Toro y Moi – “Hole Erth” review

Chaz Bear or better known by his stage name Toro y Moi is a 37 year old singer/songwriter, producer & graphic designer from Columbia, South Carolina notable for being a pioneer of the chilllwave microgenre. His first 5 albums Causers of This, Underneath the Pine, Anything in Return, Michael & What For? all hold fond places in my heart since they were all released during the course of my adolescence. Boo Boo was ok & same with Outer Peace, but Mahal wound up being my favorite full-length of Chaz’ since What For? to the point where the singles ahead of his 9th LP had me intrigued as to what he was going to do.

“Walking in the Rain” starts by singing over a psychedelic trap instrumental about being back in this bitch like a bad teenager whereas “CD-R” kinda has this lo-fi quality to it keeping the hi-hats in the fold remembering the days of burning CD-Rs & having a Blackberry. “HOV” fuses rage & a hint of rock music talking about being a biodegradable energy angel prior to the pop rock, indie pop, cloud rap, alt-pop, pop punk & trap-flavored “Tuesday” laments music & other content can be predicable, repetitive or mundane in a world of algorithms & media consumption.

Benjamin Gibbard joins Chaz for “Hollywood” rolling alt-pop, cloud rap, emo rap & bedroom pop into 1 heading out to the titular city out in the west coast having no cell service stone rolling & role playing while “Reseda” featuring DUCKWRTH & Elijah Kessler goes for some punky undertones talking about a long day of living in the very city that Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) was founded. “Babydaddy” cavernously advises this woman he’s talking to that the father of her child could possibly be watching him from the side just before the chilled out “Madonna” featuring Don Toliver compares their partners to the pop icon of the same name.

“Undercurrent” featuring Don Toliver & Porches brings the synths back together so all 3 of them can ask if you can feel or hear an underlying influence & “Off Road” ironically might be my least favorite track here since he’s blatantly pulling from Travis Scott’s style too much. “Smoke” featuring Kenny Mason is this playful trap joint still adjusting with the time feeling all 4 seasons while “Heaven” goes bedroom pop talking about smoke & mirrors got you lookin’ at distractions hopin’ that it’s magic. “Starlink” ends with some dance undertones telling a bitch to get a grip on her life.

Hole Erth easily stands as the genre shapeshifter’s most unexpected & bold move to date diving headlong into cloud rap, alternative R&B, indie pop, alt-pop, emo rap, trap & pop punk. He even reclaims himself embracing the myriad sounds & eras that formed him while crashing new worlds together accomplishing the goal he set out of keeping up with the contemporary alternative listener building the themes around both angst & nostalgia.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

REi the Imperial – “Operation: Flamethrower” review

This is the 4th EP from New Orleans, Louisiana emcee REi the Imperial. Known for his vibrant storytelling & witty lyrics, he emerged in 2009 off his debut mixtape Spaceships & Satellites followed by another tape Worst Rapper Alive & the full-length debut Rise of the Rejects roughly 8 years later. He has since followed this up with the sophomore effort Origins, his 3rd album Respect How I’m Comin’ & his first 3 EPs 1-833-DOWNBAD as well as Worst Rapper Alive 1.5 & Worst Rapper Alive 2. It’s only been 16 months since the latter & Conductor Williams is being brought in to produce Operation: Flamethrower to high anticipation.

After the “Mission Briefing” intro, the first song “Spirit of Excellence” is a psychedelically drumless opener reflecting on success going from around the corner to his pores whereas “Title Shot” soulfully talks about how you gotta keep going since you’re gonna look up & be up one day. “Panduricane” cloudily suggests Pootie Tang should be a correspondent for the Discovery Global-owned CNN leading into “Imperial vs. Bowser” dustily referencing the Endeavor-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE’s longest running flagship program Monday Night RAW on USA Network moving to Netflix in a few months alongside former ECW World Television Champion, 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 3-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, WWE United States Champion, CZW World Heavyweight Champion, MLW World Middleweight Champion, 2-time BJWジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 2-time BJW認定タッグチャンピオン & CMLL Mundial Peso Semicompleto Campeon 田尻.

