Gucci Mane – “Against All Odds” review

New surprise 18th studio LP from Atlanta, Georgia rapper, record executive & entrepreneur Gucci Mane. Notable for being one of the Big 3 pioneers in trap music alongside T.I. & Jeezy, of course you can’t forget to mention him having one of if not the largest discography throughout the entire subgenre that continues to grow today. Breath of Fresh Air a few years ago was a decent 2-disc offering & to coincide with his memoir a year earlier, the 1017 Global founder’s coming off Episodes to drop Against All Odds.

“Back Against the Wall” samples “Torn” by LeToya Luckett shouting out the late Young Dolph right out the gate whereas “Y’all Make Me Sick” talks about the same ones hatin’ will be the first ones to get pics with him over horns & hi-hats. “Fucc Errybody” produced by Zaytoven to me ranks amongst my personal favorite cuts here stacking millions of dollars & his response to those wondering how he’s feeling while “Last Night in ATL” featuring Summer Walker links up for a weak trap soul/pop rap crossover.

We have Wop telling those who’ve turned against him to simply “STFU” although I could care less for the instrumental, but Zaytoven runs it back with his longtime collaborator for “She’s So Fine” talking about a woman who might work at Magic City since she’s that beautiful. “Still Dat N***a” makes it clear he still doesn’t have a fuck to give & others not being able to keep up just before “She on Go” makes for an underwhelming midway point talking about a freak hoe.

“Rich Ass N***a” kicks off the 2nd half making it up with a Zaytoven beat containing this prominent organ making way for Gucci to boast his wealth while “Get the Fuck Out My Face” talks about celebrating daily since he doesn’t hang around any snakes. “Crazy Bih” describes a psychotic woman who goes through his phone every night when he’s sleeping & buggin’ out all night while “Priorities” hops over another Zaytoven instrumental to talk about fatherhood.

OJ da Juiceman appears for the “Vette Pass By” sequel “Lambo Pass By” that I could’ve honestly done without, but “Drunk” was more unimpressive talking about getting fucked up whenever the weekend rolls around. “All I Have” discusses his balls & his word being the only 2 things he has left in this world & after “Crash Dummy” disses Pooh Shiesty, the closer “1017” ends Against All Odds talking about him taking people out of the streets signing them & turning against him.

All Eyes on Shiest a couple months earlier proved Gucci Mane wasn’t kidding when he said Pooh Shiesty was still signed to 1017/Atlantic after throwing his life away when “Crash Dummy” came out, but I really don’t consider Against All Odds much of an improvement. In fact: I’d rank it amongst the weakest installments of his historic catalog & that’s largely because of the mostly uninteresting production other than all 5 cuts Zaytoven did.

Score: 2/5

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ovrkast. – “Striking” review

New sophomore effort from Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. in the midst of my favorite duo of all-time OutKast filing a ridiculous trademark infringement lawsuit between him a few weeks ago. For over a decade now, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of 13 EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. KastGotWings produced by Cardo became my favorite EP of his even if some might still disagree, coming off his full-length studio debut While the Iron’s Hot a year & a half ago to drop Striking.

After the Ant Bankx intro, the self-produced “Windo” blends jazz rap & boom bap talking about finding himself in many situations he can’t control whereas “Static” featuring Joey Bada$$ finds the pair discussing the only thing they saw growing up around them over another jazzy beat. “Pane” takes a smoother approach instrumentally talking about indignation just before “WashedOut” wakes up thanking god for the storm & advising not to get washed.

“Home” soothingly up the 1st act of the album talking about usually resting on the edge of the studio instead of being on the wrong side of the bed when getting up in the morning while “ActTransit / Lemme at ‘Em” featuring DAVIDTHETRAGIC links up for a 2-parter with a soulful beginning until switching into trap territory. “Knock” featuring MAVI & Samara Cyn returns to the boom bap calling for people to cut the bullshit while “Heroes & Villains” featuring Ben Reilly & Marco+ plots world domination together.

