Tierre Diaz – “Maniflex” review

Worcester, Massachusetts emcee & actor Tierre Diaz returning 6 years after his full-length debut studio album Energy by making the sophomore effort his Armed Robbery Entertainment debut. Ever since performing the Clown Drip Stage at the 21st annual Gathering of the Juggalos which is the only Gathering that I’ve ever been to in my lifetime, he’s been seeing the biggest successes of his career whether it be DJ Clay signing him to A•R or forming the B.A.R.S. supergroup over 12 months ago exactly. He performed at this year’s Juggalo Weekend, so it makes sense to drop Maniflex a month later.

“The Wave” begins with a cloudy trap instrumental talking about everyone else being in a whole different lane compared to him whereas the title track keeps it atmospheric so he can shine as if he never even left. “Prime” goes for a guitar-driven trap direction keeping focused & never noticing others leading into “B.O.T.H. (Blood On The Hood)” showing a bit of a Memphis influence getting violent.

As for “Shiny”, going for a cloudier trap vibe once again telling everyone to quit acting as if they’re blind to the success he’s been seeing these past several years just before “Let’s Live” hooks up these prominent horns trying to go to places he ain’t ever been. “Bad Meets Killa” featuring Royce da 5’9” & produced by Johnny Slash returning to the boom bap to lay out hardcore lyricism, but then “Fantastic” featuring Ant G aptly explains how they’ve been.

The Insane Clown Posse joins Tierre for “Trending Topics” that Shaggytheairhead laced poking fun at everyone who be following trends while “Michael Myers Jordan Jackson” after the “MMJJ” interlude talks about being a mix of the Halloween antagonist, the greatest basketball player of all-time & the king of pop. “How Can I Sleep?” featuring King Gordy & Zitro ominously gets the trio in their wicked shit bags while “So It Is (RAPfirmations)” talks about being the person he always wanted to become.

“Delight” featuring Romey Sklar fuses trap & pop rap displaying a sensual side to both of them while “Girlfriend” embraces a rap rock sound talking about a woman who wants to date him. “urself” encourages everyone to be their true selves since ain’t nobody gonna come close to being you while “Time” continues the cloudiness talking every day being anew & hitting snooze.

The song “What’s Next for Me” aggressively nears the end of Tierre’s long-awaited Armed Robbery debut maintaining the fusion of hip hop & rock courtesy of Zug Izland guitarist Mike P. confessing that he’s unsure of whatever God has planned for him continuing to take the road he’s been going nonetheless & “Last Breath” is this gloomy trap outro talking about not wanting to have any regrets when his time to go comes.

In the 6 years since Energy, the Worcester artist/actor has had quite a few realized goals or dreams of his becoming manifested all in this era of his career & Maniflex attests to his growth since he first started making music. The production shows influences of boom bap, trap, rap rock & horrorcore with some of his biggest influences joining him on the mic spreading a message that has changed Tierre for the better & could change yours too.

Score: 4/5

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Jaysin the Sin God – “Palm Trees ‘n Post Offices” review

Jaysin the Sin God is a 30 year old emcee who came to my attention as a signee to DJ Clay’s very own Armed Robbery Entertainment. He’s also dropped 13 mixtapes & a couple EPs over the course of his career up to this point whether it be The Process series paying homage to Lil Wayne’s timeless Dedication series or his 2nd EP The Legend of Joe Dirt. But just in time for the Hallowicked season, Jaysin’s bringing along Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Shaggytheairhead to help make Palm Trees ‘n Post Offices the best thing that he’s ever done.

“Stoner Trap” is a piano trap opener wanting to be made aware if your trap is jumping from midnight to afternoon whereas the single “Black Air Forces” works in more keys & hi-hats talking about hitting a lick in the whip until torching it later on. “Teamwork” gives off a bassier trap flare to it looking to keep it g until he’s dead & gone that is until the tropical “Jalopy” talks about enjoying himself & being independent. “Bigger Loads” flexes that his trap is faster than adderall over another piano trap crossover & “Trappin’” rounds out the EP by giving off a psychedelic edge telling the story of a trapper.

Lo & behold: Palm Trees ‘n Post Offices will quickly go down as a crown jewel of Jaysin’s discography & the best EP of his career thus far. C17/PSY’s very own Shaggytheairhead cooks up some incredibly consistent production throughout the appropriately 17 minute run & Jaysin’s hardcore performances go well with it mixed in. If juggalos have yet to give this guy a chance, start with Palm Trees ‘n Post Offices.

Score: 4/5

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DJ Clay – “Over the Fear Of…” review

DJ Clay is a 35 year old producer, DJ & rapper from Detroit, Michigan whom the Insane Clown Posse signed to Psychopathic Records back in 2007. The man has released a handful of mixtapes since the mid-2000s but since recently starting up his very own label Armed Robbery Entertainment, he’s finally stepping out with his full-length debut album.

The album kicks off with “Over Fear”, where Clay talks about rising above his frights over a nocturnal trap beat. The next song “Fax” gets into battle mode over a boom bap beat with some plinky keyboards while the track “Don’t Quote Me” finds Clay totally snapping over a grimy trap beat. The song “Everybody” talks about his haters over a trap beat with a Godly atmosphere while the track “Apologies” finds Clay saying sorry for a number of things over a somber trap beat.

The song “Eyes Clozd” finds Clay talking to a therapist over a trap beat some alluring keyboards while the track “Just Like You” talks about being him over a very dynamic instrumental that switches up countless times. The song “Tear Up” is an aggressive club banger with a haunting synth-like & some skittering snares while the track “Running” tells the vivid story of a criminal over a horror-esque trap beat.

The song “Yeah Bro” is talks about wildin out over a grimy trap beat & a Three 6 Mafia inspired hook for a minute & a half while the track “Got It Wrong” talks about those who thought he was quiet over an atmospheric beat with some rubbery bass. The song “Fade Away” is an interesting trap rock ballad & then the album ends with “Numb”, where Clay talks about his success over a trap beat with some luscious piano chords.

If anyone wants to hear a talented DJ showing off his rapping abilities, then PLEASE give this a listen. Could’ve used a couple features to breakup the monotony, but his pen game is solid & the production goes absolutely HARD!

Score: 3.5/5