Mary J. Blige – “Gratitude” review

Mary J. Blige is a 53 year old singer/songwriter, rapper, actress & entrepreneur from New York City who became the youngest & 1st female to sign with Uptown Records distributed by MCA Records at the time. Her full-length debut prominently inspired by new jack swing What’s the 411? indicated her being a real deal & the sophomore effort My Life would catapult her into international stardom, cementing her as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Share My World, Mary, her final MCA offering No More Drama, her Geffen Records debut Love & Life, The Breakthrough which marked Matriarch Records’ formation and Growing Pains were all positively received with some of my favorite Mary J. songs appearing on all of them although Stronger withEach Tear came out to mixed feedback. My Life II…The Journey Continues became her final Geffen release & A Mary Christmas was a decent 1-off with Interscope Records, signing to Capitol Records for The London Sesssions & Strength of a Woman respectively. Matriach has since been distributed by 300 Entertainment after Mary put out Good Morning Gorgeous to coincide with her performing the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, returning once more for her 15th LP.

Fabolous joins Mary for the intro “Breathing” for an R&B/pop rap crossover sampling the classic Notorious B.I.G. cut “Kick in the Door” knowing their exes can’t breathe whereas “Need You More” featuring Jadakiss hops over a En Vogue sample as they confess how much they need each other. “Beautiful People” produced by KAYTRANADA comes across as this peppy dance track refusing to stop until she gets it right while “You Ain’t the Only One” finds her singing about being proud of herself.

“Never Give Up on Me” goes for more of a funkier vibe to the beat courtesy of DJ Cassidy refusing to give up on herself just before “Nobody But You” throws it back to the My Life era a bit telling her new man that she doesn’t want anyone else in her life besides him. “Here I Am” finds her singing over some pianos praying for a rainy day to wash her pain away, but then “Don’t Fuck Up” is this delicate R&B number proclaiming that she’s in love.

To start the final leg, “Superpowers” points out that there comes a time where a woman should be celebrated & receive all the flowers that she deserves while the laidback “Can’t Wait for You” asks her new romantic interest what if she told him that she’s scared at the mall where he wants her. “God’s Child” featuring Fat Joe is another R&B/hip hop soul fusion showing a religious side to both of them & “I Got Plans” featuring A$AP Ferg ends with them playfully rocking to another DJ Cassidy instrumental.

Over 3 decades in the game, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul & R&B puts the constant Gratitude that she’s been feeling as of late & channels it all into a 41 & a half minute album that further reinforces her legacy as much as her 300 debut did almost 3 years ago. The production maintains the consistency of Good Morning Gorgeous, every single guest MC who joins her offers their own different flavor with their verses, Mary’s own vocals are passionate & she lets everyone know how life’s been treating her.

Score: 3.5/5

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Berner – “Hoffa” review

Berner is a 41 year old rapper, songwriter & entrepreneur from San Francisco, California who began battle rapping in high school. Following his 2007 debut mixtape Dirty Sneakers…Plenty Ways to Get It, he would go on to drop 15 LPs along with a couple more mixtapes & a couple EPs in addition to the plethora of collaborative projects he has with numerous artists. Ahead of the Cookies cannabis brand’s 10-year anniversary however, Berner’s coming off The Farmer’s Market for his 16th album.

“Sweat” is this slick west coast trap opener flexing that he got big money whereas “Remember” moves on from there working in some sampling to talk about the memory he has remembering way things were before the cash flow. “Hard to Spend” gets on the psychedelic trap tip admitting that the dirty money getting more difficult to blow as time goes on just before “Heavy” featuring Mozzy & Peysoh gives off a Detroit trap vibe describing shit as sketchy

As for “Power”, we have Berner calmingly talking about being attracted to the titular feeling into “Callin’” featuring Moneybagg Yo & Ty$ brings the trio together so all 3 of them can ball with money on the mind. “Who Gon’ Love You?” featuring Larry June offers a cloudier flare to the table asking that exact question when it goes dry while “Lots of Green” featuring B-Real, Devin the Dude & Wiz Khalifa finds the quartet expressing their love for weed.

“Fried” featuring De’Migo has cool sampling techniques throughout pulling from soul & jazz music knowing that both of them will be fine as long as they wake up in the morning, but then “Easy” turns the jazz rap influences way higher talking about breaking the bank. “The Source” featuring Ghostface Killah, Killer Mike & Raekwon is a standout for me since every single one of them floated over a chipmunk soul beat while “The Smoke” featuring Too $hort produced by Ant Banks finds both of them assuring not to worry over where they going.

