Killer Mike – “Songs for Sinners & Saints” review

Here we have the 7th solo album from Atlanta, Georgia emcee, songwriter, actor & activist Killer Mike. Brought into the limelight due to his feature on “The Whole World” off of OutKast’s eponymous greatest his collection, he eventually signed to Columbia Records & put out the full-length debut Monster in the spring of 2003 & following it up with the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind trilogy through his self-owned Grind Time Official Records with the exception of Grand Hustle Records helping distribute the final installment. His future Run the Jewels cohort El-P fully produced the critically acclaimed R.A.P. (Rebellious African People) Music through the [adult swim]-owned Williams Street Records alongside GTO & Grand Hustle of course returning last summer to sign a new solo deal with Loma Vista Recordings for the personal Michael that went on to win 3 Grammys. However, he’s delivering Songs for Sinners & Saints as an epilogue to the Michael era.

“Bussin’ Bricks” samples “Shout Bamalama” by Mickey Murray to talk about hustling whereas “Nobody Knows” shifts gears into sumptuous boom bap territory explaining that his transformation is still undergoing & it’s still showing itself. “Humble Me” gives off a predominant southern political hip hop vibe asking God to make him humble referencing WWE Hall of Famer Muhammad Ali & “Higher Level” returns to trap turf instrumentally refusing to give up on the mission to be taken to a new level.

Offset joins Mike for the piano-driven “Exit 9” produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E. hoping those listening can feel their pain leading into “Lord Prepare Me” featuring Belly Gang Kushington & Jane Handcock blending gospel & trap together asking God to forgive them for their wrongs since they wanna do right. The damn-near 10 & a half minute “Slummer 4 Junkies” remixes both “Slummer” & “Something for Junkies” from Michael just before “Had to Go Get It” is another gospel/trap hybrid asking to be granted better days.

The “‘97 3-6 Freestyle” rips up an apocalyptic trap beat from DJ Paul & TWhy to shreds off-the-dome paying homage to the Three 6 Mafia during the seminal Memphis group’s Chapter 2: World Domination era & finally, “Still Talk’n That Shit” concludes the epilogue of Killer Mike’s most personal offering to date with a sequel to the highlight track “Talk’n That Shit” featuring both Key Glock & Project Pat. I should further mention “Detonator” featuring Rock D the Legend with El-P behind the boards made for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 & later becoming the official WWE Backlash XX theme song.

Songs for Sinners & Saints thanks all of Killer Mike’s supporters for this journey he’s been for helping him see so many of his dreams come true & the support I’ve received this past year has been so beautiful & inspiring, he realized wasn’t finished with the sound & wanted to do something with the people who’ve been bringing it to life every night performing it with him. I still prefer Michael & R.A.P. (Rebellious African People) Music, but these 10 tracks still very much come from a genuine place landing itself a spot for being one of his top 5 albums.

Score: 4/5

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Vstylez – “Buddy Revell” review

Detroit, Michigan underground veteran Vstylez returning after 6 & a half years for his 3rd full-length LP. Being introduced to him through his feature on “Clash of the Titans” off of eLZhi’s 3rd mixtape The Leftovers, he eventually put out a debut album of his own At Oddz ‘Til I’m Even in late 2014 & the sophomore effort Thornton Melon about 4 years later. The acclaim of the latter resulted in V temporarily signing to Middle Finger Music, whom he started working on Buddy Revell for in 2021. Years of delays later, he’s finally putting it out solely through RSM Recordings much like the last couple.

The title track gets the ball rollin’ with an eerie boom bap instrumental comparing himself to the titular antagonist from the movie 3:00 High whereas “Hustle Hard” featuring RJ Payne keeps the kicks & snares in tact to talk about both of them grinding their fuckin’ asses off. “L.L. vs. Tarantino” has one of my favorite beats on the album from DJ Rhettmatic sampling rock music ripping it hardcore lyrically paying homage to LL Cool J just before “The Wake Up” featuring Bumpy Knuckles returns to the boom bap thanks to the latter wakin’ up everyone who been sleeping on them.

“Me” hooks up chimes, kicks & snares to talk about how harder it is to do him than one might think leading into “Edgewater Park” featuring Ro Spit & the Twin Towers produced by Nottz ruggedly dedicating this one to all their homies in the streets. “Listen” has the soulful vibes Apollo Brown became known for assuring you’ll learn from experience in due time, but then grimy “Biscuit” featuring Jimmy the Icon talks about having the heaters on them.