“Thelma Evans” chops up the soul samples again paying tribute to his romantic interest while “Baby Charmander” takes the uncanny boom bap route instrumentally likening himself to a younger version of the titular Pokémon. “Jessica Rabbit” jazzily tells her he doesn’t wanna play her since family comes first while “Sunzilla” hooks up a grungy rock flip making a reference to the current ROH World Tag Team Champion & ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champion Dustin Rhodes. “Auntie Rita” featuring LG & Old Orleans ends the EP with the trio over a soulful beat talking love again.

I vividly remember this guy contacting me several years ago on Instagram & fast forward present day, he just put out the best EP of his entire career. Conductor Williams’ production is incredibly consistent top to bottom & noticeably stronger than the instrumentals on REi’s previous work, paving the way for the Reject Society leader to take his storytelling & witty bars to newer levels beyond.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Conway the Machine & Ransom – “Chaos is My Ladder 2” review

This is a brand new collaborative LP between Buffalo, New York emcee/entrepreneur Conway the Machine alongside Jersey City wordsmith Ransom. One of whom came up with his Hall ‘N Nash cohort Westside Gunn as well as Benny the Butcher as Griselda Records’ core 3 artists & the other started as 1/2 of the A-Team except he much like Benny saw renewed interest in their careers when 38 Spesh signed them to TCF Music Group for a period of time. Both of these guys have collaborated with each other previously on “Stab Out” off Conway’s 3rd album Won’t He Do It & are teaming up for a sequel to Ransom’s 5th solo album Chaos is My Ladder produced by V Don, who’s staying behind the boards on the follow-up.

“A New Day” gets the ball rollin’ by hopping over a guitar & organs bringing the chaos together for roughly 3 & a half minutes whereas “Limitless” aggressively talking about making sure everything they do is past the point of having any limitations. “Photo Bomb” works in pianos to discuss everyone over the age of 40 making party anthems calling those lil gangbangers Childish Gambinos just before the boom bap-laced “Shell Fish” wanting to know who else brings the chaos like they do.

Meanwhile on “Mid Life Crisis”, we’re treated to the first of 2 Ransom solo joints soulfully talking about not stopping the party & continuing to celebrate for him just before “Commandments” eerily declares that they can’t fuck with them since they got too much hustle. After the “Anarchy” interlude, “Born Again” brings a soulful trap flare to the table stressing out thinking of their homies who ain’t here while “Higher Killer” featuring Lloyd Banks was a murderous choice of a single. “Nefarious” by Ransom ends Chaos is My Ladder 2 basing it on Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill.

Chaos is My Ladder almost 2 years later has to be one of my favorites in Ransom’s entire discography, so the sequel here had me anticipating it as much & him linking up with Conway the Machine makes it a step above Pain Provided Profit with Jae Skeese & on par with Coup de Grâce with Rome Streetz as one of the best collab efforts from either one of them. V Don’s production remains consistent as it was on the predecessor, allowing the 2 east coast artists to elevate their chemistry.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

ShittyBoyz – “3 Man Weave” review

Detroit trap trio the ShittyBoyz returning for their 4th album. Consisting of Babytron alongside Stanwill & TR Dee, they emerged off their debut mixtape 3-Peat under the mentorship of Lando Bando in the summer of 2019 taking the motor city by storm & following it up with another tape. They even have 3 full-lengths in Trifecta as well as the the sequel & of course the trilogy chapter. Babytron in particular has been increasingly popular in recent memory from being the son of former Psychopathic Records rap metal band Motown Rage frontman Mr. Sadistic to landing a XXL Freshman Class spot & more recently earning a stellar verse on “Toby” off Eminem’s latest album THE DƎATH OF SLIM SHADY (COUP DE GRÂCE) earlier this summer, they’re releasing 3 Man Weave a day earlier than intended.

