Joey Bada$$ – “Lonely at the Top” review

New York City emcee, singer & actor Joey Bada$$ making up for the delays of his 4th LP. Emerging as a founding member of the Pro Era & Beast Coast collectives, his debut mixtape 1999 under GoodTalk Records has gone on to become a classic & Summer Knights was a solid prelude to his full-length debut. B4.DA.$$ eventually came on his 20th birthday & lived up it to it’s expectations by expanding on the vibes of 1999, although the sophomore effort ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ unquestionably became the most political he’s ever been & 2000 would’ve been a perfect 10 if “Welcome Back” was left off of it. Set to come out earlier this month, Columbia Records has finally letting him tell the world what it’s like for him being Lonely at the Top.

“Dark Aura” produced by Chuck Strangers was a great gangsta/jazz rap single & a better intro choice talking about how nothing can be done regarding his return whereas “Swank White” featuring Westside Gunn works in some heavy sampling to reference former TNA World Tag Team Champion, 3-time IWGP USヘビー級王座 & IWGPタッグ王座 Juice Robinson of former AEW World Trios Champions & ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champions Bullet Club Gold a.k.a. the Bang Bang Gang.

The instrumental Kirk Knight cooks up on “Supaflee” feels reminiscent of the iconic N.O.R.E. single “Superthug” produced by the production duo of all-time The Neptunes & it’s a dope homage if that’s the intention prior to “Highroller” featuring A$AP Ferg teaming up over a boom bap instrumental from Boi-1da so they can talk about blowing the bag. “Ready to Love” combines pop rap & boom bap seamlessly with the help of Hitmaka leading into “BK’s Finest” featuring CJ Fly, Kai Ca$h & Rome Streetz repping their borough over a Statik Selektah beat.

“Underwater” finds himself occasionally feeling trapped & being unable to break free, which may or may not be related to Columbia Records delaying Lonely at the Top earlier this month. Regardless, “3 Feet Away” moves forward with a more trap direction instrumentally talking about putting trust in God just before “Speedin’ Through the Rain” gives off a jazzy boom bap vibe thanks to Jay Versace keeping his foot on the gas pedal traveling the road to riches.

The penultimate song & final single “Still” featuring Ab-Soul removes the jazzier elements of the previous joint talking about knowing that their artistic successes were destined while the title track homages the title track off Gang Starr’s masterpiece Moment of Truth. “ABK” deserves an acknowledgement too because of its fusions between hardcore hip hop, hyphy & boom bap even though it didn’t make the final cut. And of course Jelly Roll revealing the Lonely at the Top cover weeks prior to him tagging with former 14-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & WWE United States Champion Randy Orton at SummerSlam XXXVIII.

By far one of the craziest moments of 2025 was when Joey Bada$$, CJ Fly, Kai Ca$h, Jae’Won, Ray Vaughn, Reason, AZ Chike, Daylyt & Hitta J3 were all trading diss tracks with one another in May & the founding Pro Era member gears up for an upcoming album fully produced by Statik Selektah to come out of the vault with a tight collection of songs culminating in hardcore hip hop, boom bap, jazz rap, pop rap, trap & gangsta rap that are still worth your time even if it’s not up to par with 2000.

Score: 4/5

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The Underachievers – “Homecoming” review

The Underachievers are a duo from Flatbush, New York consisting of AKTHESAVIOR & Issa Gold of the Beast Coast collective & the Clockwork Indigo sub-unit. They’ve put together a total of 4 mixtapes & 4 albums in the past 15 years, with my personal favorites being the Brainfeeder Records-backed Indigoism & the full-length debut Cellar Door: Terminus ut Exordium. Taking 6 years off to pursue their solo careers, The Underachievers are reuniting for a brand new EP of material clocking in at not even 24 minutes.

After the intro, the prominent organ all over the first song “Losing Feathers” produced by Issa Gold is a great way to set off their comeback effort touching the sky for the sole purpose of making themselves feel alive whereas the acoustic-boom bap crossover “Vices” talks about feeling like the world against us sometimes. “Brand New” shifts into trap turf a bit speaking the way they feel giving a fuck less who gets offended while the grisly “Wisher” expresses anger towards someone who thought he was slick.

