Benny the Butcher – “Burden of Proof” review

This is the sophomore album from Buffalo emcee Benny the Butcher. Coming up as the leader of the Black Soprano Family collective as well as a signee to Westside Gunn & Conway the Machine’s label Griselda Records, he would make his presence known in the culture with his Butcher on Steroids that dropped on his birthday in 2017 as well as his full-length debut Tana Talk 3 on Black Friday 2018. This was followed up 7 months later by releasing The Plugs I Met but a little over a year later, he’s teaming up with Hit-Boy for Burden of Proof.

The title track that kicks the album off is pretty much Benny talking about expanding himself over a boom bap beat with some horns along with an outro from Pain in da Ass whereas the next song “Where Would I Go?” with Rick Ross sees the 2 talking about being big bosses over a heavenly instrumental. The track “Sly Green” talks about money ain’t changing shit for him over a beat that kinda has a JAY-Z feel to it while the song “1 Way Flight” with Freddie Gibbs finds the 2 talking about bitches over a soulful instrumental. The track “Famous” talks about how he still doesn’t feel like a celebrity over an climatic beat while the song “Timeless” with Big Sean & Lil Wayne sees the 3 talking about their legacies over an energized instrumental.

The track “New Streets” talks about only being concerned of what hustlers think rather than haters over a classy soul sample while the song “Over the Limit” talks about success over a smooth, cavernous instrumental & it’s great to hear The Madd Rapper during the outro. The track “Trade It All” talks about his desire to give up his wealth to see those he’s lost once more over a somber beat while the song “Thank God I Made It” talks about being grateful for where he is today over a lavish instrumental. The penultimate track “War Paint” with Conway the Machine finds the 2 spitting the usual pusher bars over a beat with hypnotic vocal loop hanging in the background & then the album finishes with “Legend”, where Benny proclaims himself as such over a delicate instrumental.

Even though I’d have to go with From King to a God for my Album of the Year pick so far, this is just as great in my personal opinion. The production Hit-Boy brings to the table is somewhat more glamorous & clean in comparison to Tana Talk 3 & The Plugs I Met, but it manages to suit Benny well as we get to hear him at his most mature.

Score: 4.5/5

Black Thought – “Streams of Thought 3: Cain & Abel” review

Black Thought is a MC from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania most notable as the frontman of The Roots. Since the very beginning of his career, Black Thought has solidified himself as one of the most skilled & well respected lyricists in all of hip hop from his work with the band or his lengthy list of show-stopping features. However, it wouldn’t be until 2018 when he finally started putting out projects under his own name with the 9th Wonder-produced Streams of Thought & the Salaam Remi-produced Streams of Thought 2: Traxploitation. But just about 2 years later, Black Thought is enlisting Sean Cane for the long-awaited 3rd installment.

The EP kicks off with “I’m Not Crazy (First Contact)”, where Black Thought completely shits on Christopher Columbus in complete reverb over a slow guitar-laced beat. The next song “State Prisoner” talks about needing each other for survival over a dynamic instrumental with some choir vocals during the first half while the track “Good Morning” with Killer Mike & Pusha T finds the trio talking about the struggles African Americans face along with ego-trip over an apocalyptic beat.

“Magnificent” boasts his lyrical prowess over a funky instrumental with some live drums & after the “Experience” interlude, the track “Quiet Trip” reminisces about the old times including a dope reference to current AEW performer & commentator as well as former 7-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Paul Wight over an fiery beat.

The song “Nature of the Beast” talks about how everyone in this country is all going through the same shit over an instrumental with some well incorporated synths while the track “We Could Be Good (United)” talks about this woman who complains all the time over a sensual boom bap beat. The song “Steak Um” with ScHoolboy Q finds the 2 talking about oppression over an instrumental with a haunting atmosphere to it while the track “Thought vs. Everybody” talks about being the most powerful black man in America taking a jab at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos over a funky beat. The “Ghetto Boys & Girls” interlude talks about coming from nothing over a spacious instrumental whereas the final song “Fuel” reads as a power open letter to the listener over a gospel-esque beat. Then for the outro, it’s just a decent reprise of the intro.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this one going into this but coming away from it, it’s a solid listen. Sean Cane’s production being a bit more glossier than the last 2 EPs were but that doesn’t hold it back at all as Black Thought provides a unique perspective on a wide range of topics on here, further cementing himself as one of the greatest MCs of all-time. Really looking forward to see what’s in store for the 4th installment.