Galaxy! & Zakee both join Berner for “Ruthless” reminding that they’ve been shining while “Possible” talks jumping obstacles in 2024 doing the impossible. “Litigation” featuring Cozmo gets stuck between fake smiles & legal proceedings while the title track featuring Chevy Woods & Cozmo homages labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa who disappeared almost 50 years ago. “Keep Pushin’” passionately gets his message across & the closer “Amazing” sends it all off smoking the pain away.

Hoffa as a sequel to Gotti recaptures everything that made its predecessor stand out in his discography & makes it a completely different listening experience altogether. The production offers a wide range of palates from trap to cloud rap, Detroit trap, psychedelia, chipmunk soul & jazz rap for the Cookies founder to tackle themes of organized crime joined by guest performances that’re either outstanding or tiresome.

Score: 3.5/5

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Babytron – “Tronicles” review

Detroit emcee Babytron delivering his highly anticipated sophomore effort. Coming up as a member of the trio ShittyBoyz along with his childhood friends Stanwill & TR Dee signing to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records, he also branched out on impressive solo career for himself as well as the side groups Lewis & Clark and the Dookie Brothers. But the last couple years was probably his biggest yet landing interviews ranging from No Jumper to even Rolling Stone following the release of Luka Trončić a couple summers prior to signing with EMPIRE Distribution later that same month & then Bin Reaper 2: The 2nd Coming that same fall. Bin Reaper 3 ended the trilogy with a 2-disc effort, the bootleg Style EP wound up being disappointing, the full-length LP 6 made up for it as did his previous tape Megatron 2. His collaborative mixtape Mario & Luigi with Certified Trapper wasn’t all that great either, so I was hoping Tronicles would bounce back again.

“1 of Them Ones” is this robbery Detroit trap opener talking about being in the kitchen suggesting you go get some pans since it’s too much work in here whereas “Yew!” has a bit of a dancy trap vibe instrumentally wanting to get tapped in with Warner Bros. alongside referencing both SMW Tag Team Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion & 6-time WWE Hardcore Champion Al Snow AND 10-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion, United Football League (UFL) co-owner, TKO Group Holdings board of directors member, $7 Productions co-founder & the final boss of professional wrestling The Rock whose 2nd cousin once removed Nia Jax is the current 2-time WWE Women’s Champion.

The grim atmosphere of “Nightmare on Yo Street” was perfect, considering the fact that it was released as a single this Halloween shrugging off his ex moving on to finer things in life while “Hawk Tuah” references Hailey Welch becoming a meme earlier this summer. “Hellraiser” likening the Dog $hit Militia to terrorists suggesting he should rock shorts the way he balls just before “Neymar” offers a delicate trap flare homaging the Brazilian soccer player of the same name including a reference to former 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, FTW Champion, ECW World Television Champion, 3 time ECW World Tag Team Champion, JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン & the longest reigning XPW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu.

“TRX” maintains a Detroit trap edge asking how you fly when he ain’t even past TSA leading into “Tronald Trump” talks running for president since the bigoted, misogynistic 45th president of the United States Donald Trump is now unfortunately the president-elect & will be inaugurated as the 47th president in January although I’m not saying I support the current Vice President Kamala Harris & “Is You Serious?” featuring Project Money flexes they’re more macho than WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time world champion & Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage.

Meanwhile on “Haunted House”, we have Babytron cautioning that you won’t ever step out of the D$M haunted house once you set foot in that bitch prior to “3 OT” talking about putting a triple overtime, assuring that it wasn’t luck at all for him. “Lost in the Sauce” produced by Certified Trapper stands out as a lowend hit throwing in a bar referring to former WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 2-time WWE tag team champion Carlito ahead of “Headbop” cleverly referencing Eminem over a Danny G & Jakesand instrumental since he was featured on THE DƎATH OF SLIM SHADY (COUP DE GRÂCE) this summer.

“DPOY” finishes the first half of the Tronicles boasting that he feels like San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy the way he touches down in the Bay Area of California while “Me & My Bitch” fuses Detroit trap with chipmunk soul flexing that he & his new girl are chillin’ in a 2-seater. “Funnybutt” makes something outta nothing as if the D$M crew are really a bunch of magicians while “Clark Fent” pokes fun at a fiend who thinks he’s Superman.

