Jim Jones – “El Capo 2” review

This is the surprise 8th full-length album from Bronx veteran Jim Jones. Coming up as a member of The Diplomats in the 2000s. He’s released a total of 7 solo efforts since, with the last one prior El Capo going on to become his magnum opus. But after much anticipation, Jim is reuniting with The Heatmakerz for El Capo 2.

The album kicks off with “Election”, where Jim & Juelz Santana get political over a suspenseful beat. The next song “Anybody” is an R&B-flavored duet with Sandra Conte that goes over better than I originally anticipated it to be while the track “Chasing the Feeling” gets introspective over a lush boom bap beat. The song “M.M.T.C. (Mink Matching the Coupe)” with Vado sees the 2 getting braggadocious over some popping drums while the track “Father Forgive Us” with Maino finds the 2 talking about how the ghetto made then sin over a soulful instrumental.

The song “For the Better” talks about living like it’s no tomorrow now over a piano & gorgeous vocal harmonies while the track “Pardon My Thoughts” with Dave East sees the 2 painting some vivid street imagery over an amazing Evanescence sample. The song “Everything” talks about wanting it all over a savory instrumental while the track “Try Again” with Conway the Machine finds the 2 coming with some grown man bars over a beat with an old school Kanye feel to it.

The song “Been Like That” talks about coming back from any L over a heavenly loop while the track “Bad Boyz” with Nino Man & the late Fred the Godson sees the trio talking about being up to no good over an amazing EPMD sample. “A Monster Made It” talks about how it’s hard for him to leave the game over a hypnotic beat while the song “Finito” reunites with Fred the Godson to talk about slanging over a prominent organ. the penultimate song “Gospel” talks about preaching facts over a legimate gospel sample & then “I’m Alive” is uplifting positivity anthem to send the album off.

If you enjoyed the first El Capo as much as I did, then I don’t see why you wouldn’t enjoy this follow-up. Once again, Jimmy’s lyricism in comparison to his previous efforts continue to be a night & day difference as The Heatmakerz continue to bring the best out of him with the soundscapes they deliver to the table.

Score: 4.5/5

Statik Selektah – “The Balancing Act” review

This is the 9th full-length album from Boston producer, DJ & radio personality Statik Selektah. From his output as part of the producer/MC duo 1982 alongside fellow Boston native Termanology to entirely producing projects for the likes of Action Bronson & Paul Wall, this dude has really made his presence known as one of the most consistent & hard-working producers in all of hip hop for over a decade now. Even his 8 solo albums have a chockfull of bangers on them, most notably Extended Play & #WhatGoesAround…. But as the 3 year anniversary of Statik’s last full-length outing 8 approaches in a couple of weeks, he’s joining forces with nas’ Mass Appeal Records to bring you The Balancing Act.

The opener “The Healing” by Black Thought talks about crooked cops over a haunting instrumental whereas the next song “Keep It Moving” by Joey Bada$$ & Nas finds the 2 trading bars back & forth with one another over well-flipped sample of “Walk On By” off of Jonathan Davis’ 2018 solo album Black Labyrinth. The track “Play Around” by Conway the Machine, Killer Mike & 2 Chainz sees the 3 talking about how they’re the real deal over a boom bap beat with some somber keyboards while the song “Hard Living” by Dave East & Method Man finds the 2 talking about what it was like for them growing up in the Big Apple over a melancholic beat.

The track “Time” by Jack Harlow talks about how life’s too short over a mellow instrumental while the song “Watch Me” by Joey Bada$$ talks about being the illest in the city over some keys & live drumming. The track “America is Cancelled” by Jadakiss, Styles P & 1982 addresses corruption in our government over a jazzy instrumental while the song “No Substitute” by Benny the Butcher & Paul Wall talks about pursuing the cash referencing former 2-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones over a boom bap beat with some horns.

The track “Off My Mind” by Fly Anakin & Rome Streetz sees the 2 talking about the trials & tribulations over a soulful instrumental while the song “Welcome to the Game” by Kota the Friend & Marlon Craft gives some advice to those setting their foot in the music industry over a luxurious beat. The track “Soul Custody” by Blu & Evidence finds the 2 getting romantic over a perfect instrumental to get you in the mood while the song “No More” by Lil’ Fame, Rim da Villin & Smoke DZA sees the trio spitting battle bars over some churchy background vocals.

The track “Ralph Laurens” by the late Sean Price & Thirstin Howl III sees the 2 telling the listener to believe the rumors over an operatic instrumental while the song “Balance Beam” by CJ Fly, JFK & Nick Grant finds the 3 talking about being on a tightrope over a boom bap beat with some horns. The penultimate track “Way Up” by TrillStatik & Havoc finds the 2 paying tribute to Pimp C & Prodigy respectively over a mournful instrumental whereas the closer “Immortal” by Bobby Sessions talks about being just that over a quasi-jazzy boom bap beat.

