Klokwerk E – “Anubis” review

Klokwerk E are a horrorcore duo from Columbus, Ohio consisting of Billy D & Kyle Kombs. Introducing themselves a couple years ago off their debut EP Will Boof 4 Rent & later the full-length debut The Emerald Tablets, these guys would form the Mighty Morphin’ Wackness supergroup with the Super Famous Fun Time Guys last summer & put out the Santa Claus Fukked My Dog EP in the midst of last Black Friday weekend. Few months later, their sophomore effort is finally in front of us.

The title tracks properly introduces juggalos to the dog of death over this dark trap instrumental whereas the grungy boom bap crossover “Walk with the Dead” talks about putting people to sleep in their new beds that happen to be coffins. “Put a Spell on You” homages the late Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to discuss every single one of us being in Hell when you think of it while “Suicidal Fun” talks about the concept of depression.

“Intergalactic Radio 2” is basically them jackin’ for beats similarly to what they did on it’s predecessor while the groovily slow “You Got a Nice Ass” talks about the love they have for cake. “Catfish” featuring S.O.N. shows the trio’s storytelling abilities discussing the possible outcomes of online dating leading into “Temu Sex Toy” displays a comedically vulgar side to Billy & Kyle.

Brandon Buckingham joins Klokwerk E for the trap-driven “Dirty Dirt Bag” to talk about all 3 of them being scrubs are just before “10 Plagues” brings an occult atmosphere to the beat so they kick the wicked shit. After the “Chewing” interlude, “Night of the Living Meth Heads” gives their flowers to the seminal political hip hop outfit Public Enemy while “Everything’s Dead” talks about waking up surrounded by death itself.

“Help Me Hide the Body” conceptually feels reminiscent to the iconic Necro track “Dead Body Disposal” except they borrow it & put their own unique take on it while the final song “Take What’s Mine” ahead of the “Dog” outro finishes up Anubis with what easily sticks out as the most controversial track on the entire thing with it’s lyrical content of runnin’ with an axe in their hands on the east side & keepin’ at least 5 bitches in the back of my van only for them to meet a brutally unspeakable demise.

Significantly darker than The Emerald Tablets was, Anubis embarks on a descent into ancient Egypt’s darkest corners fusing a batch of sinister beats along with a twisted blend of horror & humor to guide you through tombs where the dead don’t rest & the dog of death itself eagerly waiting to judge your soul. It’s kinda like the scene in Scream where 1 guy gets hit with the TV in the sense of it being the musical equivalent to certain parts in horror films that makes you laugh.

Score: 3.5/5

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Eem Triplin’ – “Melody of a Memory” review

Eem Triplin’ is a 23 year old recording artist & producer from Johnstown, Pennsylvania beginning his music career over a decade ago as a result of his older brother introducing him to the FL Studio program. His first 3 EPs N0WH3R3 as well as No More Tears & Still Pretty caught the attention of RCA Records, signing him after appearing on the deluxe version of Camila Cabello’s most recent album C,XOXO for a full-length debut studio album showing everyone what he’s capable of doing.

“Came In It” produced by DJ Dahi is this cloudy intro talking about pulling up to the spot with the gang & all guns blazing whereas “If We’re Being Honest” works in some prominent synthesizers to admits to wanting his romantic interest to want him back refusing to trick in the current economic climate. “Fiji” featuring Cruza finds the pair drinking Hennessy as if it’s the titular brand of water crossing over alternative R&B, plugg & pop rap leading into “23” showing off the player in him even if he’s in his early 20s.

Meanwhile on “Duya”, we have Eem rapping over this delicate pop rap instrumental asking if this woman wants to love him or not homaging “ELEMENT.” by Kendrick Lamar during the outro just before “Out Miami” featuring Ty$ sees the 2 talking about being unable to keep up with their partners who’re out in Florida enjoying it there. “IYKTYK” tells his ex that he ain’t mad for her cancelling her subscription while “Feyoncé” talks about wanting to pull a woman as bad as Beyoncé of The Carters.

