Redrum – “The Messiah Complex” review

Redrum is a duo from Orlando, Florida consisting of consisting of emcees Red Eye & Ranks. Admittedly, they came onto my radar just 6 months ago off the strength of their debut album The Lucifer Effect & I was pretty impressed with how well the 2 emcees complimented each other along with the grimy production. However, it has seems like they’re not slowing down anytime soon & dropped their sophomore album onto our heads.

As much as I love the dusty instrumental on “Da Intro”, they’re just beating a dead horse lyrically by going at “mumble rappers”. The next song “Hunger” has a more gospel-inspired sound as the duo come through with some of their most passionate performances ever whereas “God’s Watching” goes into boom bap territory to talk about their marvelousness. “Raze da Banner” to me reads off a exuberant dedication to the hustlers & scammers before incorporating a late 90s-RZA inspired beat to talk about being America’s nightmare on “Chosen4war”.

The organ loop throughout “6 Feet Under” is perfect given the murderous lyricism, but then “Rum n Coke” is an excellent homage to the iconic Outlawz joint “Hail Mary”. I also love the choir vocals on the battle rap-themed “Gladiator Sport” & even the guitar presented throughout the money hungry “Can’t Refuse”.

The perfectly titled “Grime Rate” is easily the darkest on the entire album on all fronts while the penultimate track “Sinners” is a piano ballad about how something must’ve got into the duo mentally. And what better way to end things off than the heinous “Mark of da Beast”?

If you liked The Lucifer Effect, then you’re probably gonna like The Messiah Complex a lot more because I certainly think Red Eye & Ranks outdid themselves on here. Redrum’s lyricism has only gotten better since last Black Friday & the instrumental choices are more rugged.

Score: 4/5

Slaine – “The Things We Can’t Forgive” review

Brand full-length album & the 5th overall from Boston, Massachusetts veteran Slaine. Most notable for being a member of the underground supergroup La Coka Nostra, he released an EP & a total of 4 mixtapes before coming through with his debut album A World with No Skies in 2011 under Suburban Noize Records. This was followed up with The Boston Project in 2013 as well as The King of Everything the year after that, but the man went took a 3-year hiatus following the release of the Slaine is Dead EP in 2016 & returned by dropping the mature 1 Day in 2019. Fast forward 15 months later, Slaine is kicking off the 3rd act of his career by dropping The Things We Can’t Forgive.

The opener “When the War Ends” talks about how we’re not prepared for what happens tomorrow over a despondent beat from The Arcitype, who produced almost every song on the album much like 1 Day. The next song “Everything Once” talks about having a lot in life to lose over a tense piano instrumental while the track “Blurry Eyed” talks about his soul being torn over a portentous beat. The song “Revolver” talks about continuously ending up in the same place that he’s already been in over a cacophonous instrumental while the track “Wrath & Pride” with Snak the Ripper finds the 2 talking about going crazy over an ornery beat.

The song “Chasing Ghosts” opens up about a failed relationship over an instrumental with some melancholic acoustic passages while the track “Beautiful” acknowledges those who call him strange over a fiery beat. The song “Not Enough” calls for strength to get through the day over a pessimistic instrumental while the title track talks about this relationship of his being like a mirror over an optimistic-sounding beat from Statik Selektah. The album ends with “Legend of the Fall”, where Slaine talks about ghosts talking to him in his head over a glum piano instrumental.

An equally fantastic follow-up to 1 Day, what we get out of The Things We Can’t Forgive is a dark trip into Slaine’s spiraling whirlwind of mental obsession & the most emotional LP in his entire discography. The Arcitype’s production feels a bit darker than it was 15 months ago finding duality through a 38 minute self-examination addressing topics like love, sex, heartbreak, narcissism, trauma, betrayal, addiction, forgiveness & recovery.

Score: 3.5/5

Redrum – “The Lucifer Effect” review

This is the full-length debut from Orlando hip hop duo Redrum. Consisting of emcees Red Eye & Ranks, the pair have made some noise in the underground throughout the past few years off the strength of a couple singles & are now taking listeners through The Lucifer Effect before 2020 ends.

After the intro, the first song “Adjustment Bureau” is essentially Redrum shit-talking over an spooky instrumental while the track “On Fire” talks about how no one can defeat them over an intimidating beat. The song “Run Come” with Kali Ranks finds the trio talking about being strapped over a dusty boom bap instrumental & after the “That New Shit” skit, the track “New Thangs” with Heist-n-Flow sees the 3 talking about how everyone’s in the same lane over a climatic beat.

The song “Cold Blooded” talks about how it is in the streets over a solemn instrumental while the penultimate track “Palo Mayombe” advises listeners not to take the words they speak lightly over some weepy strings. The closer “Devil Lurks” talks about being weary where you walk over some chipmunked-vocals, but then the hidden cut “Carnival” flexes their lyrical prowesses over a demonic boom bap beat.

I’m pretty impressed with what I’ve heard on The Lucifer Effect & it has me excited to see where Redrum will take things in the future. Couple of the features were just alright, but the duo bounce off each other very well & the grimy production suits them like a glove.

