Mozzy – “Intrusive Thoughts” review

In front of us is the 10th studio LP from Sacramento, California emcee Mozzy. Becoming a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his debut 1 Up Top Akh & he went on to be featured on the soundtrack for Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more full-lengths through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records prior to Memphis veteran Yo Gotti landing him a contract with Collective Music Group/Interscope Records. His major label debut Survivor’s Guilt was more poignant than what Mozzy had done previously & Children of the Slums last spring exemplified growth in his rap career & personal life, although Brash Dummies became a letdown. 8 months later, some Intrusive Thoughts of his are becoming let out in the open.

After the “$FlyMoney2X” intro, the first song “Press Play” is this nervous opener talking about never taking a weekend off & never leaving his dogs despite what people say online whereas “Death Before Dishonor” featuring EST G finds the 2 hoping a gangsta shot them if they happen to die in their sleep. “Under Oath” works in more traffic music influences talking about the slums having a hold of him while “Katta Clips” dabbles with Detroit trap throwing it back to a deep cut in his catalog “Dear XXL”.

Lil Poppa joins Mozzy on the sample-driven “Nightmares” talking about it being hard to sleep at night trying to be doing alright leading into the solemn although much necessary “Keep Callin’ My Name” getting some pain off his chest lyrically. “7 2’s” continues the introspection feeling fed up with seeing graduation pictures whenever he checks the news, but then “Role Model” talks about him not trying to become someone others should take examples from.

“Pac Proud” hooks up these prominent piano chords gives his flowers to the late west coast icon 2Pac & speaks on being unable to forget the trenches since he’s a child of it throughout while “Hella Hyphy” taps in with his Northern California roots embracing the hyphy subgenre Keak da Sneak pioneered. “Who Want War?” featuring Polo G gives off a bloodthirsty trap vibe asking if anyone wants beef with them while “10%” advises to ask him why he signed to CMG.

E Mozzy & Maine Musik appear for “Modify It” catchin’ somebody lying about catching a body while “Reputation Everything” featuring Celly Ru breaks down their name around the street being everything to them. “Blood Diamonds” featuring Peysoh blends nervous music & gangsta rap themes together for a collab that makes up for the latter 2 while Tsu Surf gets his own solo cut with “Free Surf” calling for his freedom. “No Fabrication” finally ends the album brushing off any notion that his life is all cap.

Similarly to his CMG debut, Intrusive Thoughts doesn’t shy away from the trials & tribulations that drive some of Mozzy’s most memorable recordings bouncing back from the mediocre reception of Brash Dummies with his best since Children of the Slums. He continues his journey towards inner peace attempting to silence his unquiet mind & move forward from his traumatic youth in Oak Park in addition to imparting some knowledge on how to keep your mind strong enough to navigate street life & emerge with your soul intact.

Score: 3.5/5

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Lik – “Necro” review

Lik is a death metal band from Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden consisting of guitarist/bassist Niklas Sandin, guitarist/vocalist Tomas Åkvik, drummer/vocalist Christofer Barkensjö & bassist Joakim Antman. Following their full-length debut Mass Funeral Evocation, they would sign with Metal Blade Records furthering the acclaim in the form of both Carnage & Misanthropic Breed respectively. 5 years later, the band’s getting back together to put out their 4th full-length studio LP.

“Deceased” is this death metal intro feeling like the living dead waking up whereas “War Praise”homages the style of bands like Dismember taking us through the horrors of conflict. “They” paints the image of demon’s spawn who wait, watch, hunt & kill addicted to the taste or flesh prior to “Worms Inside” turning up the tempo a bit assuring the torturing nightmare is real & slowly becoming numb.

The 2nd single “Morgue Rat” crosses over standard death metal with elements of melodic death metal singing about their funeral obsession forever feed the band’s carnal lust just before “Shred into Pieces” kinda goes for a grindcore vibe abiding by the sickness. “In Ruins” easily sticks out the slowest track here talking about now being the time to die while “The Stockholm Massacre” takes inspiration from the Stockholm Bloodbath that occurred centuries ago.