Boog Brown, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat & Ty Farris all join V for a remix to the Thornton Melon highlight “Detropolis” keeping the same Pete Rock instrumental for a Motown posse cut while the piano/boom bap hybrid “Stroke of a Pen” discusses confessing his thoughts through writing songs. “Wrath of the Titans” featuring Guilty Simpson, Lil’ Fame, Shabaam Sahdeeq & Skyzoo lastly ends Buddy Revell aggressively referring themselves as the titular titans.

It’s certainly been quite some time since we’ve last heard from V & he’s coming back with only a month & a half or so left of summer to make the long-awaited album he’s been working on for a few years already a step above the previous one. He himself has grown a lot since Thornton Melon both artistically & personally, the production’s raw & the guests are all well picked out. Apparently he’s got another project coming next month called Walter Sobchak, which has me anticipating it as much as this considering that it’s named after John Goodman’s character in The Big Lebowski.

Score: 4/5

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JPEGMAFIA – “I Lay Down My Life for You” review

Baltimore, Maryland emcee, singer, producer & visionary JPEGMAFIA releasing his 5th solo album & the first in 3 years. Breaking out 2016 with the release of his full-length debut Black Ben Carson, it wouldn’t be until the man’s next 2 albums Veteran & All My Heroes are Cornballs where he would reveal himself as one of the most creative minds in hip hop today. The 8-track EP, it’s follow-up with almost all newly recorded material, LP!, the Danny Brown collab effort Scaring the Hoes & Peggy’s production credits on ¥$’ debut album Vultures earlier this year all further solidified that so much I had nothing to worry about ahead of I Lay Down My Life for You.

“I scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone” begins with a rap rock sound saying Peggy would be a worse version of Dillon Brooks if he was a basketball player whereas “Sin Miedo” works in elements of experimental hip hop, hardcore hip hop, rap rock, industrial hip hop, deconstructed club, ghettotech & Baltimore club telling all the big booty hoes to touch the ground. “I’ll Be Right There” gives off a gospel/boom bap flare to the beat coming back outside to take the game by surprise while the experimental “it’s dark & hell’s hot” fires shots at Drake.

Vince Staples joins JPEGMAFIA for the synth-driven “New Black History” co-produced by Flume flexing they hit the lottery earning money like current Monday Night RAW superstar, former 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE tag team champion, 2-time AEW World Champion, inaugural ROH Hall of Fame inductee, ROH World Champion, 2-time ROH World Tag Team Champion & IWA World Champion CM Punk who later albeit unsuccessfully competed in the UFC division of the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings & dissing Drizzy again with the line “cashing out for PDF’s & rapers” just before “don’t rely on other men” blends industrial hardcore hip hop & industrial rap rap reflecting on Peggy’s unflinching authenticity & his status as a paragon within the experimental hip hop scene. “vulgar display of power” further embraces the rap rock vibes talking about bringing the pain leading into “Exmilitary” sampling “After Laughter (Comes Tears)” by Wendy Rene paying homage to Death Grips’ debut mixtape of the same name.

“JIHAD JOE” flips “It’s Your Thing” by Cold Grits thanks to Kenny Beats dissing those who think they know him while “JPEGULTRA!” featuring Denzel Curry keeps the rock samples going getting on their hardcore shit. “either on or off drugs” soulfully talks about feelin’ like an accident while the lavish boom bap hybrid “loop it & leave it” laughs off anyone who still thinks he’s a joke. “Don’t Put Anything on the Bible” featuring Buzzy Lee psychedelically tackles religion & “i recovered from this” hops over a sample of “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)” by Janet Jackson to break over a bitch.

After the “I.S. 231” intro, “Protect the Cross” gets the deluxe run going by fusing rap metal, hardcore hip hop, nu metal, political hip hop & experimental hip hop calling one’s political beliefs being your gang sign in 2025 taking a couple more shots at Drake while “Jordan Rules” maintains a hardcore rap rock approach talking about the game being tender & soft. “Cult Status” is a sequel to “New Black History” keeping the same beat with all new lyrics dealin’ with known addicts while “Coke or Dope?” goes rap rock again talking about never being normal again.