“‘07 Bron” is this futuristic Detroit trap opener to the LP that Jakesand cooked up flexing their kick spots jumpin’ like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James nearing the end of his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers whereas “5 Minutes of Barkin’” featuring Beannskii, Fordio, MJPaid & Prince Jefe moves forward with a full-blown Dog $hit Militia posse cut produced by Drego. “Polynesian” hooks up those dope ass woodwind talking about the bullets spreading similarly to COVID-19 & “Maroon 5” apocalyptically reps the squad they showcased a couple joints earlier.

Tommy G joins the ShittyBoyz for “Big Dawgs” pulling inspiration from the Bay Area instrumentally showing off their statuses on top while “Brand New” works in this alluring vocal sample talking about being a whole new version of themselves with the new ice around their necks. “Ed, Edd n Eddy” pays homage to one of THE greatest Cartoon Network shows of all-time calling themselves hippies & the middle finger being the peace sign prior to the bell-heavy “5 Guys” leaving them where they stand.

“Intercontinental” menacingly talks about having no time to sleep since all that’s on their minds hustling doubling their work & sending bullets like Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff, but then “Last Dragon 2” serves as a sequel to a highlight track off the trio’s debut mixtape 3-Peat. “Live from the Lab” psychedelically represents The Hip Hop Lab Records now backed by EMPIRE Distribution while the synth-Detroit trap crossover “Back 3 Back” talks about going 3-for-3.

Further continuing the 2nd half of 3 Man Weave, we have the ShittyBoyz promising that they’re gonna box on every single threat who comes to them the moment they drop the pin on them while the synth-driven “Project X” referencing the film of the same name saying life’s simply a win or lose deal. “Skippin’ Skates” maintains the Motor City’s unique trap sound having to teach themselves that nothing fair in life while the mobb-influenced “Stilly Willy” stealing bitches looking for winners.

“Suited & Booted” showcases the trio’s back-&-forth chemistry over upbeat 808 percussion to begin 3 Man Weave’s encore while the song “Therapist” further elaborates that ain’t nothing free in life & that you really just have to get it all out of the mud refusing to swap out their sticks over a Danny G beat. The penultimate track “Talkin’ Crazy” by TR Dee brings the bells back being flyer than Jeff Hardy of former 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champions & my personal favorite WWE tag team growing up The Hardy Boyz off the turnbuckle while “T.S.W.N. (That Shit Wasn’t Nothing)” featuring FMB DZ & GlockBoyz TeeJaee brings the quintet together making 20k like it ain’t shit.

Named after a track off the ShittyBoyz’ 2nd mixtape 4-Peat & the first project that I’ve ever reviewed from them, 3 Man Weave further proves that wake makes the trio successful in the Detroit trap scene a little over 5 years in the game is that they use the timeless basketball drill moving up & down the court working together & communicating as demonstrated by their unique ear for production in regards to the signature style they’ve become known for on top of the wittiness each member holds of their own amplifying it as a unit.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Fred again.. – “10 Days” review

Fred again.. is a 31 year old producer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & DJ from London, England, United Kingdom who broke out in 2021 off the debut album Actual Life for it’s amalgamation of sounds including future garage, deep house, alternative R&B, UK Bass, UK Funky, stutter house, spoken word & ambient house. Atlantic Records signed Fred shortly after & he’s been making himself home there ever since, gaining more attention putting out Actual Life 2 & Actual Life 3 through the major label. 23 months later, Fred’s celebrating his experiences over the last 365 days on his 4th LP.

After the “.1” intro, the first song “adore u” by Obongjayar is an afrobeats opener singing about his woman being so much better at everything than him sink lower in his chair since there’s no comparison whereas “10” featuring Jozzy & Jim Legxacy after the “.2” skit blends deep house, melodic house, alternative R&B, future garage, garage house, stutter house & lo-fi house going over a week in a foreign ends without their partners. After the “.3” skit, “fear less” by Sampha takes the spacious R&B route telling their lovers they protect them from their fears leading into “just stand there” after the “.4” skit bringing spoken word & house together.

