Kembe X – “Sleep Paralysis” review

Chicago, Illinois emcee & Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate Kembe X returning for his 3rd full-length album produced by Sacramento duo Hippie Sabotage & his first in nearly 5 years. Getting his start over a decade ago with the debut EP Soundtrack II Armageddon & the debut mixtape Self Rule, his profile would continue to grow off the strength of the debut LP Talk Back as well as an eponymously titled 2nd EP & the sophomore effort I Was Depressed Until I Made This. He’s worked with the Saurer brothers a few times in the past, but they’re finally releasing Sleep Paralysis after working on it for a whole year.

“Fade the Sun” starts us off with a lively danceable opener telling anyone who wants a piece of him to get in line whereas “Pole Vaulting” hops over a trap instrumental to talk about being over the bullshit. “King” works in a more rubbery beat to remind y’all that he’s royalty around these parts prior to the synth-driven “Love Songs” taking a melodic approach talking about never seeing a king of romance that went wrong.

To end the first half, “Shallow” brings a cloudier vibe to the table wanting to be called a visionary who did it first when it’s all said & done while the atmospheric “Where Demons Come to Die” admitting he damn-near lost his soul & sacrificed his peace. “Kill Everything in the Way” declares himself as the new leader of the resistance over a slow boom bap beat just before the wavy “Rolling Stoned” featuring Isaiah Rashad talks about keeping it cold, fresh & clean.

One of my favorites on the album no question has to be “Start a Business” from the groovy instrumental to the motivational lyricism encouraging people to start up their own businesses since they can’t be employees for the middle man forever & finally, “Baby I’m Up” concludes Sleep Paralysis with a 7 & a half minute ode to his success after people tried to leave him for dead & drag his name through the mud.

TDE’s been slowly but surely allowing the biggest artists on their roster to release new music in recent years after making their fans wait forever, so it makes perfect sense for Kembe to make a comeback & one that new listeners will find themselves invested in. He’s exploring new sounds with the help of Hidden Sabotage & the subject matter is significantly more personal than his early stuff was.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

ST Spittin’ – “Risk & Reward” review

This is the 8th full-length studio LP from Oakland, California emcee ST Spittin. Emerging off his first few mixtapes Lighters & Ink Pens alongside 2nd Impression & Open Season, he would continue to expand his discography by putting out 3 albums The Morning Show, Action! & All in a Day’s Work followed by a trilogy of EPs Lucky 6, When the Ball Drops & Retrofitted ahead of the 4th LP, EP & mixtape Boom!, Don’t Judge Me & Footwrk respectively. We would later get a sequel to Boom! & Footwrk as his next 2 albums, Cool Water for the last one & Summer Madness being his 5th EP. However, I was interested in hearing Risk & Reward since Golden State Warriors deejay DJ D Sharp was behind the boards for the whole thing.

The title track is a jazzy trap opener to the album letting y’all it’s all about that whereas “Seat at the Table” shifts gears with it’s boom bap instrumental feeling like he’s moonwalking on the red carpet getting what everyone else wants. “Pesos” featuring Stunnaman02 goes for a cloudier vibe so both of them can talk about being unable to rest since they have cake to make, but then “God in the Room” featuring Dustin Sharpe & Mani Draper fuses some kicks & snares with strings admitting the Big G was at work when they wrote this.

“Profile Pics” brings a groovier flare to the beat talking about how it’s time to put in a new shift since he’s back on the job just before “Maximize” featuring HBK CJ & Khyenci dives into a pop rap direction advising to maximize your energy. “It’s Alright” featuring Ian Kelly incorporates twinkling piano chords trying to tell her that something’s better than nothing leading into the luxurious boom bap cut “Flashes” talking about seeing the greatness in him shining.

Champ Green & D. Bledsoe join ST on “Each One, Teach One” hopping over a symphonic sample admitting to buying a lot of time to spend more while “Wide Awoke” takes it back to the basement instrumentally flexing that he knows for a fact someone gets inspired whenever he’s on the mic. Lastly to finish the album, “What Ya Call That???” happens to be a soulful ode to the ones tellin’ ‘em how it is.