The lead single “Wata!” featuring Niontay experiments with a jerk sound talking about not having time for everybody since they all want some shit & boasting that they got hotter every time they rap while “Hopecore!” hooks up a crooning soul sample so he can take a joint to the face along with trying to get through on his own. “Phree (Swing)” spends the remaining minutes of Striking talking about stitching up his wings, tryna break free.

Never in my life have I heard anyone get ovrkast. confused with OutKast & that’s a huge reason why many people are against this ongoing suit, but I digress. Striking however still comes out after some presumed it would get pushed back for a solid half hour although I don’t love it as much as either KastGotWings or While the Iron’s Hot. His jazzy production incorporates more live instrumentation & the abstract penmanship conveys the message of acting decisively & becoming comfortable with failure in the midst of pursuing personal evolution beyond traumatic situations.

Score: 3.5/5

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Scum – “Nobody Spared” review

Denver, Colorado emcee & Lyrikal Snuff Productionz founder Scum back for his 17th LP. Starting as a member of an experimental grind/noise band called Down Syndrome about 3 decades ago, his solo debut Enter the Asylum arrived in the winter of 2003 & he’s outdone himself plenty of times since. Case in point: The Gorefather, Out with the Old & Bad Uncle fully produced by Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux. I also found myself enjoying the Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy, coming off Anti-Human & IOUz to make sure there’s Nobody Spared.

“On God” kicks things off with this 92 second trap metal intro talking about giving a fuck less if people get offended by him & his style of music whereas “Mass Murder” featuring Řezník finds the pair joining forces for a bilingual horrorcore anthem with a JP tha Hustler instrumental that has a boom bap quality to it. “Moovbaak” produced by Gibby Stites continues from there apocalyptically sending that very advise to anyone who’s in his way prior to “1 by 1” featuring King Gordy gets right back to the wicked shit.

Moving on from there, “The Final Straw” furiously talks about leaving a muhfucka face down if 1 more thing in his life goes wrong while “Chainsaw Gandhi” spends 101 seconds dropping horrorcore lyricism over an organ-inflicted beat. “Type O Fuck” featuring Bloody Ruckus & Donnie Menace finds the trio testing the world to really let them see what they’re really about while “T.M.K.Y. (They Might Kill You)” cautions what happens when you push someone too hard.

Chapter 17 Records signee & LSP alumni Darby O’Trill joins Scum for “Stop Playin’” telling everyone to quit fuckin’ around incorporating some secondary influences of trap metal in the picture while “Definition of Wrong” grimly talks about what he considers the meaning of incorrect hooking up these suspenseful piano chords. “Bleed Out” speeds up his flow so he can keep it wicked leading into “What Would Jesus Do?” grimly talks about the son of god having love for all the victims that’re being slaughtered.

“Like You” featuring RazoR has Sin Rip & Tha Roka both joining their mentor in discussing some people being better off dead while “Drugs” talks about the fact that more people in this country have lost their lives to opioid addictions more than gun violence in recent memory. “Hole in Your Neck” featuring Madopelli has Ant Dog & M.A.D accompanying the man who gave them a deal instrumentally going for a boom bap vibe while “Better” suggests it’s best he aims far until pulling the trigger of of shotgun.

Meanwhile on “Enjoy the Horrors”, we have Scum over another trap beat hoping that people enjoy the wickedness he was meant to please the underground with preceding “Point of No Return” by Devil’s Trident ruggedly talking about burning bridges without having any fear. “Drip, Drip, Drip” starts the deluxe run with a symphonic instrumental talking about blood dripping off the blade of his weapon while “Left Alone” featuring A.Z. the Fallen links up to explain that they’re better off on their own.

