Q-Unique – “The QR Code” review

Los Angeles, California deejay/producer DJ Rhettmatic teaming up with Brooklyn, New York emcee, singer & producer Q-Unique for his 4th studio LP. Emerging as 1/4 of the Arsonists & the lead singer of the 3-man hard rock outfit Stillwill, he’s also built up impressive solo discography for himself since the Uncle Howie Records-backed Vengeance is Mine nearly 2 decades back at this point. He would follow it up the previous decade with Between Heaven & Hell alongside BlaQ Coffee and The Mechanic before Stillwill bassist Fieldy of KoЯn fame produced the Pound for Pound EP. Coming off the Royal Blood EP produced by Jake Palumbo however, Rhettmatic’s handling The QR Code.

After the intro, “Cypha Up” aggressively opens up encouraging people to study with him & make some bread whereas “It Only Leads the Way” ruggedly describes an identity crisis some artists may experience after being deluded by materialism. “Fire Vision” featuring LMNO finds the pair linking up to flex their lyrical proficiencies over a raw beat just before “Suckess” talks about their experiences of people becoming unrecognizable after achieving success.

“The Good Life” encourages all shine their light through changes they make prior to “All in the Mind” featuring Ras Kass aggressively kicking off the 2nd leg teaming up to talk about the dangers of overthinking. “The Meltdown” featuring Esoteric joins forces for a cutthroat battle rap cut while “Comic Con Nerd Shit” featuring Pharoahe Monch pits the rebels against the stars. “Let’s Rock” embraces a rap rock vibe for a mosh anthem & the outro “Faith” talks about his everlasting future.

Excluding both Pound for Pound & Royal Blood because those were EPs, I might have to put The QR Code above Between Heaven & Hell & The Mechanic as Q-Unique’s 2nd best full-length rivaling his debut Vengeance is Mine to become the finest collection of material he’s made on his own. DJ Rhettmatic’s production paired with the concept of being original, staying authentic, respecting hip hop culture & never following the crowd sets the standard instead of chasing trends.

Score: 4/5

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Q-Unique – “Royal Blood” review

Brooklyn emcee, singer & producer Q-Unique teaming up with Jake Palumbo for his 3rd EP. Emerging as 1/4 of the Arsonists & the lead singer of the 3-man hard rock outfit Stillwill, he’s also built up impressive solo discography for himself since the Uncle Howie Records-backed Vengeance is Mine nearly 2 decades back at this point. He would follow it up the previous decade with Between Heaven & Hell alongside BlaQ Coffee and The Mechanic before Stillwill bassist Fieldy of KoЯn fame to produced his last EP Pound for Pound in full last spring. So hearing Jake was producing Royal Blood, I was just as excited.

“Bad Meaning Good” sets the tone with it’s horn-laced boom bap instrumental to the lyrics looking to shatter dreams like LeBron whereas the rugged “Eye Don’t Sleep” works in strings, kicks & snares talking about being up before the sunrise. “133rd Psalm” takes the soulful route describing how wonderful & pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony just before “Don’t Wanna Wake Up” intricately pays homage to everyone that paved the way for hip hop culture. “Chess Checkers” ruggedly talks about being done running from trouble with blood on his knuckles while “Random Play” keeps it in the basement instrumentally to discuss the street life. “Ingredients” closes the EP by admitting he got that Bruce Banner anger mixed with the love of a ‘60s hippie.

Pound for Pound was received to mixed responses although I felt it was a great comeback for Q & it only made since for Fieldy to hop behind the boards throughout the duration of it. That said, I feel like those who didn’t get a lot out of that previous EP will come away from Royal Blood enjoying a tad bit more. Jake’s production is more rawer in comparison to Q’s Stillwell bandmate & Q himself goes just as aggressive on the mic as last time.

Score: 4/5

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Q-Unique – “Pound for Pound” review

This is the 2nd EP from Brooklyn emcee, singer & producer Q-Unique. Emerging as 1/4 of the Arsonists & the lead singer of the 3-man hard rock outfit Stillwill, he’s also built up impressive solo discography for himself since the Uncle Howie Records-backed Vengeance is Mine nearly 2 decades back at this point. He would follow it up the previous decade with Between Heaven & Hell alongside BlaQ Coffee and The Mechanic, but is returning after nearly 5-years to have Stillwill bassist Fieldy of KoЯn fame to produce Pound for Pound in full.

“Thank You” by Stillwell starts off the EP with a cinematic boom bap instrumental by showing his gratitude the best way possible whereas “I Believe It’s Getting Better” is a opener ballad about a young brother being put on hold. “Torch Them All” is a Bollywood/boom bap hybrid grabbing the automatic from the corner store just before “Free” keeps it in the basement as far as sound goes talking about being imprisoned by his own thoughts. The song “Danger Room” takes a more menacing approach sonically robbing suckas for their bounty while the penultimate track “Blackout” hooks up some synths, kicks & snares being on his kung fu hustle. The ominous closer “Knevil Reeves” ties up the EP making it known that he has plenty of gas left in the tank.

As someone who loved Vengeance is Mine during his adolescence, it’s most certainly safe to say that Pound for Pound will quickly go down as the best EP in Q’s catalog & one of his best solo projects ever. The production that he & Fieldy cook up is the most consistent batch of beats that he’s hopped on top of in a while as the Brooklyn lyricist sounds incredibly-laser focused proving that he’s still got it lyrically after all these decades in the game.

Score: 4/5

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