Pretty good way for Statik Selektah to kick off his 2020s output. Couple of performers I could’ve done without, but I really dig how he used more original compositions on here rather than sampling & it does a good job at executing a concept documenting the times we’re currently in.

Score: 3.5/5

Juicy J – “The Hustle Continues” review

Juicy J is a 45 year old rapper & producer from Memphis, Tennessee most notable for being a founding member of the seminal Three 6 Mafia. He’s also had the most successful solo career out of everyone in the Mafia, releasing 4 full-lengths & a handful of mixtapes. But after being released from Taylor Gang Entertainment/Columbia Records & starting up his own E1 Music imprint Trippy Music earlier this year, Juicy is celebrating by dropping his 5th full-length album.

Things start off with “BEST GROUP”, where Juicy claims Three 6 as the greatest hip hop group of all-time over a sinister trap beat. The next song “GAH DAMN HIGH” with Wiz Khalifa is an off the wall weed-smoking anthem as one would expect while the track “SPEND IT” with Lil Baby & 2 Chainz finds the trio talking about their wealth over a piano inflicted-beat. The song “PO UP” with A$AP Rocky sees the 2 paying tribute to all the celebrities we’ve lost in recent years over a supernatural-sounding instrumental while the track “KILLA” with Conway the Machine finds the 2 talking about being posted with their gangs over a maniacal trap beat.

The song “THAT’S THE WAY IT GOES” talks about how hoes gon’ be hoes over an instrumental with some keyboards & rubbery bass while the track “SHOPPING SPREE” with Young Dolph sees the 2 getting materialistic over a tense beat. The song “1995” with Logic finds the 2 talking about whippin’ through their cities over an uptempo instrumental while the track “WHAT I NEED” is a well-transitioned 2 parter about getting high.

The song “SHAWTY BAD” reunites with Logic to get raunchy over a rambunctious instrumental while the track “LOAD IT UP” with NLE Choppa sees the 2 getting braggadocious over a suspenseful trap beat. The song “SHE GON’ POP IT” with Megan Thee Stallion finds the 2 coming together for a fun, atmospheric strip club banger while the track “MEMPHIS TO LA” with Jay Rock & Project Pat sees the 3 talking about having options over some snares & keys.

The song “DATZ WHAT IT IZ” talks about how he ain’t cool with fuck boys over a grim instrumental with some hi-hats firing off like gunshots towards the end while the penultimate track “IN A MIN” gets celebratory over an exuberant beat. The closer “I CAN’T STOP” then discusses how a big booty bitch makes him feel rich & the bass on here just hits so goddamn hard!

Overall, I thought The Hustle Continues was pretty solid. I think Juicy kinda overdid it on the features but at the same time, he shows listener that he still has it all these years later on the mic & on the boards.

Score: 3.5/5

Chavo – “Chavo’s World” review

Chavo is a 28 year old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia who came onto my radar after signing to Pi’erre Bourne’s very own Interscope Records imprint SossHouse Records. His 2018 debut mixtape Hood Luva was dope, but last year’s follow-up Mixed Emotions (produced entirely by Pi’erre) was even better in my eyes. But with the 1 year anniversary of that previous effort coming up next week, Chavo is reenlisting Pi’erre for his full-length debut.

The intro gets braggadocious over some synths & a flute whereas the next song “Boolie” gets on his gangsta shit over a rowdy beat. The track “X Bitch” talks about a previous girlfriend over a skeletal instrumental while the song “Deal Is” gets on the melodic, more romantic side of things over a spacious beat with some buzzing bass.

The track “I Hope You Remember” talks about continues the themes of love over a moody instrumental while the song “W.Y.F.W. (Who You Fucking With?)” ponders the question over a trap beat with some ominous keyboards. The track “Cheap” gets on the shit-talking side of things over synth-heavy instrumental while the song “Had a Feeling” talks about never taking his kindness for weakness over a devilish instrumental.

The track “L.R. (Left Right) Wrist” talks about life as a pusher instrumental while the song “Countertops” talks about talks about erasing his competition over some synth-horns. The track “Michigan” talks about doubling up over an intoxicating instrumental while the penultimate song “Say So” continues to flex over a wavy beat. The album finishes off with “Free Max B”, which is a dope tribute to the Wave God himself backed by an impassioned instrumental.

Chavo’s World truly lives up to it’s name in my opinion not just because I think this is Chavo’s best work to date, but I can only see him getting bigger & evolving from hereon out. He delivers some of his of most captivating performances to date on a good portion of the album as Pi’erre’s production & sound are still one of a kind.

