Ouija Macc – “Wasteland” review

Ouija Macc is a 35 year old rapper from Las Vegas, Nevada who I’ve covered multiple times up to this point. In 2017, the Insane Clown Posse signed him to Psychopathic Records shortly after his debut EP Trashfire independently. Ouija has since proven himself as one of the most consistent & hard working dudes in the underground by dropping a full-length debut, a greatest hits compilation, 4 mixtapes & 3 EPs all in the span of 3 years. But after much anticipation, he’s finally delivering his sophomore album produced entirely by longtime collaborator Devereaux.

The opener “Destroyers” gets violent over a spooky trap beat whereas the next song “Jacc Shit” flexes over a nocturnal instrumental. The track “Bootlace” tells everyone to stay out of his lane over an ignorant beat (in a good way) while the song “Fee Fye Foe Fum” with Rozz Dyliams sees the 2 coming at all the suckas out there over a dreary instrumental.

The track “Daily Death” lyrically lives up to its concept perfectly on top of this melancholic ass beat while the song “Broken” dives into his mental health over an eerie instrumental. The track “When da Lights Out” with Rittz finds the 2 getting reckless over a devilish beat while the song “Hatchet Mode” talks about plotting revenge over a spacious instrumental.

The track “Juggalo” talks about the noise that they want you to fear over a trap/rock fusion while the song “Runnin’ Shit” talks about taking over the game over an Atari-esque instrumental. The track “Incantation” gets on the horrorcore tip over a cavernous beat with some heavy bass while the song “Yuh Yuh Yuh” is a fun, catchy celebratory anthem.

The track “Stand For” talks about how they won’t fall for shit over an atmospheric instrumental while the song “Critical Meltdown” talks about losing his shit over a devilish beat. The track “Inquisition” boasts over a cloudy beat while the song “Forks in the Pot” talks about how you can’t clone him over a rubbery instrumental. The closer “Dead Homies” pays tribute to those in his life who’re no longer here over an anguishing beat, but then the hidden track talks about being born in a nightmare over a psychotic instrumental.

For waiting as long as we did for Wasteland, it was very much well worth it in my personal opinion. Not only does Devereaux cook up some of his best production ever, but his sound continues to help bring the best out of Ouija as the songwriting & flows on here are just as fantastic.

Score: 4/5

Wrekonize – “Pressure Point” review

Wrekonize is a 37 year old MC & producer based in Miami, Florida who’s been around for almost 20 years at this point. Starting out in the battle circuit, he eventually put out a total of 3 mixtapes throughout the 2000s before coming out with his full-length debut A Soiree for Skeptics in 2010. However, it wouldn’t be until the following year when he signed to Strange Music as a solo artist & as a member of the group ¡MAYDAY!. His 2013 sophomore effort The War Within would go onto receive critical acclaim & was followed up in 2017 with Into the Further. But as we approach near the end of 2020, Wrekonize is completing the trilogy by dropping his 4th full-length album.

After the “We’ll Be Waiting for You” intro, we get into the first song “The Fallen”. Where Wrek talks about being in Hell over a settle trap beat from The Xtraordinaire$. The next song “Be Me” talks about uniqueness over a rock-flavored instrumental & after the “Tell Me Your Symptoms” skit, the track “Lights Off” talks about his mind always movin’ over a trap beat from MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 with a plinky xylophone.

The song “Wits’ Ends” talks about being more anxious than ever over a bleak instrumental while the track “For the Likes” takes aim at clout chasers over acoustic trap beat. After the “State of the World” skit, the song “Low Water” gets on the wisdom tip over an scary-sounding beat while the track “Sedentary Moments” talks about how he used to sit & dream as a kid over a laidback boom bap beat.

The track “Anyweigh” is literally a spousal argument on wax backed by a woozy instrumental from Leonard DStroy while the song “High Water” talks about breaking free from the cage of stress over a trap beat with some psychedelic guitar passages. The track “Simple Back Then” looks back on his childhood over a soothing instrumental while the song “Oakland” is a slow, R&B jam written towards his partner. After the “Separate Yourself” skit, the track “Zombies” talks about freeing the listeners’ minds over a foreboding trap instrumental while “The Man Under the Bridge” talks about homelessness over a funky beat.

