Blaze Ya Dead Homie – “Dead Serious” review

Mt. Clemens, Michigan rapper Blaze Ya Dead Homie awakening from a 6 year slumber for his 8th studio LP. Originally 1/2 of the 2 Krazy Devils, the Insane Clown Posse eventually signed him to Psychopathic Records & his eponymous debut EP as well as his full-length debut 1 Less G n da Hood would become some of the hatchet’s most beloved material at the turn of the millennium. Colton Grundy: Tha Undying introduced us to his alter-ego & Clockwork Gray received the same praise as his earlier material, departing Psychopathic after the Mike E. Clark-produced Gang Rags to make the sequel Reborn the inaugural release for his childhood friends Twiztid’s label Majik Ninja Entertainment in tandem with his own imprint Grundy Entertainment. It’s already been a decade since The Casket Factory & coming off Cadaver on Devil’s Night 2020, he’s Dead Serious regarding a comeback.

After “That Dead Shit” intro, “Sunday Morning” produced by The R.O.C. opens up with Colton talking about having huge plans on top of this g-funk beat whereas “Grind” by Triple Threat embraces a trap vibe instrumentally discussing their hustle. “Lies” keeps the hi-hats rolling addressing an individual who he doesn’t want to associate himself with anymore leading into the final single “The Voice in My Head” awkwardly taking heavy inspiration from Jelly Roll thanks to Grady Finch.

“X’s on Eyes” continues from there descending deeper towards madness over a dark Fritz the Cat beat just before the title track returns to a trap sound sending a message towards people laughing & making jokes directed at him. “At Times” by Zodiac MPrint talks about a kinda love that can be occasionally cynical marking the only track Jamie Madrox doesn’t have a writing credit on & after “Bloody” gets murderous over a chaotic instrumental Native World Inc. in-house producer DJ Hazey made, we have Blaze demanding his respect on “All Hail” over a rap rock beat.

“Negative” has some cool gangsta rap themes regardless of the instrumental not blowing me away while “Farewell” talks about his desire of wanting to come back to life & attempts of contacting an individual from beyond the grave. “Spending Time” was another weak moment for me detailing a woman who’s constantly on his mind but once “Hell’s Coming” by Drive-By featuring Boondox cautions wrath upon everyone, “Armed & Dangerous” concludes with a gangsta rap/rap rock outro although I really enjoyed Stir Crazy’s remix of “No Tomorrow”.

Most ninjas I knew would say Cadaver ranks at the bottom of Blaze Ya Dead Homie’s catalog so to hear him call Dead Serious some of his favorite music he’s ever recorded had me hoping it be superior & I can thankfully confirm that to be the case although I’m still weary of the Eastside Ninjas’ upcoming sophomore effort Return of the Lotus. The production certainly hits harder than it did during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world was locked down & Blaze makes it clear that his musical focus hasn’t changed a bit since the early days of his career despite the poppier cuts not being everyone’s cup of tea.

Score: 3.5/5

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Blaze Ya Dead Homie – “Cadaver” review

Blaze Ya Dead Homie is a 44 year old MC from Mt. Clemens, Michigan who came up as a part of the duo 2 Krazy Devils. After their demise, Twiztid brought him onto the Insane Clown Posse’s radar in 1998 & signed him to Psychopathic Records. Eventually, his eponymous debut EP in 2000 & his full-length debut 1 Less G n da Hood the following year would both go on to become some of the greatest releases on the label. He would go on to release 3 more albums on Psychopathic before leaving in 2013 to form his own label Grundy Entertainment & join Majik Ninja Entertainment the year after that. Last we heard from Blaze was in 2016 when he dropped The Casket Factory but on the day of 1 Less G’s 19 year anniversary, the Astronomicon mainstay is back with his 7th full-length album.

“I’m a G” talks about being himself over a nocturnal beat from Godsynth & after the “Unplug” skit, the next song “Tore Down” with Monoxide sees the 2 partying over a lively instrumental from Fritz the Cat. The track “They Say” featuring Jelly Roll talks about being a killer on the low over a Young Wicked beat that has a creepy atmosphere to it while the song “Be My Guest” takes you through a mausoleum over an instrumental that almost had a bit of a West Coast feel.

The song “Summer Breeze” gets introspective over a uptempo beat & after the “PSA from Ya Dead Homie” skit, the track “Back Window” talks about staying the same over a boom bap beat with some keys. The song “Get It Lit” with Jamie Madrox sees the 2 taking about getting fucked up over a weary instrumental while the track “Watery Grave” talks about sending his haters to Hell over a chilling beat.

“I’m Dead” talks about being a renegade over a spacious instrumental with some sick guitar-playing during the hook while the track “Dead Man Boogie” is a Drive-By reunion talking about popping slugs over a vibrant beat with some strings. The song “Let It Out” talks about not wanting poison in his soul over an electronic instrumental while the penultimate song “God Don’t Like Ugly” with Boondox & Lex the Hex Master finds the 3 talking about hateful people over a rap metal beat. Then after the “Cursed” skit, the closer “The Light” talks about being trapped in darkness over an abrasive instrumental.

The Dead Man has never dropped anything that I disliked, so I was very excited going into this new album over here. And at the end, I’m impressed with what I’ve heard & just shows how consistent he’s been throughout his career revisiting everything that makes him who he is. He takes it back, but he’s simultaneously moving forward & bringing a more personal side to himself into the spotlight.

Score: 3.5/5