“Fields of Death” pushes further towards the final moments of Necro throwing it back to the days of Mass Funeral Evocation explaining that the meadows of demise are eternally endless reigning chaos & awaiting their turn to perish, but then “Rotten Inferno” closes the LP showing Lik’s appreciation for Autopsy’s groundbreaking sophomore effort Mental Funeral talking about living solely to feel the pain of others suffering.

Gloriously returning to action standing loud & proud over so many imitators, Necro is the musical equivalent of a classic shock-horror movie that’s drenched in blood & gore packed with over-the-top extremities. On the other hand: It could most likely be the weakest of the 4 albums Lik has put out despite it’s bigger number of highs & lows primarily due to the meat & potatoes presentation of both death metal & melodic death metal.

Score: 3.5/5

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Tunde Adebimpe – “Thee Black Boltz” review

Tunde Adebimpe is a 50 year old musician, singer/songwriter & actor from St. Louis, Missouri known for being the co-frontman of TV on the Radio as well as his roles in the 16th Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Spider-Man: Homecoming & the brief animated series Lazer Wulf on the Discovery Global-owned Cartoon Network late night block [adult swim]. However, he’s looking to embark on a solo career by signing to Sub Pop Records & putting together a debut album solely under his own name.

After the titular intro, the first song “Magnetic” was a post-punk revival & alternative dance lead single that suits the beginning of the LP rollout singing about thinking of his time & space whereas “Ate the Moon” takes the industrial dance route instrumentally suggesting to call the doctors, preachers & lawyers. “Pinstack” hooks up a prominent electric guitar so he can ask if you’d like to live in a dream, but then “Drop” blends indie pop & neo-soul into 1 singing about rising into the night.

“ILY” gives off a prominent acoustic vibe for a tribute to his wife & French cartoonist Domitille Collardey leading into “The Most” dabbling with synthpop suggesting that the love will live on even if the lover is a liar. “God Knows” delves into the complexities of a bittersweet breakup capturing his vulnerability just before “Blue” might be my least favorite track despite its electronic influences.“Somebody New” throws it back to the 80s bringing indie pop & indietronica together while the minimal “Streetlight Nuevo” wraps it up by riding this rupture until the break of day.

In a lot of ways, the excitement of doing something on his own for the first time ignited a similar spark in him as TV on the Radio’s earlier days. Wilder Zoby’s production prominently goes for an indie rock, art pop & indie pop flare with further influences of indie folk, dance-punk revival, synthpop, indietronica, alternative dance & singer/songwriter addressing themes of the human condition in all its forms under all its stressors both big & small. For this to be his proper introduction as a solo act, Tunde surely desperate grasps onto small moments of joy amidst the dissonance & sadness in any way he could possibly can.

Score: 4/5

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Keri Hilson – “We Need to Talk” review

Keri Hilson is a 42 year old singer/songwriter, producer & actress from Decatur, Georgia breaking out in the contemporary R&B world when Timbaland signed her to Mosley Music Group & Interscope Records in the late 2000s for her full-length studio debut In a Perfect World… & the sophomore effort No Boys Allowed. Making her comeback after 15 years, her 3rd LP right in front of us marks the beginning of a new trilogy & her independent debut since she’s not on a major label anymore.

After the “Grateful” intro, the first song “Naked (Love)” passionately starts with a spacious R&B singing about having to find herself since 2010 whereas “Searchin’” featuring Method Man mixes hip hop & R&B from the boom bap instrumental to the romantic lyrics. “Somethin (‘Bout U)” continues with this 6-minute R&B ballad about finding something fascinating regarding the person she’s seeing currently & the lead single “Bae” gives off a trap soul vibe singing about what she loves her partner to call her.

“Scream” blends together trap soul & pop music for a single revolving around intercourse leading into “Whatever” promising to show her lover exactly what she’s made of & all she can do. “Weigh Me Down” has somewhat of a dancehall flare to the beat keeping her head in the clouds & her feet on the ground, but then “Say That” finishes We Need to Talk by making it clear that you have to tell her if you want her heart.

