Timbo – “Perfect Imperfections” review

Timbo is a 26 year old rapper from Louisville, Kentucky notable for being the eldest son of Mobstyle Music founder Bukshot. The latter of whom you may be familiar with either through his solo material or his memberships with groups like The Underground Avengers, The Horde, The Berzerkers, Cabal & Double Dragon spanning in a nearly 3 decade career. Following his dad’s footsteps, none other than MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 has locked in with Timbo for the latter’s official debut EP.

“Silence” opens with a cloudy ratchet instrumental talking about being the type to refrain from wasting his time on some minimal bullshit whereas “Duck Down” throws it back to The Neptunes’ late 90s sound feeling like he’s had enough with all the questions getting thrown towards his direction. The jazzy trap crossover “Ordained” finds himself flexing that no one can fuck with him & the lo-fi “Cool Breeze” advises not to come at him unless it’s purposeful.

It’s a bit different in sound compared to what we’ve gotten out of Mobstyle Music for nearly 3 decades at this point, but Timbo’s inaugural body of work makes an impressive introduction as to who he is both artistically & personally dissecting his Perfect Imperfections over MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7’s expectedly detailed production carrying on his father’s legacy by coming to his own.

Score: 4/5

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Boondox – “Black Winter” review

Covington, Georgia emcee Boondox releasing his 7th EP. Coming up as 1/3 of the trio Southern Hustlas Inc. under the moniker Turncoat Dirty, he would go on to sign with Psychopathic Records in 2005 following the release of his debut EP Dama Blanca & remained under the Insane Clown Posse’s wing for about a decade putting out his first 4 albums along with his 2nd EP PunkinHed through the Detroit label that runs beneath the streets. “Sippin’” off his debut The Harvest is also the entrance theme for former 5-time JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion & JCW Hall of Famer 2 Tuff Tony if you watch JCW Lunacy. Former labelmates Twiztid later brought the Killer Scarecrow on board over at Majik Ninja Entertainment in the winter of 2016, whom he’s still signed to today. So Much Blood a couple years ago marked his return to the wicked shit & is now returning for a Black Winter.

After the titular intro, the first song “Punisher” produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 is this dark trap intro likening himself to the titular Marvel antihero whereas “2 Wrongs Make a Right” embraces a rap rock vibe instrumentally warning that you don’t really want it with him. “Intermission” keeps the guitars in tact feeling like he won’t be forgiven because of the life of sin he lives while “War Journal” chaotically gets ready for a massacre.

“Vigilante” gets back on the trap metal tip again to talk about the season of killin’ shit coming as well as never being the same & undertaking in public safety or retributive justice without commission, but then “Vae Victis” suggests that everyone pulls the curtain down to see for themselves that everything really ain’t what it seems making sure they know who he is in the midst of giving everyone else the 3rd degree.

Both of the previous EPs that Boondox had put out through Mobstyle Music in tandem with MNE under his original Turncoat Dirty stage name has shown how much the persona has grown artistically in the past 2 decades & Black Winter reaffirms that. 7’s production is mainly trap-based with some trap metal undertones sprinkled in & Boondox’ lyricism tends to be more hardcore as opposed to the gangsta-concept of Cryptodirt over 3 years ago.

Score: 4/5

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Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Bukshot – “Blockwork Morgue” review

Here we have a brand new collaborative EP between alongside Detroit, Michigan emcee Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Louisville, Kentucky emcee Bukshot. One of whom broke out within the underground by signing to the Insane Clown Posse’s very own label that runs beneath the streets Psychopathic Records for his 2000 eponymous debut EP & the full-length debut 1 Less G n da Hood, with the other notable for founding Mobstyle Music. Both of whom have collaborated with each other numerous times in the past & are taking it further with Blockwork Morgue.

After the “Night at the Morgue” intro, the first song “Blockwork” produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 starts with an off-the-wall trap heater explaining the way shit works around the block whereas “Panicking” featuring Jamie Madrox delves further down the hardcore rabbit hole altogether getting everyone against them in panic mode. “Do It” fuses boom bap & rap rock talking about how they was out in the streets pushing weight while the grisly “War Story” addresses the people who want beef with them.