Over a decade into the game & ST. Spittin’ celebrated Steph Curry’s born day by putting out the most well-crafted body of work of his career so far. DJ D Sharp continues to reveal himself as one of the best beatsmiths in the Bay Area right now as his production here is varied in sound & we get a glimpse of the Oakland emcee at his rawest, most confident, playful & honest all in 1.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Estee Nack – “Stone Temple Pyrex” review

Lynn, Massachusetts emcee/producer Estee Nack joining forces with Toronto producer Futurewave for his 11th proper full-length studio LP. Emerging as a member of the Tragic Allies, he also branched out on his own my senior year of high school off his Purpose-produced solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack & has since built a lengthy yet impressive discography for himself. Other highlights include the Sadhugold-produced Surfinongold.wav alongside it’s sequel The Order of the Golden Fleece, the Giallo Point-produced Papitas, his collab efforts with al.divino, the V Don-produced B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties), the Griselda Records debut Nacksaw Jim Duggan & the Mike Shabb-produced Live at the Tabernackle. So considering the high quality of those last couple efforts, Stone Temple Pyrex had to be as equally great.

“Sunday Service” starts by blending jazz & boom bap talking about getting rich every Sunday whereas “Subtracktion” gets more grimier instrumentally to say right now’s a great time to have a great time. “Glaciusvsfulgore” featuring Rome Streetz brings the 2 Griselda signees together likening themselves to the titular Killer Instinct characters of the same name with the beat sounding reminiscent to Daringer, but then “Oscardelarenta” hooks up & an uncanny loop with kicks & snares talking about never doubting himself.

On the other hand, “&Bondizlyfe” goes drumless to detail the hustler lifestyle leading into “Blockwarz” featuring Daniel Son talking about the top spot forever being theirs over a crooning boom bap instrumental. “Weirdscience” flips another eerie sample so Estee can diss all the weaklings who want power just before “Datewifdef” references former 2-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel “Izzy” Adesanya.

“Cornchowder” featuring Raz Fresco incorporates a jazzy loop referring to their minds as weapons & letting it squeeze while “Wavydominicans” featuring ??? & BoriRock finds the trio over grim piano chords talking about a sinister presence. “Eddiebernays” featuring al.divino strips the drums once more making this shit complete while the final song “¡Sorpresa!” excluding the “Ogoscardelarenta” remix aggressively suggests to check the sign language.

This upcoming weekend will mark a whole year since B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties) came out & the Nackman has already blessed us with his 3rd classic within the span of 365 days. The guest-list is briefer than Live at the Tabernackle’s was, Futurewave’s production is mainly rooted in the traditional boom bap sound with jazzy & drumless undertones mixed in & my favorite Tragic Allies member picks up where he left off 6 months ago lyrically.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Frankie Goldie – “Vegas Winter: Jugg Motivation 101” review

Las Vegas, Nevada emcee Frankie Goldie of the Swamp Society collective & the duo Gloom Unit alongside Acetone Boogie releasing his full-length debut. For about a year & a half now, he’s been establishing himself as an artist within the underground wicked shit scene whether it be 7 solo singles or the Gloom Unit’s debut EP Come Heavy produced by Devereaux arriving on New Year’s Day to high reception from the juggalos. But after teasing Vegas Winter: Jugg Motivation 101 for next week, Frankie has decided to let Christmas come early.

After the “JM101” intro, the first song “CAKEWALK” begins with Devereaux who produced the entire LP working in strings along with bells & hi-hats talking about throwing money in the circle like it’s a seance whereas the lead single “RAWKZOFF” instrumentally gives me a bit of a Memphis rap vibe (i.e. One of my favorite groups Three 6 Mafia) coming to get his rocks off. “CODE BLACK” featuring Donnie Menace finds the 2 talking about being cold blooded killers over a morbid trap beat, but then “Rollie” exultantly lets y’all know it’s that time.