“Last Confession” finds himself asking what the fuck’s wrong with him while “They Don’t Want None” featuring Gibby Stites & Zak Pacillo returns to the boom bap talking about no one wanting any sort of smoke with them. “N.H.N.H. (No Help No Hope)” makes the clear distinction that one’s helpless if there isn’t anyone to assist them while “Nightmerica” featuring Mikahl Lawless & Skeezus talks about this being a nightmare one can’t wake up from.

There’s a heavy rap metal groove to “Originalz” looking to smash skulls with a spiked bat while “So Tired” featuring RG Stoner talks about being sick of giving in unprovoked. “Dig Deeper” throws shots at the people hating on his name while “Empty Shell” featuring metroGHOST talks about the other versions of them being dead for some time. “Living in a Nightmare” bombastically observes the world burning & the final bonus track “Death Choice” talks about having no fear of being incorrect.

This dude’s been experimenting with bars, dark humor, lyrical hip hop, personal songs & mental health anthems after bringing us the Gore Hop we’ve come to know The Gorefather for going on damn near 3 decades at this point & Nobody Spared takes it right back to his roots with some of the angriest, darkest & most violent material Scum’s recorded in a some time. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the 2nd disc touching base regarding more introspective subject other than a couple occasional moments where he delves into butchery.

Score: 3.5/5

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Devstacks – “Soul” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Boston, Massachusetts producer & rapper Devstacks. Emerging off the Now They Know Us trilogy with the first 2 installments being EPs & the concluding chapter becoming his full-length studio debut, 3rd EP Scriptures has proven to become his breakout project & has gone on to produce for the likes of Ty Fontaine to Kevin Abstract & Diorvsyou His sophomore effort 4SouljasOnly had primarily trap feeling to it regalia sound he popularized & the rumors of Soul being a Scriptures sequel ahead of him producing an upcoming EP for Bktherula called Dirty Sticks.

The self-produced “Hand Me Your Soul” fuses elements of chipmunk soul & jerk so he can talk about this burning desire he has for more whereas “Stand for It” triumphantly flexes his lifestyle since being stuck at the top, having 2 bad hoes by his side snorting lines. “I See Dead People” bombastically talks about having white women tryna hook up with him just before “#1” incorporates some sampling chops so Dev can get more sexual with his songwriting.

“Yes” takes a cloudier approach instrumentally boasting his new Jesus piece & outfit leading into “Soulja Swag” ending the 1st half going full regalia telling everyone at home who misses him to stay strong until he’s home from being on the road. “Save the Day” gets the 2nd act going treading the plugg waters talking about money making his day better while “Maybe I Can Save You” suggests he could potentially rescuing this hoe he’s addressing over a regalia beat.

The song “You Can Have It Too” properly begins the encore of Soul on some cloudy trap shit advising people that they can what they desire in life if they believe hard enough while “Wish You Well” talks about money smelling like the Mason Margiela fit he’s wearing. “Slit Her Wrists” details a woman getting reminiscent when scrolling through his Instagram page & “Feel Like Ye” wraps up Soul shouting out one of my top 10 producers Ye formerly known Kanye West.

Commemorating the 3 year anniversary of Scriptures earlier this week, Devstacks retains the same production ideas that made it’s counterpart stick out from regalia to plugg & cloud rap although there are some additional influences of the main trap style 4SouljasOnly embraced including chipmunk soul & jerk elements being sprinkled in. He’s certainly a capable performer too, handling the performances solely by himself much like Scriptures rather than the previous album having only 1 guest performance.

Score: 4/5

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Olu – “The 11th Hour” review

Olu is a 37 year old rapper & singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia notable for being 1/2 of the EARTHGANG & a member of the Spillage Village collective. His partner-in-rhyme WowGr8 made his solo debut 12 months ago with Howl at da Moon leaning more towards a comedic hip hop style for something vulnerably dramatic compared to everything he’s done in the past, but Johnny Venus has been hinting towards a full stylistic departure for his own debut embracing an R&B sound & signing to Epic Records rather than putting it out independently.