“Miss Me?” mixes pop rap as well as alternative R&B & plugg wanting to know if anyone still cares for him in the midst of his career taking off, but then “Crazy Hoes” talks about a hoe stalkin’ him following an on-&-off relationship. “Tall Tales” serves as a 2-parter asking his main chick if she would ride or die for him while “On & On” talks about this woman refusing to admit her needing him. “Kingdom of Hearts” finishes with an R&B joint singing that he wants to keep his woman as if she’s a secret.

The Pennsylvania recording artist’s major label debut reveals parts of himself that he’s never shared before & furthermore reveals a side of his sound that he hasn’t shown folks yet. Showing his evolution as an artist, he steers away from the sample drill undertones of Still Pretty in favor of DJ Dahi giving him an east coast pop rap/trap flare with additional elements of alternative R&B & plugg.

Score: 3.5/5

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Josiah the Gift – “The Happening” review

This is the 7th full-length studio LP from Brooklyn, New York emcee Josiah the Gift. Emerging in the late 2010s by releasing his first 2 EPs Jack Johnson & Raw, he later broke out within the underground back in the summer of 2020 off his acclaimed debut album Iron Mic. His profile continued to elevate with the debut mixtape Remain Raw, the sophomore effort Mightier Than the Sword as well as the sequel, the True Cipher-produced TOGO, God’s Gracious, The Glorious Si’s eponymous debut & his previous album Lavish Language from last summer. Over 5 months later, Machacha’s being listed to fully produce The Happening.

“Jeux” featuring Vega7 the Ronin sets the tone of what’s to come with both of them over a drumless loop talking about the flowers they tried to water being hydrophobic whereas “Honor” featuring Willie the Kid taking the boom bap route showing off a savage psychiatry. “Guess Who” featuring Eddie Kaine reminds that they were the ones down with the drama & left in the end leading into “Thor” stripping the drums asking how you want it.

M.A.V. joins Josiah on “Royalties” returning to the boom bap talking about stacking up their dough & “Teflon” keeps it in the basement instrumentally showing us what his legend status has made out of. “The Lord is My Sheppard” aggressively makes it a mission for him to go hunting for dead meat while the flute-tinged “Heroes” talking about every single way that people could imagine a hero being refusing to get political in the process.

“When the Pen Hits” brings the woodwind-heavy boom bap sound back in the fold once again boasting his lyrical ability that’s been elevated, but then “The Reality” featuring Jamil Honesty talks about being prisoners feeling the conviction beforehand asking why they have to comprise themselves for their safety. “Trivial” finishes my new favorite Josiah project with him over a vocal sample turning shit into gold possibly only bodying your soul with his skills.

Familiarizing myself with the Gift of the Umbrella several years ago through several features he’s done, his first offering of 2025 & the Lavish Language follow-up surpasses his debut from 5 years ago as the strongest & most cohesive thing he’s ever done. Machacha’s production outstandingly balances drumless & boom bap on top of the well-assessed guest appearances leveling Josiah’s penmanship.

Score: 4.5/5

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D. Savage – “We Love D. Savage” review

D. Savage is a 28 year old rapper & songwriter from Los Angeles, California who signed to Victor Victor Worldwide & Capitol Records for his debut EP D Phoenix & the full-length debut Trust No One shortly after his debut mixtape Born a Savage dropped. The sophomore effort BPL marked his debut for EMPIRE Distribution & with the 2-year anniversary of Mafia Musik approaching in a few days following this ongoing weekend, D.’s dropping his 4th studio album to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

“Kick ‘Em Out” starts the album with a plugg instrumental talking about hoes not wanting him back then & all of the sudden wanting him now that he’s becoming a popular artist whereas “Woozy” turns the cloudiness up so he can get fucked up off the lean he poured up. “2025” flexes that he got all the hoes he wants without it even mattering ahead of “Slow Rise” talking about refusing to slow down.