Score: 3.5/5

Detroit YB – “Beauty in the Struggle” review

Detroit YB is a 31 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who broke out by dropping 2 EPs back to back: 3:13 & The Heart of My City in 2017. This was followed up with a full-length debut the following year entitled Hustle SZN but after being teased with a handful of singles, the founder of Hustle By Any Means Records has finally delivered a sophomore effort.

The “Manifestation” opener talks about controlling your heart because you’re the only one steering it over a wavy beat whereas the next song “Doors” talks about never offering his toes over a dark, bassy instrumental. After the “Rich Speaks Life” interlude, the track “Stuck in My Ways” talks about being unwilling to change over a keyboard-inflicted trap beat while the song “Hard Way” talks about how it takes some losses before you get it over a hypnotic instrumental.

The track “Guilty Pleasure” with OneWay Monte sees the 2 talking about how it’s time for them to switch up their methods over an acoustic trap beat while the song “Hell of It” talks about drinking for fun over a woozy instrumental. After the “Mama Talks Addiction” interlude, “The Addiction” discusses toxic living an euphoric beat while “The Jungle” is a short yet dope response to the murder of George Floyd.

The song “I Get Around” over a trap beat with some odd background vocals & an occasional woodwind while “The Vibe” with Fenesse the World is a decent romance anthem with an instrumental to set the mood right. The track “New Leaf” talks about losing his soul in the ghetto over a trap beat with some well incorporated Japanese samples & after the “Simone Energy” interlude, the penultimate song “Shift My Energy” talks about escaping the affliction in his life over a calming instrumental. The title track is a great way to send the album off as YB spits some wisdom over a soothing beat.

I’ve been waiting on this album all year & walking away from it, I can say I’m impressed with what we got. The features were alright, but YB‘s at his passionate & the production is on point for the most part as well. If you wanna hear a up-&-comer from the Motor City at his finest, then I recommend giving Beauty in the Struggle a shot.

Score: 3.5/5

Majik Ninja Entertainment – “Songs of Samhain” review

This is the new surprise EP from Detroit hip hop label Majik Ninja Entertainment. Founded by Twiztid in 2014, they’ve proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the underground with an all-star lineup of artists & a consistent work ethic. They dropped a fantastic showcase compilation in 2017 called Year of the Sword but almost 3 years later, the label’s coming together once more on Songs of Samhain.

After the “We Only Have So Much Time” intro, the first song “Wash” by the House of Krazees talk about murder over a somewhat quirky beat while the track “9lb. Hammer” by Twiztid is a full-blown rap rock moshpit starter. The song ” Murder Carnage” by Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox & Lex the Hex Master sees the 3 getting violent over a rubbery beat from Godsynth & Stir Crazy but after the “Nursery Rhyme from Another Time” interlude, the track “Die on Samhain” by Alla Xul Elu & the Axe Murder Boyz portrays themselves as serial killers over a nocturnal instrumental.

The track “Death Talk” by the House of Krazees talks about being lunatics over a rock-tinged beat while the song “Haddonfield 2 Crystal Lake” by Twiztid compares themselves to Michael Myers & Jason Voorhees over a somewhat funky beat. The EP finishes with “In My Head”, where Twiztid contemplate about whether or not they’re insane over a spooky instrumental.

Overall, this is a short but sweet surprise effort from one of my favorite hip hop labels in recent memory. All the artists stand out in their own unique way & given everyone’s history in the horrorcore subgenre, they all come together with a consistent batch of songs just in time for the Halloween season.

Score: 3.5/5

Juga-Naut – “12 Bricks” review

This is the 5th studio LP from Nottingham, East Midlands, England, United Kingdom emcee Juga-Naut. Dropping all 4 of his previous full-lengths including a mixtape & 3 extended plays, the ones that would stick out to me the most would be the Sonnyjim-produced debut The Purple Door & his 3rd album Back to the Grill Again produced by Giallo Point. London veteran Micall Parknsun however has been enlisted behind the boards for 12 Bricks after being teased in 2017 & that automatically had me interested regarding the direction for it.