After the “11:00” intro, “On & On & On” co-produced by Wu10 sets the tone of what’s to come with this R&B intro singing about being in love prior to the self-produced “Porsche 911” taking a smoother approach altogether pleading for her to break it down to the floor. “Runway Killer” moves on from there atmospherically singing about running away from heartbreak with a killer guitar during the hook while “Sarahtonin” featuring Alissia & Ink finds the trio bringing back the funk for some seductive vibes.

“American Dream” mixes elements of trap, rock & R&B singing about this woman’s religion being his peace to conclude the midway point of Johnny Venus’ debut just before “So Beautiful” featuring 6LACK kicks off the 2nd half with a duet yearning to call their partners throughout the whole evening over a slick Wu10 beat. Want to further mention Dominique Sanders known for his output for Strange Music as 1/2 of The Xtraordinair$ or solo getting behind the boards for “I Want You Back” was a pleasant surprise, where Olu’s singing about wanting to rekindle the flame with an ex.

The song “Feng Shui” slows it down admitting sex got ‘em fucking up the positive energy while “Swallowed Pride” would be another moment I’d revisit from the Patrick Paige II instrumental to the lyrics about putting his ego to the side. “Nightmares” hops over a guitar singing about having bad dreams being in love with this individual & “Can You Pray for Me” sends off The 11th Hour in the form of an appropriate Spillage Village posse cut featuring Asha Imuno clocking at almost 8 & a half minutes.

Now that both members of the EARTHGANG have their solo debuts out of the way, The 11th Hour makes me think of the comparisons that’ve been made between them & OutKast in the sense of this Howl at da Moonbeing like Speakerboxxx retaining a hip hop sound & this being a stylistic departure similarly to The Love Below. I felt like the funky & atmospheric R&B production Olu handles other than a few big names was superior to WowGr8’s album last fall & sings as well as he raps.

Score: 4/5

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Lee Brice – “Sunriser” review

Lee Brice is a 47 singer/songwriter from Sumter, South Carolina who I was introduced to almost a decade ago when Slumerican Records founder Yelawolf had him featured his finest Shady Records album Trial by Fire. Can’t say I’m big on his own music other than the sophomore effort Hard 2 Love, which was alright compared to the mediocrity of his debut Love Like Crazy & I Don’t Dance or self-titled & Hey World. His 6th studio LP however has been shaping up to become the most embarrassing entry in his discography based off some of the teasers.

The title track kicks things off with a country intro singing about the day coming at you at 500,000,000 miles per hour whereas “Killed the Man” tritely whines over a woman who he claimed murdered the person he once was. “Me & Whiskey” continues to cry about an ex whose heart he broke & one of the absolute worst singles of 2026 goes to “Country Nowadays” for it spewing the same hateful ideology the right-wing has become known for.

“Devil’s at It Again” unfortauntely continues from there singing about Satan always looking for a dance with him just before “She Wasn’t Like That” describes a female who he likens to “an angel raining heaven’s tears” & not being anything similarly to other girls. “Bury the Dead” sings about his wishes of taking a day off from burying those who’re no longer with us 6 feet deep leading into “Truck Bed Mixtape” encourages some lady to hop up in his truck so they can make out.

Meanwhile on “What You Know About That?”, we have Lee annoyingly testing people’s knowledge of the country life in general while “Said No Country Boy Ever” featuring The Traler Park feels like a more uninteresting version of the Keith Urban single “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”. “All the Way Down” sings about falling to the very bottom if that’s how it’ll be preceding the irritating bar anthem “Drinkin’ Buddies” featuring Hailey Whitters & Nate Smith.

“Old Men” winds down the last leg of Sunriser’s core sings about someone he thought he would grow old with smoking cigars & playing guitars while “Cry” responds to everyone claiming that men don’t shed tears, envisioning taillights fading away in the Georgia sky in his dreams at night. “Daddy Don’t Care” expresses his experiences of fathering a daughter while “When the Kingdom Comes” sings about there being nothing left except love being the outcome of the latter.