Score: 3.5/5

Rasheed Chappell – “Sinners & Saints” review

Rasheed Chappell is a 44 year old MC from Passaic, New Jersey who’s been making music for a little over a decade now. He just dropped an EP produced by 38 Spesh this past spring called Ways & Means but to follow it up, Rasheed is enlisting Buckwild for his 3rd full-length album.

The opener “Tour Bus” with Che Noir & 38 Spesh finds the trio comparing Trust Gang to the Wu over a piano instrumental whereas the title track is essentially Shannell Griggs rapping from a penitentiary phone line. The song “Rock Bottom” with Ransom sees the 2 talking about the struggle over a melancholic instrumental while the track “Mass Media” takes a jab at news outlets over a boom bap beat with a sample kin to “#OkBye” off of KXNG CROOKED’s 2011 EP Million Dollar $tory.

The song “Crime & Punishment” talks about never letting down over a harp-inflicted instrumental while the track “Bredren” with Planet Asia sees the 2 flexing their prowesses over a soulful beat. The song “Dyckman” with The Musalini finds the 2 getting romantic over an instrumental with some beautiful vocal harmonies & after the “Post Game” skit, “The Blue Hood” tells the story of a corrupt cop over some demonic string sections. The penultimate track “C.E.O. Shug” talks about how “everybody can’t go” over a glistening beat & then closer “Black Owned” talks about doing it himself over a grim instrumental.

Personally, I think this is Rasheed’s finest body of work to date. The concepts that he brings to the table all come in together like an audio documentary series as Buckwild provides him with some suiting soundscapes.

Score: 3.5/5

Vangarde – Self-Titled review

Vangarde is a newly formed MC/producer duo from Boston, Massachusetts consisting of veterans Mr. Lif & Stu Bangas. They first united at the beginning of the year after appearing on Stu’s latest EP Beats & Blood but fast forward 10 months later, they’re coming together for an official full-length debut.

After the “Global Shift” intro, the first song “Shelter in Place” enlists the help of Blacastan to discuss wanting America to do better over a noisy boom bap beat whereas the next track “Basquiat” boasts his lyricism over a dreary instrumental. The song “8:46” with Reef the Lost Cauze, Blueprint, MURS & Puma Ptah serves as a response to George Floyd’s murder over a funky boom bap beat & after the “Old World Brokeness” interlude, the track “Wave the Flag” talks about COVID-19 over an ominous instrumental.

The song “Sonar” finds The Perceptionists reuniting to get on the woke tip over a diabolical beat & after the “New World Adjustments” interlude, the track “Now’s Only Now” talks about not losing hope for the future over a monstrous boom bap beat with some keys & strings. “The New Normal” pays tribute to Gang Starr over a charismatic instrumental & then the closer “No Hitter” talks about being meant to rebel over a quasi-jazzy beat.

Stu Bangas has been having a Hell of a 2020 musically & Vangarde’s eponymous debut is no exception whatsoever. He continues to remind listeners of his place as one of the greatest producers that the underground has to offer & his sound meshes with Mr. Lif’s ever-thought provoking lyricism very well. Would love to see these 2 veterans work more with one another in the future.

Score: 4/5

C.G. – “The Certified Genius” review

C.G. is a producer based out in New Jersey who’s been at it behind the boards since the age of 16. He’s spent the last decade working with artists such as Do or Die & Grizzy Hendrix, but he has decided to come together with an eponymous debut EP.

After the intro, the first song “Transition” by Elus & B.Ankha is a really great way to start things off as it’s a beautiful positivity jam. The track “Angels” by Guilty Simpson talks about brotherhood over a dim instrumental while the song “Destruction” by Dikulz & Twisted Insane is a cutthroat boom bap/metal fusion. The track “Never Sold Dope” by Bizarre & Ren Thomas sees the 2 looking back at their come-ups over a slick instrumental whereas the final song “Higher” by Ca$his & Niamson talk about reaching for the stars over a killer trap beat. The EP then finishes off with a remix to “Angels” that I actually like more than the original.

Overall, this is a solid effort. The guest-list is mostly on point & I really like the diverse range of sounds that C.G. manages to pull on here. If you wanna hear an up-coming producer doing a good job at showing what he’s capable of doing, then give this a listen.

Score: 3.5/5

Vanderslice – “Trendsetter” review

This is the 3rd EP from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania veteran Vanderslice. A man that made a name for himself by producing for the Army of the Pharaohs on numerous occasions since the mid/late 2000s & just last spring, he produced Diabolic’s 3rd album Collusion in it’s entirety & that has quickly become my 2nd favorite release of his. But as the 2nd quarter of the year is starting to begin, Vansleazy’s hitting us with Trendsetter.

