Swapa – “CLRBLND” review

Swapa is a 21 year old recording artist & producer from Harlem, New York introducing himself in 2021 off his poorly received debut EP To Each It’s Own. He would gradually improve himself from there whether it be New Harmony, Bannon, Ollo, Eigen, Island or his most recent extended play as of me writing this Armageddon celebrating it’s 1-year anniversary last month. In regards to his full-length studio debut album CLRBLND, seeing a couple notable producers that I’m a fan of making some contributions to it had me intrigued & I thought I’d give it a shot.

“tap in” starts us off by introducing a new mind of swag to the world since he’s in his bag differently whereas the experimental “fully chop” talks about nobody being able to fuck with him because of his boss status. “redinyoeyes” appreciatively throws it back to the Bannon era a little for those who’re fond of that point in his career leading into the self-produced “skull” talking about the type of guy he is compared to some of these lames.

Moving on from there, “heavy metal” continues to display Swapa’s production talents assuring that he’s in it similarly to the titular genre of music just before the 808-heavy “steve kerr” talks about being richer than the Golden State Warriors’ head coach himself. “nah” stylistically feels like some new age Future shit getting fried while “sir scale” produced by Whyceg & Goxan works in more 808s talking about everything he says eventually selling.

“rigged” reaches the halfway point of the LP subtly referencing the NBA’s ongoing illegal gambling scandal involving Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones & Terry Rozier while “old habits” sticks out with one of my favorite flows throughout CLRBLND asking if one wants to die now that he gave his bitch a Glock to carry for protection. “nother level” speaks of wanting to murder their opps & throw their corpses in the river while “again” talks about it only being him & his bands in the end.

Things take a more rage-inducing vibe on “troll” considering himself a threat while “ykisshme” leans heavier towards a synth-based sound thanks to Clayco promising y’all gonna know it’s him when he pulls up. “marni” much like “old habits” shines as a moment where he shows off what he can do with his flows while the piano-heavy “why not?” talks about doing this music shit for himself. “alien” finishes Swapa’s debut with him psychedelically arriving to the function looking extraterrestrial.

Impressed with his verse on Devstacks’ sophomore effort 4SouljasOnly earlier this spring, it only made sense for me to find out if CLRBLND would be capable of topping Armageddon in addition to some of the other EPs he has under his belt that I don’t find myself going back to very often like Island for instance. Surely enough, all 5 tracks he produced by himself along with “sir scale” & “ykisshme” to name a couple all make for the finer moments over the course of Swapa’s proper introduction.

Score: 3.5/5

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Meek Mill – “Indie Pack” review

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rapper & songwriter Meek Mill preluding his 6th album with his 8th EP. Starting out in the battle rap circuit before T.I. briefly signed him to Grand Hustle Records. Once he left, Rick Ross brought him over to Maybach Music Group & we’ve seen a handful of ups & downs in his career over the past decade. The critically acclaimed Dreamchasers mixtape series, his beef with Drake & who could forget where he was sentenced to 6 years in prison by a corrupt judge only to be released 5 months later? Championships was seen as his most mature body of work yet despite being a tad bit bloated, fulfilling his contractual obligations for Maybach & Atlantic Records with Expensive Painto divisive reception. Coming off Heathenism & Who Decides War?, the next phase of his career is being teased via an Indie Pack only a couple days succeeding what would’ve been the 45th birthday of BJWジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 3-time CZW World Tag Team Champion, JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion & ROH World Tag Team Champion Trent Acid.

“Save Yourself” open with a bland instrumental talking about the fact that everybody can’t be saved because all of us weren’t meant to make it whereas “How Far We Came” works in some decent sampling feeling prideful of his successes. “Free Smoke” speaks of people talking shit behind his back wanting to see him dead & “4th of July in Philly” featuring Fridayy finishes with both of them cooking up a mediocre Independent’s Day anthem.

Before I get to my closing thoughts regarding Indie Pack, lemme just say that I’m very happy for Meek Mill getting off a major label & becoming fully independent. However, he hasn’t had a consistent body of work since Championships & this EP unfortunately continues towards the same trajectory as Expensive Pain. Clearly there’s a lot less pressure on him now that he doesn’t have to worry about appeasing record executives anymore, but his production choices are getting worse.

