Bernz – “Sorry for the Mess” review

Bernz is a 42 year old MC from Miami, Florida most notable for being a co-founder of the band ¡MAYDAY! alongside Plex Luthor in 2003. But after bringing a co-frontman & 3 other instrumentalists into the fold by the end of the decade, Kansas City icon Tech N9ne signed the group to his evergrowing independent powerhouse Strange Music in 2011 & have remained on the label since. However, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where Bernz branched out into a solo career & dropped See You on the Other Side. Fast forward 4 years later, he’s enlisting MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 to produce his sophomore effort in it’s entirety.

Things kick off with the title track, where Bernz apologizes to the listener for what they’re about to hear over a dreary instrumental. The next song “Don’t Wait on Me” then tells this woman to walk out the door over a boom bap beat with an acoustic guitar while the track “On My Way” talks about how this woman makes him feel over a jam session-like instrumental. The track “Necessity” with his ¡MAYDAY! partner in rhyme Wrekonize sees the 2 getting confessional over a piano & some explosive drums while the song “Outchea” talks about keeping things on pace over some blissful guitar melodic & some handclaps.

The song “Limited Time” with Futuristic finds the 2 talking about out of town romance over a funky ass beat while the track “Done” talks about waking up from the wrong side & still feeling good over a tropical trap instrumental. The song “Slow Dance” is a beautiful foot tapper backed by a sensual beat with some heavy drums while the track “Old Cutler Drive” looks back on his younger days as a hungry artist over a trap instrumental that kinda has a jazzy flare to it.

The song “In My Mind” opens up on being epileptic over a lugubrious beat while the track “Party in My Room” talks about sex over a fast-tempo instrumental. The song “Lie to Me” talks about not wanting to hear any hard truths over a rhythmic beat while the track “Sunny Rain” talks about what it’s like for him to love this woman over a warm instrumental.

The song “Hold On” teams back up with Wrekonize as they tell their partners not to let go of them over a calming instrumental while the track “Double Down” talks about getting back up when you’re on the ground over a psychedelic beat. The closer “Let You Down” talks about getting lost in his thoughts over an acoustic instrumental & then the bonus cut “Late Checkout” is essentially Bernz doing dumb shit in the club over a beat that I almost wanna say is a bit Latin flavored.

Strange Music has been constantly staying busy all year & if this is the last full-length album we’re getting from them until 2021, then what a damn-near perfect way to finish it off because Bernz really took it to a whole nother level on here in comparison to [i]See You on the Other Side[/i]. The lyrics are most personal yet & his chemistry with 7 is just astounding, as the production on here is incredibly versatile.

Strange Music has been constantly staying busy all year & if this is the last full-length album we’re getting from them until 2021, then what a damn-near perfect way to finish it off because Bernz really took it to a whole nother level on here in comparison to See You on the Other Side. The lyrics are most personal yet & his chemistry with 7 is just astounding, as the production on here is incredibly versatile.

Score: 4.5/5

Mooch – “Da 5th Power” review

Mooch is a 29 year old MC from Rochester, New York most notable for being a part of Da Cloth. He came onto my radar just last year when he dropped 3 solo albums & then a collab effort with Rigz but after a 4 month delay, Mooch is enlisting Thank5th for his 4th full-length album.

The album kicks off with “Puro”, where Mooch talks over being the illest over a luxurious piano instrumental. The next song “Slap” talks about fucking someone up over a gully instrumental while the track “Hard Knock” with Rigz sees the 2 talking about growing up in NY over chipmunked-vocal sample. The song “Grab da Work” talks about hustling over a grim instrumental & after the “Pandemic Coke” skit, the track “Microwave” reunites with Rigz to continue the themes of drug dealing over a soulful beat.

The song “Going Back to Cali” talks about hoping he never relapses over a dramatic instrumental while the track “Care Less talks about being him over a melancholic beat. The song “I Need You” talks about romance over a lush boom bap instrumental while the penultimate track “Tuesday” with Rob Gates & Rome Streetz finds the trio talking about the reckless shit they do over a ghostly beat. The album ends with “Cure”, where Mooch compares his music to an antidote over a lavish instrumental.

Dude’s one of my favorites members of Da Cloth & this new album was well worth waiting a few months for. I wish it was a bit longer, but Thank5th’s production is on point & Mooch continues to reveal himself as one of the illest lyricists that the Big Apple has to offer today.