“CAVIAR DREAMS” featuring Darby O’Trill is a jazz/trap fusion getting that bloody money just before “BRIXINDASAFE” goes for a cloudier atmosphere refusing to behave since he stuck in his ways. “KATANA” featuring Kold-Blooded returns to a darker trap sound looking to slicing necks with the titular sword while “Lemon Drizzle” is a fun club banger about sippin’ dirty Gatorade without giving a fuck what a hater has to say. Another standout “BULLETPROOF COUPE” turns up the aggression mixing Faygo with Grey Goose & having the digiscale tippin’ on ‘em prior to the 6-minute “BIGMANEONDABLOCK” fusing trap, jazz rap & soul so he can count his digits.

Vegas Winter: Jugg Motivation 101 much like Come Heavy is living proof that the Swamp Society is a force to be reckoned with in the underground except JM101 will give you a better idea as to who Frankie is artistically & personally. He shows his influences from the Insane Clown Posse & Esham to the Triple 6 Mafia, Jeezy, Future & Lil Ugly Mane on top of Devereaux continuing to evolve as a producer throwing additional elements of jazz, soul & influences from the Memphis scene into his signature trap sound here.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Jae Skeese – “Testament of the Times” review

Buffalo emcee Jae Skeese joining forces with Superior for his 4th full-length studio LP. Getting his start off the strength of his his debut mixtape W.A.C.K. (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks) in the fall of 2010, it wasn’t until a decade later where he & 7xvethegeniusgained wide exposure as the very first signees to Conway the Machine’s very own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group. The Big Ghost Ltd.-produced 3rd EP Authenticity Check & the previous album Abolished Uncertainties both elevated Skeese’s popularity in the last couple years, so Testament of the Times can only amplify it.

To get us started, “Union 2’s” hops over a guitar-laced boom bap instrumental talking about being lowkey dangerous when that’s already been proven with the last 2 projects of his that I named near the end of the previous paragraph in my opinion whereas “In My Hands” has a jazzier approach aiming to stay focused. “Cement 4’s” works in some organs asking what y’all think he did this for since he been on one for life leading into the flute-tinged “2Cents” referring to real game as priceless.

“Cantonese Characters” featuring Rome Streetz & Ty Farris references current AEW manager, WWE Hall of Famer & former SMW Heavyweight Champion Jake “The Snake” Roberts prior to the luxurious keyboard embellishments on “Preguntas” talking about staying hungry & blessed. “Ksubi Tags” isn’t really much of an interlude rather it’s Jae over a sample-heavy boom bap beat feeling like a threat waking up, but then “Risk & Reward” draws inspiration from rap rock talking about having to work to get as nice as he is now.

O.T. the Real comes into the picture on “Sign of the Cross” somberly advises to let the problems accumulate while the delicately-produced “Broken Mirrors” talks about being in his head overthinking at times. “Mothers & Gods” clarifies that he’s never been anyone’s favorite except for his mom alongside the higher power over plainly piano chords until “Skycraper” concludes the LP on a drumless note continuing to put in the time & labor building from ground level.

The introspective story that Abolished Uncertainties told almost a year ago this month was a personal way for Jae to introduce himself to a wider audience, but I think I might prefer Testament of the Times more. Superior continues to stand as amongst the most interesting German producers in hip hop, the guest-list is tighter & Skeese here sets out to encourage everyone in taking themselves to new heights.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Eric the Red – “Painting da Town Red” review

Here we have the sophomore effort from Bristol, England, United Kingdom emcee Eric the Red. Known for being the brother of Illinformed & Real Life Drama Records co-founder Leaf Dog of The 4 Owls, he would also become 1/3 of the Creatures of Habit & 1/4 of NLP in addition to forming his own label Lost Scroll Records almost a decade ago. His compositional solo EP Basement Blues dropped in 2016 & the In My Element beat followed as did the Illinformed-produced debut album Caught Red Handed. Coming off Broken Ear Drum, he’s releasing Painting da Town Red under Illin’ for Meds Records.