After the “.5” skit, “places to be” by Anderson .Paak & CHIKA goes liquid drum & bass talking about having to be somewhere preferably with their significant others beside them while “glow” after the “.6” skit co-produced with 4 Tet & Skrillex cooks up a 7 & a half minute EDM banger for all the raves. “i saw you” after the “.7” skit euphorically sings about refusing to let go of a specific version of this woman just before the violin-laced “where will i be” by Emmylou Harris after the “.8” skit tells the story of an Indian boy she met in Ottawa.

After the “.9” skit, the penultimate song “peace u need again” featuring Snoh Aalegra nears the conclusion of 10 Days by whipping up a 6 & a half minute house anthem that Joy Anonymous helped laced hoping that everyone listening finds the peace they’re looking for & need in their lives again while “backseat” by The Japanese House after the “.10” skit finishes Fred’s 3rd offering with Atlantic talking about going a little crazy & needing someone to save them.

Landing production credits for the likes of Rico Nasty to Eminem & more recently ¥$ has further elevated Fred again..’s popularity including the 2 loosie singles “leavemealone” & “stayinit”. Regardless if I don’t know why they didn’t make the cut, 10 Days is an excellent way for Fred to move past the Actual Life trilogy. His production culminates in deep house, melodic house, alternative R&B, future garage, garage house, stutter house, lo-fi house, afrobeats and liquid drum & bass teaching us the most memorable moments stem from very small quiet intimate portions.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Laila! – “Gap Year!” review

Laila! is an 18 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from New York who happens to be the daughter of Yasiin Bey formerly known as Mos Def. Even though she released her debut EP In CTRL! almost 6 months ago, I myself was introduced to her artistry only a few weeks ago when she had one of the best features on the single “Problem!” off of Cash Cobain’s latest mixtape Play Cash Cobain. Her full-length debut studio album here further caught my attention after learning that she would be self-producing the entire thing.

“Talent Show” is a stripped-back 5 minute opener drawing inspiration from SZA singing about feeling that her mind is being misused & a love with no more appeal whereas “Sink 2 Rise” spaciously melodically discusses feeling lonely as of late pointing out one has to sink first in order for them to rise. “R U Down?” works in some synths asking her man if he’s really down with her or not just before the funky “If U Don’t Know By Now” making everyone find out if they ain’t hip.

Moving on from there, “Want 2” hooks the synths back up coming clean that she made the beat for her love interest telling him she’s the type of shawty he’s looking for while “Sani (Homework Freestyle)” goes off-the top for 40 seconds flexing she’s harder than the bitches who think she’s soft. “Like That!” blends alternative R&B with cloud & pop rap wanting to love each other so badly leading into “Grand Opening” hopping over more synths cautioning her heart’s expensive to break.

“Blackberry (Date 4 Prom)” psychedelically ends the first half of Gap Year! by admitting she doesn’t know what she wants with the whole world in her hands & after the “Mama Nelly” skit, “Could Be” moodily sings to a romantic interest that even he knows how things could turn out if they were together. “If You’re Listening” harmoniously apologies to someone she never meant to hurt while “We’re So Over! gets in her breakup bag.

Meanwhile on “IDONTNEEDUANYMORE”, we have Laila! atmospherically telling her ex she’s over him at this point while “Not My Problem” fuses jerk rap & alternative R&B further elaborating why she can’t confide in him. The penultimate track “Flyer Than U” nears the conclusion of her first LP asking if she deserves better when she certainly does & “Coupé DeVille” closes up shop talking about taking her new man to the hills.