Score: 2/5

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ИF – “Fear” review

Gladwin, Michigan recording artist ИF dropping off his 3rd EP. Coming up 15 years ago off his debut mixtape Moments, he eventually signed to Capitol Records & made his full-length debut during my senior year of high school with Mansion. This was followed up with Therapy Session & Perception, the latter of which spawning his biggest hit “Let You Down”. Coming off The Search & Hope however, he’s decided to face Fear head-on as we reach the halfway point of November 2025.

The self-produced title track opens with him talking about his OCD being worse than ever and asking God, if this fire and his life was started by Him & after “Home” finds himself pretending this chick’s actually here leaving a voicemail and telling her to call him back, “Who I Was” featuring MGK brings 2 of the corniest artists together talking about everything they care for being burnt up in front of them.

“Gimme a Reason” talks about forgetting what the hustle & struggle was like despite the cosign from UFC fighter Michael Chandler while “Sorry” featuring James Arthur starts the final moments of Fear with both of them coming together for a pop rap crossover apologizing to exes for the way things ended with them & not trying to start any more issues than Necessary. “Washed Up” concludes the EP regressing to a more negative mindset that was seen prior to Hope.

Unfortunately as much as I really want to like ИF’s music, Fear merely faulters at an attempt to shift towards singer/songwriter with minor elements of conscious hip hop along with pop rap & folk pop. There’s not really a whole lot for me to complain about in regards to the production since it’s merely decent at best, it’s that some of the lyrics can be irritatingly corny & the flows aren’t really all that interesting to me either personally.

Score: 1.5/5

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Wale – “Everything’s a Lot” review

Wale is a 41 year old rapper & songwriter from Washington, D.C. breaking out in 2008 after signing to Interscope Records & releasing his 4th mixtape The Mixtape About Nothing. He would go on to have 9th Wonder produce Back to the Feature as a prelude to his full-length debut Attention Deficit, signing to Maybach Music Group in 2011 & making debut for the label 9 months later with his sophomore effort Ambition to moderate reception. Folarin, The Gifted, The Album About Nothing, SHiNE (Still Here Ignoring Negative Energy), Wow…That’s Crazy & Folarin II all ranged from mediocre at best to some of his most tepid material at worst. Now that he’s signed to Def Jam Recordings, I was more optimistic heading towards his 8th studio album only a month away from the current WWE Intercontinental Champion John Cena’s retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII.

“Conundrum” hops over a chipmunk soul instrumental from STREETRUNNER asking this woman if she really loves him whereas the final single “Belly” samples “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” by Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler to potently talk about heading deep into a dangerous situation. The 2nd single “Where to Start”flips “I’m So Into You” by SWV so he can reflect over the past to pave way for the future while the lead single “Blanco” talks about him starting to drink again.

After the “Michael Fredo” prelude, the actual “Michael Fredo” song itself works in a triumphantly boastful trap beat so he can count paper as opposed to everyone else counting favors despite the flow sounding reminiscent of Rick Ross’ at times just before “Power & Problems” talks about never being conquered. “Mirroronnabenz” produced by BNYX of Working on Dying was easily my favorite single of the 5 tackling themes of self-affirmation prior to “Watching Us” featuring Leon Thomas III sampling Goapele for a smooth pop rap ballad.

Seyi Vibez & Teni join Wale on “YSF” starting the 2nd half of his Def Jam debut experimenting with Afrobeats & it doing a lot better than he did almost a decade ago with SHiNE (Still Here Ignoring Negative Energy) considering that’s the weakest thing Wale has ever done personally, but “Tomorrow Today” continues by taking a smoother approach for a pop rap track that’s more average not wanting to bother the woman he’s seeing so late in the evening. “Big Head” featuring Odumodubvck finds the 2 talking about egotism while “City on Fire” soulfully advises to not become a casualty.

One of my all-time favorite Maxwell songs “Pretty Wings” decently gets sampled throughout the trap soul/hip hop fusion “Fly Away” talking about wanting to escape with the woman of his life while “Corner Bottles” incorporates some synthesizers confessing to not being able to sleep at night because that’s how the love goes. “Like I” luxuriously asks a female who’s caught his eye if he can be her scripture & her script due to the infinite amount of potential they could have as a couple while “Survive” featuring Nino Paid talks about the difficulty of being faithful can be at times with Pooh Beatz behind the boards. 