The drumless title track featuring Buzzy Lee speaks from his heart that both of them want to find someone with a true connection in the midst of looking back on some of their past relationships & after “Boy You Should Know!” sampling “Body Party” by Ciara lights this bitch on fire, “Allah” cloudily flips “Pelle Coat” by Lil Durk showing a religious side to Peggy praying to the God of Islam while “What in the Hip Hop Hell?” returns to his usually aggressive & experimental style proclaiming Malcolm X didn’t die for this referencing WWE’s 2nd flagship program SmackDown followed by WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion & WWE Tag Team Champion The Iron Sheik.

“Come & Get Me” samples “Weak Ass Bitch” by the Three 6 Mafia flexing that he’s too legit while the guitar-based “Bloodline” wants everyone to acknowledge him as if he’s former 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion & the Only Tribal Chief Roman Reigns who had the honor of inducting his wiseman in former ECW owner Paul Heyman as a WWE Hall of Famer this past spring. “Hate” by FREAKY stakes his claim as being one of the best rappers alive & Kenny Beats giving it a dark trap sound while the final bonus track “Take An” concludes with an instrumental outro.

6 & a half years since I’ve been introduced to him through his sophomore effort Veteran, Peggy has always been ahead of the curve as far as modern experimental hip hop goes & I Lay Down My Life for You reaffirms that notion serving as the 4th consecutive classic in his discography already. The themes of religion are more prominent in contrast to JPEGMAFIA’s earlier material as he pushes his experimental hardcore hip hop sound beyond industrial hip hop, rap rock, boom bap, deconstructed club, ghettotech & Baltimore club with a couple stronger guests than LP!.

Score: 4.5/5

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Skitzo – “Tre-Von” review

Kalamazoo, Michigan emcee Skitzo releasing his 8th studio LP & MonStar Entertainment debut. Introducing himself in the underground through his 2010 debut The Ghetto Democrat, he subsequently gained more exposure with The Sumerian Tablet as well as Political Avatar & Deities. The next 3 albums The Butterfly Effect, Black Wolf & Lucid Dreams further strengthened his status to the point where Flint emcee & one of the last artists Psychopathic Records put on Lyte signed Skitzo to MonStar Entertainment in the summer of 2022. I even had the pleasure of meeting him at Astronomicon 3 right before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, so I knew Tre-Von was gonna be the most important entry of his discography yet.

“F.A.F.O. (Fuck Around Find Out)” is a piano trap opener talking about those tryna test him whereas “Wild Things” featuring Frank Nitty works in an eerier atmosphere keeping the hi-hats in tact cautioning not to look far if you’re looking for bullshit. “Don’t Make Me” continues the trap vibes warning that they’ll act a fool if you keep pissin’ ‘em off, but then “Blqck Boy Lost” has to be one of the most personal moments addressing family issues.

The soulful trap vibes on “Power” are joyous & motivational looking to protect his peace leading into “Run It” featuring Majik Ninja Entertainment’s filthiest G-Mo Skee going full-blown boom bap putting the ski masks on their faces getting on their battle shit lyrically. “The God Butcher” is a rock/trap crossover paying tribute to all the homies he’s lost in the last year while the drearier “Picking Up the Pieces” discussing that you can tell when life gets messy.

“Pure Michigan” fuses soul & trap again paying homage to the state that raised him while “Pagne” brings a delicate trap flare to the table so Skitzo can talk about everyone seeing him shine. “Carousel” featuring Str8jaket keeps the same energy finding MonStar’s very first signees venting the thoughts that’ve been spinning in their heads & “Fast Lane” featuring Lil’ Polk & Lyte finishes the LP aggressively reminding that the MonStar Clique don’t play.

Coming fresh off his autobiography Water from Cactus over a year ago at this point, Skitzo’s first album in 6 years happens to be the most personal of his entire discography & the finest example of what’s to come from him through MonStar Entertainment going forward. The K-Zoo bred MC sounds rejuvenated, G-Mo alongside the rest of the MonStar roster match his energy & Mr. K.A.’s trap-heavy production has some sincerely interesting ideas.

Score: 4/5

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Juganot da Beast – “Purgatory” review

Richmond, California emcee Juganot da Beast returning almost 2 years after the sophomore effort Lovelly’s Baby Boy for his 3rd full-length studio LP. Emerging in the fall of 2019 off the debut EP P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), he followed this up a year later with the debut album Pennsylvania Ave as well as the Love is Pain mixtape & the previously mentioned Lovelly’s Baby Boy. I had the pleasure of meeting Juganot myself at Astronomicon 7 a few months back & I was really flattered by him telling me how happy he was that we got to link up, so I decided to give Purgatory a listen.