Score: 3.5/5

Twiztid – “/ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/” review

Twiztid is a hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan consisting of Jamie Madrox & Monoxide, both of whom got their start alongside The R.O.C. as part of the trio House of Krazees throughout the early/mid 90’s. After their initial disbandment in 1997, the Insane Clown Posse almost immediately took Twiztid under their wings by signing them to Psychopathic Records & sporadically wrestled during the first few years after Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) was formed. But at the end of 2012, the demented duo decided to branch out on their own & started up their own record label Majik Ninja Entertainment just a couple years after. They’ve released a few outings on their own since, with the latest being Mad Season back in April of this year. The founders of Astronomicon have decided to go back-to-back & drop their 14th full-length album almost a week after former 2-time ΩCW Tag Team Champion, 3-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Hardcore Champion & WCW Hardcore Champion Shane Helms returned to WWE.

The album starts off with “Hallelujah”, where Twiztid talks about the game being fake referencing WWE Hall of Famer as well as former 6-time WWE world champion & WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage over a bass-heavy trap beat from Young Wicked. The next song “Blueprint” talks about going back to their old ways over an ominous instrumental from MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 while the track “We Just Wanna Be Heard” literally speaks for itself over an apocalyptic beat. The song “Get Through the Day” talks about wanting their pain to be taken away over a ScatteredBrains instrumental with a flute in the background & a heavy guitar during the hook while the track “Come Alive” with Kid Bookie sees the 3 talking about living every day like they don’t see the sunlight over a trap beat with blobby bass.

The song “Clear” takes aim at those biting them over an instrumental with a pots & pans loop while the song “Hold Up” with Young Wicked finds the trio talking about pushing it ‘til the wheels fall off over a tropical trap beat. The song “Separate” would have to be my favorite on the entire album as it talks about escapism over an instrumental that continues to build up while the track “Twinz” gets on their shit-talking tip over a boom bap beat with some chimes.

The song “Laughable” with Lex the Hex Master sees the 3 talking about how “one of us has to go & no it won’t be me” over an instrumental with some angelic background vocals while the penultimate track “Change Me” talks about striving to become the person you want to be over an acoustic instrumental. The closer “Never Be Nothing” talks about being misunderstood over a trap beat with some somber piano chords.

Not only is this better than Mad Season, but I’ll also say that this is Twiztid’s best album post-Psychopathic. It all flows together so well as they distance themselves from their horrorcore roots in favor of showing listeners they still have it lyrically this deep into their career & the production only enhances the emotion behind each joint.

Score: 4/5

Elcamino – “Sacred Psalms” review

Elcamino is a 26 year old MC from Buffalo, New York who blew up in late 2017 when he dropped his self-titled EP with Griselda Records. This was followed up by his Walking on Water mixtape in the summer of 2018 along with dropped 2 studio albums & a few EPs last year. He just dropped an dope EP produced by 38 Spesh back in February called Martyr’s Prayer & now as we start the 4th quarter of the year, he & Spesh are back for another one.

The opener “Hammers on the Hip” talks about being strapped over a glistening instrumental whereas “The Avenue” horrendously sings about what it’s like on his block over a slow, dreary beat. The track “Hold U Up” continues to sing poorly (this time on some gang shit) over a gloomy instrumental while the song “Don’t Know” hops back on the rapping tip to boast over a slick beat.

The track “Hustle Like Me” talks about his grind over a woodwind-infused instrumental while the song “What I Be On” talks about being rich over a boom bap beat with some synth-horns. The penultimate track “Camino Season” talks about taking over the rap game over an instrumental with a funky bass-line & some synth-chords whereas the outro is a decent remix to “If You Want It” off the Trust Army’s sophomore album Army of Trust II.

I prefer Martyr’s Prayer of the 2, but this is still a solid effort nonetheless. 38 Spesh comes through with consistent production once again & Camino sounds like he took his time on it in contrast to a handful of his latest material.

Score: 3.5/5

Force 5 Records – “The Ruckus Mixtape, Vol. 2” review

Force 5 Records is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based hip hop record label founded in 2002 by The DRP. However, it wasn’t until 2017 after returning from a 3-4 year hiatus where the label became the powerhouse that it is today by bringing a handful of big underground names on board from Bay Area horrorcore veteran Mars to the late Saint Dog of Kottonmouth Kings fame. They put out a showcase mixtape that same year called The Ruckus Mixtape but as Force 5’s roster continues to grow over time, it’s only right for them to drop a sequel.

After the intro, we get into the first song “$1,000 Quartet”. Which is pretty much The DRP, Jaysin Logik, Prolifik & Rick Dogg spitting over the instrumental of Gang Starr‘s “Full Clip” for 2 minutes. The next track “Crystal Meth” by Danny Diablo, The DRP, Jaysin Logik, Prolifik & Skribbal sees the 5 comparing their bars to drugs over a beat that I can kinda picture hearing on a Jedi Mind Tricks album while the song “Fuck Fame” by Big Left, The DRP & Jaysin Logik talks about living this shit over a heavy boom bap instrumental. The track “It’s a Revolution” by Danny Diablo, The DRP, Jaysin Logik, King Relik & Prolifik calls to end killing & violence over a futuristic beat while the song “Intelligence” by Jaysin Logik & Prolifik finds the duo spitting food for thought over an instrumental with a vintage feel to it.

