Big Pokey was a 48 year old MC from Houston, Texas notable for being an original member of the Screwed Up Click collective. He also began carving a path as a solo artist in the spring of 1999 off his full-length debut Hardest Pit in the Litter, which was followed up with the sophomore effort D Game 2000 as well as Da Sky’s da Limit & the MNRK Music Group-backed Eviction Notice. 13 years later, he returned in the spring of 2021 by putting out Sensei & tragically passed away of a heart attack onstage a couple summers later. A & a half after his death, Pokey’s 5th & final album is being released on Black Friday.

“Coast 2 Coast” featuring Paul Wall & Redimade is this laidback opener with all 3 of them coming together for a celebration of the real whereas “Don’t Look Back” featuring Lil’ Keke & Slim Thug finds the trio talking about keeping it moving & taking penitentiary chances for the fame. “Screwed Up Click” featuring Lil’ O & Z-Ro serves as a dirty south homage to the titular collective they’re a part of while the piano-trap hybrid “16 Bars” featuring Chris Ward discusses not being in the same lane as everyone else.

Lil’ Keke returns for “On da Map” talking about putting it on for their city just before “Paper Profit” featuring Mook kinda has this quirky trap vibe instrumentally going back-&-forth with each other flexing they got championship diamonds on as if they play for the Houston Rockets. “Gorilla Bizzness” featuring Big Third turns the bass up assuring you don’t have to wait since they in the tundra with the weight leading into “Fork Talk” featuring Killa Kyleon talking about only chasing money.

“So Screwed Up” featuring Daz Dillinger shows love from the west coast to the south just before “Smoke Something” talks about how if you’re looking for smoke, he’s rolling it up. “Brick City” gives off a symphonic trap vibe moving like a bull shark while “By Any Means” featuring Lil’ Keke & Mike-D promises to go hard whatever it takes. Finally, the closer “Yacht Music” ends the LP grinding to go get it over a rich beat.

25 years since his debut, Stone Hard to the Boneyard comes off what would be the final LP of Big Pokey’s lifetime with a posthumous effort that would make the SUC O.G. more than proud if he was still here today & one that reinforces his legacy in the Houston hip hop scene. The guest list here is more consistent than the predecessor was, with most of them complimenting Podina & the city of H-Town other than a couple others here & there.

Score: 3.5/5

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