The self-produced “Call for My Name” pays tribute to Valerie Ryan over some prominently knocking drums & after the “Couple Last Stories” skit, “The Coldest Dish” is a tearjerking tribute to Wrek’s parents & brother backed by a trap beat with some somber piano-chords. The closer “Still Around (Down) talks about his desire to live without fear over a grungy trap instrumental & then the bonus cut “Detonate” with Tech N9ne & UBI finds the trio talking about losing their minds over a full-blown dubstep beat.

Wrekonize has always been one of the most standout artists on Strange Music & to me, this is right behind The War Within for his magnum opus. The production choices have improved greatly in comparison to Into the Further, the concept is so articulately put together & does a fantastic job of showing the listener where he’s at right now mentally.

Score: 4.5/5

Busta Rhymes – “E.L.E. 2 (Extinction Level Event 2): The Wrath of God” review

Busta Rhymes is a 48 year old MC from Brooklyn, New York who came up as a member of the Leaders of the New School. Becoming the stand out member of the quartet, he branched out for a very successful solo career & dropped 4 classics in a row from 1996-2000. Last we heard from Busta was in 2012 when he released the universally panned Year of the Dragon but after 8 years, he’s back with a sequel to E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front.

The intro starts off with Busta rapping about being a God over a boom bap beat from Nottz with some strings & a vibraphone, but then Rakim accompanied him as it switches up into a more atmosphere instrumental. The next song “The Purge” talks about rioting over a Swizz Beatz instrumental with some prominent sirens while the track “Strap Yourself Down” talks about challenging his opponents over a dynamic beat from the late J Dilla & Pete Rock. The song “Czar” featuring M.O.P. finds the 3 talking about being the leaders of the new shit over a symphonic instrumental from Rockwilder while the track “Outta My Mind” is a fun club banger backed by a sample of Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison”.

The title track gets conscious then over a monstrous instrumental whereas “Slow Flow” is a sequel to “I Remain Raw” backed by a video game-esque beat & sampling Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Brooklyn Zoo” for the hook. The song “Don’t Go” with Q-Tip sees the 2 getting romantic over a luxurious piano instrumental while the track “Boomp!” talks about every hood having love for him over a boom bap beat from DJ Scratch with some keys & a synthesizer.

The song “True Indeed” talks about leaving dudes dead over a DJ Premier instrumental with a suspenseful loop while the track “Master Fard Muhammad” with Rick Ross finds the 2 getting materialistic over a jazzy beat from Hi-Tek & Terrace Martin. “YUUUU” featuring Anderson .Paak sees the 2 talking about money over a snap instrumental while the track ”Oh No” takes aim at anyone fucking with his click over a wavy trap beat.

“The Don & The Boss” featuring Vybz Kartel finds the 2 talking about strippers over a triumphant instrumental while the song “Best I Can” with Rapsody sees the 2 talking parenthood over a soulful beat from none other than 9th Wonder. The track “Right Where I Belong” is a redundant sequel to “I Know What You Want” down to the Rick Rock production while “Deep Thought” gets confessional over a dreary boom bap beat from Busta himself.

After the “Young God Speaks” interlude, the track “Look Over Your Shoulder” featuring Kendrick Lamar finds the 2 talking about hip hop needing them over a sample of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” while the song “Another Me” talks about being unique over a smooth beat. The penultimate track “Freedom?” gets back on the conscious tip over a moody boom bap instrumental & then the album ends with “Satanic”, where Busta gets religious over an angelic beat.

“Blowing the Speakers” starts the deluxe run with some trap vibes thanks to Murda Beatz talking about fucking up the streets again while “Who Are You?” makes the hood fiend with Jahlil Beats. “Hope Your Dreams Come True” gives a middle finger to everyone who ain’t fucking with him while “Calm Down” featuring Eminem finds Scoop DeVille sampling “Harlem Shuffle” by Bob & Earl to battle each other.

The song “Follow the Wave” marks the reunion of the Flipmode Squad for 7 minutes of hardcore lyricism while “Blow 1,000,000 Racks” loosens up a little for a mediocre strip club anthem. The final bonus track “Hey You” featuring Trillian finishes up with the father/son duo over pianos & hi-hats to ask what one would wanna do because they gotta get to the money.

It’s been a longtime coming but at the end of the day, this is a great return to form for Busta & I’ll even say it’s his best since The Big Bang. There are a few filler cuts in the track listing, but I really enjoy how he spends most of the album sticking to his guns instead of trying to appeal to an audience that doesn’t exist.