Being somebody who highly enjoyed Keri’s first 2 albums more than others did, We Need to Talk marks her highly-anticipated return with the 1st entry of a brand new trilogy that has me eager regarding the next 2 installments. The production pulling from trap soul, contemporary R&B, pop music & a hint of hip hop music well enough proving that she doesn’t need Timbo exploring themes of love, drama & redemption.

Score: 3.5/5

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Wiz Khalifa – “Kush + Orange Juice 2” review

This is the 23rd mixtape from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania rapper, singer/songwriter, actor & entrepreneur Wiz Khalifa. Following his first 2 albums Show & Prove and Deal or No Deal as well as his 8th & 9th mixtapes Kush & OJ and Cabin Fever respectively, his Atlantic Records-backed 3rd album Rollin’ Papers established him as a star & stoner’s icon as did the Mac + Devin Go to High School film & soundtrack. Taylor Allderdice would also receive acclaim, although a lot of what he’s released since has been hit or miss with the biggest hits being Fly Times: The Good Fly Young & the Stoner’s Night collab tape with Taylor Gang Records signee & Three 6 Mafia co-founder Juicy J a few years back. Wiz Owens felt disappointing last summer & Kush + Orange Juice 2 finally arriving on 4/20 weekend only feels right.

The intro hops over this laidback instrumental for Wiz to talk about the kush making him move progressively slower whereas “How We Act” featuring O.T. Genasis produced by Cardo, DJ Quik & Jason Martin formerly known as Problem goes full g-funk for their main bitches. “Crime, Bud & Women” suggests there’s nothing left to do if you stay away while “5 Star” featuring Gunna was a cool pop rap single that Mike & Keys laced with Dominique Sanders.

“Top Down” featuring Jason Martin & Ty$ finds the trio cloudily talking about them rather looking out for their people just before “Pimps n Hustlers” featuring Luh Tyler shows a Mobb influence to the beat dedicating this one to both of those kinds of people in the streets. “I Might Be” featuring LaRussell remembers when all they wanted was 100 bands leading into “What’s Hannin’?” taps in with DJ Fresh to hang with the real ones & throw up gang signs.

Curren$y makes an appearance on “Jet Taylor” representing both Jet Life Recordings & Taylor Gang with Terrace Martin & TM88 giving off a delicate tone instrumentally, but then Wiz Khalifa gives Max B his own 3 & a half minute song assuring that’ll never stop grinding. “Red Eye” shows a bit of a reggae influence getting everyone around him as stoned as he is while “My Influence” featuring Juicy J flexes the Hollywood moves they makin’.

“Take Your Time Get Paid” featuring DJ Quik delivers another g-funk heater going out to everybody who be making money at their own pace while “Cashed Out” featuring Larry June atmospherically claps back at anyone envious of not being in their respective positions. “Got It All” featuring Chevy Woods boasts they have everything others want while “Just to See You Smile” reflects on a special person in his life who’s no longer here with him.

Conductor Williams strips the drums during the chipmunk soul “Super Duper High Outro” for Wiz to drop a brief verse & shout out everyone involved in the tape while “Keep Ballin’” starts the deluxe run talking about the money calling him. Mike WiLL Made-It samples “Throw Your Sets” by the Tear da Club Up Thugs & Crucial Conflict during “Khalifa’s Home” giving a fuck less what others say while “Hide It” gets in his pop rap bag again.

“Bring Your Lungs” featuring Smoke DZA flexes that both of them do it bigger than the Brooklyn Nets’ home arena Barclays Center or the Los Angeles Lakers’ home arena the Staples Center & the final bonus track “Hit It Once” finishes Kush + Orange Juice 2 sampling “White Clouds” by 福村浩 talking about the weed he smokes being the type of shit a vast majority of stoners would wanna hit.