“Guillotine” is a trunk-rattling opener explaining that they don’t understand exactly how different he is out here whereas “Hold Me Down” kinda gives me a dreary trap vibe instrumentally confessing that he’s been going through it for a while now. “U Ain’t Mobbin’” radiates a grim atmosphere dissin’ all the fakes who ain’t really ‘bout that gang life, but then “Not My Problem” featuring Swanky Rich cloudily talks about bitches not being something they should worry over.

We get some pianos & hi-hats woven together for “Where Jug At?” addressing those who been looking for him for a minute just before the standout “None of Y’all” featuring his cousin G-Mo Skee gets on the boom bap tip thanks to Eminem’s current hypeman mR. pOrTeR of prior D12 fame making it clear they ain’t fuckin’ with none of these muhfuckas out here. “Old School 50” keeps the kicks & snares together inspired by vintage 50 Cent flexing that his pedigree is as Beast as 14-time WWE world champion, WWE Hall of Famer, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE tag team champion & the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division’s CCO Triple H leading into the smooth “Holla at You” getting romantic topically.

“You Can Be Touched” gives off a bit of a mobb flare to the beat telling y’all he don’t give a fuck about how many bodies you’ve dropped & that it was an epic fail attempting to even kill da Beast to begin with while the guitar-driven “Letter to My Younger Self” sends a message to Juganot of the past. “O.G.” futuristically refuses to rest with his mind on the money while the violin-laced “I’m Him” produced by Nobe discusses being on a new level. “Everybody’s a Killer” fuses g-funk & horrorcore calling out the pussies who started rapping & the jazzy “Letter to Heaven” ends promising to stay to himself.

G-Mo’s been my favorite MC to come out of the Rich for over a decade now since his verses on “Lunchtime Cypher” & “Innermost Hate” and Purgatory if anything reveals itself as the strongest body of work that Juganot da Beast has ever put his heart & soul into, which is why I hope he doesn’t quit making music after this. The production ranges from trap to boom bap, g-funk, horrorcore, jazz rap, mobb music & cloud rap backing Juganot’s most passionate lyricism to date.

Score: 4/5

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Valid – “Peach Brandy” review

This is the 3rd full-length solo LP from Detroit emcee Valid. Introducing himself properly in 2015 with Reach High, he would follow it up in 2019 getting more personal on the sophomore effort Mihajlo which I personally would recommend to anyone as the best place to start for anyone who wants to get up on Valid’s music & eventually the Plum Brandy EP only 9 months later. He would go on to make an entrance theme for the current WWE NXT Champion Ethan Page during his AEW run, later forming Bill & Isiah with Stretch Money over a year ago & putting out an acclaimed eponymous debut. Only 5 months since his debut mixtape The Bronko Tape, we’re now being treated to Peach Brandy as the main course.

“Peach Killer” is a classy boom bap opener to the album talking about letting the cosmos control his destiny whereas “There He Is” works in pianos along with more kicks & snares referring to himself as the motherfucker that those doubted most. “1 of a Kind” kinda has a jazzier boom bap quality to the beat so he can talk about the life he living ain’t like anything else just before “Places” hooks up a solemn sample setting out to reinvent in the renaissance city.

Bill & Isiah link back up for “9 to 5” hopping over a vocal flip to brag that it be looking like they selling dope when their music careers are taking off in actuality leading into the celebratory “May 6” talking about how his circle wasn’t even supposed to make it & engaging in a gangsta ass tradition. “Never Question” goes into pop rap territory tackling themes of romance, but then “The One Who Decides” brings some strings in the picture & some of his most captivating storytelling yet.

“Plush” featuring Boog Brown gives off a more playful tone aesthetically encouraging everyone to put ‘em up high while “Sci-Non-Fi” turns the jazz influences back up confessing that he feels like he’s in a weird place making it look like he in space. “Cigareta” featuring Jon Connor & Philmore Greene returns to the boom bap reminiscing as they smoke up remembering those who can’t be here while “Stara Škola” featuring BARS, Frenkie, Ghet, LD Pistolero, Random & Struka comes through with a Serbian hip hop posse cut.

