the track “P.L.A.N.S.A. (Please Leave A N****’s Shit Alone)” lyrically speaks for itself over a funky instrumental.

The song “A Good Woman” gives some romantic advise over an spacious beat while the track “High & Trippin’” with 14k sees the 2 talking about bugging out over an odd boom bap instrumental. The song “BREAK-fast” gets in his storytelling bag over a bluesy beat while the penultimate track “Live & Let Live” with Slim Thug & Scarface finds the 3 talking about learning how to take care of business over some heavy drums & some keyboards buried behind. The album ends with “We Smokin’”, where the Coughee Brothaz get together for a weed anthem backed by a bass-line & some bells.

Devin is one of the greatest to ever come out of H-Town & even in his 50s, he hasn’t lost a single step. His versatility & charisma are still stronger than ever whereas Blyne Rob cooks up some slick ass production for him.

Score: 3.5/5

Pooh Shiesty – “Slime Season” review

Pooh Shiesty is a 21 year old rapper & songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee who broke out last spring off the single “Main Slime”. This resulted in trap pioneer Gucci Mane signing him to his Atlantic Records imprint 1017 Global almost immediately afterwards during the COVID-19 pandemic & coming off noteworthy appearances he made for the recent compilations the label’s put out showcasing their revamped roster, he’s dropping a debut mixtape of solo material to further establish himself.

The intro icily talks about seeing through fake shit whereas “Back in Blood” featuring Lil Durk finds the 2 tackling the subject of murder over an instrumental with some foreboding piano melodies. “Guard Up” acoustically looks to fuck up anyone in his way leading into “Ugly” featuring Gucci Mane talks about how everyone with them thuggin’ in their own way over a trap beat with some distressing keyboards.

“Neighbors” featuring Big30 finds the 2 talking about being certified gangstas over a wintry instrumental while the song “50 Shots” talks about getting it in at the trap over an elegiac beat. “No Chorus” pessimistically talks about death without the need of a hook if anyone couldn’t tell while the song “Box of Churches” featuring 21 Savage sees the duo talking about bringing the smoke to ‘em over a spectral beat.

The bassy, horn-woven “Making a Mess” featuring Big30 & Veeze finds the trio talking about romance & guns while “Choppa Way” speaks of staying the same despite being rich now over an ominous instrumental. Take a Life” featuring Foogiano sees the 2 talking about how people don’t know what it’s like to kill someone over an instrumental with a prominent woodwind sample while “Gone MIA” talks about all the pussies out there over a triumphant beat.

“Big 13 Gang” featuring Choppa Wop & Lil Hank cinematically talks about being a threat while “Drop Some Shit” cloudily speaks of trying to make it out before he gets locked up. “See Red” fuses trap & rock to talk about blood being around him & once the highlight “Master P” produced by Tay Keith compares himself to the No Limit mogul of the same name, “Switch It Up” featuring G Herbo starts the deluxe run discussing their operation being too major.

Lil Baby appears for “Welcome to the Riches” so they can take a few moments to get luxurious & warning to wet up those who move wrong without breaking a sweat while “See Me Comin’” gets in his Memphis bag recalling the harsh realities of his adolescence. “Murder School” talks about learning how to kill someone until embracing the gangsta lifestyle while “Certified” featuring Gunna links up confidently realizing they got muhfuckas figured out.

“Switches & Dracs” featuring EST G, Lil Durk & Moneybagg Yo joins forces to deliver a mild gangsta rap cut where Durkio has the strongest guest verse of the 3 while “No Clues” featuring Big Scarr talks about the Draco coming with shell catchers, leaving no clues behind when the crimes are committed. “Squeeze on ‘Em” featuring 42 Dugg gives us a Memphis/Detroit crossover Wheezy cooked up advising not to tempt them while “Narcos” featuring Baby K brags of their mob ties.