Coinciding with the original Kush + Orange Juice’s 15 year anniversary earlier in the week, the sequel arrives like a visit from a friend from long ago who’s stayed the same other than growing up & becoming wealthier. The production mostly handled by Cardo matched with DJ Quik’s engineering makes the chill soundscapes significantly more terminal joined by a loaded roster of guests who haven’t changed much in the past decade & change speaking on more of the Taylor Gang touchstones you know & love: jet-ski races, beach picnics, fat joints, drop-tops, crab rolls, hot-boxing Ferrari F8s.

Score: 4/5

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Too $hort – “Sir Too $hort: Freaky Tales” review

Too $hort is a 58 year old MC, songwriter, producer & record executive from Oakland, California known for being a west coast pioneer within the last 4 decades. Born to Mack, Life is…Too $hort, $hort Dog’s in the House, Get In Where You Fit In & Gettin’ It (Album #10) all stick out in his extensive catalog. This fall will mark 8 years since The Pimp Tape & he’s finally returning with the 21st full-length studio LP he’s actually been teasing since roughly 2022 or so only 2 & a half years after Mount Westmore’s debut Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort.

“Still Mackin’” samples the “Dope Fiend Beat” off Born to Mack to talk about his longevity in the rap game whereas the uncanny trap-flavored title track discusses always winning in the end & all the bitches knowin’ his name. “You Don’t Know” dabbles with Mobb music thanks to Ant Banks talking about these hoes not having an idea as to what’s going on while “Pick a Side” featuring WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg wants to know exactly who their partners are playing for.

BossLife Big Spence & Larry June join $hort Dog on “Pimpin’ Like Kenny Red” for a turnt-up hyphy track likening themselves to pimps leading into “Go Bitch” featuring Big Zeke, Jay Chess & Kokane serving as a g-funk club banger for the bitches out there who be doing the most. “No Feelings” featuring Bandaide & Mistah F.A.B. brings the trio together so they can live & die by the code, but then the acoustic trap hybrid “Keep It Going” featuring King George encourages everyone to continue moving.

“The Budget” pulls a bit from rap rock to spend a few bucks while “Sucka Shit” essentially calls out the people who be on their bullshit. “Got It from the Bay” represents the northern side of California that made him while “Brain Surgery” talks about people having to know how to do it to make it. And prior to the Check the Stats” outro, the self-produced “Everywhere” takes the Mobb route for the final time reflecting on the places his career has taken him.

Drawing heavily on his Bay Area roots & long-standing partnerships, the 1st installment in a new trilogy is more of a a deliberate look back as much as a statement of staying power Too $hort has ultimately bridging the classic template with new wrinkles & familiar faces. The funk-heavy, bass-driven production marks a return to the smoothness that anchored many of $hort’s most influential releases during the golden age & joins the ever-growing list of hip hop pioneers adapting decades later.

Score: 4/5

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Dave Blunts – “You Can’t Say That” review

Dave Blunts is a 23 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & internet personality from Davenport, Iowa by way of Salt Lake City, Utah who’s put out a total of 16 EPs & a couple full-length albums since 2018 or so. I’ve even mentioned his guest appearances on the latest Babytron & D. Savage albums Tronicles & We Love D. Savage respectively in the past several months. However with his popularity increasing, Dave’s 3rd studio LP felt like it could be his biggest one of his career.

“Solar’s Departure” starts by referencing the disgraced former IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 2-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE United States Champion, 7-time WWE tag team champion & 3-time WCW World Television Champion Chris Benoit over a cheerily drumless instrumental whereas “Air Mattress” goes for a plugg direction talking about his diamonds changing with the climate.

His health concerns get brought up on the trap, lowend & regalia crossover “1st Day Out the Hospital” except the line where he disses KanKan comes off as INCREDIBLY transphobic leading into the colorful trap cut “Game Changer” talks about taking what he wants. “1 Year Max” serves as a response to WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg’s comments regarding Dave’s weight & “Knee Surgery Tomorrow” makes a comparison regarding this bitch’s head game.