“J.A.F.U.D. (Just Another Fucked Up Day)” featuring Monoxide on the remix puts some rap rocks influences up on display as the official closer of the EP talking about going through another stale day & the remix of “Take an L” featuring Drive-By off Helter Skelter: The Accomplices II includes a new verse from Boondox that can hang with the original highlight from that previously mentioned album in Buk’s discography.

Buk’s been teasing this EP for almost a couple months now & I’m happy that he decided to finally put it out after a phat opening set at the St. Andrew’s Hall basement The Shelter for the release party of the House of Krazees’ reunion LP 31 last night. 7’s production doesn’t miss & both MCs elevate their chemistry by colliding 2 unique worlds in the underground wicked shit scene to start Devil’s Night 2024.

Score: 4/5

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Trizz – “Cavi En Cursive” review

This is the 6th full-length LP from Los Angeles, California emcee Trizz. Picked up a microphone at the age of 9, it wasn’t until his late teens where he properly introduced himself to a wider audience in the form of his debut mixtape Suicide with No Note followed by New West & The Right to Bear Arms before being taken under the wing of Sacramento horrorcore veteran Brotha Lynch Hung by signing to Madesicc Muzicc for a brief period of time. He would later go on to drop 5 more tapes, 5 full-lengths, 5 EPs, 5 collab projects with Chuuwee, 1 with Flashy B, another with Sahtyre & another with Ouija Macc all within the last decade. Much like the critically acclaimed Baseline Cavi, he & former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 are sticking together for Cavi En Cursive.

“Calligraphy” starts up the Baseline Cavi sequel on some jazzy boom bap shit talking about seeing the road clear as day before even mapping it whereas “Baseline” featuring T.F takes the eerier route instrumentally reminding everyone that both of them be running shit in the west coast. “Givin’ It Up” goes full-blown g-funk to talk about how he feels like soaking it all in or livin’ it up, but then “Alpine” hooks the kicks & snares up again to portray the gangsta lifestyle.

Pomona Drey & Traffic join Trizz for the funky, boom bap hybrid “Curb Service” serving music to the fiends like crack addicts leading into the smooth “Figure 8z” talking about cruisin’ down Baseline bangin’ his own music in the whip. “Type Shit” featuring 2-11 emphasizes a darker atmosphere further keeping the kicks & snares in tact talking about the shit they be on just before “Broken En 2” samples “Walk on By” by the late Isaac Hayes assuring he’s still getting it even though he ain’t rich.

“Arrogant” switches gears into trap territory with some g-funk undertones so he can talk about wearing his arrogance with pride starts the 2nd leg of Cavi En Cursive while “Moonlight” jumps over drumless jazz loop expressing how good it feels to be high in the sky. “Cream” featuring Blu returns to the boom bap once again to be all about the bread like the almighty Wu-Tang Clan while “O & a Half” featuring Flee Lord breaks down the lives they live on top of a mellow beat.

Brotha Lynch Hung reconnects with his protégé for “Truth Sells” brings the kicks & snares back as both of them talk about their imperfections having to study & learn the game while the syrupy “Fighting Temptations” details the depression that he goes through time to time. “Free Fall” nears the end of the LP with another jazzy boom bap instrumental looking to mediate since he be overthinking & “Die for Something” featuring T.F soulfully closes Cavi En Cursive trying to get money & profiting.

It’s already to the point now where I can say that Baseline Cavi has already cemented itself as my favorite album that Trizz has put out & the sequel here is almost as great from top to bottom. Even if it has a bit more features than the predecessor did couple years back, 7’s production has a heavier west coast vibe in the midst of demonstrating his range from boom bap & trap to drumless & jazz rap excellently suiting Trizz’ west coast gangsta lyricism no differently than last time.

Score: 4.5/5

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The Underground Avengers – “Oblivion” review

This is the 3rd & final full-length studio LP from Arlington, Texas emcee Claas alongside Louisville, Kentucky/Covington, Georgia duo The Horde consisting of Bukshot & Boondox or collectively known as The Underground Avengers. Forming in 2012 off an eponymous debut EP, they got back together in the summer of 2018 to have Majik Ninja Entertainment back their debut album Anomaly 88 & returning almost a year later for the sophomore effort Dark Matter. A 2nd EP The Gateway was released in the fall of 2022 & coming off an appearance at Astronomicon 7 couple months ago, they’re taking us to Oblivion after 12 years in the making allegedly.