“Lonely” featuring Shabooezy concludes Wale’s return with them over a rock guitar comfortingly singing of loneliness while “Ghetto Speak” starts the deluxe run with him assuring that his wraith had only begun, warning that it’s these muhfuckas’ last chance to show him the way they be moving out here. “Mission Statement” could be the best of the 3 bonus tracks from the T-Minus instrumental to the hungry 58 second verse that references Def Jam: Vendetta while “What’s the Play?” featuring Chaz French ends the extra 5 & a half minutes of material with both artists trying to figure out the move for when it gets dark outside.

With all due respect to Wale because the guy’s been on my radar ever since he was a part of the All City Chess Club during my adolescence: I always felt that Maybach Music was a weird fit for him & his output post-The Gift pretty much says it all. However, I can say that Everything’s a Lot is easily the most I’ve enjoyed Wale’s music in a while although I’m still on the fence with it a little. It’s easily the most passionate that he sounded in a minute, although some of sample choices within the production don’t do it for me as much as I enjoy all of the original source materials that’re being repurposed.

Score: 3/5

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Foul Mouth – “Everybody Goes Crazy Once” review

Foul Mouth is a 42 year old producer & MC from Detroit, Michigan coming up as 1/2 of Da Bash Brotherz with the late PHD & 1/3 of JFK with Jake Knew & King Juke. He would also form the duos Bad News Brown & Speak of the Devil with Ketch P & DJ Skyrah respectively after starting his own label Middle Finger Music in 2018, producing albums for the likes of Fatt Father & Isaac Castor to name a couple. His most notable work has been with Bizarre of prior D12 fame, whether it be his work with King Gordy as L.A.R.S. or the He Got a Gun series & the final moments of “Antichrist” off Eminem’s 13th album THE DƎATH OF SLIM SHADY (COUP DE GRÂCE). However, he’s finally to make his full-length studio debut as lyricist.

The intro breaks the door down with a gritty self-produced instrumental advising all the people ripping off Griselda to get lost whereas “Only the Right” jazzily talks about taking a break from rapping for a decade to focus on his successes producing for some of the biggest names in music. “From Above” featuring Isaac Castor & Jalen Frazier dustily boasts that nobody can ever be anything like them while “Code Red” featuring Bizarre & Fatboi Sharif eerily finds the trio staying in their hardcore bags lyrically.

“Louis Tripp” works in a drumless sample admitting that he’s been feeling lonely as of late even though he’s one of the most in-demand beatsmiths throughout the entire state leading into “Lucky Number” featuring Choke Uno, DJ Clay, Isaac Castor, J-Classic, Metasyons & Tru Klassick coming through with a 3 minute posse cut. “Discharge it to the Game” shows off Foul’s ear for sampling referencing former WWE Cruiserweight Champion, WCW World Tag Team Champion & 2-time WCW World Television Champion Disco Inferno just before the crooning “Bah Say” featuring J-Classic & Kain Cole talks about their boss mentalities.

To begin Everybody Goes Crazy Once’s final act, “Bombs Away (4XL Beefcake)” speaks of being the only attraction down river that hasn’t failed while “The Salton Sea” drumlessly talks about music being his only passion & for has-beens to blame themselves for their own downfall. “All Jokes Aside” confesses that all he ever wanted was to be normal until his soul got sucked through a portal & the title track appropriately sends things off losing it over a boom bap beat.

Knowing this guy personally for almost a decade, Foul Mouth’s always told people that he could freestyle better than he could make beats & Everybody Goes Crazy Once certainly proves his point that I had already figured out from the moment I heard his hooks on “Savage Life” by L.A.R.S. when they dropped their debut EP Foul World after Twiztid had signed them to Majik Ninja Entertainment. I feel like there isn’t much that hasn’t been said already regarding his production which is mostly self-produced but lyrically, his pen has sharpened significantly from his days with his late Bash Brother PHD & the guests that he brings on board all maintain their own weight.

Score: 4/5

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Tee Grizzley – “Street Psalms” review

Here is the 6th studio LP from Detroit rapper & singer/songwriter Tee Grizzley. Originally a member of the quartet ASBH, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earned a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like his debut mixtape My Moment, the debut album Activated, his 2nd tape, Still My Moment, the Timbaland exec-produced sophomore effort Scriptures or my personal favorite: his 3rd mixtape The Smartest. Built for Whatever, Chapters of the Trenches, Half Tee, Half Beast & Tee’s Coney Islandwere generally mixed, coming off the sonically diverse Post Traumatic & declaring it’s Forever My Moment by spitting Street Psalms.