“Issabella’s Untimely Deportation” cuts off the titular woman after learning she really be fuckin’ his mans over some synthesizers & 808s just before “Tired of Being a Simp” gets on the regalia tip talking about him getting too attached to women he hardly knows. “Solar’s Unsuccessful Attempt to Return” keeps the regalia vibes telling his ex he really wants her back prior to “White Chicks dissing KanKan again & 9 Vicious, except the 9 Vicious jab is justified.

Meanwhile on “10 Bands on Solar”, we have Dave maintaining a regalia flare talking about everyone being on his dick now that he’s becoming popular while “Diddy Games” likens PlaqueBoyMax to disgraced Bad Boy Entertainment founder Puff Daddy a.k.a. P. Diddy or Diddy. “Sex Crimes” continues to hurl transphobia towards KanKan’s way & includes a line regarding Antonio Brown raping Britney Taylor, but then “Moving Slow” talks about his affinity for lean.

“Industry Planet” reflects on taking shit for granted during the days he was broke over a cloudy trap beat while “Balcony” blends pop rap & regalia talking about being a man & putting his feelings to the side. “Thinking of You” finds him trying to get Solar back swapping out the pop rap elements in favor of rage while “Bummy” talks about the codeine making him feel lovely.

The song “Back in the DMV” produced by thr6x expresses the pain inside of him because of Issabella not fucking with him & the closer “Issabella” ends the LP by talking about giving her a shot since Solar’s not coming back. Lastly even though I’m very well aware of the fact that it was left off the final cut, the jerk instrumental on “Bitches” featuring Ye formerly known as Kanye West was actually refreshing to hear Kanye on even if his verse feels like a ripoff of Lil Yachty catching strays from former WWE Champion, 4-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion & 15-time WWE tag team champion Kofi Kingston a few months ago.

Known for his dark humorous lyrics as well as introducing characters in his songs, You Can’t Say That as an album is only a slight improvement from the mixed reception of both Well Dude Here’s My Thing & If I Could I Would although it’s very much decent. There’s nothing wrong with the production drawing from regalia, pop rap, trap, rage, lowend, jerk, comedy rap, emo rap & pluggnb since I tend to review countless artists in those styles. My problems more so lie with the context of some of Dave’s lyrics like the transphobic KanKan disses & mentioning Antonio Brown’s rape case.

Score: 3/5

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$crim – “Via Crucis” review

This the 4th studio LP from New Orleans rapper, producer & deejay $crim of the $uicideboy$. The first of the boy$ to branch out on his own by dropping the solo debut A Man Rose to the Dead during the COVID-19 pandemic to mixed to negative reception including from myself. Lonely Boy was a solid introduction to $crim’s alter-ego even though you can tell it was inspired by Destroy Lonely’s debut album If Looks Could Kill & the sequel Lonely Boy 2 was more of a thank you, returning after over a year for Via Crucis.

“Destination: Lost” sets it off by talking about his evil ways over a self-produced instrumental that starts off drumless up until the 2nd half of it whereas “Tale of the Missing Man” cautions everyone to not waste the days they have left going another round for the man who ain’t coming back. “Whiskey 4 the Holy Ghost” hazily advises to never give up on what your dreams are & continuing to fight just before “Real Tree Playas Anthem” shows off exactly how fly he is.

Moving on from there, “Axeman of New Orleans” embrace is a bit of a Memphis vibe to the beat representing the northside of New Orleans leading into the grim standout “Reborn” co-produced with G*59 Record$ in-house producer Dynox talking about him finding God after his 2019 detox. “Warped Lives of Blameless Children” gets in his emo rap bag expressing his desire to feel somewhat decently, but then the rage-inducing “Psych Ward” talks about coming from the dirt.

“#lonelycore” shows an emo influence once again refusing to believe his therapist after being told that he’s been healing & crying in secret while “Nightmare on the Northside 3” is a 2-parter continuing the trilogy that began on A Man Rose to the Dead & Lonely Boy respectively. “Guns N’ Roses” heads for more of a bombastic approach admitting his pill addiction has made him fear less while “Father, Hold Me” asks where the memories go when we all die.