After the “Judgment is Upon You” intro & the “Reassembled” skit, the unhinged first song “Who Dat?!” produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 who did UGA’s coda in it’s entirety leaving everyone running when the trio comes through whereas the morbidly flavored trap joint “Diablo” telling the haters to keep it moving. “Without a Trace” takes the aggressive trap route instrumentally making them learn when they do wrong & after the titular interlude, “Sideshow” angrily talks about being ready for rapture.

“Smash” brings an unsettling trap flare to the beat detailing the asshole nature all 3 of them possess while “Predators” featuring Mr. Grey sees the quartet devilishly talking about ripping the spine out your back. After the “OPLAN” interlude, “Snake Eater” hooks up an eerie atmosphere once again looking to make the final feature just before “Be Warned” grimly cautions listeners of UGA’s wrath.

After the “Reaping” interlude, “Other Side” delivers an adrenaline inducing hardcore trap banger leading into the grisly “‘Til the Music Stops” looking to ride until the wheels fall off the muhfucka. After the “Collision” interlude, “A Little Crazy” goes boom bap to talk about their craziness while the bouncy “Bring It Back” runs from the law grinding & getting dirty.

“When or Whenever” uncannily talks about everyone else watching them take the lead & after the “Dissassembled” outro, “Alibi” weaves organs & hi-hats wanting to be labeled as the bad guys when they’re gone while “Scab” is an insane rollercoaster ride of an underground 8 minute posse cut. After the “Black Hole” interlude, “Can’t Find Me” shows a serious side to UGA since the end is getting nearer.

Understandably, I can see why we’ll more than unlikely get another Underground Avengers album going forward since everyone’s already established individually in their own rights & Oblivion was the greatest note for them to leave on that took a dozen years for us to hear. The production’s primarily trap centered & the apocalypse concept throughout pretty much suits the fact that this is the last time we’ll hear them assemble.

Score: 4/5

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Monoxide – “The Chainsmoker II” review

Monoxide is a 50 year old MC/producer from Detroit, Michigan getting his start as 1/3 of the House of Krazees alongside The R.O.C. & Jamie Madrox. The latter of whom would join Hektic in signing to Psychopathic Records in late 1997 as Twiztid, becoming the biggest act to emerge out of the label that runs beneath the streets under the Insane Clown Posse’s wing next to Ouija Macc subsequently 2 decades later shortly after MNE & PSY severed ties. Some may not even know Twiztid sporadically wrestled during the early years of Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW), later inviting multiple wrestling veterans to their annual Astronomicon pop culture convention since it’s 2018 foundation. Mono was actually the last of the demented duo to go solo, with Chainsmoker turning 20 this fall & Jamie already being established as a solo artist almost 3 decades ago. So with that in mind as well as the 10 year anniversary of Majik Ninja Entertainment’s founding & how much Monoxide has gotten better lyrically as time has gone by, it makes sense to put out a sophomore effort on Leap Day produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 to hold off until Welcome to Your Funeral produced by Zeuss.

After the intro, “F.A.F.O. (Fuck Around Find Out)” is an eerie trap opener to the album based on that whole entire mentality whereas “Blown Away” works in pianos as well as kicks & snares cautioning that y’all don’t want this smoke. “I See Everybody Dead” gets in his wicked shit bag reminding that no one listened to him about the issues he has & after the “You Said It” skit, “Smoke Train” featuring Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Joe Black of Alla Xul Elu unites the trio for a ghostly ballad dedicated to smoking weed.

“Not Normal” by Twiztid finds Jamie & Mono over vibraphones & hi-hats feeling the abnormalities in their chests but after the “Is That You?” skit, “Anxiety” featuring Boondox & James Garcia or the artist formerly known as Young Wicked is this badass trap metal cut that’ll definitely get the pots going. “Bad Medicine” gives off an ominous trap vibe encouraging to light a doobie & enjoy the ride since life’s too short, but then the rap rock “B.M.A. (Baddest Motherfucker Alive)” by Twiztid featuring G-Mo Skee references WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion Rikishi.