Gucci Mane & Lil Uzi Vert join Pooh over a Brandon Finessin’ beat during “Next Up” talking about the very reason they’re going so hard while “It’s Up” featuring Big30 provides more gangsta-infused lyricism. “Hunting Opps” featuring ShotOff spends a few moments likening their detractors to prey & once “7.62 God” featuring Big30 & EST G on the remix carries over the the gangsta themes, the final bonus track “SUVs (Black on Black)” featuring Jack Harlow ends with a conflicting self-assurance ode.

Of all the recent 1017 signings, Pooh Shiesty has stood out to me the most & I believe he can reach the heights previous artists like Waka Flocka Flame & Asian Doll have reached in terms of success. However, I came away from Shiesty Season a little torn with the final results although I’m confident of him possibly improving. Despite having a great presence & a distinctive songwriting style, a large chunk of the production left little to be desired & there were more guests than I would’ve initially thought.

Score: 3/5

Yung Rani – “Homecoming” review

Yung Rani is a 18 year old rapper from Detroit, Michigan who originally came out a couple years back off his debut EP Afterparty. However just a little over a year later, he’s returning out of the woodwork to drop a debut mixtape.

The tape starts off with “24/7”, where Rani talks about how people played him & now they bump his music all the time over a druggy beat. The next song “Loko” talks about this chick only wanting him just because he’s famous over an instrumental with some lavish keyboards while the track “Yeah Yeah” talks about handling business over a twangy trap beat. The song “Back Now” talks about going crazy as of late over a euphoric instrumental from the homie Mars while the track “5 Phones” talks about never holding a psycho bitch down over a weepy beat.

The song “Views” talks about excelling over a vibrant instrumental while the track “Envy” opens about feeling like he’s failing all of his goals over a cavernous beat. The song “Bando” talks about listening to your heart instead of your mouth over a flute & some monstrous bass while the track “Baddie” talks about not wanting to let anyone down over a depressive piano instrumental.

The song “Dime Piece” talks about not coming back to any of the fake people who surrounded him over a wistful beat while the track “Big Dreams” talks about his ambitions over a vast instrumental. The song “Mamacita” gets flirtatious over a DJ Mustard type beat while the track “500” gets materialistic over an instrumental with a modern Bay Area feel to it.

The song “Woah Woah” talks getting back on his shit over a gentle beat from Mars while the track “Pourin’” talks about a girl who told him to be himself over a drowsy instrumental. The song “Speechless” talks about someone taking him for granted over a stripped-back, syrupy beat while the penultimate track “Bad Vibes” talks about being unable to think straight over an acoustic instrumental. The album ends with “All I Ever Wanted (Breakfast)”, where Rani talks about how he doesn’t know where he’s going over a sluggish beat.

I honestly never heard of this kid’s music until my brother Jake introduced me to it a while bag & I gotta say, this is a pretty solid effort. The hunger in Rani’s lyrics are undeniable, the melodies he comes up with stick in your head & the production is pretty boisterous. Can’t wait to watch him get bigger as time goes on.

Score: 3.5/5

Frazier Trill – Self-Titled review

Frazier Trill is a 31 year old rapper from Greenville, South Carolina who came onto my radar a couple years ago when Pi’erre Bourne signed him to his Interscope Records imprint SossHouse Records. However after a couple of features & singles under his belt, Frazier is ready to deliver his full-length debut with Pi’erre production from start to finish.

The album kicks off with “Evolution”, where Frazier talks about his growth over an eerie instrumental. The next song “Make a Way” talks about praying to make it out the hood alive over a cloudy beat while the track “Missing” with Bermuda Yae sees the 2 talking about murder over the exact same instrumental Famous Dex used for the intro of his 2018 debut album Dex Meets Dexter. The song “Me & My Dog” talks about living it up over some victorious horns while the track “Wat Else” flexes over a beat that I can picture being in a modern Mario game.

The song “Door Swang” with Jelly finds the 2 going back & forth about moving weight over a metaphysical instrumental while the track “Like This” talks about those who run their mouths over a frightening beat. The song “Start Over” talks about how he don’t play games over a mischievous instrumental while the track “Don’t Know the Half” talks about those who can’t understand over a shadowy beat. The penultimate song “Today” talks about riding with a thug over some prominent bells & then the album ends with “Bout Nun”, where Frazier talks about being fresh as shit over a delicate instrumental.