“Blue Notes” opens up with a psychedelic boom bap instrumental talking about him dreaming of a better future ahead of him whereas “40 Acres” featuring Micall Parknsun himself finds the pair over a synth-driven beat boasting that they made the speakers bump because they made the drum. “Show & Prove” keeps things dusty decimating any other squad who can’t fuck with his because they’re a bunch of phonies just before “Gametime” atmospherically talks about taking time when getting what’s his.

VVV get a track of their own with “Gaudi-Gang” having Cappo & Vandal Savage join Juga-Naut to discuss elevation & progress being the 2 key parts of this journey called life while “Know Your Worth” talks about realizing one’s value. “Dodgy Dealings” kicks off the 2nd half of 12 Bricks recalling some dishonest business methods being revealed over an organ & hi-hats while “Build a Bridge” returns to the boom bap explaining what we do today makes it what it is.

“Pink & Red” winds down the last leg of the album talking about slowly dreaming of big money coming his way until using “Stained Glass” as a metaphor for the other side containing a pained past instrumentally retaining a boom bap sound. “The Juice” featuring Scorzayzee & Tommy Nova finds the trio getting confrontational over a rap rock beat while “Glass Mortar” featuring Da Flyy Hooligan ends on an opulently hardcore note.

Come to find out 12 Bricks was recorded between 2016-2018, which is wild to me considering that it joins The Purple Door & Back to the Grill Again in becoming an another important entry in Juga-Naut’s discography. Between his rhymes & Micall Parknsun’s production, they’re pretty much laying out the foundation for this new era of underground hip hop in a time of uncertainty combining Naut’s hard-hitting lyricism with Micall’s ear for sampling.

Score: 4/5

Saipher Soze – “Eat What You Kill” review

Saipher Soze is a 31 year old MC from Toronto, Ontario, Canada coming up as a member of the Brown Bag Money collective. He eventually went solo on 2017 with Godbody & then Kanibull Rising just 10 months after that but after doing a handful of features throughout 2019 & a little bit of this year too, Saipher is back with his 3rd full-length album.

The album ends with “Ambrosia” gets confrontational over a frightening instrumental from Futurewave whereas the next song “Fat Cheques” with Daniel Son & Mooch finds the trio talking about the money over a soulful Finn beat. The track “Strong Arm Godz” with Asun Eastwood sees the 2 spitting straight up gangsta shit over a boom bap instrumental with an acoustic loop while the song “Ho-Lee-Chow” close captions his life over a ghostly beat.

The track “Lycan” talks about moving weight & sticking dudes up if he ain’t gon’ make it in the industry over a symphonic boom bap instrumental while the song “Unadulterated” with Family Gang Black finds the 2 getting murderous over a devilish beat. The track “Powerhouse” talks about double-crossers over a gritty instrumental while the song “Moe Greene” gets back on the money-tip over a luxurious beat.

The track “Roland Garros” comes at his competition’s necks over a gloomy instrumental while the song “Screwface” talks about not trusting a soul over a mournful boom bap beat. The track “Mulekick” talks about falling for nothing over a dreary instrumental while “The Revenant” with Jai Black sees the 2 talking about the game getting twisted over a suspenseful beat. The song “Van Glow” reunites with Family Gang Black to talk about time moving fast over a jazzy instrumental & then the closer “Sock Darts” reunites with Daniel Son to talk about how much noise they’ve made in recent years over a beat with some keys & horns.

Overall, this is the best thing that Saipher’s has put out yet. Not only has his lyricism stepped up with each new album, but Futurewave & Finn both remind listeners of their place as some of the dopest producers in the underground today.

Score: 4.5/5

Joey Cool – “Coolie High” review

This is the brand new album from Kansas City rapper Joey Cool. Gaining attention as a long-time affiliate of local independent hip hop powerhouse Strange Music, he releasing a total of 4 mixtapes & a studio album on his own before Tech N9ne decided to officially sign him to the Snake & Bat just about 3 years ago. He made his official Strange debut in 2018 with his self-titled sophomore effort & that was followed up last fall with Old Habits Die Hard. But with his birthday being earlier this week, Joey is celebrating by dropping Coolie High.