Score: 4.5/5

Trippie Redd – “Pegasus” review

This is the 3rd full-length album from Ohio superstar Trippie Redd. Blowing up a few years ago off the first 2 installments of his A Love Letter to You mixtape series, he would go on to release a solid debut album LIFE’S A TRIP in 2018 & then a subpar sophomore effort ! last summer. This followed up in November with A Love Letter to You 4 but as Halloween approaches, Trippie is finally coming through with Pegasus.

The opener “Let It Out” is a mediocre duet with Myiah Lynnae about 2 partners expressing their feelings of loving one another over a spacious beat whereas the next song “Moonlight” talks about being a helping hand to his partner over a moody instrumental. The track “Love Scars 4” tries to convince his lover to trust him over a woozy beat while “The Nether” talks about how it’s impossible for him to get this woman off his mind over a cloudy instrumental.

The song “So Stressed” with Yung LB sees the 2 telling their significant others about why they’re blessings to them over a skeletal beat while the track “Excitement” with PARTYNEXTDOOR finds the 2 singing about how their lovers make them feel over an atmospheric instrumental. The song “Mood” tries to find out why his bitch is mad at him over a cavernous beat while the title track talks about where he’s at right now over a glamorous instrumental.

The song “Weeeeee” talks about being the big dog over a psychedelic beat while the track “Personal Favorite” with Rich the Kid sees the 2 talking about how their lovers deserve the throne over a generic instrumental. The song “V-12” talks about expensive cars over a piano-inflicted trap beat while the track “Spaceships” with Young Thug finds the 2 talking about being trapped in their own heads over a dystopian-sounding instrumental.

The song “Never Change” talks about staying true to himself over angelic beat while the track “Good Morning” talks about spoiling his girlfriend over a bland instrumental. The song “No Honorable Mention” with Lil Mosey & Quavo sees the 2 talking about their wealth over a comatose beat while “I Got You” is pretty much a Busta Rhymes joint as Trippie only handles the hook & the 2 get romantic over a calming acoustic instrumental from Wheezy.

The song “Too Fly” gets braggadocious over an airy beat & much like “I Got You”, the track “Red Beam” sees Trippie once again appearing solely on the hook as Sean Kingston spits about him going to places you can’t go to over a druggy instrumental. The song “Oomp’s Revenge, Pt. 2” talks about never living unemployed again over a vibrant beat while the track “Take 1” is essentially Trippie doing his best Future impersonation.

The song “Sleepy Hollow” compares himself to Ichigo Kurosaki over a sinister beat while the track “Kid That Didd” with Future & Doe Boy finds the trio talking about his crew pullin’ up in your city over a bass-heavy instrumental. The song “Don” is an ode to the champagne brand Don Pérignon over a minimal beat while the track “Hell Rain” with Lil Wayne finds the 2 talking about them fucking up over an instrumental with a Godly feel to it. The Swae Lee dominated “TR666” talks about his 3rd eye being open over a gorgeous Scott Storch beat & then the closer “Sun God” discusses the cons of being in a relationship over a drab instrumental.

Can’t really think of anything else to say about this album other that than, it’s just such a mess in comparison to everything he’s put out in the last. It’s way too bloated, mostly 1-dimensional, poorly produced, the features are just ok & Trippie’s painting himself in a corner with his style at this point.

Score: 1.5/5

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

Atmosphere – “The Day Before Halloween” review

Atmosphere is an highly regarded duo from Minneapolis, Minnesota consisting of producer Ant & emcee Slug. They’ve released a handful of classics through their label Rhymesayers Entertainment including Lucy Ford, You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having, Sad Clown Bad Dub 9 & my personal favorite: God Loves Ugly. But for the past couple years now, Slug & Ant been grinding like crazy by dropping Mi Vida Local in 2018 & then Whenever last winter. They just put out Felt 4 U with MURS over the summer & now a couple months later, Atmosphere is back with their 11th full-length album.

The album starts off with “Where the Road Forks”, where Slug talks about how he knows he doesn’t articulate himself correctly over a synthesizer heavy instrumental. The next song “Space is Safe” addresses someone who thinks he’s suffering from depression over a demented beat while the track “She Loves My Not” talks about a woman who only misses him when she’s drunk over a frightening instrumental. “The New People” talks about someone who doesn’t give him a reason to live over an portentous beat while “The Future is Disgusting” talks about romance over an 80s-style instrumental.