Starting the encore of Peach Brandy, the song “Nirdala” groovily talks about everyone chasing cash & success in the the midst of the never-ending battle between good & evil while the penultimate track “This Day” blends vibraphones along with kicks & snares trying to stay optimistic even when he isn’t in the best place mentally. “Graycious” lastly ends the LP with a bit of a west coast homage from the funky instrumental to the Zapp-inspired background vocals feeling gracious.

In case you didn’t know, everything that made Plum Brandy the heartfelt EP in Valid’s discography showcasing his Serbian roots with a heavy amount of ex-Yugoslavian samples makes it’s way onto Peach Brandy & even taking it a step further than the predecessor a month before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of his Serbian heritage is being re-explored in a bigger, full-length capacity allowing himself & the producers to do more with the cards that’re dealt in comparison to The Bronko Tape’s raw homage to Bronko Lubich.

Score: 3.5/5

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Big B – “Wellness Check” review

Everyone’s favorite Las Vegas, Nevada hooligan Big B is back for his 8th LP. Starting out as the frontman for 187, he would go on to join OPM following the demise of 187 & become a household name for the infamous California powerhouse Suburban Noize Records just a couple years later. His first 3 solo albums High Class White Trash, White Trash Renegade & More to Hate would become some of my favorite releases that the label has ever put out. Last we heard from B was during the pandemic when he dropped his comeback album Welcome to the Club & since reuniting with Michael Bradford on Members Only roughly 16 months ago, it’s only right for a Wellness Check.

After the titular intro, the first song “Time” is a fun boom bap opener to the Vegas Hooligan’s first full-length in 4 talking about life moving as fast as it is whereas the lead single “Sidecar” featuring G. Love, Peachole & Special Sauce goes reggae-pop embracing the boundless journey of life & extends the invitation to like-minded souls to partake in joy & fulfillment. “Loser” takes the pop rap route aesthetically explaining that someone’s gotta lose in order for someone else to win prior to the stripped-back “Further” talking about being unsure as to where he’s going & that it can’t be like last time.

“Broke AF” featuring the Common Kings dabbles into pop punk territory explaining that it really isn’t that much of a crime to enjoy yourself every once & a while leading into the electronic dance/hip hop hybrid “Fuck You” revolves itself around a breakup being done with a woman who wasn’t by his side giving him nothing but broken promises. “Slow Down” featuring The Aggrolites & The Debonaires assures over horns that they ain’t got time for nobody’s bullshit whatsoever just before the rap rock joint “F.2.T.F. (Foot 2 the Floor)” talks about doing the best with the cards he was dealt.

Peachole returns for the upbeat track inspired “Shinjuku Hotel” providing a dedication for his people rather than his peers while the summery “Drugs & Alcohol” reminds y’all exactly how he feels about both of those things. “2 Choices” featuring Merkules was a fun, party-starting choice of a 2nd single explaining that there’s no time for excuses since the bullshit will be useless in the end while “Fallin’” dabbling with trap acknowledging that he’s said he’ll never change, but he just might have to.

“Sparks” nears the end of the Wellness Check mixing hip hop & reggae explaining that everything will be ok & not wanting to see this person run away tonight sticking by their sides putting in as much effort to making it right as possible while the final single “Pretend” featuring Killer Mike embraces rap rock once again telling people to live their lives as much as they can due to the fact that some really don’t know what happens when we’re not here anymore. “Simple Song” concludes B’s first album in 4 years throwing it back to the Welcome to the Club having a duct-taped broken heart & a 5th of whiskey when it falls apart.

Surrounded by organic inspiration, Big B lets the world who knows him as a recording artist that he’s doing great & for those who wrote him off, he’s here again to say a few things & celebrate where he is now. Not only does it serve as a multi-dimensional narrative about B’s current station in life intentionally crafting a hodgepodge of musical styles dipping into realms of hip hop, punk, acoustic songwriting, ska & harkens to a signature SoCal sound that simultaneously evokes a sense of ease, nostalgia & forward motion.

Score: 3.5/5

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DJ Mustard – “Faith of a Mustard Seed” review

DJ Mustard is a 34 year old producer, DJ, songwriter, record executive & rapper from Los Angeles, California known for being a pioneer of the ratchet music scene. He sure enough embarked on a solo career almost a decade ago by releasing 10 Summers through Roc Nation Records & Republic Records, both of whom would also put out the sophomore effort Cold Summer. Mustard later departed following the mixed reception that his first couple LPs to form his own label 10 Summers Records & enlisted Interscope Records to distribute the more well-received Perfect 10 & considering that he produced one of the biggest singles of the year “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar a few months ago, it raised the anticipation for his 4th album higher.