“Megatron” works in this crooning instrumental explaining that you have to find your own way this day in age while “Sweepers” dabbles with trap again talking about cleaning shit up very well with the heaters they’re carrying on them. “Have Nots” returns to the boom bap keeping their ears to the block & having to switch up the load prior to “What is This Place?” rounding everything out realizing the enemy inside is the demons we try to hide.

Focusing on establishing themselves individually, The Underachievers have finally come back to where it all started & one that many longtime fans of the Beast Coast members will find themselves enjoying. The reflective themes & complex lyricism these guys became known for are in full effect, the production is stronger then Lords of Flatbush 3 was when they were last together & they ultimately sound happy to be returning to form.

Score: 3.5/5

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Powers Pleasant – “Life Sucks” review

This is the official full length debut studio album from Brooklyn, New York producer & DJ Powers Pleasant. A member of the Pro Era & Beast Coast collectives, he’s had a hand in the instrumentals on some of the latter’s output from The Underachievers’ 3rd mixtape It Happened in Flatbush in 2016 to Joey Bada$$’ politically charged sophomore album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ in 2017. Powers even came out with his own EP Life is Beautiful & has signed to Mass Appeal Records for the sequel Life Sucks.

“Entro” by Denzel Curry is this cutthroat boom bap opener flexing that he’s the King of the Hill & this Mike Judge his rap skill whereas “Rumble” by Joey Bada$$ works in some horns & hi-hats so he can get violent. “Galore” by DC the Don has some of the weaker performances on the album despite it’s cloudy trap instrumental talking about being allergic to catching feelings, but then “Shmoke” by A$AP Ferg & Armani Caesar finds the pair over a soul sample & hi-hats warning y’all don’t want beef with them.

Denzel Curry, Meechy Darko & Soulja Livin Tru get together for the atmospheric trap joint “Bandoe” flexing that all 3 of them are still boomin’ out the back door just before Joey Bada$$ & SABA team up on the laidback “Ball Alone” talking about not needing any help. “Know Me Now” by DC the Don acoustically sings that he wants to love with no control leading into “That’s Tough” by $not mixing trap & rock discussing doing shit himself tryna find his way.

“Pamper Pamper” by Mike Dimes brings a soulful trap flare to the table pulling out with his homies while “Baby Boy’s Drunk” by AG Club & Audrey Nuna comes through with this annoying attempt at a club banger. “I’m the Shit” by Guapdad 4000 & P-Lo hops over pianos & hi-hats to get boastful while “Wassup” by Jasiah & Tkay Maidza sees the 2 asking what the deal is. “SMH” by Aaron Rose, CJ Fly, Joey Bada$$ & Nyck Caution ends the album repping Pro Era.

The predecessor from 5 years ago Life’s Beautiful was a decent look at what Powers Pleasant’s solo discography could look like going forward & regardless if I didn’t enjoy Life Sucks more than the last EP, I can’t say it’s any worse either if that makes any sense. Powers’ production start to finish is absolutely fine primarily basing itself around a trap sound, the performances during the 36 minute runtime on the contrary tend to be hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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Erick the Architect – “I’ve Never Been Here Before” review

Erick the Architect is a 35 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Brooklyn, New York notable for being 1/3 of the trio Flatbush ZOMBiES as well as 1/5 of the supergroup Clockwork Indigo & a member of the Beast Coast collective. He also has an EP & 3 mixtapes worth of solo material as well as a couple beat tapes, but is now the 3rd & final person at bat for a full-length solo debut from the ZOMBiES.

After the “I’m Still” intro, the first song “2-3 Zone” introduces us to the album with an uncannily psychedelic instrumental from James Blake boasting that he’s sitting on $1M while “Parkour”is a synth-trap fusion rapping about doing everything candidly. “Breaking Point” is a straight up R&B track addressing a type of love that doesn’t feel the same anymore, but then “Mandevillain” hops over this summery boom beat reminding that this ain’t luck.

“Ezekiel’s Wheel” shoots for a groovier vibe acknowledging that everyone’s keeping secrets for oilin’ & their good intentions giving through to severance until the smoothly self-produced “Jammy Jam” admits to not knowing what’s wrong with his ex-girlfriend. “Ambrosia” makes no time for bullshit as he’s never been a bozo pulling inspiration from J Dilla instrumentally just before the funky “Shook Up” featuring Joey Bada$$ refuses to deny burden of proof.