“Need in Your Life” sets up shop with a jazzy boom bap instrumental reaffirming that his biggest goal is to be the highest man alive whereas “Same Day” featuring Jack Jetson works in some vibraphones suggesting they’re addicts for narcotics still carrying them in their pockets now. “DNA” featuring Leaf Dog finds the 2 siblings over a grungy boom bap beat talking about hip hop being in all 3 of the Leigh’s blood when that can’t be disputed while “Again & Again” jazzily flexes he’s on his grind again.

As for “Krylon”, we have Eric & Illinformed keeping it in the basement stylistically talking about how he’s still looking for a rooftop to climb on leading into “Day Shifting” ominously recalling him growing up around shoplifting. “Mind’s Gone” turns up the eeriness talking about the drugs filled a gap despite him losing his mind in the process while “Route 66” featuring Smellington Piff brings the pair together warns of the long way back from Hell’s gates.

“Danger” kicks off the final leg of Painting da Town Red darkly advising not to be a threat to your own health dismembering crews while “Lock & Key” featuring Crossbow T links up so they can cook up something monstrous although it’s not a favorite of mine personally. “Super Fiends” references the alter ego of the Warner Bros. subsidiary DC Entertainment-owned Batman franchise until “Switching the Keys” finishes up by flying to the future using a hoverboard & cutting snakes in the grass.

Broken Ear Drum certainly has a good share of moments that’re absolutely worth going back to, but Painting da Town Red joins the same ranks as Caught Red Handed in being amongst Eric the Red’s greatest solo material & simultaneously could become one of my favorite projects to come out of Illinformed’s own label named after his solo debut album. The latter’s jazzy boom bap production here is a lot stronger than Broken Ear Drum, the guest list is kept to a minimum & Eric lyrically continues to set himself apart from Leaf exceptionally.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Raz Fresco – “Bakin’ Soul” review

If I’m not mistaken, I believe this is the 15th proper full-length LP from Toronto emcee/producer Raz Fresco. Someone who I’ve been familiar with since high school 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 or more recently the Gia…À La Carte collab EP with Estee Nack from last summer. But with Cookin’ Soul coming off producing the acclaimed Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga for Tha God Fahim last month, Bakin’ Soul here seemed more than promising to me going into it.

“360°” starts with a lo-fi boom bap instrumental refusing to let the mean city take your smile whereas “The Pure” featuring Dano & Lil Supa takes a funkier approach talking about how all that frontin’ will leave you fucked up in the end. The drumlessly jazzy “Receipts” goes after the loot prior to Estee Nack & Lord Apex joining Raz on “Kodak Moment” bringing back the kicks & snares referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin alongside WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion Rikishi.

Moving forward, “Snakes & Ladders” goes for a symphonic approach confessing he learned life for the first time after playing the titular game that is until “Keep on Pushing” featuring The Musalini returns to the boom bap making it all money when they spit. Life Lessons” gets introspective over a crooning sample with kicks & snares while “Regrets” featuring Tha God Fahim teaches the youth not to make the same mistakes that they did. “Marvelous Fabrics” reminds that the hood’s still starving even after giving favor to Ukraine, but then “No Cap” featuring Gritfall closes up shop with a cloudy beat calling out labels for paying ads selling backwards lifestyles.

I personally was introduced to Raz a little after I started my freshman year of high school hearing his feature on “Why Bother” off of Ace Hashimoto’s 5th mixtape All Day DeShay: AM since it’s no secret that I was an Odd Future kid during my adolescence & Bakin’ Soul most definitely stands as some of his best work primarily because of how organic the chemistry he has with Big Size feels.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Tony Shhnow – “Out the Woods” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper Tony Shhnow is back with his 7th full-length LP. Being introduced to his music after my younger brother J$zpiech showed me his 4th mixtape Black Billionaires Club & the song “Vet” off the full-length debut Da World’s Ours 3, he then continued to turn heads with his 8th mixtape Reflexions to critical acclaim last summer & I honestly wish I covered it considering that some of his best songs are on there like “Finessin’” or “Forgive Don’t Forget”. Love Streak showed a more sensual side to him after returning to his plugg roots on the BeatPluggz produced Plug Motivation & is aptly coming Out the Woods only hours since former 7-time IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン & NEVER無差別級6人タッグチャンピオン オカダ・カズチカ made his official AEW debut in the Shhnowman’s city.