“Show Me the Way” by Kirk Franklin is a gospel opener advising not letting anything take your faith in God from you whereas “Up Now” by the BlueBucksClan, Lil Yachty & 42 Dugg works in synths & hi-hats to talk about making it out of the trenches. “Pressured Up” by ScHoolboy Q & Vince Staples with co-production from Terrace Martin gives off a bit of a futuristic mobb vibe for those looking to let loose during ghetto parties, but then “One of Them Ones” by Quavo & Rob49 hops over a violin-laced trap beat so both of them get boastful.

Meanwhile on “Parking Lot”, we have Travis Scott on some soulful trap shit talking about being as hard as Scott La Rock leading into “A Song for Mom” by Ty$ following the “7 to 7” skit for an R&B jam dedicated to all the mothers out in the world. “Worth a Heartbreak” by A Boogie wit da Hoodie & Blxst returns for a symphonic trap flare to the beat discussing that they both deserve nothing less than real just before the lavish “Truth Is” by Roddy Ricch rides through the night with his high beams ons.

“Mines” by Future melodically refuses to share his partner with anyone else taking her on vacation while “1 Bad Decision” by Ella Mai & Roddy Ricch crosses over pop rap & R&B firing rounds to the point where 911 has to be called. “Yak’s Prayer” by Kodak Black is this soulful/trap hybrid talking about the streets scarring people while the laidback “Ghetto” by Lil Durk & Young Thug talks about the being hood nearly every day of the week. “Pray for Me” ends Faith of a Mustard Seed with DJ Mustard himself giving a jab at rapping for 10 whole minutes.

15 years in the game & numerous hits under his belt spanning present day, what DJ Mustard has given us in Faith of a Mustard Seed has become an inspiring & deeply personal project that encapsulates his growth & dedication since. His sound being the ratchet scene has certainly expanded in that span of time from pop rap to R&B, gospel music, soul music, trap, orchestral music & mobb music allowing a consistent guest list to handle the performances up until the closer.

Score: 3.5/5

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Raz Fresco – “The Eternal Now” review

Toronto, Ontario, Canada emcee/producer Raz Fresco enlisting west coast veteran DJ Muggs for what I’m pretty sure is his 16th proper full-length solo LP. I’ve been familiar with the guy since my high school years at this point whether it be some of his features or his own extensive discography including the Magneto Was Right mixtape series, the Futurewave-produced Gorgeous Polo Sportsmen album, the Nicholas Craven-produced Boulangerie album, the Cake beat tapes, the Gia…À La Carte collab EP with Estee Nack or more recently the Cookin’ Soul produced Bakin’ Soul & the Daniel Son collab effort Northside. Further continuing the acclaim of the latter 3 received, The Eternal Now seemed like there was a high chance it could surpass them since Muggs been on a roll producing projects for other artists in recent memory & helping bring the best out of them.

The title track sets the tone of what’s to come from the jazzy instrumental to the lyrics letting everyone know exactly what they’re living in at this very moment whereas luxuriously “Memory Lane” talks about people spending too much time reflecting & being nostalgic, which I wholeheartedly agree with. “Look What You Made Me Do” goes full-blown boom bap examining the darkest side of Raz’ mind prior to the orchestral “Smoke & Mirrors” talking about the game being as cold as it is.

“Blood Money” strips the drums completely feeling alive whenever the sun touches him just before the “Ghost of Garvey” featuring Gritfall & The 6th Letter finds the trio over a crooning sample flexing that they brought back Marcus Garvey’s spirit. “King Tubby” makes a turn into drumless territory once again feeling like he wants to cry for the people sometimes due to the cruelness of the world leading into “Blow Up the Spot” returning to the boom bap talking about hitting the lottery if he had a nickel for every time he called out a poser for trying to be official.

Starting the 2nd leg, “Fake Beef” ruggedly warns that y’all can catch the smoker similarly to Terrell Owens & keeping the gates of Hell open reserving Heaven for the best while the dustily jazzy hybrid “World Peace” talks about the game plan trying to be taking land with their names on the building. “Pan’s Labyrinth” strips the drums once more discussing a trapped king trapped in faun’s elaborate & confusing structure while “Big Soul Assassins” returns to the boom bap representing the titular Soul Assassins collective.