Her feature on the new Cash Cobain tape isn’t the best gateway to Laila!’s music since literally everything she did on Gap Year! proves how much of a stronger performer & songwriter she is than the sample drill pioneer himself. Her production balances alternative R&B, neo-soul, pop rap, neo-psychedelia, synth-funk, bedroom pop & jerknb exceptionally during the 44 minute course demonstrating her versatility whether it be as a singer or a rapper.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

LL Cool J – “The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy)” review

Queens, New York emcee, songwriter, actor, pioneer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer LL Cool J or Ladies Love Cool James returning to Def Jam Recordings a decade after the independently released Authentic to have Q-Tip from one of my all-time favorite groups A Tribe Called Quest produce his 14th full-length studio album. Signing to Def Jam since Rick Rubin & Russell Simmons started it, his hardcore mid-school debut Radio fully produced by Rick & the sophomore effort B.A.D. (Bigger And Deffer) both established him as being a flagship artist for the label. Walking with a Panther was a good follow-up too since “Jingling Baby”’s one of my favorite songs of LL’s & Mama Said Knock You Out produced by Juice Crew co-founder Marley Marl is the best in his discography. 14 Shots to the Dome, Mr. Smith, Phenomenon, G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All-Time which helped coin the titular acronym, 10 & The DEFinition primarily produced by Timbaland all had their individual highlights except I didn’t enjoy them as much as the first 2 albums & Mama Said Knock You Out combined. Said standouts include “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings”, “Loungin’”, “4, 3, 2, 1″ which because of the line “L is that a mic on your arm? Let me borrow that” ignited his beef with Canibus that lasted the last 3 years of the 20th century, “Zoom”, “Imagine That”, “Luv U Better” & “Headsprung”. Todd Smith was a step-down from The DEFinition & even fulfilled his Def Jam contract by releasing Exit 13 to mixed responses. Some consider Authentic as his weakest & I on the contrary always found myself enjoying the half that the Trackmasters produced & “Remember Me”. He alongside the late DMX both returned to Def Jam in 2019 & got with Dr. Dre who produced “Zoom” for what eventually became a journey through The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) in an exclusive joint deal between Def Jam & Virgin Music.

“Spirit of Cyrus” featuring additional vocals from WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg is a synth-driven opener talking about stitching fuckers up & leaving the murder seamless whereas the title track works in a blaring boom bap instrumental flexing that he’s part of the realest crew chillin’ on a yacht listening to Pop Smoke & they got all the plugs. The lead single “Saturday Night Special” featuring Fat Joe & Rick Ross samples “Bobbing Wide” by Caravan talking about always keeping your word & paying back while “Black Code Suite” serves as this slick pro-black anthem.

The way Tip flips “Sun Touch” by Herbie Hancock on the 2nd single “Passion” was highly enjoyable talking about these muhfuckas needing a new team & “Proclivities” featuring Saweetie is actually the only love song on the entire LP hooking the synths back up asking their partners what they gonna do with it. “Post Modern” soulfully expresses LL’s desire to raise the bar, but then “30 Decembers” hops over a morbid beat to tell us his experiences of living in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Runnit Back” brings a funkier flare to the table talking about having to make moves out here if you really want it just before “Huey in the Chair” featuring Busta Rhymes continues the themes of Afrocentrism likening themselves to the iconic picture of Black Panthers founder Huey P. Newton posted up. “Basquiat Energy” pulls inspiration from funk music once again talking about keeping the aura of Jean-Michel Basquiat in the air leading into the groovy “Praise Him” featuring Nas finding the 2 giving thanks to the higher power.

Eminem who actually became God like James Todd joins Uncle L for the 4th & final single “Murdergram 2”, which is a sequel to a highlight off Mama Said Knock You Out that lives up to the hype of it’s predecessor boasting about their raw unapologetic style & credibility in the rap game whether it be LL’s nostalgic bravado or Eminem’s signature speedy flow & subtle wordplay. “The Vow” featuring Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D. & Mad Squablz finishes our exploration of The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) by showcasing 3 up-&-coming artists paying it forward to them. 

