SK da King – “No More Mr. Nice Guy” review

Baltimore, Maryland emcee SK da King returning after almost 2 years for his 3rd EP. Emerging as a member of the Checkered Flag Boyz under the original moniker Paul Skola, it wasn’t until a few years ago where he signed to Conway the Machine’s very own Drumwork Music Group as a solo act as announced by his debut single “Actions” & would go on to introduce himself to the Drumwork fanbase that fall in the form of the debut EP Horus. His full-length debut studio album Made 4 This came after Before the Album & is back once again to put his foot down saying No More Mr. Guy.

“Fuck Being Humble” was exactly how I could’ve imagined it starting off from the boom bap instrumental to the confidentially boastful lyrics never selling out unless it’s weight whereas the title track goes for a darker atmosphere so he can take the gloves off on being generous. “Not at All” switches it up in favor of a trap direction talking about putting rubber bands on the cash like lobster claws while “Hustle or Starve” grittily takes on the familiar theme of survival of the fittest.

The drums get stripped on The New King” stepping up his rhyme schemes off the dome until SK drops dime on what he’s learned in the streets & the music industry in general during “The Game 101” giving advice from his own personal experiences. “They Don’t Love You” finishes No More Mr. Nice Guy with 1 last boom bap track talking about there being nothing worse than receiving fake love from fake thugs you for everything you’ve got.

Gearing up for an upcoming sophomore effort since last summer when SK da King’s last EP Guns N Butter came out, No More Mr. Nice Guy gives me a strong feeling it could surpass Made 4 This & hopefully get more attention from heads in the underground whenever the next LP is ready. Holding the fort by himself unlike the predecessor having a few features, the penmanship of the Checkered Flag Boyz’ strongest link feels notably sharpened from when he initially signed in 2021 & the boom bap production packs a bigger punch.

Score: 4/5

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SK da King – “Made 4 This” review

This is the full-length debut from Baltimore emcee SK da King. Emerging as a member of the Checkered Flag Boyz under the original moniker Paul Skola, it wasn’t until a couple years ago where he signed to Conway the Machine’s very own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group as a solo act as announced by his debut single “Actions” & would go on to introduce himself to the Drumwork fanbase that fall in the form of the debut EP Horus. Da King has now come fresh off last September’s prelude tape Before the Album to make it clear to everyone that he was simply Made 4 This rap shit almost a week since former オープン・ザ・お笑いゲート王座, トライアングル・ゲート・チャンピオンを開け, ユナイテッド・ゲート・チャンピオンを開, RPW British Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, TNA Digital Media Champion & TNA World Tag Team Champion Rich Swann became the new CZW World Heavyweight Champion.

“Rick Flare Flow” is a dirty boom bap opener referring himself to be a heavyweight & comparing his flow to that of 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair whose daughter Charlotte is a former 14-time WWE women’s world champion, 2-time NXT Women’s Champion & WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion married to CMLL Mundial Parejas Campeon, 2-time CMLL Mundial Trios Campeon, IWGPインターコンチネンタル王座, 2-time NWA Mundial Historico Pesowelter Campeon, NXT Champion & WWE United States Champion Andrade whereas the title track gives off a more somber trap vibe talking about being destined to take over the music game. “Where I’m From” featuring Izm400 works in a hazy loop & some hi-hats so the pair can discuss their respective backgrounds, but then “Show Me” has a more triumphant tone to it wanting to know exactly how he’s like these other motherfuckers.

Meanwhile, we have Ejwarwick coming into the picture for “This Side” experimenting with Latin trap talking about the specific side they don’t fuck around with just before he sticks around on “Earn Ya Stripes” following the “P.O.M.E.” skit so both of them can return to the boom bap calling out those who ain’t ever do shit in their lives. “Solid” featuring Heavygold has a somewhat dramatic feel to it talking about being on top leading into Izm400 returning with Mandriq for “The Kitchen” to ruggedly spit that dope shit.

“When It’s Over” experiments with a more Carribean sound trying to get some Ms as well as leaving a legacy when it’s all said it & done while “Nervous” featuring Tony Bosco goes back into trap territory to address the elephant in the room that nobody shining like they are. The song “Came from Nothin’” blends some hi-hats & chipmunk soul talking about not having shit while the penultimate track “Been Thru” weaves in some keys unbottling his mental stresses. “God Willin’” on the other hand closes the album with a churchy beat talking about coming from hard living.

Now I didn’t get the chance to cover Before the Album last fall but considering how much I enjoyed Horus, I was eager to hear how much SK’s grown both artistically & personally Made 4 This. So if you’re enjoying the Drumwork takeover that’s been going on for the past few months, he’s definitely playing his part in applying pressure. The production choices are gradually improving & da King takes his hunger to a whole nother level.

Score: 3.5/5

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