“In My Life” was a decent Detroit trap intro talking about not getting adjusted to being broke even though it took him a long time to get things right whereas “Walk” produced by Chopsquad DJ makes up for it from the the instrumental to Grizzley’s lyrics explaining that he balls late at night so he can party in the trenches. “Lou’s Deli” continues to head down that same trajectory in terms of quality explaining that he’s walking in the streets & stepping in the booth while “Seen Enough” featuring Polo G talks about being too deep in the water with the sharks.

As for “Make ‘Em See”, we have Helluva jumping behind the boards making it clear that he ain’t got no time to wait because he got a toddler & an infant when he’s not wrong there leading into “Chicken Different” suggest that this bitch changes her mind frame if she can’t handle what comes with the game. “Slow Me Down” makes it clear that he knows what it’s like to pray for something & then it ends up falling at your heels while “Voicemail” featuring [Rod Wave] talks about not getting sleep because of bitches abusing their numbers.

“Breath of Fresh Air” pushes towards the first half conclusion by assuring his girl that his emotions are safe with her & that he can’t wait to see her while “Van Nuys Aviation” recalling when people weren’t helping him when he needed it & wanting to take pictures with him now that he’s big. “Emotionally Intelligent” let the love of his life know that he’s constantly thinking of her & misses her dearly while “Trials & Tribulations” talks about the street shit being watered down to the point where they need to cut it out.

Continuing the 2nd half, I found the sampling on “Made It That Way” to be pretty interesting forcing himself to trap on days when he doesn’t even wanna do a damn thing while “In My Headphones” continues to show off some cool sample techniques talking about being quiet unless he means it. “Brain Cells” reunites with Helluva to hook some bells talking about the dumb shit he’s done lowering his intelligence while “Chase People” maintains the Detroit sound dismissing those calling even with him when he kept it going & they gave up.

“Back to Michigan” kicks off the final leg of Street Psalms with him & Helluva getting back together publicly admitting that 300 has given him a $20M offer in exchange for his penmanship while “Internet Detectives” takes a shot at that specific group of people. “Baby Teeski” pushes towards the end, talking about his family reasonably missing him & “New Chapter” finishes with a gospel influence speaking of having only God’s presence left.

Admittedly: As much as I liked Post Traumatic & Forever My Moment, I came away from Street Psalms enjoying it less than either or and it could be one of the weaker installments in Tee Grizzley’s discography. I appreciate the approach she took in terms of songwriting, although I don’t think the Detroit trap production was as enjoyable as the last couple projects that I previously had mentioned.

Score: 3/5

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Ty Farris – “Run Toward the Monster” review

Detroit veteran Ty Farris teaming up with Apollo Brown to produce his 12th LP. Emerging up up under the name T-Flame being featuring on a lot of projects throughout the mid-2000’s until the very end of the decade, it was at that point where he started to put out solo stuff at a prolific rate by dropping 11 mixtapes, all 11 of his previous albums & 4 EPs. Standouts include the Room 39 duology & the No Cosign Just Cocaine series, the Machacha-produced Malice at the Palace & the Graymatter produced Sounds That Never Left My Soul. Coming off Enigma with an Attitude & Timing of a Tarantula, we have 2 of the Motor City’s finest joining forces suggesting you Run Toward the Monster.

After the “Run” intro, the first song “Follow My Soul” makes for a passionate boom bap intro talking about listening to his intuitions in this cold game whereas the 2nd & final single “No Celebrations” speaks of the relentless grind it takes to reach the top. “Details” disses wankstas who portray fictitious crime they’ve committed in their music while “Authenticity” featuring Mickey Diamond finds 2 talking about their legitimacies.

 “Ctrl Alt Delete” brings a bit of a psychedelic, boom, bad vibe instrumentally proclaiming his 3rd eye doesn’t ever sleep leading into “Beautiful Struggle” talks about the journey to where he is now wasn’t an easy one, but he wouldn’t have changed shit. “Sacred” works in some sampling for Ty to explain the way he feels every time he’s in front of a microphone just before “Cold is the Gun” talks about never buckling under pressure.

Kicking off the final leg, “Street Patriots” speaks of another day in the battlefield for his kind of people chopping up a vocal sample while “Traffic” talks about still going although most who were hustling beside him have fallen off. The lead single “Flawless Victory” featuring Top Hooter teams up over a flute warning of what their results will be in any beef until finishing up by asking God to have mercy for the “Young Rebels” trying to survive the fight.