Lazer Dim 700’s feature on “Lion’s Den” doesn’t do much for me although I love Tron referencing 2-time WWE Champion, 8-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion & 9-time WWE tag team champion The Miz a.k.a. The Mid that is until “AMP” makes a dope reference to former No Limit Records founder Master P. “What Type?” wants to know the bullshit people on pointing out the fact WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson will literally beat the living shit outta Jake Paul a week from today on Netflix while the piano-driven “Poison Oak” admits being stingy with the Quagen.

“Lame Asl” contains one of my favorite beats on the entire album courtesy of Helluva dissin’ everyone out here for being as corny as they are while “Home Run” featuring Dave Blunts dismissing those who bullshit with the bags they make in contrast to them legitimately making theirs. “Silly Goose” flexes everyone better get a raffle ticket if they really want a chance to win including a bar referring to the current UFC Heavyweight Champion & former 2-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones while “Really Jimmy? blows through 50 states poppin’ out with $3M.

The song “Summer ‘24” pushes towards the final moments of the Tronicles talking about the block scorching as much as it was earlier this past summer while the penultimate track “Heavy Mental” fuses Detroit trap & orchestral talking about how nobody asked for any favors in regards to what he did out here in the streets. “Legend of Tron” ends the Tronicles brushes off not getting enough respect since the ain’t done yet.

Clocking in at almost an hour & 15 minutes, Babytron reaffirms exactly why he’s the biggest member of the ShittyBoyz & one of Detroit’s finest in general. His production stands out amongst his local contemporaries sounding similarly to one another making further room for his unique punchlines to reveal himself as one of the Motor City’s best in recent memory.

Score: 3.5/5

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A$AP Ferg – “Darold” review

Manhattan, New York emcee & songwriter A$AP Ferg finally releasing his 3rd studio LP. One of the most prominent members of the A$AP Mob, his 2013 solo debut Trap Lord & the debut mixtape Ferg Forever both cemented that further although the sophomore effort A.$.A.P. (Always $trive And Prosper) received mixed responses for its more commercial heavy-sound. Still Striving & Floor Seats both marked a return to form for Ferg although Floor Seats II got divided feedback during the 2020 COVID lockdowns, Darold based on the singles had me hoping it would be another step in the right direction artistically.

“Light Work” featuring Bloody Osiris & DD Osama starts off by dabbling with the New York drill sound telling everyone to go get their lights whereas “Thought I Was Dead” produced by Lex Luger & Mike WiLL-Made It works in some horns & hi-hats to talk about his return to music after so long. “Alive :(“ has a passionate tone altogether admitting he’s been trying to his find his passion for this rap shit lately prior to the lead single “Allure” featuring Future taking it live from Atlanta.

Denzel Curry joins Ferg on the energetic “Demons” to talk about being on the corner, making the hood go brazy just before “Messy” take the trap out talking about everything being disorderly & keeping it that way. “French Tips” has a bit of a boom bap vibe instrumentally keeping it hot, but then “Dead Homies” brings a soulful flare to the table remembering all of his friends who unfortunately can’t be here with us today.

“Casting Spells” hooks up a classy beat from Mario Winans, Lil Rod & disgraced Bad Boy Entertainment founder awaiting trial next spring Puff Daddy a.k.a. P. Diddy or Diddy keeping the hate away from him wanting to live & take care of his family while “Pool” strips the drums completely hoping that one never changes on him. “Chosen” maintains a drumless edge pushing towards the final moments of Darold showing a bit of introspection, which the bombastic title track expands on boasting that he’s been outside.

A rich auditory experience, Ferg’s first full-length in nearly a decade echoes his enduring impact on hip hop combining seasoned artists & rising stars offering something for everybody. This goal is achieved by the production drawing inspiration from boom bap, trap, neo-soul, contemporary R&B, pop rap, hardcore hip hop & the New York Drill scene refining the personal themes of A.$.A.P. (Always $trive And Prosper).

Score: 3.5/5

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BigBabyGucci – “ANTI” review

This is the 5th full-length studio LP from Charlotte, North Carolina recording artist BigBabyGucci. Start in the summer of 2016 off his debut EP ART HOE Collection, he would continue to build a name for himself by putting out 19 more EPs as well as his last 3 full-lengths & a mixtape along the way. Baby 5 came off some of his best LPs & EPs to date When U Wake Up & When You Go to Sleep respectively continued the acclaim, which the alternative-heavy ANTI nearly a month after Jake Doyle became the oldest DPW Worlds Champion will surely elevate.