After the “Intro to the Woods”, the first song “Cool Minute” is a glamorously mellow opener talking about being in the kitchen whereas “Don’t Slip” works in pianos & hi-hats going to a new level with this shit. “What We Doin’” gives off a classier approach, instrumentally asking his girl what the deal is now that they got a hotel room for the night, but then “99 Overall” featuring 1TakeJay talks about putting it on over crooning vocals & horns. 1TakeJay’s performances though don’t quite hold up to Tony’s.

After the “Adrenaline” skit, “Salute (Yes)” continues the trap beats with interesting samples boasting the way he’s living these days leading into “Animal Crossing” with my personal favorite feature of the 3 on the album 3AG Pilot bringing the rage thanks to Dylvinci painting images of the gangsta lifestyles they’ve experienced. “Her Favourite” sensually details all his woman’s favorite things just before “I’m Standing Right Here” hopping over synths & hi-hats talking about making money forever.

“Tryna See” gives me a psychedelic feeling continuing the themes of romance & after the “Lost” skit, “No Time Soon” brings in the horns talking about being the one. “Pool” featuring PNDRN takes it back to the plugg sound looking to be making moves while “Watch” has a peaceful trap atmosphere talking about how he’s the one calling shots.

After the “Guidance” skit, “RollAnotha1” keeps it trillwave bragging that he got a whole lotta Funyons while the title track is just an outro. The first of 2 bonus tracks though “Hustler” starts the encore of the LP with strings & hi-hats addressing those who’re misinformed prior to “Mind of da Crook” officially concluding Out the Woods jumping over synthesizers doing what it took.

This definitely isn’t one of my favorite Tony Shhnow projects or anything like that although I will say that I still enjoyed a pretty good amount of what we got here since he’s one of the most interesting hip hop artists in the underground today. I can do without the skits & a couple of the features, but it’s awesome to see him predominantly taking it back to his plugg sound & his ear-grabbing bars never fail to amuse.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

ScHoolboy Q – “Blue Lips” review

THis is tHe 6tH full-lengtH LP from SoutH Los Angeles emcee ScHoolboy Q. Emerging at tHe beginning of tHe decade as 1/4 of Black Hippy, He released His first 2 albums Setbacks and Habits & Contradictions independently until making His major label debut witH Oxymoron turning 10 last month. THis would be followed up witH Blank Face LP a couple years later & CrasH Talk, tHe latter of wHicH is regarded as Q’s weakest & most commercial body of work. So after nearly 5 years, Blue Lips had to be tHe most excited I’ve been for a Top Dawg Entertainment project in recent memory after Kendrick Lamar’s final album witH tHe label Mr. Morale & tHe Big Steppers.

“Funny Guy” is a feel-good intro produced by Tae Beast of tHe TDE in-House production team Digi+PHonics encouraging to bring tHe dope, Hoes & money bag to tHe spot wHereas “Pop” featuring Rico Nasty dabbles witH rap rock a little courtesy of Beat ButcHa talking about tHe gang activities tHey’ve gotten tHemselves into. “THank god 4 me” tries to keep tHe peace instead of piecing bitcHes over Horns & Hi-Hats witH a cloudy switcH-up just before tHe drumless “Blueslides” profoundly pays tribute to Mac Miller.

Cardo’s production on “Yeern 101” Has some experimentally lowend undertones tHrougHout energetically running it off top leading into tHe minimalist “Love Birds” talking about mistreating tHe one He loves tHe most. “Movie” featuring Az CHike turns tHe bass up to 11 referring to tHemselves as badass kids mucH like Bruce Lee, but tHen “Cooties” fuses kicks & snares witH acoustics celebrating better living.

“oHio” featuring Freddie Gibbs ends tHe first Half of tHe album witH a dynamic 3-parter sHutting sHit down wHile “Foux” featuring Ab-Soul is tHe long-awaited 4tH installment of tHe “Druggys wit Hoes” series witH a psycHedelic flare to tHe beat. “First” gives off a cloudier vibe addressing a woman tHat Q was fuckin’ witH first wHile tHe DJ KHalil-laced “Nunu” promises to God tHat you’ll continue to Hear new music from Him instead of waiting 5 years again.