The House of Krazees get back together for the penultimate track “Night They All Died” which is actually one of my favorite songs that they’ve done with each other in recent memory reminding that the horrorcore trio are still out here over 3 decades later & “Turn the Lights Off” concludes The Chainsmoker II fusing rock with trap talking about wandering for way too long.

Jamie was my favorite of Twiztid up until Monoxide started elevating his pen game in the late 2000s & considering the amount of insane verses he’s been dropping as time goes on, I went into The Chainsmoker II thinking it would be better than the album he put out on Psychopathic almost 20 years ago & that’s exactly what we got. 7’s production is more tighter than the original Chainsmoker, you can hear Hektic’s lyrical evolution & the features from the MNE roster all maintain his level.

Score: 4.5/5

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K.A.A.N. – “The Nightly News” review

Maryland emcee/producer K.A.A.N. back with his 10th EP. Getting his start in 2014, he would make a name for himself in the underground with an ever-growing discography like the Dem Jointz-produced Black Blood, the Ski Beatz-produced Requiem for a Dream Deferred, the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced All Praise is Due, Mission Hillz or more recently The Death of a Rapper with former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 on hip hop’s 50th birthday over the summer & was more conceptual than some of K.A.A.N.’s latest output. So keeping in mind that 7 was sticking around for The Nightly News, it was enough have me sold in checking out.

The title track eerily sets the tone of what’s to come by chaotically painting the disparity that local news stations generally bring to those who tune in whereas “The Results of What Unfolds” goes into boom bap territory talking about being unable to believe what K.A.A.N. had witnessed. “The Weather Forecast” shows off a speedier flow predicting lots of clouds over pianos, kicks & snares just before “The War Room” gives off a jazzier flare instrumental coming live from a command center”.

“The Less Fortunate” is a more somber cut to start the 2nd half of the EP describing those who’re poor & struggling to make ends meet leading into “The World Health Report” bringing a quirkier beat the fold so Knowledge Above All Nonsense can talk about symptoms of health declining. “The Free Labor” continues to push towards the end of The Nightly News by returning to the boom bap reminding us what built our country, but then “The Debt Ceiling” closes the EP talking about money making the world go round over more kicks & snares with elements of jazz music too.

K.A.A.N. got back on the conceptual tip near perfectly over the summer with 7 & they both recapture that same magic. The Nightly Newsobviously poking fun at evening news shows excellently & 7 carrying that versatile boom bap production from The Death of a Rapper on it’s way over to here. Will easily become one of the best EPs he’s ever made.

Score: 4.5/5

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Lo Key – “Portraits of Horror” review

Philadelphia horrorcore emcee Lo Key unleashing his 15th EP. You may know him for his involvement in a handful of groups within the underground like Mission: Infect or more recently Cabal & Neon Sermon or even his own solo discography of LPs that he calls the 12 Oracles. So far the only 4 we’ve gotten from him are Shadowland, The Book of Time, The Blood of Izu, The Eyes of Parasuva. But to help him paint Portraits of Horror, we have Lo Key enlisting former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 to produce the whole thing.

After the intro, the first song “The Box” opens the EP with some pianos & hi-hats with heavy guitars during the hook proclaiming that you could never kill him whereas “Burn the Witch” takes the eerie trap route looking to do exactly that as it is a necessity for him. “You’re My Everything” morbidly answers if he’s ever had to deal with stalkers just before “Parasitic” frighteningly admits he gave it his best & it wasn’t enough. “Remote Control” wraps everything up with a ghoulish trap beat looking to lead everyone to Shadowland.

25 years in the game & here we have Lo Key returning to form by taking it back to his horrorcore roots in comparison to his last few solo efforts going for different sounds. 7’s production is incredibly consistent & not only can the Mission: Infect leader still spit the wicked shit raw all these years later, but he shows his versatility as a vocal performer along the way too. Most notably during the hooks.

Score: 4.5/5

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Cabal – “The Pit” review

This is the sophomore full-length album from horrorcore supergroup Cabal. Consisting of Bukshotas well as Lo Key & Mr. Grey, the trio have all worked with one another individually up until a couple summers ago when MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 got behind the boards throughout the duration of their debut The Watchers. This would send shockwaves within the underground wicked shit scene & would really be the beginning of Mobstyle Music’s takeover, so for them to return 3 years later to take us into The Pitwas something I was looking toward to.