A fitting soundtrack for the cold months & colder realities, Run Toward the Monster reserves the arguable right of possibly becoming the greatest musical statement of Ty Farris’ entire career for it’s grittily emotional & unapologetically honest. Apollo Brown’s production has a heavily grimy, soul-drenched grit to it compared to Funeral for a Dream earlier this summer & T-Flame’s lyrics are amongst the most mature he’s ever penned, tackling issues like survival or self-awareness & standing your ground.

Score: 4.5/5

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Oh No – “Nodega” review

Oh No is a 46 year old MC & producer from Oxnard, California known for being 1/2 of The Professionals with his older brother Madlib & of course Gangrene with The Alchemist. His debut album The Disrupt under Stones Throw Records would become a west coast hip hop gem & the sophomore effort Exodus into Unheard Rhythms of course relied on Galt MacDermot samples. Ohnomite & the Chris Keys-produced Ashes would succeed the Oxperiment & Ethiopium beat tapes, returning over a decade after Disrupted Ads for his 6th studio LP after signing to Nature Sounds.

After the “Broken Radio” intro, “No One’s Stop” ruggedly begins with The Disrupt jumping over a gritty self-produced instrumental trying to get guap setting up shop whereas “Community Trenches” by Team Getem featuring Blu, Kazi & M.E.D. finds the quintet advising staying indoors so the war outside can be avoided. Rah Digga & Talib Kweli both rip the mic together for “Around Here” letting it be known that some ain’t allowed to be near their premises while the 2nd & final single “Rooftop Shottas” by Ghostface Killah & TriState finds the pair coming together over a gully beat advising to give up everything they got in the middle of a stickup unless you wanna get shot. 

Following the “Dr. Nodega Informercial” skit, “Gutter Streams” reunites Gangrene a year & a half following their comeback Heads I Win, Tails You Lose to talk about making the needle break after shooting dope through people’s veins & after the “Watch Ya Steps” interlude, Guilty Simpson alongside Montage 1 & Vic Spencer along with him for the spaciously raw “Grounding Stars” so they can get at the throats of those who think they be running shit.

J. Sands takes us all on an 103 second “Nodega Run” having some vibraphones backing his storytelling while the lead single “Money Everyday” by Big Twins & Tha God Fahim talking about looking for new ways of getting paid. After the “Nobody Told U” interlude, “How Crime Works” by Crimeapple gets on some boom bap shit explaining his grind up until the “Alley Loitering” interlude.

“No Parking Zone” featuring Logic sets out for all the smoke with the wankstas acting like they really got it while “Czarnobyl Torture” featuring Esoteric carries the battle bars over wanting their opposition to know the applause wasn’t meant to be a congratulatory gesture to them. And after the “Good Beer Therapy (Interlude)”, “Likwit Smoke” by Tash & Wildchild makes it clear they’re still part of the Likwit Crew.

The song “ICU with Bottle Service” featuring Bishop Lamont finishes up our last few minutes of exploring the Nodega with him & Oh No over a Khrysis instrumental sampling what sounds like an SNES video game warning that they’ll let fists fly towards detractors who stay flapping their mouths while “Corner Goons” by Team Getem featuring Jayo Felony concludes with the trio suggesting everybody chillin’ at the corner to move because they carrying weight.

Thematically built around a corner store where all microphone assassins can stop through to lay down their street tales, Oh No cooks up a freshly wild collection of songs as the drama unfolds only contributing a handful of verses & letting his guests shine throughout a good bulk of Nodega. His production is some of the most cinematic he’s ever made & even though his performances are all occasional, a great deal of the veterans that’re brought on board all do what they’ve become known for VERY well.

Score: 4/5

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Boldy James – “Criminally Attached” review

It’s been 4 months & Detroit veteran Boldy James has finally returned to make his Roc Nation Records debut in the form of his 17th LP. Breaking out in the fall of 2013 off his Alchemist produced debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set), there was a point where Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records had them on their roster for a little while before getting locked up. Once coming home, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there once getting out by dropping the Boldface EP around Christmas 2019 & then the sophomore album The Price of Tea in China. Manger on McNichols produced by Sterling Toles was as equally fantastic & the Griselda Records-backed Versace Tape EP was a tad bit disappointing given how rushed it was. Bo Jackson though would become his most critically acclaimed work to date & Super Tecmo Bo was almost as great for an EP. Fair Exchange No Robbery produced by Nicholas Craven, Penalty of Leadership, Mr. 10-08 produced by Futurewave, the Conductor Williams-produced Across the Tracks the Harry Fraud-produced The Bricktionary & the Carlo Anthony-produced Hidden in Plain Sight were all welcomed to warm reception additionally. Token of Appreciation produced by Chuck Strangers was much better than both Murder During Drug Traffic & Permanent Ink, the Antt Beatz produced Hommage left people divided although I didn’t mind it, coming off the V Don-produced Alphabet Highway & the Killing Nothing sequel Conversational Pieces respectively by showing up Late to His Own Funeral. Signing to Roc Nation not too long ago, he & Craven have decided to run it back with Criminally Attached.