The opener “Black Magic” speaks on his prophecy over a trap instrumental from Dominique Sanders with a catchy rhythm to it & then the next track “It’s All Me” talks about the redundancy to talk shit over an icy boom bap beat. The song “You Ain’t Seen Shit” claps back at the naysayers over a militant trap beat from MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 while the track “I’m Fine” is a great humble brag backed by a rubbery Kato instrumental.

The song “Bandolera” with Bodega Bamz, J-Izzie & VG Legacy sees the 4 getting sexual over a Latin-flavored instrumental from longtime collaborator Burna Music while the track “Lifting Me Higher” vents about his inner struggles over a gospel-esque beat. The song “Lions” with JL & Tech N9ne is a deadly showcasing of their chopping skills while the track “Blame Coolie” talks about wanting all the smoke over a diabolical-sounding instrumental.

The song “F.S.U. (Fuck Shit Up)” is a monstrous moshpit starter while the track “Talk About It” ponders what he did to get people talking shit about him over a chaotic beat. The song “Poisoned” talks about how it’s a messed up world over a druggy instrumental while the track “Pirates” with Rittz finds the 2 boasting over a skeletal yet aggressive beat.

The song “Hold Up” with Landxn Fyre sees the 2 talking about those who act like they ain’t shit over a vibrant instrumental while the track “Systematic” with the late Info Gates finds the 2 diving into the meaning of such over a spacious boom bap beat. The song “Why Do You Love Me?” with Yung Scar is a decent romance ballad with some saloon-esque piano chords while the track “Go There” with Krizz Kaliko sees the 2 talking about looking to ease their minds over a full blown reggae beat.

The song “Wish I Was You” talks about those who want to be in Joey’s position over an uplifting beat while the track “Stuck” talks about someone who refuses to change over a moody instrumental while the song “Still Catchin’ Waves” talks about never looking back to the past. The titular closer gets celebratory over a rock influenced instrumental & then the bonus cut “Blessed” talks about accepting who he is over a synth heavy boom bap beat.

Man, it just seems like Joey just keeps getting better & better with each year he puts something out. There were a few features that I personally could’ve done without, but you get a really good look at how skilled Joey is as an MC throughout a good portion of this album’s 72 & a half minute runtime.

Score: 3.5/5

Reason – “New Beginnings” review

This is the official full-length studio debut from Carson, California emcee Reason. Someone I first caught wind of a couple years ago when he signed to Top Dawg Entertainment & reissued his 4th mixtape There You Have It. The project was cool, but I feel like he could grow as time went on because we all know TDE‘s lineup of artists are mostly all-stars. But with a slew of singles throughout the year, Reason is ready to make New Beginnings.

The opener “Something More” talks about his deepest desires in a significant other over a cavernous instrumental whereas the next song “Stories I Forgot” talks about not missing over a flute-tinged beat. The track “Pop Shit” with ScHoolboy Q finds the 2 talking about riding with their hoods over an instrumental with a murky atmosphere to it while the song “Show Stop” flexes over a druggy trap beat from !llmind.

The track “Favorite N***a” talks about money not changing him over a weary instrumental while the song “I Can Make It” with Rapsody sees the 2 getting romantic over a moody boom bap beat from S1. The track “Fall” talks about the difficulties of being an artist over some keys & occasional drums thumping away while the song “Slow Down” talks about needing to appreciate ones’ process over a boom bap beat with an alluring sample hanging in the background.

The song “Flick It Up” with Ab-Soul finds the 2 bragging over a spacious instrumental while the track “Sauce” with Vince Staples sees the 2 talking about being bosses over a trap beat with some somber keyboard melodies. The song “Extinct” with Isaiah Rashad & J.I.D finds the trio talking about a “doorbell dumb” vixen over a calming boom bap instrumental while the track “Westside” is another romantic cut like “I Can Make It”, but the vibe on this one is kinda eh. The penultimate song “Gossip” claps back at those who be saying “fuck him” & then the closer “Windows Cry” addresses the elephant in the room over a melancholic Wu10 beat.