The track “Charut” by Danny Diablo & The DRP is a invigorating moshpit anthem with an eerie trap beat while the song “One” is a Jaysin Logik solo cut about feeling empty over a piano & some fast-tempo drums. The track “Murderific” is a King Relik solo cut getting on the horrorcore tip over some funky bass & string sections while the song “Get Up 2020” by Prolifik & Rick Dogg is a fun, rap-rock flavored party starter.

The track “Make It Look Easy” by Big Hoss & Danny Diablo finds the 2 talking about being the illest in the underground over a victorious beat while the song “Cudahy Girl” is a Rick Dogg solo cut getting flirtatious over a country flavored instrumental. The track “Pervert” is a Prolifik solo cut that perfectly lives up to it’s name as he rocks it over a jazzy beat while the song “Dem Hoes 2020” by The DRP, R.A. the Rugged Man & Skribbal goes in detail as to how fine these certain group of hoes are over a grimy instrumental.

The track “Fuck Rick Dogg” is a 45 second, rock-tinged King Relik solo cut where he jokingly takes shots at Rick while the song “How You Like Me Now?” is a DRP solo cut about being the best MC on his block over a dusty boom bap beat. The penultimate track “Like You Do” is a dope leftover from Saint Dog’s final album Bozo discussing this woman in his life being heaven sent over an instrumental with some prominent bells whereas the closer “Walk the Walk” finds The DRP teaming up with the The Night Crawlers to take aim at the mainstream over a deranged beat.

I think Force 5 Records has been killing in the underground for a while now & if anyone reading this review is looking to get into them, this tape isn’t a bad place to start at all. Every signee they have to offer sticks out in their own unique way & the amount of diversity in the production is sweet too. I’m really looking forward to watching the label grow from hereon out.

Score: 3.5/5

DaBaby – “My Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G)” review

This is the brand new EP from Charlotte’s very own DaBaby. Blowing up almost 2 years ago off his viral single “Suge”, the man would drop 2 average full-lengths to build off of it. Last we heard from him was this spring with his subpar 3rd album Blame It on Baby but in light of his brother Glenn committing suicide recently, DaBaby is back with My Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G).

The opener “Brother’s Keeper’s” is a touching tribute to Glenn with an acoustic trap beat whereas the next song “8 Figures” with Meek Mill finds the 2 talking about being in their feelings & carrying ungrateful people over a symphonic instrumental. The track “Shanyah” pays tribute to a person in his life with the same name over a funereal beat while the song “Gucci Peacoat” talks about his family over an instrumental kin to the opening cut.

The track “Handgun” with NoCap & Polo G sees the 3 talking about being strapped over a banger beat while the penultimate song “Bidness” with Toosii finds the 2 talking about mixing hoes with their business over a JetsonMade beat with some Roger Troutman-like vocal harmonizing. The EP finishes off with ”More Money More Problems”, which talks about the cons of being wealthy over some more acoustic-trap production.

Yeah, this is yet another mediocre project from DaBaby. The introspective lyrics are a nice change of pace of what he usually does on joints, but the production could’ve been a lot better in my personal opinion.

Score: 2.5/5

Meek Mill – “Quarantine Pack” review

This is the 6th EP from Philly’s very own Meek Mill. Starting out as a battle rapper, he later became a protege of Rick Ross & signed to Maybach Music Group in the 2010s. We’ve all watched this man have a series of ups & downs throughout his career from his critically acclaimed Dreamchasers mixtapes to his beef with Drake. However a couple years ago, he was freed from prison after a corrupt judge sentenced him to 6 years in November of 2017 & made a triumphant return with his 4th album Championships. But with a new full-length in the works, Meek is preluding it by dropping a Quarantine Pack.

“Middle of It” compares himself to Richard Porter over a trap beat with some heavy bass & a flute while the next song “Pain Away” with Lil Durk sees the 2 talking about money relieving them of their stresses over a slow instrumental from S1. “GTA” with 42 Dugg finds the 2 talking about how there’s certain things that don’t need to be said over a hyphy beat & then the closer “Think It’s a Game” talks about a homie who turned his back on him over a spacious instrumental.

Personally, this is a decent collection of songs & I’m curious to hear how all 4 of them play out in the context of Meek’s next album whether he puts it out in the next month or in 2021 once this whole pandemic begins to sort itself out at least. I mean he definitely took is time with these joints & I appreciate that to the highest degree, but there’s not much else to it beyond the production feeling like a significant step down compared to Championships.

Score: 2.5/5