After the intro, the first song “ Cold Winter” by Vic Spencer is a minute & a half of witty battle bars over a grimy instrumental. The next track “Christmas Night Heist” by Ty Farris talks about being from Detroit over a tense boom bap beat while the song “Barry White Shit” by G Perico talks about ballin’ over an organ. The penultimate track “Puzzles” by Daniel Son gets on the mafioso too over an intoxicating beat & then before the outro, the closer “Shell Casings” by Capo talks about killing his competition over an suspenseful instrumental.

Vanderslice has always been one of the illest underground producers of all-time & this just solidifies it. It’s only 10 minutes long, but the sound on here is like no other & the guests fit in very well on top of his production.

Score: 3.5/5

Clear Soul Forces – “Forceswithyou” review

This is the 6th & final full-length album from Detroit quartet the Clear Soul Forces, who blew up at the beginning of 2012 with the viral sensation of their viral “Get No Better” music video. They put out their magnum opus Still just a little over a year ago but with 313 Day being this weekend, they’re celebrating with one last hurrah.

The album starts with “Gimmie the Mic”, where the group spit some charismatic battle bars with each other for 2 minutes over a funky beat from Ilajide. The next song “Bussaflow” finds everybody going back & forth with each other over a dystopian instrumental while the track “Chinese Funk” sees the 4 showing off their skills over a flute-tinged boom bap beat. The song “Funky Enough” is a slick crowd mover while the track “Like That” shows you how they do things over a punchy instrumental.

The song “95” is them saying they’d rather be rapping instead of working a day job over an instrumental with an infectious groove while the track “Watch Your Mouth” is a warming to those talking down on them over a synthy boom bap beat. The song “We Gets Busy” talks about their hustle over a trunk-knocking beat while the penultimate track “SS2” is a lethal sequel to “Suspect Spiterzzz” over an electro-boom bap beat. The album then finishes with “Chip$”, where the group talk about making money over a hypnotic beat.

This is a damn near perfect way for the group to go out. It’s a little too short only running at a half hour but in that short amount of time, they remind us all why they are one of the greatest groups to come out of Detroit in recent memory from the evolving sound to the tight lyricism. Best of luck to E-Fav, Ilajide, L.A.Z. & Noveliss on their future endeavors.

Score: 4.5/5

Big Twins – “Queensbridge” review

This is the brand new EP from New York emcee Big Twins. Best known for being a member of the Infamous Mobb, it wouldn’t be until the late 2000s that he would branch out solo & has released 4 studio albums to date. However, he is now teaming up with California producer DirtyDiggs for Queensbridge.

It all starts with “No Hesitation”, where Twins raps about how he isn’t afraid to shoot anyone over an organ. The next song “Infamous Chain” with Godfather Pt. III & the Durag Dynasty sees the East Coast/West Coast titans painting vivid images of the street life over a while the track “Do It Big, Do It Dirty” gets more personal over jazzy boom bap instrumental. The song “Multi Million Art Collection” with Planet Asia & Willie the Kid sees the 3 talking about donning over a soulful beat while the penultimate track “Smells Like Blood” with Asia & Hus Kingpin speaks on death over a dark piano instrumental. Then there’s the closer “Cash In”, which is about both parties trying to get paid over an intimidating instrumental.

For an EP, this is honestly one of Big Twins’ best releases yet. His lyricism has continuously stepped-up over time & DirtyDiggs reminds us that he’s one of the dopest West Coast producers that the underground has to offer. Love to see them collaborate with each other more in the future.

Score: 4/5

Price of Fame – Self-Titled review

Price of Fame is a hardcore hip hop duo from New York consisting of Lil’ Fame on production & the late Sean Price on the mic. Both of whom have solidified themselves as icons in the underground for their output as members of M.O.P. & the Boot Camp Clik respectively. But with Christmas coming next week, Fame has put together an album for the fans of unreleased Price songs that he produced.

After the intro “A Few Words from Sean Price & Mrs. Price”, the first song “Big Gun vs. Lil Gun” finds Sean getting with M.O.P. to of course talk about weapons over some funky guitar licking backed with drums. The track “Center Stage” is an energetic crowd mover while the song “Boston George” with Tek sees the 2 talking about how hard they are over an organ-inflicted beat. After the “Sit Yo Ass Down” skit, the song “Pigs” with Steele touches down on corrupt cops over a boom bap beat with some horns.

The track “They Ain’t Fucking with Us” is a gruesome Heltah Skeltah reunion while the song “Remember the Time” sounds like it could’ve been on that Metal Detectors EP that Illa Ghee dropped with Sean last year. The track “Wait for It” with Fame sees the 2 getting bloodthirsty over some drums & horns while the song “Peter Pop Off” with Rim, Teflon & I-Fresh sees the 3 talking about how they don’t play games is over a chilled out instrumental. Then the closer “Enemy of the State” with Fame as well as Conway the Machine & Guilty Simpson sees the 4 spitting battle bars over a Godly instrumental.

For as long as it took, this was well worth it. Not only are Sean Price’s bars cutthroat as always, but Lil’ Fame reminds us about his skills behind the boards are just as great as he is on the mic. If you’re a hardcore fan of BCC & M.O.P, then you won’t be disappointed.

Score: 4/5