Various Artists – “Judas & the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album” review

This is a brand new soundtrack album curated by California producer, rapper & singer/songwriter Hit-Boy. Coming up in the late 2000s under the wing of Polow da Don, he eventually become an in-house producer for the Kanye West-owned Def Jam Recordings imprint G.O.O.D. Music from 2011 to 2013 before forming his own label HS87 Music distributed by Interscope Records. But it goes without saying that 2020 was Hit-Boy’s biggest year yet, starting off when he entirely produced Nas’ latest full-length outing King’s Disease in it’s entirety in late August. This would result in a 3-peat for Hit-Boy, as he went on to produce nearly half of Big Sean’s last album Detroit 2 a couple weeks later & then lacing Benny the Butcher’s sophomore effort Burden of Proof from front to back a little over a month after. But to accompany the universally acclaimed political drama Judas & the Black Messiah hitting HBO Max & select theaters, the West Coast producer has amassed an all-star cast of performers to make music inspired by the motion picture.

After the 3-minute spoken word intro “COINTELPRO / DEC. 4” by Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., the first song “Fight for You” by H.E.R. talks about freedom over a glossy yet funky beat whereas the next song “EPMD” by Nas gets in his Escobar bag referencing the 5 big tech companies in Google, Amazon, Apple Inc., Meta Platforms & Microsoft over an more aggressive instrumental from Hit-Boy himself. The song “Welcome to America” by Black Thought talks about dreaming as long as you’re breathing in the U.S. over a tribal beat from Sean C while the track “What It Feels Like” by JAY-Z & the late Nipsey Hu$$le talks about success over an instrumental with an ambitious atmosphere to it.

The song “Broad Day” by Hit-Boy talks about A&Ring the game over an angelic beat while the track “Plead the .45th” by SABA & Smino talks about remaining silent over a colorless instrumental. The song “Something Ain’t Right” by J.I.D & Rapsody talks about corruption over a calming beat from Cardiak while the track “Letter 2 U” by BJ the Chicago Kid asks to set this woman’s soul on fire over a tactile instrumental.

The song “On Your Mind” by Lil Durk gets confessional over a trap beat with some wonderful keyboard arpeggios while the track “Appraise” by White Dave talks about being the last hope over a cloudy instrumental. The song “All Black” by G Herbo talks about poppin’ out over some celebratory horn sections from Turbo while the track “I Declare War” by Nado Wick gets violent over an drugged-out instrumental from Cardo.

The song “No Profanity” by Pooh Shiesty perfectly lives up to it’s name as he talks about standing on what he believes in without cussing over a sumptuous trap beat while the track “Last Man Standing” by Polo G talks about leading Chicago the way Fred Hampton did over a wretched instrumental. The song “Respect My Mind” by Dom Kennedy talks about rising to the challenges over a hair-raising beat while the track “Revolutionary” by G Herbo & Bump J talks about “standing like a man” over a beautiful vocal sample laced throughout the instrumental.

The song “Teach Me” by SiR talks about having the wrong idea of love over a holy beat while the track “Contagious” by SAFE & Liana Ledé is a cliché romance duet carried by the spicy instrumental. The song “Rich N***a Problems” by A$AP Rocky details the cons of being wealthy over a jazzy trap beat & after the “J.A.T.B.M”. outro, the bonus cut “Black Messiah” by Rakim is essentially Fred Hampton’s life on wax backed by a soul sample from The God MC himself.

This is hands down the best soundtrack album I’ve heard in a while. I mean I’m not too big on soundtrack albums this day in age & I made that pretty clear when I gave a positive review towards the Conflicted soundtrack last month, but I consider this to be the Black Panther soundtrack on steroids from the guests & production to the subject matter.

Score: 4/5

Double Dragon – Self-Titled review

Double Dragon is a newly formed hip hop duo consisting of Bukshot & Kung Fu Vampire. One of whom hails from Louisville, Kentucky & the other comes straight outta San Jose, California. Both these guys have collaborated with one another a couple of times throughout the years, but they’re joining forces & taking things to the next level by dropping a full-length debut together after they’ve been teasing it ever since 2019 to the delight of fans in the underground wicked shit scene who enjoy their respective styles.

After the “Rise of the Pranja” intro, the first song “Buk-Fu” finds the duo asking how people gon’ react when they come through over a malicious 7 instrumental with this incredible g-funk synth-line throughout while the next track “Ain’t the One” tells the listener not to play with them over a trap beat laced with this plinky keyboard melody. The song “Torn Apart” talks about over an instrumental backed by some Omen-like background vocals while the track “Non-Believers” with Boondox sees the 3 talking about losing their way over a spine-tingling trap beat.