I can’t call it a comeback because he’s been here for years but as I expected based on the singles, The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) serves as a testament of Def Jam’s dominance in the musical landscape for 4 decades & lands a spot in my personal top 3 LL albums with Radio & Mama Said Knock You Out. He relearns how to rap again not doing anything trendy or trying to recapture anything he did in the past & works out beautifully addressing themes racial injustice, law enforcement abuses, isolation mixed with observations brought on by the pandemic, his overall legacy & musings on his place in the canon. I can’t forget to mention that Q-Tip’s production here is equivalent to Pete Rock’s on Common’s newest album The Auditorium & that much like The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) further proves that hip hop culture’s veterans are still thriving as the music industry evolves with time adapting to further establish their legacies & longevities.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Madd Maxxx – “Dirtcore 24” review

This is the 6th EP from Brockton, Massachusetts emcee Madd Maxxx. A member of the Mission: Infect collective, he’s also released a few full-lengths along with a mixtape & his previous 5 EPs on his own, with the last LP being his 3rd album albeit Dirtcore Music debut Kaleidoscope becoming the strongest body of work he’s ever made thus far & he’s returning on his born day once again condensing Dirtcore 24 down to a 5 track 12 & a half minute offering preluding a future full-length in the future at some point I presume.

After the “Keep It Dirtcore” intro, the first song “Terrifying” produced by J Reno starts the EP shooting for a trap vibe instrumentally telling us why his shit he cold whereas “Diary of a Madd Man” switches into the boom bap lane taking aim at every juggalo rapper who thinks they can body him when he’s right. “Shinobi Stance” works in some synths as well as kicks & snares from Dirtcore Music founder Crossworm continuing to deliver hardcore lyricism while the closer “Rat Race” ruggedly talks about Dirtcore being the leaders of the hip hop zombie horde.

M:I just put out their magnificent comeback EP arM:Igeddon earlier this spring & not only is it my favorite EP of Maxxx’, but I’ll even argue it’s right behind Kaleidoscope from last year in being the 2 go-tos if you wanna get into Madd Maxxx’ solo work. Crossworm & J Reno both kill their respective shares of Dirtcore 24’s production & Maxxx refrains from having any guests joining him so he can hold down the lyrical side of things on his own, to which he succeeds at. Has me more intrigued about fellow Mission: Infect member Mumm Ra’s upcoming album albeit Dirtcore Music debut Autogod in a couple weeks.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Josiah the Gift – “Lavish Language” review

Brooklyn, New York emcee Josiah the Gift returning 6 & a half months after The Glorious Si’s eponymous debut to release his 6th solo LP. Starting out in the late 2010s by releasing his first 2 EPs Jack Johnson & Raw, he later broke out within the underground back in the summer of 2020 off his acclaimed debut album Iron Mic. His profile continued to elevate with the debut mixtape Remain Raw, the sophomore effort Mightier Than the Sword as well as the sequel, the True Cipher-produced TOGO & his previous album God’s Gracious. A year & a half after the lagger, the Gift of The Umbrella is returning to speak that Lavish Language.

“Rep” starts us off with an orchestral beat talking about the reputation proceeding, elevating & focusing on his goals demonstrating whereas “Hommy” works in some background vocals suggesting that you should lay low if you catch a body because the case will be closed if they find it. “Wolvez” embraces the boom bap sound instrumentally letting everyone know who y’all be fuckin’ with prior to “Mulsanne” maintaining those kicks & snares refusing to introduce himself since they should know by now.

The guitar/boom bap hybrid “Take II” finds him evening out the butters wondering where all his homies stumbled at musically & his mom being out in the streets during the 80s, but then the exuberantly dusty “Karhu Sneakers” talks about never disrespecting him since he the reason people even on the guest list showing off his kicks from the titular brand. “Florence Cathedral” featuring HooksArthur samples soul music wanting their flowers givin’ ‘em love just before “True Story” takes it back to the basement instrumentally talking about being the one you can call for peace.

