100GrandRoyce – “The Fix” review

This is the 10th EP from Harlem emcee 100GrandRoyce. Starting as a member The Stackboys, he eventually went solo in 2011 although it wasn’t until the release of his 5th EP Prodigal Sun produced by 183rd in the spring of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic where he caught my attention. The ReturnTriple Crown & Unfinished Business would all reach the bar that Prodigal Sun had set & The Fix here produced by Dame Grease really peaked my interest.

“Shine” gets the ball rolling by incorporating claps into a cloudy instrumental with an interpolation of the “Wu-Gambinos” hook & grinding until the A.M. whereas “Above the Clouds” talks about having nightmares of ending up like everyone else out here working in a flute along with kicks & snares. “Cheri Amor” goes into soulful turf paying tribute to his sweet love just before “On Me” returns to the boom bap refusing to chase a chicken since they call him sometimes.

Starting the 2nd leg of the EP, “The Last Gone Be First” brings these exuberant piano chords into the fold talking about being cool as long as the bag right leading into “Block to the Bank” featuring BerryA bringing a jazzier flare to the beat going for dollars. “One of a Kind” bringing back the kicks & snares talking about being unique, but then “My Just Due” finishes The Fix on some straight up grimy shit boasting that he got the key to the city from the players.

Lo & behold: The Fix is the most I’ve enjoyed a 100GrandRoyce project since Unfinished Business. The production gives it a timeless & captivating sound blends hard-hitting beats with soulful melodies, the chemistry is evident throughout as they effortlessly complement each other’s styles & it’s a testament to the power of storytelling as well as the resilience of the human spirit offering a glimpse into the realities of street life while also conveying messages of hope, perseverance & the pursuit of dreams.

Score: 4/5

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100GrandRoyce – “Prodigal Sun” review

100GrandRoyce is an MC from Harlem, New York that came up as a member of The Stackboys. He eventually went solo in 2011 releasing his debut No Relief followed by the debut EP Chips followed by the sophomore effort Destiny preluding a whole trilogy of EPs: The Old Dutch, 3 Strikes & more recently Nice Guys Finish Last this past Black Friday. But to start off the new decade, he’s enlisting 183rd to produce his 5th EP in its entirety.

Things kick off with the title track, where 100GrandRoyce talks about how no one can fuck with him over a meditative instrumental with a saxophone hanging in the back. The next song “No Pressure” continues to flex his rapping prowess over a mystical-sounding instrumental while the track “Prime” talks about how he feels like he’s at his best right now over a trap beat with a harmonious vocal sample.

The song “Above All” is a sensual love tune while the penultimate track “Angel” talks about being watched from above over a soothing instrumental. The EP finishes off with “Pain 2 Pleasure”, where 100GrandRoyce talks about overcoming his hardships & I love the way “Living Inside Your Love” by Earl Klugh gets flipped on here.

To me, this is 100GrandRoyce’s best work to date & it’s a really great entry point for new fans. Could’ve used a feature or 2, but his lyrical evolution compared to his previous efforts is insane & 183rd’s production is absolutely gorgeous.

Score: 4/5