Tag: Charlie Beans

James Joyce the Squatch – “Discomfort Inn” review

Here we have the 4th studio LP from Brooklyn, New York emcee James Joyce the Squatch. A member of the Nitebreed collective alongside Donnie Menace & White Cheddar, he would make his solo debut in 2016 with Pawn Your Heart of Gold & follow it up with the sophomore effort The King James Version: The Pre-Quill as well as Dapper Scumbags: Reality Check Cashing. However, he recently signed to Stray’s newly formed Rogue Hollow imprint & having the label’s in-house producer Charlie Beans soundtrack James trip to Discomfort Inn.

“Butterflies & Bile” produced by Charlie Beans opens up with a sinister boom bap instrumental talking about the inability to trust your gut when it’s filled with those 2 things whereas “Chef’s Kiss” gives off a heavy g-funk/trap vibe boasting his lyrical proficiency. “237” leans further towards a trap sound with chopped & screwed and g-funk undertones talking about not fucking with drama because he doesn’t see any importance in doing so while “Cat n’ Mouse” explains that the depths get darker the further we descent.

Stray makes Discomfort Inn’s only guest appearance on “Little People” dismantling the kind of individuals who don’t have anything to live for just before “Know Your Worth(less)” stylistically reminds me a bit of Heltah Skeltah from the boom bap beat to the unapologetic hardcore lyricism. “Molting Truth (I Was Happy)” experiments with a cloudier sound repeating what  his inner-child said to him while “Pick Your Poison” ends the 1st leg talking about choosing between disappointed or getting ignorant.

“Blunt as Fuck” gets the 2nd half going taking some inspiration from the dirty south forever keeping it to the point leading into the title track profoundly talking about this home he built being more perfect than life itself. “Phoenix Down” combines cloud rap & boom bap confessing this long ride he’s been on simply following the way he’s been feeling while “Shampaign” walks a razor’s edge without even knowing where it’s bound to go.

Nearing the album’s final moments, “Ghost10” hops over some pianos to talk about seeing everyone in Hell toasting with the squad while “Plottin’ & Schemin’” kinda has this shimmery trap quality to it detailing that the man in the mirror’s trying to kill him. “Leave Behind” continues the cloudy boom bap crossovers talking about building himself up to heaven to scrap the golden gates while “Dirty Water Baptism” expressing thankfulness for the people he was starving with.

Having previously heard his verses on both Chainsaws & Boomsticks albums when Donnie Menace was signed to Lyrikal Snuff Productionz, it was interesting to hear Charlie Beans was producing all but 2 tracks on Discomfort Inn & I’d have to argue that it’s the most cohesive entry of James Joyce the Squatch’s entire solo catalog. Charlie’s production is a huge upgrade from James’ previous full-lengths & I commend him for getting a lot off his chest with this one lyrically.

Score: 4/5

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Gibby Stites – “Echo Chamber” review

I believe this is the 12th EP from Millville, New Jersey emcee/producer Gibby Stites. Starting in the music industry over a decade ago off his first 2 mixtapes Gillmatic & Broke n Local, he wouldn’t catch my attention until performing a set during Netfest On Your Couch during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. Later that fall, he signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment & I had the honor of interviewing him shortly after the deal was made public. The 13th Wonder pretty much showcased Gibby to the juggalos as Jamie Madrox’ protégé & Welcome to iLLViLLE several months later took listeners through exactly where he comes from, but decided not to renew his MNE contract to form his own label iLLViLLE Worldwide shortly after. Off Air from last summer marked his return behind the boards after 5 years & is so far my favorite thing he’s done since leaving Majik Ninja & Pariah earlier this year was centered around mental health, but is getting back with Charlie Beans to take us to the Echo Chamber.

“Wrapped Up” hops over a cutthroat boom bap beat to get us started kicking that iLL shit whereas “Work Ethic” keeps the kicks & snares in tact talking about his grind. “So Alone” featuring Charlie Beans himself finds the 2 sharing the mic together pointing out the loneliness that everyone’s been feeling these days just before the cavernous boom bap title tracks talks about being unable to hear a word.

Paradime joins Gibby for “Commotion” aggressively looking to both of their plans in motion leading into “Twist of Fate” throwing it back to the 90s instrumentally letting y’all know he’s chillin’ like he should be asking what’s good with you. “Durban Poison” psychedelically lets the listeners know exactly what type of shit he smokes & “To Whom It May Concern” ends the EP unbottling all the pain inside.

In comparison to STiLL iLL roughly 2 & a half years ago by now, Echo Chamber shows a significant amount of maturity from both Gibby Stites & Charlie Beans since each of them went through a lot of personal matters individually during the making of this & they channeled every single one of those hardships into a motivating 27 minute EP for the illvillains.

Score: 3.5/5

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