“Senzu” starts by singing over a rage beat from thr6x that he would never make someone do anything they won’t ever want to do poppin’ a band whereas “Lost Control” featuring Aloïs brings the 2 together for a smooth duet revolving around themes of love. “How U Feel” psychedelically sings about people keeping it trill & others switching up ratting on him leading into the pop rap/trap crossover “Givenchy Paintings” featuring MDMA co-produced by Rafmade assuring his lover they know he’ll be there soon.

Meanwhile on “Xo”, we have BBG singing over synthesizers about an ex of his having a new man on top of a new bag & new problems just before “Cheap Thrills” goes full-blown cloud rap asking those using a short-lived moment of excitement or pleasure that is ultimately unsatisfying when they’re gonna pay. “Badina” has a bit of a Ye formerly known as Kanye West influence promising he’ll never keep her waiting while “The Fall Thru” is a 2-parter going through the motions.

“Sandbox Raps” starts the 2nd half of ANTI flexing that he got bigger toys in his sandbox while “Cape Town” instrumentally pays homage to The Neptunes down the 4-start count at the very beginning rapping about not knowing any mercy. “Under the Influence” hazily wants everyone that tells him they have his back to actually prove it, but then “Fancy & Focused” luxuriously suggests he might buy the bank since he’s so money hungry.

Nearing the final leg, “Hype” gives off a stripped-back trap vibe hearing the pussy fire only for him to leave after hitting it since people were gassing it up to him while the cloudy “Linkup USA” sings that he hope his lover follows him whenever he dips out. Bad Kids” featuring Thouxanbanfauni pushes further towards the conclusion boasting that both of them are 1 of a kind & “Air” finishes with a catchy heater needing his romantic interest to come on by.

Originally intended to be an EP, ANTI surpasses both When U Wake Up & When You Go to Sleep as the most essential entry in BigBabyGucci’s discography elevating his artistry to newer levels. The alternative production is a refreshing change of pace for him compared to his earlier material, demonstrating his range both as a rapper & most importantly as a singer.

Score: 4/5

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Chino XL – “Darkness & Other Colors” review

This is the 6th full-length studio LP albeit posthumous debut from East Orange, New Jersey emcee Chino XL. Breaking out in the mid-90s after signing to American Recordings & releasing the classic full-length debut Here to Save You All, he eventually went on to beef with 2Pac & I genuinely feel sorry for anyone who writes him off to this day because of that. Especially since that I Told You So, Poison Pen & the Viper Records-backed RICANstruction: The Black Rosary all contain some of the best songs in his whole discography. Stu Bangas was brought in to produce God’s Carpenter last summer & that became a near-flawless comeback, so I was interested in hearing Darkness & Other Colors recorded back in 2020 ahead of God’s Carpenter 2 following Chino’s passing this summer.

The self-produced “Words in the Color of Death” sets the tone of the album perfectly morbidly acknowledging his departure from beyond the grave whereas “Sermon in Crimson” works in a drumlessly symphonic loop talking about putting bars over bullshit. “Sepia Files from the Last Supper” hooks up a boom bap instrumental so he can take selfies at the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem prior to “The Red You Deserve” finding Body Bag Ben keeping things in the basement flexing he’s iller than anyone who’s still alive.

After the organ heavy “Saged Sleep” interlude, “Byzantium Darkness” mixes this eerie backdrop with kicks & snares addressing the darkness that was following him at that point in time leading into “Blue Obsidian (Been Telling You)” strips the drums once again telling anyone who’s listening to this that he’s in the darkness with all of them. “Burn in Ivory” returns to the boom bap airing out those who ain’t ever stand beside him just before the somber, guitar-driven “Black Room” talks about getting back to people from the titular room.

“Lumps of Silver” samples soul & rock declaring that absolutely nothing can break him regardless of him suffering greatly while “Grey Discipline” featuring Eto after the “Chardikala (Chardi Color)” interlude DJ Sam Seed helped put together grittily talks about others only respecting the bickering instead of the discipline. The spine-tingling “Lifted Gods Auburn” featuring Sauce Money shows off the wild style both MCs are known for & “Vanilla Sky” ends the LP soulfully reassures listeners he’s still alive within lucid dreams.

I’m well aware of the drama between Chino’s estate & Holy Toledo Productions founder/A&R extraordinaire M80 surrounding the release of this album but I gotta admit as someone who admires Chino’s art, I can see why M80 wanted to drop Darkness & Other Colors since it very much offers explanation that he was clearly adamant of perfecting it back in 2020 when he was still here with us during the COVID lockdowns.