Score: 3.5/5

Marv Won – “Sooner Than Later” review

Marv Won is a 39 year old MC/producer from Detroit, Michigan who came up as a part of the world famous Fat Killahz. He’s gone on to become well respected in the battle circuit & has released a total of 3 solo albums, with the previous one being Soundtrack of Autumn in late 2016. However after this new full-length effort of his was set to drop next weekend, Marv has decided to put it out on his Bandcamp a week early.

The album kicks off with “Workin’”, where Marv talks about staying on the grind over a glistening beat. The next song “G.T.F.O.T.W. (Get The Fuck Out The Way)” talks about being beyond rappers over a grimy instrumental while the track “Twin Towers” showcases the titular duo consisting of Marv & Fatt Father over sinister boom bap beat. The song “Camp Low” talks about taking his own route over a soulful instrumental while the track “Lenny Cooke” talks about how he used to be the best kid in the class over a forlorn beat.

The song “Lay You Down” talks about living in a bucket of crabs over a gloomy instrumental while the track “Streets” talks about how you already know what it’s like in the gutter over some keys & a soul sample. The song “Clock on ‘Em” talks about putting cats under the gun over a dusty boom bap instrumental while the track “Nautica Van” talks about how that’s all he ever wanted over a lavish beat. The penultimate track “Raynathan” with Willie the Kid finds the 2 talking about those who want them to fall over a relaxing instrumental & then the closer “Rose” talks about appreciating loved ones before they’re gone over a glamorous beat.

Marv has always been one of the illest to ever come out of Detroit & this album is just a reminder of that. Dude’s production has only gotten better with time & his pen-game on here is powerfully thought-provoking.

Score: 4/5

Elxtt – “Hell of a Year” review

Elxtt is a 26 year old MC from Atlanta, Georgia who’s been around for a years now. He recently came back from a hiatus after completing college & dropped a new EP this past summer called Just Tryna Rap but fast forward 5 months later, he’s already following it up with his full-length debut.

The album kicks off with “Hell of an Intro”, where Elxtt recaps 2020 over a trap beat with some somber piano chords. The next song “Who is You?” boasts over an instrumental with some rubbery bass & a woodwind while the track “Letter to the City” make numerous references to the Atlanta hip hop scene over a beat that reminds me of College Dropout-era Kanye. The song “Blood on My Jordans” talks about the streets calling him over an instrumental with a well-incorporated sample while the track “Been Ready” with Eleonor Elias is an acoustic flavored R&B ballad that’s just alright.

The song “Ball Hog” talks about being just that over a feel-good instrumental while the track “East Coast Flow” talks about being from Atlanta over a rambunctious beat. After the “Elyon’s Interlude” the song “Therapy Session” gets confessional over an alluring instrumental while the track “Let You Down” with Ice sees the 2 talking about heartbreak over a dancehall beat

The song “West Coast Flow” is a decent rendition of 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” down to the instrumental while the track “Rico Suave” talks about partying over a Latin flavored beat. The song “Underdawg” talks about being slept-on over a luxurious trap instrumental & then the album ends with “Thoughts on a Beat IV”, where Elxtt speaks what’s on his mind currently over a classy beat.

I think this is a solid album & can definitely see Ellxt only improving from here. The passion is undeniably there in his delivery & even thought I really appreciate how diverse the album ranges, a few of the joints wear it’s influences on their sleeves so hard to the point where it can be distract. Nonetheless, I’m curious to hear what this cat does from hereon out.

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

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

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

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

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

Redrum – “The Lucifer Effect” review

This is the full-length debut from Orlando hip hop duo Redrum. Consisting of emcees Red Eye & Ranks, the pair have made some noise in the underground throughout the past few years off the strength of a couple singles & are now taking listeners through The Lucifer Effect before 2020 ends.

After the intro, the first song “Adjustment Bureau” is essentially Redrum shit-talking over an spooky instrumental while the track “On Fire” talks about how no one can defeat them over an intimidating beat. The song “Run Come” with Kali Ranks finds the trio talking about being strapped over a dusty boom bap instrumental & after the “That New Shit” skit, the track “New Thangs” with Heist-n-Flow sees the 3 talking about how everyone’s in the same lane over a climatic beat.

The song “Cold Blooded” talks about how it is in the streets over a solemn instrumental while the penultimate track “Palo Mayombe” advises listeners not to take the words they speak lightly over some weepy strings. The closer “Devil Lurks” talks about being weary where you walk over some chipmunked-vocals, but then the hidden cut “Carnival” flexes their lyrical prowesses over a demonic boom bap beat.

I’m pretty impressed with what I’ve heard on The Lucifer Effect & it has me excited to see where Redrum will take things in the future. Couple of the features were just alright, but the duo bounce off each other very well & the grimy production suits them like a glove.

Score: 3.5/5