Reason could very well be the underdog of TDE & this album only goes to show it in my opinion, because there are some notable improvements in comparison to his previous mixtapes. The pen-game has stepped this time around, a good majority of the features are on point & it’s a bit more well-produced as well.

Score: 3.5/5

Rittz – “Picture Perfect” review

This is the 6th full-length album from Gwinnett County, Georgia emcee Rittz. Rising to prominence in 2011 with his White Jesus mixtape, the acclaim of that 1 single project led to him signing to Strange Music & releasing a total of 4 albums on there with each one showing his growth both musically & personally: The Life & Times of Jonny Valiant, Next to Nothing, Top of the Line & Last Call. Rittz would go on to form his own label CNT Records & dropped his first album on there Put a Crown On It last year on Black Friday but now, he’s already back with Picture Perfect.

The opener “Picture This” sets the tone for the whole thing as Rittz comes through with a lengthy diatribe backed by a 2000’s Dr. Dre-type beat whereas the next song “‘Till the End” talks about his legacy over a trap beat with some funereal piano chords. The song “Ain’t I” talks about being the truth over a trap instrumental that almost has a Three 6 Mafia feel to it while the title track with Tech N9ne sees the 2 in their shit-talking bag over a rap rock beat.

“Jesus Blanco” could very well be one of Rittz’ worst songs yet as he & Nawf6od rap about nothing over a comatose instrumental, but “Fucked Up Day” is his own, mediocre rendition of Keith Murray‘s “Bad Day” produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7. The song “Geek Monster” gets romantic as such over a moody beat & a cringey ass hook while the track “Hell & Back” with Doobie finds both of them discussing their trials & tribulations over a guitar, organ, whistles & some hi-hats.

The song “Friend Zone” is another love tune that’s just as tedious as “Geek Monster” while the track “Positive Vibe” with Twisted Insane sees the 2 talking about coming from the slums over a cavernous beat. The song “Pain Killers & Paint Colors” with Chris Webby talking about money over a slick instrumental while the penultimate track “Bring Me Down” with Merkules & Snak the Ripper sees the 3 downplaying any negativity over a grimy C-Lance beat. The album ends with “Saved My Life”, where Rittz talks about how music has helped him over a mellow instrumental.

Yeah, I’m pretty indifferent towards this new album at the end of the day. Rittz has definitely become one of my favorite southern spitters in recent memory, but I could’ve done without a couple of the features & the production choices for the most part are pretty weak in comparison to his previous efforts.

Score: 2.5/5

Papoose – “Endangered Species” review

Papoose is a 42 year old MC from New York City who rose to fame by dropping a slew of mixtapes throughout the 2000s. His full-length debut The Nacirema Dream finally saw the light of day in 2013, which was followed up with You Can’t Stop Destiny in 2015 & then Underrated at the beginning of last year. However, Papoose has decided to enlist Brady Watt to produce a bulk of his 4th full-length album over here.

The album kicks off with “Billionaire”, where Papoose talks about getting a big bag out of this rap shit before time runs out over some keyboards & organs with the drums popping in midway through while the next track “Boxcutter” talks about having the deadliest pen of them all over a deadly boom bap beat. The song “Cobra Scale” brags about how he’s living over a harp loop while the track “Kickback” with Conway the Machine & French Montana sees the 3 spitting battle bars over a luxurious instrumental.

“The Human Body (The Brain)” is a full-blown science lesson with a dystopian beat while the song “COVID-19” gives a run-down of the ongoing pandemic backed by a ghostly instrumental. The track “Maturity” pays tribute to his wife Remy Ma over some piano chords while the song “Hate Be Real” talks about those who’re envious of him over a rock inspired beat.

The following track is a killer sequel to Numerical Slaughter” accompanied by some strings while the song “Antidote” compares his raps to just that over a whimsical beat. The penultimate track “Workin'” over an creepy instrumental from DJ Premier & then the closer “Tribute” pretty much freestyles over 50 Cent’s “Many Men (Wish) Death” paying homage to those who were murdered by corrupt cops.

This dude’s last 3 albums have been either hit or miss with me personally, but I think this might be his best one to date. The production on here is a lot more consistent to my surprise & Papoose’s lyrical talents are still as off the way as they were when he first came up.

Score: 3.5/5