Starting the deluxe run, “Dogs Are Barking” portrays himself walking over to the bank to take some money out & waving at Sheriff Hughes whom he considers a dead man walking while “Never Meet Your Heroes” featuring Vince Gill reminds us that those who idolize ain’t who we hope they are once we peak behind the curtains. “That’s Where You Come In” sings about a chick yearning for a guy go pour her some wine & trace the lines on her hands while “Money Made the Music” recalls growing up listening to the late Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson of The Highwaymen.

“Cornbread” sings about how things move significantly slower around the countryside where he & his family live together until “While We Didn’t Last” looks back at a breakup, suggesting “just because it ended don’t mean it’s over” & realizing they were the heartbreak love should’ve never had. “Country Alone” featuring Chase Rice & Kelsey Hart finds the trio singing about pulling an all-damn-nighter putting in some work right down to the country bone while “A Lotta That” assures he loves his partner the way she does him.

Continuing from there, “Summer of Us” recalls a summer when he was younger partying all night with his girlfriend & that it didn’t last long enough when that can be applied to every summer when you think of it while “That’s All I Know” sings about not knowing everything despite telling us what he knows based upon his experiences. “Best Friend” realizes that a dog would be a country boy’s greatest companion since he hunts & fish with his pet canine while “All the Whiskey in the World” sings about his love for the alcoholic beverage although I wouldn’t play it if I drank bourbon around anyone.

“Heart Pine (The Ballad of Mr. Bill)” featuring Diamond Rio unites so they can sing about people not being hand cut from hard times anymore when there are people struggling to afford groceries because of the economy while “Words” observes the positive & negative consequences of the way we word stuff. “Rollin’ 7s” acknowledges the feeling where he’s headed being hardwares to beat this life he’s living now while the final bonus track “You, Me & My Guitar” sings about what he believes was the perfect combination.

It hasn’t even been an entire week since Wheeler Walker Jr. put out his swan song Pullin’ Out & to begin the 4th quarter of the year, Lee Brice drops what’s easily the worst full-length he’s ever made primarily due to him overloading it much like Morgan Wallen’s last couple albums 1 Thing at a Time & I’m the Problem or of course Post Malone’s country debut F-1,000,000,000 in addition to the fact he’s spent the last 13 months embracing & defending the rise of authoritarianism in what’s always been the land of the free.

Score: 1/5

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Quavo – “Qrömelife” review

Here is the long-awaited 3rd studio LP from Atlanta, Georgia rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Quavo. Rising to prominence in 2013 as 1/3 of the Migos with his nephew Takeoff & Offset, he would also form the duo Huncho Jack in late 2016 with Travis Scott & drop their only album thus far Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho to mixed reception. Quavo Huncho left audiences divided even I still enjoy “Workin’ Me” although Rocket Power remembered his fallen Unc & Phew cohort Takeoff following his tragic murder few weeks after the release of their only album Only Built for Infinity Links. Virginia producer, singer/songwriter, rapper, fashion designer, film composer, entrepreneur, Billionaire Boys Club/Icecream founder & Louis Vuitton’s creative director for men’s fashion Pharrell fully producing Qrömelife however had me hoping it would surpass the 2023 predecessor.

“Backward$” featuring T.I. premiering a week prior to Sami Zayn becoming a 2-time WWE Champion begins hopping over a trap instrumental with some heavy 808s for a “Welcome to Atlanta” sequel whereas “B.A. (Bernard Arnault)” featuring Future works in some synthesizers to talk about their wealth. The horn heavy “Hit-A-Lik” discusses making it out of the streets despite sounding like a DoorDash commercial while “Away” featuring Offset comes through with a spiritual successor to “Stir Fry” talking about escapism & each of them being far away from the ghetto these days.