The song “Nice” talks about taking flight over a cacophonous Godsynth instrumental while the treacle “Don’t Get Beat Up” talks about rappers feuding over nothing on top of an icy trap beat from Young Wicked. The song “Easy Target” with Rittz finds the trio talking about how they ain’t hard to find over a Kung Fu Vampire instrumental fusing elements of country as well as trap & rock while the title track talks about being the ones they fear over somewhat quirky yet abrasive beat. Then there’s the bonus cut “Tyrants”, where Double Dragon speak on not being with all the bullshit over a macabre instrumental.

This has been one of the underground’s most anticipated albums of 2021 & the final product makes it well worth waiting almost 2 years because you can really tell Bukshot & Kung Fu Vampire took their time to really hone in on a natural chemistry on top of some top notch production.

Score: 4/5

Super Famous Fun Time Guys – “Don’t Hug Me from the Front” review

The Super Famous Fun Time Guys are an Ohio-based horrorcore duo consisting of Mr. 8 Legz & Whipstick. They’ve released 2 full-lengths & an EP on their own since their formation in 2017 but after becoming the first act to sign to Alla Xul Elu’s independent label Long Live Evil a little over a month ago, 8 Legz & Whipstick are celebrating by dropping their 3rd full-length album.

After the “Tokyo Smoothies with Bob” intro, the title track that truly kicks the album off taps in with Dubbs to spit some humorous insults over an uptempo instrumental while the track “Up for Grabs” with Breadwin DeVille & Hard Target finds the quartet talking about sex over a somewhat tropical beat. The song “Could’ve Played Fallout” tells the story of Whipstick bringing 8 Legz out to a party over a trap instrumental with some plinky keys while the track “Luchaflorida” talks about where the duo came from referencing The Undertaker’s final match against AJ Styles at WWE’s first 2-night WrestleMania last year over a dusty boom bap beat.

The song “Squad Up” with Blaze Ya Dead Homie sees the trio talking about this being the new sound over an instrumental with this hypnotic loop hanging in the background while the track “Alright” talking about wack rappers over a trap beat with some twinkling chimes. The song “Muerte Mierda” reunites with Dubbs to talk about murder over a deranged instrumental while the track “Hide & Seek After Sunset” with Alla Xul Elu finds the 5 enhancing the horrorcore vibes of the previous joint from the lyrics to the production.

The song “In the Alleyway” talks about slaying any rapper who opposes them over a Billy Obey instrumental that throws it back to the 90’s while the track “Brainless” talks about being immortalized after death over a grungy boom bap beat. The song “Talk2me” ponders how one can heal if they can never escape over a paranormal instrumental & after the “We’re Being Creepy” skit, the closer “I Like My Friends” talks about running the rap game their way over a playful beat from Bad Mind for the first 3 minutes before leading into a 14 minute skit.

Alla Xul Elu & I’ve been curious to hear what would happen if they brought new talent on board the Long Live Evil label. Needless to say, I’m very impressed with what the Super Famous Fun Time Guys delivered on here. Their sound on here is totally refined in comparison to their previous output & their pen-game has also improved.

Score: 4/5

Conway the Machine – “If It Bleeds, It Can Be Killed” review

This is a brand new EP from Buffalo emcee Conway the Machine. I really shouldn’t have to explain who he is at this point not just because I’ve been covering the whole Griselda camp quite a bit throughout these past few years, but just the way they have been dominating hip hop since late 2015 balancing quantity & quality by dropping a handful of dope projects a year. But 2020 was undoubtedly Conway’s most prolific year yet, dropping a total of 2 EPs & a full-length debut that’ve all quickly gone down as some of his best bodies of work yet. But as Conway gears up for his long-awaited Shady Records debut God Don’t Make Mistakes, he’s re-enlisting Big Ghost Ltd. for a sequel to No One Mourns the Wicked entitled If It Bleeds, It Can Be Killed.

After the “Commencement” intro from Lukey Cage, the first song “J Batters” calls to free his homie of the same name over some cinematic string sections whereas the next track “away We Move” talks about going from nothing to performing at Coachella over a soulful beat. The track “Kill All Rats” with Ransom & Rome Streetz finds the trio taking aim at snitches over an occult instrumental while the song “Toast” talks about aiming at fuck boys over a luxurious beat.

The song “Losses to Blessings” talks about the trials & tribulations over a melancholic, jazzy beat while the track “Highly Praised” talks about never falling off over a gospel sample. The song “Sons of Kings” with Knowledge the Pirate sees the 2 getting in their shit-talking bag about over a boom bap beat with some up-tempo keyboard melodies while the penultimate track “Red Beams” talks about wanting all the smoke over a devilish beat. The album ends with “Forever Ago”, where Conway talks about lying to protect his significant other from the truth over some harmonious vocal melodies.