The intoxicating atmosphere of “Like Me” is fitting telling this woman he sees running around that she won’t find anyone else on his level out here leading into “Been a Joint” featuring 310babii finds the pair talking about building an EMPIRE a lot like the label D. Savage is signed to. “How Many Grams?” wants to know the exact amount of weed that was put into the blunt prior to it being rolled while “Palm of My Hand” asking why the fuck everyone soft as they are nowadays.

“Donut” featuring Dave Blunts brings the 2 together wanting to have fun & the killas by their side going up with them just before “inthej” featuring the streamer who finally got DJ Akademiks cancelled PlaqueBoyMax addresses every single person who wants to see them down & failing. “Geek’d Up” featuring Ty$ pours up the lean high enough where it’ll knock them out, but then “Until I Fall” boasts being as wealthy one of the greatest boxers of all-time & Mayweather Promotions founder Floyd Mayweather.

As for “Sin4thewin”, the conclusion of We Love D. Savage draws even closer getting back on his bullshit carrying a machete on him taking his meds to calm his ass down “Fr!ed” rounds out the LP by talking about being back in his bag grindin’ on the road & geeking up with 100 other rich homies outside with him as well as promising to kick the asses of anyone he catches speaking ill of him.

Given that I’ve never reviewed D. Savage up until now, I was first introduced to him when D Phoenix came out & felt that he was a good fit for Victor Victor until his departure. We Love D. Savage as far as his EMPIRE output goes stands as my new favorite compared to his last couple offerings. It’s produced better, the guest-list is tight & he returns after almost 2 years to deliver some of the most enjoyable performances I’ve heard from him in a while.

Score: 3.5/5

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Ohgeesy – “Paid N Full” review

Ohgeesy is a 31 year old rapper from Los Angeles, California notable for being a member of the seminal nervous group the Shoreline Mafia now consisting of him & Fenix Flexin’ as of me writing this. Following their hiatus as a unit, Ohgeesy has since put out 2 solo mixtapes GEEZYWORLD & GEEZYWORLD 2 under Atlantic Records to mixed reception. In light of him signing a new deal with 300 Entertainment though, his official full-length solo debut is coming in time for Valentine’s Day although it’s not lovey dovey necessarily.

The title track begins with this sample-driven trap intro talking about getting the money, flipping it & stacking it higher whereas “Keep Goin’” produced by Hit-Boy is a highlight for me personally advising to not give up & move forward on top of what I consider to be amongst the strongest instrumentals. “Fa Real” brings more of a bouncier flare to the table boasting that he’s the one calling shots while “What It Iz” featuring Lefty Gunplay highlights their success & relentless hustle in the street & music.

Charlotte Hornets player Miles Bridges has one of the weaker guest appearances on the song “Digital” referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8 time WWE Cruiserweight Champion & アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン & The Crash’s inaugural Mundial Pesocompleto Campeon Rey Mysterio fresh off staring at the newest Monday Night RAW superstar in former AEW World Tag Team Champion, AEW World Trios Champion, HoG Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, the longest reigning 3-time AAA Mundial Parejas Campeon, AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeon, AAA Latinoamericano Campeon, The Crash Pesocrucero Campeon, The Crash Parejas Campeon, MLW World Tag Team Champion, PWG World Tag Team Champion & ROH World Tag Team Champion Penta to start this year’s Royal Rumble leading into “Cuttin’” featuring Saweetie making up for it as they talk about making it rain in the west coast today.

“Cropped Out” kinda gives off some Mobb vibes altogether assuring that he ain’t on some middle man shit at all & he loading up with the chopper with his gloves on prior to the Shoreline Mafia reuniting for “Heat Stick” including a reference to 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena who recently put over former WWE Intercontinental Champion & 10-time WWE Tag Team Champion Jey Uso at this year’s Royal Rumble that is until “Tell Me Something” featuring Kalan.FrFr boasts about them doing drank in the club.