Pharrell & WANG$AP appear for “Baby Breath” so they can get boastful even if Tyler, The Creator was clearly trolling in terms of his verse being the best of his career while the club-catered pop rap/trap 2nd single “Trance (Walk It Down)” talks about Huncho’s luxurious ways of living channeling the 80s freestyle era. “Factory Trim” reaches the halfway point flipping the bird at everyone who doubted him & yearning to crowd-surf while “Sweep” kicks off the 2nd leg talking about making money.

“Ball My Love” featuring Lil Baby finds both artists telling their lovers that time seems to always speed up whenever they’re spending time with them & after “Hayou Dewdat” featuring Yung Miami interpolates “How You Do Dat?” by the late Young Bleed featuring C-Loc & Master P for a braggadocious anthem over an Atlanta bass beat, the 4th & final single “House Music” featuring Justin Timberlake however throws it back to the days of synthwave for a pop/hip hop duet providing a soundtrack for those looking to purchase a home.

The song “Thick in the Mirror” continues the album’s final moments talking about the way his girl’s built & promising her entire life will change if she goes out for the evening but once the lead single “HAAVIN’” experiments with rage for a look back at all the success he’s experience whether it’s with the Migos or his individual output, “Destined” wraps up a look at the Qrömelife refusing to apologize for any more blessings that come his way past this point & confidently talking about his fame all being apart of his plan.

Honoring the healing process of Takeoff’s death, Pharrell still manages to produce the best Quavo solo album of the 3 he’s dropped in nearly a decade taking a more experimentally upbeat approach than either of Qrömelife’s predecessors. Although I wouldn’t put it on the same pedestal as Clipse’s comeback Let God Sort ‘Em Out the previous summer in absolutely no way shape or form, I still appreciate Skateboard P bridging the gap between the dirty south & funk music along with the consistent performances Huncho & company mostly deliver.

Score: 4/5

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Kofi Stone – “The Last Flower to Bloom” review

This is the 4th studio LP from Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom emcee Kofi Stone. Making his full-length debut in 2019 with the jazzy yet lo-fi Nobody Cares ‘Till Everybody Does, the sophomore effort 5 years later A Man After God’s Own Heart retained the sounds of it’s predecessor receiving similar praise & All the Flowers Have Bloomed last fall incorporated more contemporary R&B elements. Somewhat ironic since he officially announced this was since announced as The Last Flower to Bloom almost a week since the tragic passing of the inaugural AEW International Champion, former 2-time AEW World Trios Champion, オープン・ザ・ドリームゲートチャンピオン, オープン・ザ・ブレイブゲートチャンピオン, オープン・ザ・ツインゲートチャンピオン, 3-time オープン・ザ・トライアングルゲートチャンピオン, PWG World Tag Team Champion, 2-time NXT Cruiserweight Champion & 2-time NXT Tag Team Champion Pac.

The title track recalls going from a joyful child to an adult filled with emotional suffering over a soulful boom bap beat whereas “Through My Pain” goes for a more drumless vibe instrumentally hoping this person finds common ground some day over some bare pianos. “Dandelions” produced by Joe Corfield bares his soul on top of this lo-fi beat talking about needing to become free while “Sicily” discusses a trip he & his partner took to Italy.

“Baby Love” continues from there with this laidback dedication to Kofi’s ride or die leading into the 2nd & my personal favorite single “No Way!” hooking up a soulful boom bap instrumental from Pitch 92 so he can ask why people want to break his soul. “Dozen Roses” featuring Wiki links up over a string sample desiring to get acquainted with their lovers’ families just before the self-produced “Kofi Says” soulfully talks about simply making it through the day.

Meanwhile on “Soufflé”, we have Kofi over an organ & some crooning vocals pleading for this woman to give him 1 more chance while the luxuriously soulful boom bap pleaser “Ghostflower” that Pitch 92 cooked up talks about hopes of being everything his date likes. “Where Did We Go Wrong?” posed the very question in the aftermath of a breakup until he tells the story of a 28 year old meeting an Instagram model named “Alissa”.