I think If It Bleeds, It Can Be Killed is right on par with No One Mourns the Wicked & brought my excitement for God Don’t Make Mistakes to an all-time high. Conway continues to elevate as the best lyricist in Griselda & on the other end, Big Ghost Ltd. cooks up some of his best production yet.

Score: 4.5/5

Devin the Dude – “Soulful Distance” review

Devin the Dude is a 50 year old rapper & singer from Houston, Texas who came up as a member of the trio Coughee Brothaz. They would eventually catch the attention of J. Prince in 1993 & sign to Rap-A-Lot Records, only releasing 1 album Fadanuf fa Erybody!!. However, Devin would break out as a solo artist by releasing 4 albums before departing in 2008. He’s gone on to make 6 albums since then but much like his previous effort Still Rolling’ Up: Somethin’ to Ride With that dropped a couple summers ago, Devin is teaming up with Blyne Rob for his 11th full-length outing.

It all starts with the title track, where Devin talks about wanting the pandemic to end & go back on the road over a synth-funk instrumental. The next song “Discouraged” talks about life not being easy over a tranquil beat while the track “To Each His Own” talks about the rap game over a slow boom bap instrumental. The song “Nothin’ Really Just Chillin’” perfectly lives up to it’s name as Devin talks about relaxing over a druggy trap beat while the track “My Left Nut Itch” talks about sluts over a skeletal instrumental.

The song “Just Ridin’ By” with Big Pokey & Lil Keke finds the trio talking about pulling up into a party over a psychedelic beat while the track “You Got No Time to Play” gets romantic over a sensual instrumental. The song “He Don’t Have to Know” talks about infidelity over an acoustic beat while the track “P.L.A.N.S.A. (Please Leave A N****’s Shit Alone)” lyrically speaks for itself over a funky instrumental.

The song “A Good Woman” gives some romantic advise over an spacious beat while the track “High & Trippin’” with 14k sees the 2 talking about bugging out over an odd boom bap instrumental. The song “BREAK-fast” gets in his storytelling bag over a bluesy beat while the penultimate track “Live & Let Live” with Slim Thug & Scarface finds the 3 talking about learning how to take care of business over some heavy drums & some keyboards buried behind. The album ends with “We Smokin’”, where the Coughee Brothaz get together for a weed anthem backed by a bass-line & some bells.

Devin is one of the greatest to ever come out of H-Town & even in his 50s, he hasn’t lost a single step. His versatility & charisma are still stronger than ever whereas Blyne Rob cooks up some slick ass production for him.

Score: 3.5/5

Pooh Shiesty – “Slime Season” review

Pooh Shiesty is a 21 year old rapper from Memphis, Tennessee who broke out just last year off his viral single “Main Slime”. This resulted in Gucci Mane signing him to his Atlantic Records imprint 1017 Global & after multiple appearances on the label’s recent showcase compilations, he’s now being granted a full-length debut.

The intro talks about seeing through fake shit over an icy trap beat whereas the next song “Back in Blood” with Lil Durk finds the 2 talking about murder over an instrumental with some foreboding piano melodies. The track “Guard Up” talks about fucking up anyone in his way over an acoustic guitar along with some rubbery bass while the song “Ugly” with Gucci Mane sees the duo talking about how everyone with them is thuggin’ over a trap beat with some distressing keyboards.

The track “Neighbors” with Big30 finds the 2 talking about being real g’s over a wintry instrumental while the song “50 Shots” talks about getting it in at the trap over an elegiac beat. The track “No Chorus” talks about death over a pessimistic instrumental while the song “Box of Churches” with 21 Savage sees the duo talking about bringing the smoke to ‘em over a spectral beat.

The track “Making a Mess” with Big30 & Veeze finds the trio talking about romance & guns over a bassy instrumental with this horn section occasionally popping in & out while the song “Choppa Way” talks about staying the same despite being rich now over an ominous beat. The track “Take a Life” with Foogiano sees the 2 talking about how people don’t know what it’s like to kill someone over an instrumental with a prominent woodwind sample while the song “Gone MIA” talks about all the pussies out there over a triumphant beat.

The track “Big 13 Gang” with Choppa Wop & Lil Hank finds the 3 talking about being a threat over a cinematic instrumental while the song “Drop Some Shit” talks about trying to make it out before he gets locked up over a cloudy beat. The track “See Red” talks about blood being around him over a trap/rock fusion while the song “Master P” compares himself to the No Limit mogul of the same name over a heady beat from Tay Keith. The album ends with the strip club anthem “Twerksum”, which originally appeared on the So Icy Gang compilation back in October.

Of all the recent 1017 signings, Pooh Shiesty has stood out to me the most. However, this album is just decent at best. He has a great presence on the mic & his songwriting is definitely ear-grabbing, but the production is just middle of the road & most of the features kinda weigh it down.

Score: 3/5

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

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

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

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