Unfortunately, “Beef Patty” featuring Boy Boy might be my least favorite track on the LP since it’s an awkward attempt at going dancehall while “Colette” makes up for it by bringing an eerie trap flare thanks to T-Minus talking about hoes still asking questions & motherfuckers acting like the feds. “Instincts” featuring Westside Boogie shows gratitude for still being here with Chris Keys going for a cloudier sound while the groovy “Neue Muse” talks about having a new person acting as a source of inspiration to him.

“Leukemia / AM” is this heartfelt 2-parter forced to find fortune in the midst of suffering many losses while “Too Much Talkin’” hops over synthesizers & hi-hats telling y’all exactly how it is whenever Erick has to fallback. “Liberate” concludes the first run of Flatbush ZOMBiES solo albums by melodically teaming with Lalah Hathaway as they address themes of romance having to slow things down.

Now that all the ZOMBiES have their own solo LPs out, I’ve Never Been Here Before could be the most risk-taking of them all. The themes of fearlessness, Black resilience, beauty in darkness & unity all come from authentic place mixed with production that’s significantly more versatile than both Gothic Luxury & Love Without Condition by ranging from hip hop to soul, dub & psychedelia.

Score: 3.5/5

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Meechy Darko – “Doses” review

Brooklyn emcee Meechy Darko is returning with a brand new EP of solo material. Starting as 1/3 of the trio Flatbush ZOMBiES with his childhood friends Zombie Juice & Erick the Architect, they would go on to release a couple mixtapes & albums together throughout the previous decade all to critical acclaim before focusing on solo careers since their debut EP now, more than ɘver… came out a few summers back. Meech was the first up at bat with a full-length executive produced by Dot da Genius last summer called Gothic Luxury which es solid in it’s own right, but is looking to hold fans off until an upcoming sophomore effort with Doses.

“This is Doses” starts off the EP by promising to never overdose over a cloudy trap instrumental whereas “360° Resurrection” keeps things atmospheric stripping the hi-hats talking about trippin’ with drugs all in his system. “Falling…” gives off a psychedelic vibe instrumentally explaining that the good keeps dyin’ younger & all these evil motherfuckers continuing to live just before “No, Thyself (Paranoia)” featuring Nyck Caution finds the 2 over a drumless loop talking about how they know the message once the acid hits & Nyck hooking dude up with what could possibly be my favorite guest appearance on the project personally.

“The Slaughter” details calling Meechy’s grandma clutchin’ on the Bible over a jazzy ass beat leading into “HELLalujah” talking about being unable to serve money & God over an excellently crafted trap instrumental from Kirk Knight. “LASTNITE (Confessions of a Pussyholic)” featuring Anthony Flammia goes for a tranquil vibe thanks to Erick the Architect tackling the themes of sex while “That, I Could Live Wit” woozily talks about being different following his father’s passing. “TheWorldAlreadyEnded.” though happens to be a piano-driven closer burning money in the apocalypse.

I still prefer Gothic Luxury by a hair but regardless, Doses holds off finely until Meech is ready to unleash his sophomore effort into the world presumably another year from now. Yes the production on that previous LP is a bit stronger, it’s that the honesty Meechy showed throughout the predecessor which made it so enjoyable makes its way over here

Score: 3.5/5

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Zombie Juice – “Love Without Conditions” review

Zombie Juice is a 32 year old MC from Brooklyn, New York who came up as 1/3 of the trio Flatbush ZOMBiES when he & the other 2 members all attended Midwood High together. They would go on to release a couple mixtapes & albums together throughout the previous decade all to critical acclaim, but have been focusing on solo careers since their debut EP now, more than ɘver… with Meechy Darko being the first up at bat with a full-length album of his own executive produced by Dot da Genius last summer & Isaac Blaze being up next with his solo effort.

The album kicks off with Dylvinci taking the wavy route on “Melancholy” calling depression a bitch whereas “Hikari” follows it up with a jazzy boom bap jam produced by Erick the Architect talking about the light he brings his lover illuminating her through the darkness. Curren$y tags along for the synth-heavy “Terpalation” making it clear that they always want more, but then “Hootz” works in a wavy backdrop as well as some kicks & snares courtesy of Powers Pleasant talking about waking up next to something beautiful.

