Tag: Chip Fu

Chip Fu – “Invisible Footsteps” review

This is the 2nd solo extended play from Brooklyn, New York veteran Chip Fu. A member of the Fu-Schnickens, he would eventually put out a solo mixtape of his own 16 years earlier called Stop Playing & the sequel arrived roughly 32 months later. The Beginning of the Reckoning under Blaq Ink Entertainment in tandem with Fat Beats Records was a solid EP last summer & the highlights it had made me eager of where Invisible Footsteps would go next.

After the intro, we have the man himself welcoming us to the “Shell Down” except I feel like the trap instrumental is merely ok compared to the enjoyable lyricism whereas “Double Dutch” hooks up a more thunderous beat & flows that would make the heads of those unfamiliar with start spinning. Busta Rhymes later appears on “Have Mercy”, where both lyricists join forces over a boom bap instrumental so they can ask God to grant them lenience.

“MI-JOI” might be my least favorite track on Invisible Footsteps & that’s disappointing because I appreciate the positive messaging despite the execution of the dancehall sound while “Warning” featuring Shaquille O’Neal finds the 2 linking up to talk about those thinking they can fuck with them, assuring them they’re all sorely mistaken. “More Amor (Love)” finishes the EP fusing jazz rap, boom bap & pop rap for an ode to affection.

With all due respect to Chip Fu because I did enjoy his previous EP alongside his output with the Fu-Schnickens or guest appearances, Invisible Footsteps does have moments that I can see myself going back to since the verses as well as the flows & both guest appearances are on point. My main criticism I have towards this newer batch of material is that the production’s somewhat more inconsistent at times, which I find disappointing.

Score: 2.5/5

Chip Fu – “The Beginning of the Reckoning” review

Brooklyn, New York veteran Chip Fu putting his debut solo EP up on all streaming platforms after making it exclusive to EVEN for a short period of time. A member of the Fu-Schnickens, he put out a solo mixtape of his own 15 years earlier called Stop Playing & the sequel roughly 32 months later. The Beginning of the Reckoning dropped exclusively on EVEN at the very beginning of the month, but has now become available on all streaming platforms regardless of whichever one you prefer to use.

After the intro, the first song “Me” produced by Blizzard opens with a soulful boom bap instrumental & Chip taking 113 seconds to kick his speedy flows into full gear whereas “Levels” keeps chopping up more vocal samples to talk about life being similar to that of an elevator. “Thousandz & Hundredz” finishes the EP with a boom bap/reggae crossover blending intricate rhyme schemes with a chopper flow.

Continuing to innovate & elevate hip hop over 3 decades deep into the game The Beginning of the Reckoning regardless of it’s brevity powerfully showcases Chip Fu’s lyrical mastery & depth in superior ways than either Stop Playing or Stop Playing 2 did making considerable improvements in the production department of things from those early tapes.

Score: 4/5

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