“Little Flower” ends The Last Flower to Bloomtalking about his worries of running out of time despite God knowing everything will sort itself out when it’s all said & done prior to “Gardener Flow” starting a brief deluxe run with a lead single containing 1 last Pitch 92 beat groovily declaring himself the realest of the realest. The other bonus track “Mary’s Gold” properly concludes the album runs it back with Joe Corfield for a jazzy boom bap outro talking about falling in love during the first date.

Becoming one of the UK hip hop scene’s most consistent artists in the last decade, The Last Flower to Bloom celebrates almost an entire year of All the Flowers Have Bloomed with an epilogue that’d go right behind the latter as my 3rd favorite in Kofi Stone’s discography with the debut taking up the #1 spot. The production feels like a combination of the R&B undertones explored throughout the predecessor along with the jazzy, lo-fi boom bap sounds of Nobody Cares ‘Till Everybody Does & A Man After God’s Own Heart, consciously confronting topics like introspection & love from a place of sincerity.

Score: 4/5

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730atMorning – “Antione’s Son” review

Here is the 3rd studio LP from Minneapolis, Minnesota rapper 730atMorning. Someone who would drop 3 extended plays in 2022 including Pots*, untitled & Hi, I’m Alive. He would later follow it up with the Creeper EP, the 7:30* EP, the full-length debut Asphalt, the Guarded EP, the sophomore effort Under the Bridge, the Rotten Fruit EP, his previous full-length Save Your Grievance, the almost inside EP & the Insiders tape. Coming off both I Can’t STFU & 1 Man Band, Antione’s Son has the world waiting a bit longer until Context.

“habitat” opens up with this pop rap intro talking about him staying up in the woods whereas the bouncy “high life” incorporates some heavy synthesizers so he can boast his tastefulness. “Done For” produced by Internet Money Records in-house producer Rio Leyva ranks amongst my top 3 tracks talking about moving slow off lean while “vr” suggests that the people trying to be like him shouldn’t hate themselves for it because it’s no way to live.

southsidesilhouette & Tezzus both save the strongest features for the rage-inducing “foolish” throwing shots at all these dumb muhfuckas leading into “also” talking about this woman he holds dear to his heart always running back to him since she knows they have something. “timeline” suggests for those working dayjobs to clock in & that he isn’t on that type of shit just before another favorite “geeked until the day” hops over a plugg instrumental from Feardorian to talk about his lifestyle.

“withdrawals > betrayal” hits the midway point of Antione’s Son explaining that he doesn’t feel any pain since he’s off percocets, xanax & codeine while “instincts” brings these psychedelic synth melodies in the picture asking figuring out why he makes himself go insane. “sick kid” flexes he’ll pour up 80 like my 2nd favorite basketball player of all-time behind Michael Jordan: the late, great Kobe Bryant while “the king of the fall” talks about love meaning more to him than any amount of money.

Baby Cute appears for the atmospheric “shooting deep” talking about making it to the top together & staying afloat while “feelin’ good” featuring kels!refuses to invest in people who truly don’t support them. “souls attached” talks about being richer than he’s ever been while “amanda” discusses being as smart as the person who this is named after. “don’t get hurt +” realizes he shouldn’t have fucked to give a bitch another chance & “the great escape” ends Antione’s Son professing his love for this person.

Presuming Context will come out at some point in the new year, Antione’s Son distinguishes itself from 1 Man Band rather than expanding the world of that previous EP with a completely separate entity of it’s own & one I enjoy less than the predecessor albeit equally to last Halloween’s I Can’t STFU. It’d be more interesting if he got more interesting names handling the production, but that doesn’t take away the fact 730atMorning’s getting more introspective topically.