Moving on to “Dizzy”, we have The Underachievers joining Zombie Juice over a spacious ballad with some hi-hats that Issa Goldhappened to lace airing out those trying to kill then leading into the 2 Dead Boyz linking up for the desponding trap joint “Dr. Miami” talking about needing a nut & not missing their exes. “Say Enough” is more piano driven hoping everyone remembers him after a long year while the tranquil “Fly” talks about being on his way. The penultimate track “Alto” with Devin the Dude psychedelically acknowledges those figuring out how they did it & “Mindful” ends the album with a thoughtful 6 minute closer with a luxurious beat.

Gothic Luxury was such a solid way for Meech to differentiate himself as a solo act & what he does with both Flatbush AND the Beast Coast. As for Jewice, he manages to do the same thing on Love Without Conditions. The lyrics confess his experiences with abuse, homelessness & loss with the production ranging from trap to jazzy boom bap & even psychedelia. That leaves only Erick left to branch out by his lonely on an album that I hope elevates him from his early mixtapes/EPs.

Score: 3.5/5

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Meechy Darko – “Gothic Luxury” review

Meechy Darko is a 32 year old MC & songwriter from Brooklyn, New York who came up as part of the trio Flatbush ZOMBiES with his childhood friends Zombie Juice & Erick the Architect. They would go on to release a couple mixtapes & albums together throughout the previous decade all to critical acclaim, but have been focusing on solo careers since their debut EP now, more than ɘver… came out a couple summers back with Meech being the first up at bat with a full-length executive produced by Dot da Genius.

After the morbid “Genesis” intro, the first song “Cursed” with Kirk Knight sets off the album with some string sections talking about having their eyes wide open until they see $100M whereas “Never Forgettin’” dives into trap turf thanks to Dot himself calling this his destiny. “K.U.A. (Kill Us All)” is an uncanny yet genuinely livid shot at systematic racism just before “LAVÏ$H HABiTS (Gothika)” works in slowed down vocal sample courtesy of Denzel Curry talking about tripping on psilocybin.

Meanwhile on “Get Lit or Die Tryin’”, we have Meechy wickedly declaring that he ain’t just anybody leading into Freddie Gibbs tagging along for the piano-laced “On God” featuring co-production from Jay Versace talking about dying twice throughout his life. Black Thought comes into the picture for “The MoMA” to talk about being birthed at The Museum of Modern Art over a cold instrumental referencing 10-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & $7 Productions co-founder The Rock while “Prada U” throws some organs into the mix thanks to FNZ rightfully calling himself a rockstar.

“What If?” is a downtrodden trap cut asking about all these hypothetical scenarios while the song “Hennessy & Halos” demonically shows the world what a villain really is. The penultimate track “Lost Souls” with Busta Rhymes & Zel finds the trio over some airy production wanting an explanation from God as to why the real ones die & “BLK Magîc” is a piano/guitar-driven closer letting the listeners know such when they hear it.

People have been screaming for a Meechy solo album for the last 4-years & now that we finally got what we wanted, it’s a pretty interesting body of work & is most certainly worth the listen for any Flatbush fan. He’s more honest & cathartic on his own & the sounds that Dot da Genius helps bring to the table are a respectfully nice change of pace compared to Erick the Architect’s.

Score: 3.5/5

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Joey Bada$$ – “2000” review

Joey Bada$$ is a 27 year old MC, singer & actor from New York City who came up as a founding member of the Pro Era & Beast Coast collectives. His debut mixtape 1999 just celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary last month & has gone on to become a classic, but Rejex was a decent collection of leftovers & Summer Knights was an solid prelude to his full-length debut. B4.DA.$$ eventually came on his 20th birthday & lived up it to it’s expectations by expanding on the vibes of 1999, but Joey’s sophomore effort ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ revealed it be unquestionably the most political he’s ever been. 5 long years later, Joey’s officially giving us a sequel in the form of his 3rd album.

“The Baddest” is a piano-tinged opener produced Erick the Architect with Joey referring to himself as the baddest motherfucker in all of NY whereas “Make Me Feel” goes into boom bap turf thanks to Statik Selektah confessing that the haters made him take a hiatus for a bit. “Where I Belong” keeps the dustiness going taking about takin’ risks every time he hits the door leading into Westside Gunn coming into the picture for “Brand New 911” to bring in a jazzy instrumental that Chuck Strangers has cooked up getting on their fly shit.