MeanwHile, “Back n Love” featuring Devyn Malik dives into nocturnal trap territory talking about falling in love witH tHis sHit again becoming tHe voice of 20,000 kids like WWE Hall of Famers D-Generation X wHile my favorite on the LP “Lost Times” Has tHat signature AlcHemist sound putting a finger in tHe air for tHe times He can’t get back. “Germany ‘86” Has a groovier tone instrumentally reminding tHat pain is a part of man wHile “Time Killers” futuristically talking about being a lone star.

“Pig Feet” cops down over a spacious trap beat mentioning tHe finisHing move of 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 while “Smile” cHarismatically finisHes tHe album witH a 1-minute cut about swerving His old bitcH.

Q’s my 2nd favorite Black Hippy member beHind Kendrick but now tHat tHe latter departed TDE couple years ago to focus on pgLang, He Has to be my new favorite artist on tHe current roster & Blue Lips lived up to my expectations redeeming Himself from CrasH Talk last time we Heard from him. THe production mostly Handled by Tae Beast is less commercial tHan it was on tHat previous LP before tHe COVID-19 pandemic sHut tHe world down tHe following spring & Q also sounds more inspired.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

DaeMoney – “Rockstar Lifestyle 2” review

Detroit trap star DaeMoney back with his 2nd LP over a year after the full-length debut. Coming up as the nephew of one of the 2 biggest artists in the city right now Babyface Ray as well as a member of the WRLD Tour Mafia collective, he broke out on his own by dropping his debut mixtape Young Sexual Misconduct & his debut EP Slae Season accompanied by his 2nd EP Rockstar Lifestyle& then his previous tape Slae Season 2. Slae went on to sign to EMPIRE Distribution couple summers ago & celebrated in the form of his latest EP Slayer’s Coming fully produced by Trees shortly after as well as the final installment of the Slae Season trilogy. However, I was interested in the sequel to Rockstar Lifestyle especially considering the singles.

“Jimmy Neutron” is a spaciously bouncy trap opener referencing former 3-time WWE world champion, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 3-time TNA World Champion, ΩCW Heavyweight Champion, 9-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, HoG Tag Team Champion, 2-time ΩCW Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion & The Crash Mundial Parejas Campeon Jeff Hardy whereas “Flexin’” takes a cloudier approach instrumentally getting heavy with the braggadocio on the lyrical side of things. “Nun to Prove” gives off this mystical trap flare to the beat talking about never having shit to prove, but then “Earned It” featuring Babyface Ray himself rambunctiously talks about deserving to go as hard as they do with the help of LulRose.

Babytron joins Dae on “Mafia & Militia” so they can globetrot over synthesizers & hi-hats while “Granny’s Car” continues the atmospheric trap vibes talking about being high as Hell every time you see him. “Pent Talk” featuring KARRAHBOOO puts a bigger emphasis on the synths sounding off their thoughts from the penthouse prior to “Japanese Denim” featuring LUCKI & Veeze hooking up more synths & hi-hats repping the titular brand of jeans.

“Double C’s” featuring Joony goes for a moodier approach talks about doing all the drugs he does to forget reminiscing just before the cloudy Detroit trap fusion “Mini Me” shrugs off those who be ballin’ with him since he’s more worried of the millions he’s trying to stack up. “All Night” hops over hi-hats & minimal synthesizers tells his homies it’s gonna be ok while “Euphoria” is a calming smoker’s ballad. “Different Places” ends the LP in trippy fashion responding to being asked how he’s living.

The original Rockstar Lifestyle is one of the most notable EPs in Slae’s catalog, so for him to recapture that energy nearly 3 years later & close to 13 months since finishing the Slae Season trilogy wasn’t as bad of an it idea. He’s continuing to gradually step up in the ranks as one of the best in the current local trap scene, the guest-list is bigger & the overall sound is more cloudier.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!