Meanwhile on “Let It Be Known”, we have Ohgeesy telling his girlfriend the name of this very album we’re dissecting start to finish in advance & it’s her world while “Novio #2” featuring Jr. H tells their ex-girlfriends that they completely understand of them moving on to new men. “Babygirl” hits on a woman who’s been looking for a thug in her life while “Wanna Fuck” by Jeeezy, Kalan.FrFr & the Shoreline Mafia shows a sensual side to them.

The BlueBucksClan & Wallie the Sensei get together for “Wet” continuing the themes of list while “Work” feels more like an Ohgeesy solo track with Fenix Flexin on the hook than a Shoreline Mafia joint. “Refrigerated” featuring Luh Tyler boats they both of them stay ice cold out in the streets & “Yacht Master” addresses not taking credit for every time his brother slides homaging the titular brand of Rolex watches.

Geezy has always being a personal favorite member of the Shoreline Mafia & regardless of the divided responses both GEEZYWORLD tapes got, he really takes it up a couple notches for what he’ll even tell you himself is the official debut album in his discography. The production refines the nervous elements of both of those mixtapes & the guest list isn’t really all that bad either.

Score: 3.5/5

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Dody6 – “Dodyworld” review

This is the 4th full-length studio LP from South Central Los Angeles, California rapper Dody6. Beginning at the start of the decade with a couple EPs Deep in da Gang & Sumn 4 the Streets, his debut album #FreeDody & the sophomore effort Property of the State made a name for himself as someone to keep an eye out for in the nervous scene as did The Godfather. Few months after his appearance on “hey now” off Kendrick Lamar’s 6th album GNX last fall, we’re entering the Nightshift & Dayshift of Dodyworld.

“Who” gets things going with this nervous instrumental talking about being 40 crips deep whereas “Stomach Ache” hooks up some pianos to promise that he’ll always be himself without a giving a fuck what others say. “Savage Mode” featuring R3 da Chillman finds the 2 showing off the ruthlessness that’s inside of both of them keeping the traffic music vibes in tact while “Rich as Fucc” talks about not being the one to fuck with.

Yatta joins Dody for “‘Bout My Life” keeps the nervous atmosphere going cautioning that they stay carrying the sticks on them just before “Dead Homiez” featuring Lefty Gunplay & X4 has my favorite beat on the album from Hit-Boy bring a Mobb-heavy there to the table matched with the trio displaying their gang ties. “Not the Same” featuring HBK Jachi goes for a traffic vibe talking about doing what they had to, but then “Cold N Here” featuring X4 links up so they can get money over on their side.

“Pressured Up” lets out some anger he’s been bottling up prepared to slide & people annoying him with a bunch of weird shit leading into “Demons” featuring Li Rye talks about nobody touching them because their homies got guns. “Party of Your Life” featuring Tru Carr works in more pianos to point out the amount of bitches in this party while “Sleeping Without You” featuring 03 Greedo talking about their lovers keeping them focused.

The penultimate song “Girls Gone Wild” welcomes everyone to the wildest party you’ve been to getting shit hype with him as the pilot of it all with heavy sub-basses, simple melodies, slow, sparse & slamming drums backing him that is until the closer “Air CNC” finishes it all up by getting this bitch jumpin’ advising for everyone to listen up if you want him to explain how you can be living. “Changed Me” begins Disc 2 boasting how smooth he is on the mic over some keys while “Trippin’” fuses g-funk & hyphy together talking about touching more chicken than the pots.

“Hating on Me” works in a woodwind warning that he shouldn’t be one to be pushed clapping back at his detractors in light of his biggest feature yet while “Day 4” featuring X4 looks at both of them tryna get their bust-downs whether it be their teeth or wrists. “Why” featuring Lil Vada returns to the nervous wheelhouse double-crossing hoes in the vein of Kyrie Irving while “Big Sandwich” goes off the top backed by some finger-snaps feeling more like himself.