“Staircase Stories” nears the end of The Eternal Now if you couldn’t tell by the title unearths his own tales from the staircases over a raw beat with an acoustic-sounding drum pattern & I found the rock sampling throughout “50 Bop” to be quite interesting allowing Raz to spaz the fuck out on the mic to the point where I can say it’s my favorite track here. “Spooky” closes the LP hopping on top of a drumless jazz sample calling himself Professor X with his mind.

Raz has already been having a Hell of a 2024 from Bakin’ Soul to Northside & surely enough, The Eternal Now reaches past Bakin’ Soul as the best full-length album in his entire discography yet. DJ Muggs’ production ranges from boom bap to drumless, jazz rap & rap rock giving a glimpse of the Toronto emcee keeping the same energy lyrically that he’s kept since the last couple projects of his that I previously covered.

Score: 4.5/5

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Gordo – “Diamante” review

Gordo or formerly known as Carnage is a 33 year old Guatemalan American DJ, producer & former rapper breaking through the mainstream in the fall of 2015 off the strength of the festival trap full-length debut Papi Gordo. He further established himself forming the duo Young Martha with Young Thug, putting out an eponymous EP nearly 23 months later. Battered, Bruised & Bloody mainly explored trap music as a subgenre to mixed reception & Carnage subsequently became Gordo after transitioning from trap to techno & house. Further cementing his artistic reinvention, he’s coming back 6 years following the sophomore effort for his 3rd album.

“Guard Down” co-produced by &ME & featuring additional vocals from Alice Aera begins by venturing out into the latter’s signature deep/tech house sound for nearly 6 minutes whereas “Sideways” by Drake is one of 2 leftovers from the Honestly, Nevermind sessions admitting to this woman that he used to love her when she was never hers to begin with. “Honeyland” featuring additional vocals from Afshin Momadi moves on from there with a cool afro house detour for nearly 4 minutes, but then “Easier” puts a bigger emphasis on the tech house side of things instrumentally with the help of Rampa.

T-Pain on “Target” has to be one of the best guest performers during the entire LP singing over a house beat with the pitch of his vocals being slowed down that he got a big target on his back even when he’s in motion that is until the out-of-body experience “Lake Como” disappointingly doesn’t have Larry June rapping at all, instead providing additional vocals throughout the playful instrumental. “Candid Zone” by Leon Bridges has a funkier house flare feeling quite rather frank him just before “Nene” by Fuerza Regida gives the corrido tumbado band shine showcasing their sierreño/trap style in front of a wider audience.

“Cafecito” by Nicki Nicole & Sech decently blends Latin pop & reggaeton with house music all together professing their love for one another dating back to when they were children starting the 2nd half of Diamante while the 2nd single “Parcera” by Maluma unpleasantly mutates tech house, balearic beat & tropical house talking requesting that the light be turned off. “Hombres Y Mujeres” by Feid was a superior tech hip house choice of a lead single in comparison to the previous cut talking about the rich smelling if there are men & women while “Kill for This Shit” featuring additional vocals from the late Young Dolph couldn’t have been a better Memphis/house crossover.

The tech house influences make their way back in the spotlight for “Take Control” advising one on the verge of leaving to do literally that on the way out while “W.D.Y.M. (What Do You Mean?)” by Karolina Falk sings about being the same as previously over a guitar/house hybrid. “Aura” by NTO clashes elements of house & techno telling people to take a 2nd look inside themselves & the inspirational “Healing” by Drake has to be my favorite appearance of the 2 that he makes singing that he doesn’t want to hurt himself anymore.

Of the 3 solo efforts that Gordo has given the world under his belt in the span of almost a decade, Diamante consistently celebrates his heritage significantly more than the previous couple LPs did. So much that I can say what we have here unquestionably stands out as his most personal album in his discography yet. He mainly keeps it in afro house/amapiano turf occasionally pulling from contemporary R&B, tech house, hip house, balearic beat, tropical house, deep house, hip hop, pop, reggaeton, corrido tumbado, jazz & indie music for a dedication to his grandmother narratively centering it around his Nicaraguan-American roots.

Score: 3.5/5

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