If anyone enjoyed The Wolf of Peachtree or Chavo’s World as much as I did, then I think you’re gonna enjoy this album as well. It’s a little too short only running at 26 & a half minutes, but Frazier does a good job at showing his potential as he’s at his hungriest lyrically whereas Pi’erre kills it behind the boards as he pretty much always does.

Score: 3.5/5

Insane Poetry – “Wicked Killagraphy” review

Insane Poetry is a horrorcore group from Los Angeles, California formed in 1988. The group originally had 5 members & released 2 albums in the 90’s, but has been spearheaded solely by it’s Day 1 frontman Cyco from 2003 onward. He has released a total of 5 albums since & has been signed to Lyrikal Snuff Productionz since late 2010. The last time we heard from Cyco on his own in a full-length capacity was 2017 with The Snuff Reels Director’s Cut: The Birth of Richard Hansen but after 4 years, he’s returning with the 8th album in the Insane Poetry catalogue.

After the “King Paimon’s Entrance” intro, the first song “Roadside Burial” talks about disposing a corpse on the side of the road over a devilish boom bap beat while the next track “Lair of the Cenobites” with Donnie Menace & James Joyce the Squatch finds the trio talking about what it’s like in the titular place over an uncanny instrumental. The song “Y.S.I.H.W.B.L. (You Suffering In Hell Will Be Legendary)” by M.M.M.F.D. lyrically needs no further explanation as the duo hop on top of a thrilling trap beat while the track “Dirty Gloves” talks about how he can’t ignore the voices in his head over a lugubrious instrumental from Devereaux.

The song “Cold Blood” with Shaw Monsta sees the 2 talking about murder over a fancy boom bap beat while the track “Memories of a Lost Soul” tells the story of a woman who had a very rough life & his best friend Lou over an earnest instrumental. The song “Devil in My Pen” with Damien Quinn & Smallz One finds the 3 talking about how evil their lyrics are over a solemn beat while the track “Books of Blood” talks about how tonight is the night to write in the titular objects over a boom bap instrumental with some evil keyboard melodies.

The song “I’m Possessed” of course talks about demonic posession over a celestial beat while the track “Hear No Evol” is a phenomonal fusion of horrorcore & metal declaring himself as the black equivalent to Smashing Pumpkins frontman & National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) owner Billy Corgan. The song “Before I Killed” talks about wanting to know his murder victim’s thoughts before committing the act over a nefarious beat whereas the next 2 tracks are decent remixes of “Cold Blooded” & Roadside Burial”. The album ends with “Hunt”, where M.M.M.F.D. reunite to trade bloodthirsty bars back & forth over an instrumental with some horror movie-like string sections.

Personally, I think this is the best album Insane Poetry has released since signing to LSP almost a decade ago. The production is grimy as to be expected & it’s just totally remarkable how the horrorcore pioneer hasn’t lost a step in terms in lyricism this deep in his career.

Score: 4/5

Vino La Mano – “Circle of Trust” review

Vino La Mano is a 33 year old MC from Corpus Christi, Texas who broke out a couple years ago after Benny the Butcher signed him to his E1 Music imprint Black Soprano Family Records. He’s released a total of 8 EPs since but to continue his hustle into 2021, Vino is staying on the grind by dropping a 9th EP.

The opener “Bill Lambert” has some dope mafioso lyrics throughout, but the production is just ok to me. The next song “Pair of Aces” talks about playing the hands he’s delt with over a grimy boom bap beat while the track “Mo Money” talks about the bread over a flute-tinged instrumental. The song “I’m Numb” gets on the introspective side of things over a boom bap beat with a psychedelic rock-flavored guitar throughout about while the penultimate track “Stretch the Cake” talks about being a different breed over an instrumental kin to Griselda‘s W.W.C.D. (What Would Chinegun Do?). The EP finishes off with “Gangsters Don’t Smile”, where Vino talks about how thugs don’t show happinness unless proven not guilty over a somber beat.