The lead single “Methamphetamine Blues” samples Pinegrove suggesting not to ask how he’s been if you genuinely could give a fuck less while “Ex Nihlio” talks about demons taking over him & being too different than anyone else. “Pill Hill Serenade” confesses to relapsing off the pills getting high to the point where he can’t even move while “Eastern Block Psalm” pulls from the Memphis scene talking about those who’re jealous of him.

“Do Killers Ring the Doorbells?” observes that something in the room doesn’t feel right soon as he sets foot & suggesting to count his blessings when all else fails while the buzzing “Death Rides a Grey Horse” talks about his chrome heart being decked out in the Chrome Hearts luxury brand. “Physician, Heal Thyself!” asks what’s left for him to gain & feels conflicted by the stranger taking on his mirror while “Daddy Warbucks” refers to itself as the song you make money to.

As for “Way of Sorrows”, we have $crim embracing the Memphis influences once again dismissing those saying they gon’ pop shit when they’ve never actually popped shit their whole lives while “Today’s a Beautiful Day to Die” sinisterly warns for everyone to get out his way. “Walk on Water” wants to know who else be doin’ shit the way he does crossing over soul & trap while the stripped-back “Depression, My Best Friend” talks about his struggles with the mental state.

“Staring at the Dust” dedicates itself to everyone around the world who’s been feeling hopeless while “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” talks about him finally taking off. “Ugly Sunday” advises for everyone to stay the fuck up out his way while “Red Mist” talks about the inside of his double cup feeling like magic. “Gospel of Scott” ask what you’re gonna do when people find out who you really are & “Vena Amoris” ends his most spiritual solo effort talking about the vein of love.

6 years after starting to follow Christianity, the Lonely Boy is back exactly a week after his 36th birthday to make an 88 minute album in which it’s name refers to 14 steps which led to Jesus’ crucifixion similarly to the NA 12 Step guide to sobriety. $crim’s production culminates all the sounds that he’s tried throughout his career into 1 & elevates his own instrumentals with lyrics revolving around mental health & quite possibly the most religiously conceptual thing I’ve ever heard from either $uicideboy$ member.

Score: 4/5

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Heem – “Bars & Noble 2” review

In front of us the 3rd studio LP from Buffalo, New York emcee Heem. Catching my attention in 2020 after becoming of a protege of Benny the Butcher & signing to Black Soprano Family Records, he also made a few appearances on the label’s showcase EP prior to dropping his debut mixtape Long Story Short & a debut EP High Art. His debut album From the Cradle to the Game came in the spring of 2023 & with the 1-year anniversary of Bars & Noble next month, it’s understandable for him to make a sequel.

“187” is this eerie boom bap intro talking about his murderous tendencies making them think it’s all good until getting caught up with later whereas “Charlies” soulfully clears up the feeling of everyone else being unable to walk in his shoes. “1993” somberly lets everyone know exactly where he comes from prior to “For Gangsters Only” featuring Charles Hider shouting out all the G’s in their lives.

The title track maintains an overall hardcore hip hop vibe instrumentally to talk about doing it for his city while “Gangsta Pain” featuring Harrd Luck returns to the boom bap so they can break down the hurt that all the street dudes out in their parts go through. “The Streets” works in a vocal sample so he can talk about practicing what you preach just before “Retro Flow” produced by CG has to be my favorite cut on here all across the boards.

“Dog Eat Dog” featuring Illy Foo begins the final act of Bars & Noble 2 by talking about the way the world is while “Simon Says” admits to the entire B$F squad having no screws to their heads. “Gangsta Boogie” ruggedly asks if anyone out there who were never feeling him are finally doing so now & not really dancing on beats that much, but then “Guns & Butta” samples “You Can’t Stop the Rain” by Loose Ends to sell 20s for the 10.