Score: 4/5

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Darby O’Trill – “GARDeN” review

What better way to come off Hallowicked than Key Largo, Floridian emcee Darby O’Trill releasing his 7th LP? Emerging in the fall of 2018 off his full-length debut Blood, Guts & a Whole Lotta Love, would go on to follow it with Fester almost a year later & has extensively been working with Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux by bringing him into the cut to fully produce his 3rd album Piecemeal to critical acclaim during the COVID-19 pandemic. Darby’s eventually signed a 1-album deal with Lyrikal Snuff Productionz & fulfilled it over a year ago with Gully, which is a modern day wicked shit classic. Amputate was a solid prelude to The Tomb, the latter was even better. Darby’s official C17 debut Creek became his best since Gully & had a feeling GARDeN could join them in the ranks a month away from the Insane Clown Posse’s annual Ballas Christmas show followed by a livestreamed JCW Lunacy show.

“Diet Root Beer Shampoo” is a 100 second demonic trap opener that Devereaux of course laced talking about the portal to Hell’s Pit in the basement of his apartment whereas “The Sound of Suffering Trapped Skin” works in some hi-hats & guitars feeling murderous. “Quit Lookin At Me, You’re Making My Shadow Nervous” wants to know what the fuck you want over another trap metal beat while “Hell Been Callin’ featuring Shaggytheairhead & produced by Mythic Mindz recaptures the aura of 10 Bandz from this spring.

As for “Dick Down in a Bucket Fulla Beans”, we have Darby delving further down the trap metal rabbit hole feeling the fire burn around him just before “Crooked Pastor Blaster” serves as a sequel to “C.P.K. (Crooked Preacher Killas)” by the Insane Clown Posse & one that does the original justice. The bassy “Fiery Fish Pizza TMDWU” has some cool Memphis undertones throughout feelin’ like something’s talking in his head, but then “The Omen of the Body Bag” is another trap metal head-smasher.

“Multicolored Mood Ring” keeps the heavy guitars & hi-hats in the fold reminding us all that life & death is alchemy while “Blistered Hands Wipe the Sweat From My Brow” maintains a trap metal flare paralleling “My Axe” by ICP except he refers to a shovel instead of an axe. Shaggytheairhead’s only singular production credit lands on Skull Bone Soccer” giving a standard trap vibe so Darby can caution his disgustingness while the lively “A Man Made of Scabs & Guilt” asks why he even tries

Ouija Macc appears for “Baptized in a Vat Acid” aggressively leaving their opposition in the dirt while “Smokeless Tobacco Spit is Gross, Just Like You” goes trap metal again to spit the wicked shit. “Curse of the Ancient Skin Tags” infernally suggests a sign towards the end being close while “The Burden of Being” remarkably mixes trap metal & emo rap. “Close the Gate, Don’t Let the World In” heinously finishes his C17 sophomore effort by talking about being dead.

Being familiar with Darby since Piecemeal, he’s come a very long way in these past 4 years & GARDeN a lot like that introductory body of work alongside Creek & of Gully further proves further in addition to Chapter 17 embodying a new generation of juggalos. It’s more trap metal sounding than his previous material aside than the emo rap undertones, colliding that style with horrorcore in a tasteful manner.

Score: 4.5/5

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Craig G – “The World’s Cooked” review

Craig G is a 51 year old MC from Queens, New York who started out as a member of the Juice Crewcollective. His full-length debut The Kingpin produced by Marley Marl & the sophomore effort Now, That’s More Like It came out in the late 80s/early 90s through Atlantic Records & returned over a decade later with This is Now!!! like he never left. Marley Marl went on to produce Operation: Take Back Hip Hop, which resulted in Craig signing to Soulspazm Records for his last couple albums Ramblings of an Angry Old Man and I Rap & Go Home. 8 years later, he’s back for his 7th full-length LP.

After the “Few Words from tha Teacha” intro, the first song “The Okey Doke” fuses rap rock & boom bap telling everyone to hold themselves accountable for what they fell for whereas the sample-driven “Dumb Down” featuring B-Real talks about this era that we’re entering. “America’s Dumbest Criminals” vividly tells the story of a couple criminals who later got arrested the same night just before the chipmunk soul title track discusses the current state of the world.