Overall, it’s a pretty solid EP. Some of the best bars Vino La Mano has ever written pop up on here whereas The Soul Monsters’ production does a decent job of honning in on that signature Griselda sound. If you’re a diehard BSF fan, then I recommend you give this EP a listen & I can’t wait to hear what he does on a full-length album down the road.

Score: 3.5/5

Jaysin Logik – “Soundcheck” review

Jaysin Logik is a 39 year old MC from Milwaukee, Wisconsin came onto my radar a couple years ago when The DRP signed him to his rising independent hip hop label Force 5 Records. I’ve only heard Jaysin on features up to this point, but now we’re finally getting a debut album from him & he’s tapping in Majik Ninja Entertainment in-house producer Stir Crazy to hop behind the boards for a good bulk of it.

After the intro, the first song “That’s My Story” talks about how you can’t tell him shit because he’s been through it over a high-pitched soul sample while the track “Stop Trying to Wake Me” with The DRP finds the 2 talking about how you can find them in between reality & a dream over a cinematic boom bap beat. The song “Anger Management” talks about being as sporadic as an addict over a lachrymose instrumental & after the “Poetic Justice” interlude, “The Toast” with Skribbal & Prolifik finds the trio getting celebratory over a boom bap beat with some hypnotic background vocals.

The song “Easy” gets in his shit-talking bag over a heavy, old school instrumental while the track “Kickin’ Rocks” is a full-fledged country rap ballad about the old days & following the dirt road right to your heart. The penultimate track “Talking About You” gets romantic over a rhythmic yet charming instrumental & then the closer “Never Walk Away” is his profession of love for hip hop culture over chipmunked-vocal sample.

Man I was waiting for this album all month & it didn’t disappoint me whatsoever. Stir Crazy cooks up some of his best production yet whereas Jaysin Logik reveals himself as one of the most skilled lyricists that Force 5 Records currently has to offer.

Score: 4/5

Bronze Nazareth – “Bundle Raps” review

Bronze Nazareth is a 41 year old MC/producer from Grand Rapids, Michigan who started out as a member of the group Wisemen alongside his late brother Kevlaar 7 & later became a member of the Wu-Elements, the in-house production team for the almighty Wu-Tang Clan. He also has 2 solo albums under belt with The Great Migration & School for the Blindman but after a little over 7 years, Bronze is ready to hop back on the mic in a full-length capacity & has enlisted London, England, United Kingdom producer Leaf Dog of The 4 Owls as well as the Brothers of Stone & the 3 Amigos produce it from front to back.

After the “Think Carefully” intro, the first song “Theatre Speak” talks about striving for perfection over some foreboding string sections whereas the next track “It’s On” featuring Leaf Dog finds the 2 getting cocky over a bare sample of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s “If This World Were Mine”. The song “Madman” featuring Recognize Ali sees the 2 talking about trying to make it out the ghetto over a high-pitched vocal sample & ominous horns then after the “Wise Wakening” interlude, “The War on Us” gets conscious over a twangy beat.

“Lisbon Dinners” gets on the mafioso side of things over a funky instrumental with some wind-blowing samples & after the “Burnt Leaf” interlude, the track “Get It Myself” talks about hustling on his own over a boom bap beat with some triumphant horns. The song “Lyrical Wars” featuring BVA & Leaf Dog finds the trio challenging their opposition over an instrumental kin to Wu-Tang Forever while “The Deranged” is a full-blown Wisemen reunion talking about how it only takes 1 shot to leave your clothes stained in blood over a weepy beat.

The track “Grime Lords” featuring June Megalodon sees the 2 declaring themselves as such over a fuzzy instrumental with some vinyl cracking while the song “J My Man!” talks about being ruthless over some thunderous drums. Then before finishing off with the “No Turning Back” outro, the final song “The Immaculate” boasts his prowess about over a boom bap beat with some trumpets.

I was wondering when or if Bronze would drop another solo album, but I’m glad he did because this is a dope body of work under his own label Black Day in July Productions in tandem with the Glastonbury, Sommerset underground imprint Real Life Drama Records. His lyricism is still as good as his production-skills & then Leaf Dog on the other hand continues to remind listeners that he’s one of the best producers the UK has to offer.