Heems finds himself on a whole new level since he’s been reconstructing his path in the rap game for the past 11 months & with Long Story Short still sticking out as my personal favorite of his, I do enjoy the Bars & Noble more than I liked the predecessor almost a year ago already. He’s at strongest, wisest & more well seasoned nearly half a decade into the game already although the features are cut below the original.

Score: 3.5/5

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Whyceg – “Cegregation” review

Atlanta, Georgia producer, audio engineer & recording artist Whyceg releasing his sophomore effort under his Sony Music imprint Cegular Records. Properly introducing himself to the underground in the summer of 2022 off his debut EP Grey Areas alongside the superior follow-up Cegular over a year later & of course the debut mixtape Yin & Yang a couple months later, his full-length studio debut Ceg Year would arrive in the previous February, signing both Babystaydown & Pradabagshawty to Cegular afterwards with each of them becoming successful in their own unique ways this past fall. Unlike their mentor’s previous solo efforts however, he chooses to take a backseat vocally approaching Cegregation & a list of guest performers to do what they do best over his production.

“Go Far” by 2sdxrt3all begins with a plugg intro talking about being disappointed by people tearing his heart in half whenever he shows them love whereas “Creep” by B6 decently blends gangsta rap lyrics & a dark plugg instrumental together for a passable single if you’re a fan of those styles. “In the Blind” by FBLMANNY talks about others hating to play a game they don’t want him to win leading into a personal favorite of mine “Old Lady Purse” by RRoxket co-produced by Goxan admitting to getting nervous around the feds.

Big Yavo gets a song of his own with the pluggy “Yay Ball” pulling out a stick & he’s not referring to chicken when he says that just before “Jetson” by Lil Tony fuses these trippy synthesizers & hi-hats shouting out one of the 2020s’ most popular trap beatsmiths: JetsonMade. “Dominoes” by Lazer Dim 700 & 2sdxrt3all finds the 2 teaming up for a dark plugg track cautioning to not choke if you don’t want smoke while “No Mental” by Yhapojj talks about giving a fuck less regarding his haters.

“IRL” by Lil Dre6o reaches the halfway point of Cegregation poking fun at people who be actin’ hard on the Meta Platforms-owned Instagram only to be scared shitless of him when running into each other while “Dead Ppl” by NDO D & Pradabagshawty kicks off the 2nd act on some dark plugg shit once again talking about smelling corpses near them, the latter having the strongest verse compared to the other. “Need Shells” by iam3hard moves forward continuing to mesh themes of the gangsta lifestyle & plugg instrumentation looking to reload his guns with more ammo while “Claim You Rich” by Jripey takes jabs at anybody who says they’re wealthier than they really are.

Zone1eriic takes the mic during “Clock It” & once another highlight “Undercover” by Babystaydown takes 111 seconds so he can talk about the woman he’s seeing possibly being the one yet simultaneously feeling like he can’t trust her for whatever reason he’s still trying to figure out, 2sdxrt3all returns 1 last time so he can make a sequel to “Crazy Dxrt3all Flow” off his 2nd EP Stop Holdin’ Nuts that recaptures everything that made the original version of it so special.

“OhYeah” by Rx Yp uses a flow reminiscent of Lucki’s using the gat to make muhfuckas dance like it’s the music video to “Thriller” by the late King of Pop himself Michael Jackon while “TF You Goin’?” by luhbrod7 promises to never leave his Heat similarly to how LeBron James did. Ending the album on a high note, “Riches” by diamond* clarifies to his girlfriend that he handles mafia business making others go missing.

I’d recommend checking out the Cegular EP for those curious of Whyceg’s abilities as a rapper, but I’d still take it over Cegregation for the finest entry in his discography so far & it has me hoping I’ll enjoy the next time the CEO of Cegular Records decides to let other artists rock his signature plugg sound throughout the duration of an entire LP a lot more than the averageness of this. This guy’s amongst my favorites in the plugg/dark plugg subgenres of trap & he really has something special going for his imprint, my main criticism with the album’s that the guest-list feels inconsistent.

Score: 2.5/5

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