The song “DoubleTown” discusses how everybody knows somebody, but nobody knows anybody over a grim beat while the track “Stardust” tells everyone to stop biting his rap style over a monstrous instrumental. The song “Blotter Acid Reflux Syndrome” talks about having trouble on his mind over a futuristic beat while the penultimate track “Party Crashers” speaks for itself over a synth-funk instrumental. The album finishes off with “Sleep Apnea”, where Slug talks about how he wouldn’t commit to this chick if he could over an eerie beat.

This is almost as enjoyable as Felt 4 U in my personal opinion. Ant’s production is very synth-heavy except with a darker edge to it & Slug’s paints some very dope imagery from start to finish. Can’t wait to hear where they take things going forward.

Score: 3.5/5

Yak Gotti – “Gotti Outta Here” review

Yak Gotti is a 27 year old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia who I first caught wind of by hearing his feature on “Dream” off of Young Thug’s Barter 6 in 2015. He eventually put out his debut mixtape Mind of a Maniac later that year but after a stint in prison & officially signing to YSL Records at the beginning of 2020, the man is ready to drop his full-length debut.

The album starts with “Chrome Heart Wave”, where Yak Gotti talks about his newfound success over a triumphant trap beat from Wheezy. The next song “In the Coupe” talks about cruisin’ in Cali over a druggy instrumental from Taurus & Turbo while the track “Rock Solid” with Demon Child sees the 2 talking about how they never crumble over a cloudy beat. The song “Slatt Walk” talks about still being with the shit despite being wealthy now over a violin-inflicted instrumental while the track “Lemonade” with Lil Duke sees the 2 flexing over a rambunctious beat.

The song “Truly Be Missed” talks about a friend of his since 9th grade over an oddly amusing instrumental while the track “Free the Goat” with Shad da God finds the 2 talking about living large over an acoustic-trap beat. The song “Friends with Benefits” is a painfully robotic love ballad despite the futuristic production while the track “All Day” with Lil Gotit & Lil Keed sees the 3 boasting over a bassy beat.

The song “Still Spazzin’” prays to God over a lively instrumental while the track “Super Slimey” talks about being down by law over a beat that’s ripping off Pi’erre Bourne. The song “Biggest Opp” with Real Talker, Yung Mal & 5th Ward Greedy is a decent moshpit starter with a horn-inflicted beat while the penultimate track “Down Bad” talks about loyalty over another acoustic trap-beat.

The album ends with “Finally Free”, where Yak talks about getting out of prison over a keyboard-inflicted instrumental & why Thugger is credited as a featured artist on the official YouTube upload of the track when he doesn’t even appear on it? I don’t know, but it’s odd.

I was curious to hear how this album would turn out but at the end of the day, it’s just mid. Half of these songs are really catchy & fun, but the other half is just generic & boring as Hell. Hopefully his next effort is more consistent.

Score: 2.5/5

clipping. – “Visions of Bodies Being Burned” review

This is the brand new album from Los Angeles experimental hip hop trio clipping.. Fronted by Daveed Diggs, he joined forces with William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes to drop their midcity mixtape in 2013 & it landed them a contract with Sub Pop Records shortly after. The label granted them a full-length debut the following year but I didn’t completely hop on board with these guys until their Deathbomb Arc debut Splendor & Misery in 2016, which is a fantastic sci-fi odyssey. They returned around this time last year by dropping their magnum opus There Existed an Addiction to Blood & to celebrate it’s 1-year anniversary, Daveed & company are back with a sequel.

The intro talks about how the album will pick up where the last one left off over a dark ambient instrumental whereas the next song “Say the Name” retells the story of Clive Barker’s Candyman over an electro-industrial beat. After the “Wytchboard” interlude, the track “’96 Neve Campbell” with Cam & China pays tribute to the final girl characters in slasher films over a hyphy beat while the song “Something Underneath” talks about a monster lurking over a buzzing beat.

The track “Make Them Dead” talks about murder over a noise instrumental while the song “She Bad” gets flirtatious over a skittering beat. After the “Invocation” interlude, the track “Pain Everyday” gets paranormal over a breakcore instrumental while the song “Check the Lock” is a worthy sequel to the classic Seagram joint “Sleepin in My Nikes” with a deranged beat.