“Lavish” featuring Bless Picasso takes a funkier approach to the beat comparing the chef in the kitchen that’s cookin’ up the drug supply to Guy Fieri additionally suggesting that root of evil is necessary & love being secondary while “Patra” returns to the boom bap telling the story of a homie of hos who ends up getting shot to death. “The Glory” rawly talks being satisfied with life even though he’s not a millionaire while “You’re Gonna Die” strips the drums details another homie that’s moving with no fear of death.

Pushing towards the final moments of Lavish Language, the instrumental on “The Filth” sorta gives me a capacious vibe pointing out the fact that everyone comes from nothing on top of being tired of seeing others strugglin’ or his mind still being wired to hustlin’ that is until “The Chosen” ties up the LP soulfully feelin’ his spirit leaving him fantasizing of owning Benz’ & jet skis seeing one’s future in different directions.

5 years in the making damn-near & what Josiah the Gift presents to us here stands out differently than what he’s done previously, joining Iron Mic & The Glorious Si album as one of the 3 essential standouts in his discography. Bishop cooks some of the most thorough beats of his career, the 2 guests strongly contribute to their verses hold their own weight & Josiah’s performances maintain the laser-focused hunger of both full-lengths I mentioned earlier.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Strick – “All Time High” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper & songwriter Strick releasing his sophomore full-length studio LP after a few delays. Following his debut mixtape Risk=Reward & it’s sequel, this resulted in Young Thug signing him to YSL Records putting out 3 more tapes as well as the debut album Strick Land & more recently the 2Late 2Apologize. 21 months later, he’s at an All Time High regardless of YSL’s ongoing R.I.C.O. case & is ready to share it with the world as fall’s getting ready to start in 3 weeks or so.

The synth-driven “Chess Not Checkers” starts by singing about living like a star ever since signing to YSL whereas “Kisses Make Sure” featuring James Blake & Young Thug gives off an acoustic trap/pop rap vibe so the trio can tackle the themes of love. “Neat Freak” keeps the mellow trap production rolling flexing his current status while the cloudy “Cr@sh” featuring Travis Scott recalls the previous night where shit got too crazy.

“Lacrosse” moves on from there with 110 second trap cut talking about always keeping a stick on him just before “Nightcrawler” hooks up a stripped-back loop & hi-hats getting boastful lyrically. “Recipe for Love” featuring Future has a syrupy flare to the beat calling out their partners for doing them bad, but then “Party @ 4am” moodily talks about turning up in the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile on “Fighter Jet”, we have Strick over another acoustic trap hybrid beating the odds letting y’all see for yourselves the way he’s living now leading into “Complete You” starting the 2nd leg of the album on the melodic pop rap tip. “On Your Line” intoxicatingly keeps the subject of romance in mind while “Come Alive” featuring 6LACK fuses trap, pop rap & R&B talking about their partners being enlivened during sex.

“Higher Living” serves as this lavish ode to living better while “Vase” produced by ATL Jacob atmospherically tells everyone listening to not let the fast life change you whatsoever. “Voice & Laugh” samples soul music throwing hi-hats into the equation learning a lot about loyalty & missing his ex while “ILY.” hops over a crooning beat talking women & people stealing his style.

Nearing the conclusion of the LP, the penultimate track “Slurricane” goes off-the-top for little over a minute telling his new bitch that he can get her in the mood & he isn’t anything like her previous man in any way shape or form while “Point Proven” ends the album talking about being a rockstar over a horn-laced trap beat.

YSL’s output in last year or so has been extremely hit or miss & I actually happened to enjoy All Time High more than Gunna’s last 2 post-incarceration efforts A Gift & A Curse and One of Wun combined. Mainly because it’s produced better, the guest-list is stronger than Strick Land almost 3 years ago & Strick himself lets everyone know where he’s at in his life currently.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!