“Fortitude” flips an organ representing hard work & after the Chuck D interlude, “Gossip Sites” disses everyone who posts online for attention. “Expand Ya Mind” featuring Chubb Rock sets out to exactly that over a boom bap instrumental while “Reconsidered” tells a sad tale for 3-minutes. “Smartest 1 in the Room” featuring Freeway takes us back in the basement tryna inspire & making the community legitimate while “Wise Words” ends by telling everyone to go for theirs.

Craig has always been a bit underappreciated when it comes to members of the Juice Crew & although I don’t think it’s one of the best albums that he’s ever done per se, I did enjoy the half hour listening experience. The production is prominently based around the traditional east coast boom bap sound & Craig observes the cons of our world today.

Score: 3.5/5

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Bodies Below Sea Level – Self-Titled review

Bodies Below Sea Level are a duo consisting of Grand Rapids, Michigan emcee, singer/songwriter, producer & Dirtcore Music founder Crossworm alongside Hampton, Virginia recording artist Samson Samson. Both of whom have already collaborated with each other on a handful of songs over the years up to this point like “Killmode” or “Open Up Your Mind” & of course most notably “Bodies Below Sea Level”, but are finally taking it to a new level by coming off Hallowicked to release an official eponymous full-length debut studio album.

After the “Respawn” intro, the first song “The Devil’s Own” is this industrial hip hop/rap rock mixture talking about being heathens right down to the bone whereas “Laughter (Bang, Bang, Bang)” industrially raps about being guaranteed to stop your momentum. “Evil” works in some dark synthesizers to talk about being wicked people & “Sever” embraces the rap rock influences further on top of the horrorcore lyricism.

“Loser” officially reaches the halfway point of the LP on the rap rock tip letting off some angst for almost 3 minutes just before “Infinite” hooks up some hi-hats & a blobby bassline to talk about the wicked shit always being inside of them to this very day. “Trouble in the Library of Corpses” happens to be another well-crafted industrial/horrorcore blend leading into “Unrepenting” pulling inspiration from Depeche Mode.

Meanwhile on “Eat Myself Alive”, we have Grounds joining over a trap beat admitting that’s the way they feel sometimes & the official closing track “We’re the Dead” proceeding the “Summoning” interlude ends the way they started from the industrial hip hop/rap rock influences to the lyrics talking about them traveling beyond the grave.

Assuming this is only the beginning for them, Bodies Below Sea Level’s self-titled debut gets November going by taking 36 minutes to properly introduce themselves as a unit. The production balancing industrial hip hop & rap rock proves to be a refreshing change of pace within the underground wicket shit scene, building most of the lyrical themes around horror.

Score: 4/5

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Tuxedo – “Tuxedo IV” review

Tuxedo is a synth-funk/boogie duo consisting of producer Jake One & frontman Mayer Hawthorne. Forming almost a decade ago, their eponymous full-length debut came out a couple months before I graduated high school with a sophomore effort coming down the pipe a couple years later & more recently their previous LP. It’s already been 5 years since we last saw Tuxedo together & since they took a break to focus on their own endeavors, I was thrilled for their 4th album.

“Hold Us” is a g-funk opener co-produced with DJ Battlecat reminiscing of the late, great king of hooks Nate Dogg to melodically detail shit sounding expensive so they pour up wanting to know if you know anything about that whereas “This is 4 You” brings a nu disco flare to the table reserving this ballad for a specific person in particular tonight. “Back 4 More” has a boogie driven direction singing of a love that’s never felt this good & “Think Twice” goes synth-funk advising both of their romantic interests not to overthink.

As for “Good Time 4 Ever”, we have Tuxedo maintaining a synth-funk vibe making sure you have a good time for the rest of your life & “Cake” right after the “Jake’s Groove” interlude inspired by DJ Quik of course throws it back to the Parliament-Funkadelic days a bit. “Ride with Me” returns to a g-funk edge homaging Nate once more, but then “Windows Down” charismatically throws it back to the Zapp/Roger Troutman era. The upbeat “4 Sure” dances on the ceiling above the floor & “We Made It” properly finishes the LP by shifting towards a smoother direction celebrating the duo’s success.

Bonding over a shared love of Parliament-Funkadelic & Zapp amongst other Zodiac signs in funk music altogether, Tuxedo finally make their comeback after their longest gap between releases yielding a bevy of absolute slappers that are packaged perfectly for dance floors in 2024 whether it be Jake One’s production pulling from g-funk to synth-funk & boogie or Mayer Hawthorne’s catchy vocal performances detailing the duo’s exuberant lifestyle.

Score: 4/5

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