After the titular intro, the first song “Eidolon” is a dementedly uncanny trap opener about the trio waiting in the darkness whereas the piano-driven “1 Dark Night” recalls the events of a fatefully dark evening that occurred long ago. “Diamond” goes for a more uncanny atmosphere boasting that they went from horrorcore artists to being Gods within the subgenre prior to the sonically uneasy “Obey” advising to succumb to them.

“We Come in Peace” goes for a cavernous trap vibe explaining that they come with the message to be taken to the leader of this world they’ve stumbled upon & after the “Chamber” interlude, “All Rise” morbidly calls for everyone to demand their gratitude to the trio. “Philistine” delves deeper into the most misunderstood people in the ancient world over a ghostly trap beat just before the atmospherically ghoulish “Nightmar3” talks about declaring themselves as nightmares personified.

However, “Coming with Me” looks to take every last person with them showing no mercy & a beat that makes you feel like you’re listening to a horror movie on wax leading into “The Signal” pulling from trap once more talking about being world eaters. After the “Swallow” interlude, “Fire from Beyond” hooks up an apocalyptic loop & hi-hats promising that everyone will fall while “Forest Lights” draws inspiration from boom bap talks about the end creeping towards them.

“The Curse” bleakly details the curses that chase them explaining they don’t see a reason why to fight for their souls back anymore, but then the final song “Wizard of Saws” preludes the “Skulls” outro & finishes Cabal’s sophomore effort in the form of 1 last horror-inducing trap cut pointing out how their hearts be as cold as the winter season justifying that the trio’s reign of having the wicked shit in a headlock is only growing stronger.

The Watchers quickly became a modern day horrorcore classic when it was unleashed to the world a couple years ago so it was announced on the Berzerkers’ eponymous debut EP last summer, I was excited for all 3 of them to take it to the next level & that’s sure enough what they do here. 7’s masterfully dark production is being taken to a new level as is the chemistry between the members of Cabal themselves & the hardcore, gritty lyricism.

Score: 4.5/5

K.A.A.N. – “The Death of a Rapper” review

K.A.A.N. is a 32 year old MC/producer from Maryland who’s already made himself well established in less than a decade by delivering standouts in his ever-growing discography like the Dem Jointz-produced Black Blood, the Ski Beatz-produced Requiem for a Dream Deferred & the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced All Praise is Due & more recently Mission Hillz. But to celebrate hip hop’s 50th birthday, former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 is being enlisted behind the boards throughout K.A.A.N.’s 23rd album.

After the “Foreword from Soul Brother #1” intro, “The Spark” is truly what gets the album going with it’s organ-laced boom bap instrumental asking how one in this industry gets it all whereas “The Glow Up” goes into more sample-based territory talking about how they done see him blow up. “The Fame” gives off an eerier atmosphere with some kicks & snares worked in explaining that some live & would kill for clout prior to “The Life Imitating The Art” hooks up a crooning loop advising not to be scared of your reflection.

“The Politics” dives into wavy boom bap turf explaining that politicians & magicians are basically the same thing just before “The Image” hops on top of these strings, kicks & snares explaining the way to truly make a name for yourself in hip hop. “The Drugs” psychedelically confesses that he did too much & now he’s fucked up as a result leading into “The Self Hate” somberly airs out everything he dislikes about himself.

Beginning the final leg of the album, “The Cavities” discusses all the stale things in like that he likes to refer to as a cavity in a metaphoric sense with a syrupy, delicate beat while “The Fall Off”’s bluesy guitar passages fit with the subject matter of one artist’s demise in success. Eventually, the title track closes out the album manically gives us a glimpse into how our protagonist’s life unfortunately ends.

I’ve publicly stated numerous times that we were in for one of K.A.A.N.’s best albums to date & that’s exactly what we got here. 7’s cooks up production that provokes the emotions each individual joint offers the cohesively-told concept is so well thought out, really a tragic tale of how the industry can genuinely be sometimes.

Score: 4.5/5

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