“Walnut Grove” comes out the gate with a vocal sample talking about making money for a long time putting it on his grandmother Mary Lou whereas “No Blemishes soulfully explains that a membership of the gang he’s in cannot be simply claimed.“Infrared.com” talks about still being in the ghetto with all of his Zs getting calls that shouldn’t be answered on speaker just before “Fully Smack” runs up a check quickly to the point where he doesn’t have to wait in a line.

David Hill & 50 Gwuap Taj join Boldy on the soulful “Trifecta” talking about the way they see themselves livin’ leading into “Thumb of Craven” starting the 2nd half continuing the drumless chipmunk soul vibes telling the heavyweights throw up against to walk a little lighter. “Mr. Quaker Oats” featuring Poppy Bricks embraces a jazzier vibe talking about being more Richie than Lionel while “Thread the Needle” suggests you know he came from the bands the way he marches in.

“2 Left Feet” begins Criminally Attached last several minutes talking about not missing a single beat when he’s hustling in the streets over a chipmunk soul instrumental & lastly, “1st Time Around” ends with a vocal jazz flip admitting that he isn’t referring to blank disc when he mentions CDs & advising that one shouldn’t get to acquainted with the 227 Concreatures because of all the excessive gang shit that stays surrounding them.

Hard to say whether or not we’ll still get The Pop Catcher either next month or in 2026 but either way, Boldy James’ official Roc Nation Records debut & his 4th album to be entirely produced by one of my personal favorite producers of this ongoing decade joins Late to My Own Funeral alongside Token of Appreciation & Alphabet Highway for the strongest out of the handful of albums the Motor City’s finest has had to offer in 2025. Gearing up for a Super Tecmo Bowl follow-up next year also, Nicholas Craven’s drumlessly soulful production is unparalleled compared to it’s predecessor 4 months earlier & the same can be said regarding the gangsta-themed lyrics.

Score: 4.5/5

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Che Noir & 7xvethegenius – “Desired Crowns” review

Buffalo, New York emcees Che Noir & 7xvethegenius joining forces for a collaborative full-length studio LP. One of whom blew up after 38 Spesh signed her to TCF Music Group & the other would sign with Conway the Machine’s own Drumwork Music Group, although they have since started their own labels Poetic Movement Records & Broadband Sound respectively. We’ve heard them cross paths with each other several times over the years, elevating their chemistry in part of their quest of their Desired Crowns.

After the “Trapped in the Silicone” intro, the first song “Topanga” produced by Lord Sear sets it all off with a soulful sample for both ladies to body for a few minutes whereas “Not Me” locks in with Chup so they can talk about going pound for pound. The 3rd & final single “Sum of 2 Evils” hooks up a crooning boom bap instrumental from Conductor Williams flexing that they could fit all the money everyone’s bragging of in their purses leading into “Amina” talking about making it because of survival.

Reason joins Che & 7xve on “Flight” recalling the best thing that their mothers told them was that the sky limit’s over a V Don beat & after the “Love You” interlude, Che Noir herself works in a soul sample during “Conquer” talking about making waves by following moves. “Town Ballroom” brings a dustier vibe thanks to Khrysis coaching shit ain’t funny despite them smiling while “Breaker” prior to the “Black Girl” remix ends with them in disbelief over the goals they’ve achieved.

Almost 4 years in the making, Desired Crowns progresses a chemistry that previous cuts like “Bless the Food” or “Neck Protected” have already captured previously except 2 of the illest women in Buffalo have grown a lot artistically throughout this ongoing decade & that’s a reoccurring reminder of this album now that they’re both doing their own thing. Appropriately, Che Noir & 7xvethegenius only have 1 guest to accompany them to put all their energy towards their synergetic bonds over a consistent batch of beats for nearly a half hour.

Score: 4/5

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