Not too surprised by the Detroit trap feels of “Dozing Off” since some of that style borrows from the traffic scene a bit keeping his circle small enough excluding his own friends around him while “No Competition” featuring Shybelligerent talks about everyone making it to the top when it’s all said & done. “Just Bait” menacingly keeps a 3-headed snake on him betting his mother’s life on it while “Another Dimension” gives a glimpse of him getting extremely fucked up.

“Off Drugs” talks about spazzing out so hard to the point where a lot of people speculate that he’s geekin’ off substances while “Class Over” featuring 03 Greedo & Ralfy the Plug surpasses “Sleeping with You” from Disc 1 as a collaboration. “Troop By Myself” stunts on everything who disses Hood Trophy Records & confidently dismisses the need for any backup regarding them being handled while “Dody Did It” ends by talking about feeling like he has to lie since the truth hurts.

Dody’s been working on Dodyworld for a little while before GNX randomly came out & shocked the whole world, so hearing that this was gonna be a double LP made the stakes even higher for it although I probably would’ve enjoyed it more if you took the highlights from both discs & combined them into 1. There’s nothing wrong with the nervous-heavy production nor are there any issues with Dody’s own performances; the main critique that I have of this is the feature performances are generally hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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Twiztid – “Welcome to Your Funeral” review

Detroit, Michigan’s demented duo & Astronomicon founders Twiztid finally linking up with Rob Zombie’s engineer Zeuss for their 17th studio LP & the official Unlikely Prescription sequel. Consisting of Jamie Madrox & Monoxide, both of whom originally started out as part of the House of Krazees alongside their childhood friend The R.O.C. in 1992 before their initial disbandment 5 years later. Almost immediately after, the Insane Clown Posse took Jamie & Mono under their wings by signing them to Psychopathic Recordsas who they’re known as today. They would become the label’s 2nd biggest act being their mentors off projects like Mostasteless, Freek Show, Mirror Mirror, The Green Book, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day & Abominationz. Shortly after the latter was released, Twiztid left Psychopathic to form Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2014. Since then they’ve released 7 albums & 9 EPs on their own label, my favorites of which being /ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/ & even their last full-length Glyph. They made their full-blown rock debut Unlikely Prescription in 2021 to mixed reception & are celebrating Juggalo Weekend by putting out the long-awaited successor Welcome to Your Funeral.

“like we’re gunna die” breaks the door down with this intense rap rock opener living every day of their lives as if it could potentially be their last whereas “i don’t need this” gets a little heavier talking about something killing them. “fed up” couldn’t have been a more perfect lead single to get the rollout going welcoming everyone to the underground hip hop scene ahead of the angsty “leave the world” watching the world burn this evening.

Meanwhile on “the wake”, we have Twiztid over some synths & guitars confessing that they don’t feel like the solutions to their unfixable problems exist in any way shape or form just before last year’s Fright Fest single “inside out” brings back the rap rock vibes observing the hidden anger in everyone. “light the way” heavily talks about their moods changing as if it’s altitudes, but then “let me go” angrily expresses their frustration with all the bullshit.

“plastic” begins the encore of Welcome to Your Funeral with both Jamie & Mono taking about feeling like neither one of them belong anywhere while “dance on my grave” vents over the ghosts that haunt their brains, hearing the prayers of the ones who cannot be saved & finding a way for them to get their minds rights. “thunder from the sky” concludes the LP on a nu metal note talking about the understanding of life having it’s ways of kicking you down & “fyd” was this heavy bonus cut explaining their minds got them looking for their souls.

Twiztid has always had rock songs in their discography like “Darkness” & “Familiar”, that’s no question about that except Unlikely Prescription catered to more of a mainstream alt-rock sound. Welcome to Your Funeral on the contrary, I can genuinely say that it’s what Unlikely Prescription should’ve been. Zeuss’ production has a predominant nu metal sound that I absolutely can’t get enough of, Twiztid’s rapping more & the subject matter gets on the wicked shit.

