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

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

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

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

Rich the Kid – “Lucky 7” review

This is the debut EP from College Park, Georgia rapper Rich the Kid. Coming to my attention in 2018 off the viral single “New Freezer”, his popularity would eventually peak with his first 2 full-length albums The World is Yours & The World is Yours 2. He would leave Interscope Records shortly after & team up with Republic Records for his previous album Boss Man but since he’s completely independent as of this year, Rich the Kid is celebrating by dropping Lucky 7.

The EP kicks off with “Split”, where Rich gets materialistic over a bland instrumental. The next song “Laughin’” with DaBaby sees the 2 talks about getting hoes over a Medieval-sounding beat while the track “Money Machine” talks about not going broke again over a generic beat. The song “Boom Boom” with Lil Mosey finds the 2 talking about having shooters over an intoxicating instrumental with some heavy bass while the track “Right” rambles about nothing sex over an ethereal instrumental from DJ Spinz. The penultimate song “Nasty” with Flo Milli, Latto & Rubi Rose sees the 4 getting raunchy over a vibrant Buddah Bless beat then the closer “Too Blessed” with Unc & Phew finds the trio talking about their gratefulness over an woodwind-infused instrumental from DJ Durel.

I wasn’t expecting much from this new EP & unsuprisingly, I didn’t get a whole lot out of it at all. It’s overloaded with features, Rich the Kid’s lyrics are shallow as Hell & the production ranges from being mediocre to forgettable.

Score: 2/5

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

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

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

Dolenz – “Electric Fence” review

This is the 3rd EP from London, England, United Kingdom producer Dolenz. Introducing himself in off his debut EP Evesdrop during the fall of 2017, he would go on to follow it up with a moderately received debut album Lingua Franca exploring halftime as well as IDM & glitch hop. His last EP Golden Spike came out almost 7 months ago when the entire world was under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, signing to Potent Funk Records & making his debut for the label with Electric Fence.

“Jody Banks” after the intro begins with this ominous boom bap instrumental whereas “Wankers” embraces an experimental vibe heavily building itself around synthesizers for a little over 3 minutes. “Blak Helicopter” by Dabbla talks about feeing like a battle rapper without having anyone to battle while “Howzer” returns to a more compositional approach continuing the experimentations. After a skit, the titular beat goes for a psychedelic 1 last time & the closer performed by Black Josh talks about how “Nasty” he’s been.

This & Golden Spike both remind me of Pitch 92’s debut EP Lost in Space in terms of all 3 projects spending a bulk of the time capturing each producer’s talents behind the boards other than a couple moments where an MC takes the microphone to do what they do best although Electric Fence could be Dolenz’ most deeply personal collection of solo material thus far. Mixing 90s music & media with forward-thinking, electronic production, he flips his 90s schooldays into 4 compositions & 2 hip hop tracks that cohesively feels like a ripped collage of childhood nostalgia.

Score: 3.5/5

Jypsy – “Born wit It” review

Jypsy is a 38 year old MC from Inkster, Michigan who came up as a member of the trio Street Justice. He eventually branched out solo in 2017 off the single “Gotta Go” & signed to Middle Finger Music a couple years later. But as the first month of 2021 draws to a close, Jypsy is finally coming through with his debut album.

“The Intro(vert)” that kicks the album off is him venting about a number of things over a jazzy beat from Foul Mouth whereas the next song “The Greatest” talks about wanting to better than just average over a Peace of Mind instrumental that almost has a Bollywood feel to it. The track “Son of a Preacher Son” talks about being a monster over a diabolical boom bap beat while the song “Cigar Lounge” with Isaac Castor finds the 2 talking about weed over a drumless yet tranquil instrumental.

“The Crown” by 2 Door Coupé sees the duo talking about gossipers over a lo-fi beat from Nolan the Ninja while the song “Gelato #41” with Bub Rock finds the 2 getting sexual over a Jimbo Slice instrumental that samples “You Can’t Turn Me Away” by Sylvia Striplin. The track “Never Hesitant” talks about being a king over a nefarious beat while “The Sleeper” sees 2 Door Coupé teaming up with Bang Belushi & Kain to spit battle bars over a sole whistling loop.

The song “Warriors” with Fatt Father & Kid Vishis finds the trio continuing to shit-talk over a demonic beat while the penultimate track “Heavy D” talks about keeping his circle small over a spacious trap instrumental. The album ends with “Restless”, where Jypsy talks about taking his own way to get where he’s going over an uneasy boom bap beat.

I’ve been wanting to hear how Jyp would sound on an album of his own given his features throughout the past year or so & now that we finally got it, I’m impressed. He’s at his best lyrically & I really dig how the sound ranges from jazz samples to trap.

Score: 4/5