Score: 3.5/5

Madlib – “Sound Ancestors” review

This is a brand new album from Oxnard icon Madlib. Getting his start as 1/3 of the trio Lootpack, he would go on to become one of the most well respected producers in all of hip hop from his unique ear for sample to his vast discography ranging from Madvillainy to WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip & his 2 albums under the high-pithed alter ego Quasimoto. However to finish off the first month of 2021, the Beat Konducta coming through with a new batch of beats.

After the futuristic “There Is No Time” intro, the first instrumental “The Call” throws it back to the days of ’70s blaxpoitation films whereas the “Theme de Crabtree” dabbles into boom bap territory. The “Road of the Lonely Ones” instrumental has a bittersweet, soulful vibe that I like a lot while “Loose Goose” is probably the quirkiest beat in the tracklisting. The “Dirtknock” instrumental cleverly fuses elements of boom bap & trip hop while “Hopprock” experiments with sound collage & field recordings. The “Riddim Chant” instrumental is the perfect track to smoke to with it’s stripped-back sound while the title track dives right into spiritual jazz territority.

The 2-parter “One for Quartabê / Right Now” starts off by going into a Latin direction à la The Medicine Show 2: Flight to Brazil, but then transitions into something more smoother. The “Hang Out (Phone Off)” instrumental jumps right back into that traditional boom bap sound while “Two for 2” is a super funky tribute to the late J Dilla. The “Latino Negro” instrumental switches gears back into Latin territority while “The New Normal” makes me feel like I’m being ascedened to the pearly gates. The “Chino” instrumental fuses together elements of boom bap & soul very well whereas “Duumbiyay” obviously throws it back to Beat Konducta, Vols. 3 & 4: Beat Konducta in India with it’s Middle Eastern samples.

Dude is one of my all-time favorite producers & he does not disappoint on this new album whatsoever. It’s amalgoration of all the sounds he’s dabbled with in the past from experimental hip hop & jazz to Indian & Brazilian music. If you’re a true fan of Madlib’s production, then this is a must listen in my eyes.

Score: 4/5

Substance810 – “Makin’ Waves” review

Substance810 is a 36 year old MC/producer from Port Huron, Michigan who first made his mark in 2006 with his full-length debut The Definition under his original moniker Tekneek. He released a sequel album The Definition Of the previous summer & then a debut EP Chess Pieces a couple months later but to continue the grind, the man returning with his 7th full-length album.

The intro talks about being a risk-taker over a soulful boom bap instrumental from Substance810 himself whereas the next track “Crude Dialog” with Squeegie O sees the 2 talking about giving it to ‘em raw over a suspenseful beat. “The Purist” with Estee Nack finds the duo talking about hearing nothing but bars over some funky bass & a wailing sample while the song “Invisible Lines” with Pee Tzu sees the 2 talking about just that over a spooky beat from Wavy da Ghawd.

The track “Upper Echelon” talks about having the vibe that you love over a calm, drumless instrumental while the song “Fortified” talks about having razor blades in his jaw over an doomsday-esque beat. The track “Poison White Darts” talks about being ahead of his time over a drumless, bleak instrumental while “The Procedure” with Ty Farris finds the 2 talking about jumping out the box over a boom bap beat with a gorgeous piano sample.

The song “Calculated Risks” talks about how there’s been a lot of talk over an alluring instrumental while the track “Nitrile Gloves” with Deuce Hennessy & Killy Shoot sees the trio talking about going bar for bar with sucka MCs over an organ-inflicted beat. The song “Epilogue” with Chuck Chan & Lupus Dei finds the 3 talking about what the mission is over some string samples & then the title track that finishes the album off talks about being the leader of the new school over a settle beat from Nicholas Craven.

Substance810 is one of the finest MCs/producers in Michigan right now & this is definitely no exception. Some of the features were kinda weak, but the songwriting only gets better with each project he drops & the production gets continually rawer too.

Score: 3.5/5