Score: 4.5/5

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Sleep Lyrical – “Broken Hearts on My Face 2” review

Tampa, Florida emcee Sleep Lyrical making his Dirtcore Music debut with his 3rd studio LP. Known for his M.S.B.K. series of mixtapes, he discography further includes the Watch Me Work EP followed by the debut album The 12th Hour & the sophomore effort Broken Hearts on My Face. Coming off M.S.B.K. 6 last summer, Sleep’s looking to switch it up by giving the underground what they ain’t used to hearing from him getting a lot off his chest throughout the course of Broken Hearts on My Face 2 coinciding Valentine’s Day.

After the intro, the first song “Stay a While” produced by Crossworm is a somber trap opener suggesting that you shouldn’t be making any promises to him if you’re gonna fold whereas “Dealing With” featuring Senorita Sin finds the 2 talking about making it through this rough patch. “Trying Not to Fall” soulfully fights against the fog in an effort of saving his shine just before “Ease My Mind” get rid of the pain by smoking it all away.

“Back To” shows more of a hyphy influence instrumentally talking about initially thinking he was done dealing with all these broken hearts leading into “Hole in My Heart” talks about focusing on himself & still falling apart. “Circles” goes for a trap vibe to the beat feel like he’s moving around in circles some days, but then “Mission by Myself” eerie talks about being alone with his thoughts.

As for “Might Go Crazy”, we have Sleep Lyrical openly discussing the possibility of him losing his mind that’s already on the brink of sanity while the syrupy “Insignificant” shows a romantic side to him. The song “Fight” featuring Samson Samson gets aggressive over a dusty boom bap instrumental while the trap-rock fusion “Roll Alone” talks about rollin’ by himself. “Let Me Down” wraps up his Dirtcore debut talking bout the only thing he needs is his partner next to him.

The homie Rone Bone of The Beneath the Dirt Podcast was the one who put me into Sleep Lyrical several years ago & for his first album on Dirtcore Music, the sequel to Broken Hearts on My Face surpasses it’s predecessor. A personal catharsis, Sleep works through the trauma of betrayal, the death of his ex & the closure he never got from years of toxicity over some of the strongest production that I’ve ever heard him on.

Score: 4.5/5

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Napoleon da Legend – “F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds)” review

French-American veteran Napoleon da Legend wasting no time on his 30th studio LP. Heads in the underground should already be familiar with him due to the lengthy discography that he’s built up for himself for nearly the past decade including Coup D’État, it’s sequel, Street Universe, Dragon Ball G, the Sicknature-produced Colossus of GOATs, Buckets or the DJ D-Styles-produced Invincibl Rap Mislz & the DJ Rhettmatic-produced Legmatic. He & JR Swiftz came together on the outstanding Great Minds last month, bringing Giallo in the fold again on F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds).

“Chasing Shadows” ominously kicks off Napoleon’s 2nd body of work this year by talking about being on the verge of doing something drastic whereas “Life or Death” featuring Jay Royale finds the pair talking about this being survival of the fittest. “That Ain’t It” keeps it in the basement to break down the concept of hustling on the daily prior to “Welcome 2 the Theater” featuring Ghost Machine working in some strings referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, アイアンマンヘビーメタル級チャンピオン & The Crash’s inaugural Mundial Pesocompleto Campeon Rey Mysterio.

Invisible Handz joins Napoleon for the drumless “Unforgiving” talking about the game never being fair from what they understand & their former opps ain’t breathing no more leading into “No Morals” returning to the boom bap suggesting that conscious hip hop & gangsta rap are the same other than being packaged differently. “Doing What I Gotta Do” speaks of one doing what has to be done in order to get by, but then “Nesquik” eerily talks about making everyone take Ls quickly.