The track “Looking for Meat” with Ho99o9 sees the 2 groups talking about cannibalism over an industrial beat which & after the “Drove” interlude, the song “Eaten Alive” is a homage to the Tobe Hooper film of the same name over a hollow beat. The track “Body for the Pile” talks about murdering 3 cops over a harsh noise instrumental from Slickness & before ending off with the Yoko Ono-inspired “Secret Piece” outro, the final song “Enlacing” gets on the Lovecraftian tip over a cloudy beat.

Much like the new Alla Xul Elu album Mauxuleum that dropped the week before, I think Visions of Bodies Being Burned just goes to show how underappreciated horrorcore is in the hip hop culture. The concepts that Daveed bring to the table throughout have only leveled up in comparison to There Existed an Addiction to Blood & the trio’s production is a lot more darker as well.

Score: 4.5/5

al.divino – “Kilogram” review

al.divino is a 26 year old MC/producer from Massachusetts that I’ve been following for a couple of years now. Dude’s been steadily dropping projects since 2015, with the last one being the Futurewave-produced Kataklizm this past summer. But to continue his grind, al.divino is enlisting the West Coast veteran DJ Muggs himself to drop Kilogram exclusively on the Soul Assassins website.

The album kicks off with “Jansport”, where al.divino talks about that pusher life over a horn loop. The next track “Money on Ya Head” talks about putting hits out over a sinister beat while the song “Streets Still” tells the listener to give him his respect & talks about those who tried to count him out over a psychedelic sample. The title track gets reckless over by a grungy guitar loop while the song “Jabba Jaws” with Estee Nack sees the 2 talking about turning dudes into mince meat referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion & 2-time WWE United States Champion Sgt. Slaughter over spooky boom bap beat.

The track “Mr. Dynamite” gets back on the drug dealer tip over an eerie instrumental while the song “Landslide” talks about his crew be winning over a boom bap beat with some dramatic string sections. After the “Wildstyle” interlude, the track “Larry Davis” talks about how no one can fuck with him over an intimidating instrumental while the song “Oven” with RLX sees the 2 getting mafioso over a bewitching beat. The album ends with “Singapore”, where al.divino talks about his shooters over a foreboding instrumental.

As much as I highly enjoyed Kataklizm, I think al.divino really outdid himself on this new album over here. Probably his best work to date in my opinion. His presence on the mic is at it’s most ferocious & DJ Muggs’ signature sound meshes in with al.divino’s relentless lyricism very well.

Score: 4.5/5

Swamp Harbour – Self-Titled review

Swamp Harbour is a duo from London, England, United Kingdom consisting of Bisk & Stinkin’ Slumrok. Both of whom are known for being members of the Cult of the Damned collective & have crossed paths with each other a handful of times over the years on tracks like “Catfish” or “Runt” to only name a couple. However after being signed to Blah Records as solo artists for quite some time, they’re ready to properly introduce themselves by joining the label & putting out an eponymous debut album entirely produced by Sam Zircon.

“No Response” featuring Jack Danz after the “Heads Roll” intro was a solid hardcore hip hop opener instrumentally reminiscent of the Wu-Tang Clan single “Can It All Be So Simple?” & after “Marsh Law” featuring HAPPYPPL references WWE Hall of Famer Mr. T talking about dumping bodies in the swamp, “Cantaloupe Island” has a jazzier vibe to the beat dismissing rappers who hit the ground as soon as shit goes down in a session.

King Grubb appears on “Pelican Beach” ruggedly talking about knowing when the Swamps call your name while “Indicity III” finishes a trilogy Morrstinkin’s debut started & Gutter City bridged. “Francs” hooks up a reversed string sample mixed with kicks & snares talking about wanting others’ money when they die & after “Wholegrain” eerily speaks of both artists finding their way up, “Zip Ties” concludes with a lo-fi boom bap outro speaking of keeping it g when shit gets deep.

Bisk & Stinkin’ Slumrok have individually spent the past several years making names for themselves whether you look at their own respective solo discographies or the appearances they’ve made on the Cult of the Damned’s self-titled EP & it’s sequel Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate, but Swamp Harbour’s introduction marks births exciting side project for the UK’s answer to the Army of the Pharaohs. Sam Zircon’s boom bap production is dark, the amount of guests are kept to minimum & we get a better look at the chemistry between both MCs than either of the Cult’s previous discography entries.

Score: 4/5