Meanwhile on “Cruise Control”, we have Joey over a cloudy trap beat from Mike WiLL Made-It & Cardiak talking about staying 10 toes down just before “Eulogy” returns to the boom bap shouting out all his homies that’re sittin’ on the big wheels. “Zipcodes” has yet another jazzier tone to the production provided by Kirk Knight talking about doing this with ease, but then “One of Us” with Larry June finds the 2 shooting for a smoother aesthetic calling out the people who wish they were them.

“Welcome Back” on the other hand is definitely the weakest cut on the album from the bland trap instrumental to the Chris Brown verse & the tepid subject matter while “Show Me” returns to a boom bap aesthetic talking about wanting to be proven that his lover cares for her. “Wanna Be Loved” with J.I.D has a more nocturnal sound to it expressing their desire to be appreciated while the song “Head High” is a jazz-inflicted ode to those who’re no longer here. The penultimate track “Survivor’s Guilt” comes through with a heart-wrenching tribute to Capital STEEZ & “Written in the Stars” sends off the album in glory rightfully talking about being a legend.

Some people tried to write Joey off because of “THE REV3NGE” & even I’ll admit myself that it was a Great Value version of the J. Cole single “Middle Child”, but I don’t see how anyone who loves 1999 as much as I do can dislike 2000. He really does an excellent job at recapturing the magic that made his debut mixtape one of the best of the 2010s & puts a more mature twist on it.

Score: 4.5/5

Flatbush ZOMBiES – “now, more than ɘver…” review

The Flatbush ZOMBiES are a Brooklyn trio consisting of Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice & Erick the Architect. Coming up as part of of the Beast Coast collective, the group broke out in the early 2010s off the strength of their 2 mixtapes D.R.U.G.S. & BetterOffDead. Shortly after they formed the quintet Clockwork Indigo with fellow Beast Coast members The Underachievers & put out an eponymous EP, but it wouldn’t be until 2016 when they put out their fantastic full-length debut 3001: A Laced Odyssey. Last we heard from then was in 2018 with their sophomore album Vacation in Hell but fast forward a couple years later, they’re back with their debut EP.

Things kick off with “herb”, where the trio of course talk about weed over a psychedelic instrumental from Erick as always. The next song “iamlegend” is about how they’ve hustled all their lives over a cloudy trap beat while the track “quicksand” is a Meechy solo cut about his demons over a manic instrumental.

The song “dirty elevator music” talks about how they have the world in their hands now over a boom bap beat while the penultimate track “blessings” talks about how life’s too short over a sedative instrumental. The EP finishes off with “when i’m gone”, where the trio talk about death & Meechy pays tribute to Mac Miller over a mournful beat.

Overall, it’s a solid EP for the most part. It‘s focused, Erick’s production continues to evolve over the course of time & the lyrical topics that’re being brought to the table are amongst the group’s most introspective ones to date.

Score: 3.5/5

Powers Pleasant – “Life’s Beautiful” review

Powers Pleasant is a producer/DJ from Brooklyn, New York that came up as a member of the Pro Era & Beast Coast collectives. He’s had a hand in the instrumentals on some of the latter’s output from The Underachievers’ 3rd mixtape It Happened in Flatbush in 2016 to Joey Bada$$’ politically charged sophomore album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ in 2017. However if the Beast Coast’s disappointingly average debut album Escape from New York earlier this year wasn’t enough, Powers has seen fit to drop an EP of his own.

After the “Sway’s Intro”, we go into the first song “Vintage Chanel”. Where Joey teams up with Kirk Knight as well as the 2 Dead Boyz to boast over an alluring trap beat. The next track “Please Forgive” by Denzel Curry, IDK, ZillaKami & Zombie Juice is a lyrical onslaught with an ominous beat while the song “Can’t Fucc Wit It” by Buddy & G Perico showcases the gritty life on the West Coast over an apocalyptic beat.

The track “Pull Up” by A$AP Ferg & Joey sees the 2 flexing over a cloudy trap beat while the song “Hit My Line” by AKTHESAVIOR, Jay Critch & Joey finds the 3 getting sexual over an intoxicating beat with a hook sounding totally ripped off from the Travis Scott playbook. The penultimate track “Purified” by Aaron Rose, CJ Fly & Joey talks about being blessed over a classy instrumental & then it closes out with a decent “Pull Up” sequel by the Beast Coast.

There’s not much else for me to say beyond that, this is a decent EP. Powers is definitely a talented producer, but 5 of the 8 tracks sound like leftovers from the Escape from New York sessions.

Score: 3/5