“Solar Opposites” featuring Eloh Kush finds the 2 including a reference to SpaceX founded by Tesla CEO, Neuralink founder & Nazi Elon Musk while “Motivation” hollowly talks about everyone having it if it was much easier. Sunez Allah teams up with Napoleon on the title track so they can explain one always being wounded by following lies while the piano-driven “Peace” talks sitting back & counting his stacks.

Nejma Nefertiti appears for “Presume the Unpredictable” to get the final moments of F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds) calling themselves the deadliest you’ve ever seen on the mic from the womb to the tomb & the closing track “Marathon” completes the 2nd consecutive classic in Napoleon’s catalog within 2 months tackling the Japanese philosophy of having 3 faces.

Exactly 4 weeks after Great Minds marked the halfway point of the first month of this year, Napoleon gets back with another album maintaining the high quality underground hip hop that it’s predecessor & even Legmatic achieved. Giallo Point’s production is on par with JR Swiftz’ & although I will say I wasn’t as big on the features since I preferred the couplet of guests last time, I appreciate Napoleon warning everyone of the consequences that come with following lies.

Score: 4.5/5

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Brother Ali – “Satisfied Soul” review

Here we have the 9th studio LP from Minneapolis, Minnesota activist & battle emcee Brother Ali. Exploding within the underground off his 2003 sophomore effort Shadows in the Sun & of course his 2007 follow-up The Undisputed Truth, he would continue this string of acclaimed releases with Us as well as the Jake One-produced Mourning in America & Dreaming in Color and All the Beauty in This Whole Life. Can’t forget to mention Ali’s debut EP Champion, his debut mixtape Left in the Deck or the Evidence-produced Secrets & Escapes either. His 4th EP Brother Minutester marked his departure from Rhymesayers Entertainment after nearly 2 decades, reuniting with Ant on Mello Music Group for Satisfied Soul almost a year after Love & Service.

The title track is a rap rock intro showing confidence of himself being the only one who can injure himself whereas “Deep Cuts” hooks up some pianos to talk about it always being love from his end calling God the eternal & everlasting. “Higher Learning at the Skyway” brings the guitars back in the equation wanting to make sure one’s speaking the lexicon just before the gospel-influenced “Drum” talks about gathering around the instrumental like a campfire.

Meanwhile on “The Counts”, we have Ant keeping it a little funky so Ali can address those who stay ready to count him out whenever they get the chance to do so leading into “Cast Aside” talking about being unable to describe having too much to say. “Ocean of Rage” kinda has a jazzy boom bap vibe letting y’all know to catch him by the moonlight letting the cool breeze through, but then “Under the Stars” explains you can’t do what you want when nobody wants you.

“Personal” goes for a more stripped back approach trying not to take shit personally & letting you be the first to know if he ever changes while “2 Dudes” brings the pianos back in the fold getting distracted by the city lights in an effort to navigate correctly. “Better But Us” soulfully talks about things improving other than a relationship where he & his partner fight & fuss while “Name of the One” talks about praise getting raised in the rays of the sun.

As for “Immortalized”, the pianos seep in once more calling himself an authorized street preacher while “Head Heart Hands” talks about getting all 3 of those parts of him right. The summery “Mysterious Things” sounds observes the enigma of human beings while the song “Handwriting” talks about seeing his impossible dreams become reality. “Sing Myself Whole” ends Ali’s debut with MMG showing his singing chops feeling all alone.

If the Rhymesayers mainstay’s gonna make himself at home with Mello Music Group going forward, then what a way to make his debut on the label. Ant’s production feels like a sonic mosaic of dusty drums, warm vinyl crackle & ghostly rhythms that feel like they’ve been pulled from the deep pockets of America’s forgotten record shops to make room for Brother Ali’s thought provoking, spiritual lyrics full of jagged self-reflection & unflinching critique rooted in hope & defiance.

Score: 4.5/5

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