Score: 3.5/5

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Mickey Diamond – “B.I.L.L.Y.” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Mickey Diamond wasting no time to get the 4th quarter going with his 19th studio LP. Emerging at the beginning of this decade off the strength of his debut EP Bangkok Dangerous, the dude has since gone on to turn quite a few heads in the underground by building up the impressive discography for himself with his previous 18 albums alongside 8 EPs & a mixtape. Since 2022 however, Mickey has been consistent putting out some of the best material of his career thus far. This includes the Gucci Ghost series produced by Big Ghost Ltd., the Ral Duke-produced Oroku Saki EP, the Sadhugold-produced Death Threat$ album, the Camoflauge Monk-produced Capital Gains album, the outstanding Oroku Saki sequel Super Shredder & Gucci Gambinos. A new trilogy called The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat comprised of Wolf Tickets as well as Black Sheep & Blood of the Lamb has spanned across the last 10 months & B.I.L.L.Y. officially ends the saga with an epilogue.

The title track opens up shop with a boom bap intro talking about anyone going against him losing their lives right then & there whereas “Missed Calls II” comes through with a sequel to the highlight off Wolf Tickets. “That’s Diamond” goes for more of a rap rock/boom bap vibe instrumentally so he can tell us what type of guy he is leading into “Higher Steaks” featuring Cise Greeny finds the pair talking about doing this shit legitimately.

“Pat Sayjack” moves on from there with this gritty piano-inflicted beat talking about knocking the heads off your favorite rappers because they’re pussy while the irate yet rugged “D.A.R.E.” confronts these bum ass dudes asking what they want from him. “Lamb Chops” takes a more soulful yet jazzier approach to the instrumental talking about the life of a hustler just before “Goat Cheese” heads for a lavish boom bap direction musically, explaining that money doesn’t make a man.

As for “Invisible Enemies”, we have Diamond talking about his style being too addicting to shake off & people pretending to be authentic when that isn’t the case while “U-Tang Forever” featuring Method Man links up over a crooning beat flexing that they close rappers instead of opening for them. “Ocean Prime” drearily talks about being the friend one can call whenever times get tough while “Statute of Limitations” discusses always playing in the field instead of getting sidelined.

“William” kicks off the other half talking about being the greatest on some eerie boom bap shit while the symphonically raw “Takin’ Respect” cautions not to ever step against him & not finding anyone else who can carry the weight he does. “To Whom It May Concern” talks about still being the same as he was when he began making music despite having over a dozen full-lengths under his belt already while “7 Day Theory” boast the fact everything he writes turns out ill.

Crimeapple appears during the tense “Servin’ & Swervin’” getting in their mafioso bag together pushing dope while “Forbidden Fruit” blends some keys mixed with kicks & snares to talk about him searching for the hidden truth back when he was a kid. “Hallelujah (Amen)” featuring Big Trip kinda has a funkier instrumental combining themes of religion & the gangsta life to it while “School House Rock” ruggedly talks about the realest always selling.

“Goldie Mack” winds down the final act of B.I.L.L.Y. addressing a bitch who introduced herself to him as a lame & wanting her to give him another chance while “X’s & O’s” talks about not being afraid to spend a lot of money considering it’s forever coming & going. “Wire Tap” though wraps up the album alongside The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat saga altogether with the 3rd & final chapter of the “Missed Calls” trilogy pleading to stop hitting his line in a sketchy manner.

Big Ghost Ltd. has helped Mickey Diamond craft some of his most personal & thoughtful material of his career this past year whether he’s pouring his heart out, reopening wounds, provoking thoughts, looking back at some his own mistakes, challenging the norms of society or making serious conversations with both his loved ones & God. B.I.L.L.Y. closes the book on The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat story once & for all in the form of a 2-part postscript simultaneously celebrating most of the 7 deadly sins when they’re not glorifying sex, drugs & money since all of it played their own roles in making America what it is presently.

Score: 4.5/5

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