Tag: Courtney Bell

Courtney Bell – “It Gets Greater Later” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Detroit, Michigan emcee Courtney Bell. Dropping his full-length debut 10 Commandments in 2018 followed by the debut mixtape Poverty Stricken a couple years later, he would later be taken under the mentorship of Royce da 5’9” & his 2024 sophomore effort Microdose under MNRK Music Group provided a new perspective after he overcame his own mental health struggles. Celebrating its anniversary a couple weeks earlier, he’s realizing It Gets Greater Later prior to the month of May ending.

“Wounded Healer (Book of Eli)” begins with this soulfully drumless intro clocking in at 2 & a half minutes talking about turning his verses into gospel whereas “Stumble” reminds the world that every single one of us are flawed. “He Don’t Know” leans more towards a pop rap vibe telling this woman that her man has no idea how to treat her just before talking about “Everyday” being the same shit, scheming only so he can get by.

Meanwhile on “Virgil”, we have Courtney over a jazzier Detroit sound promising that he ain’t ever going back to the hood when he checks out to life the rest of his days while “Guard My Temple” blends some horns & bells talking about being fed up with acting like he ain’t the one they’re copying. “ISO” continues the trap instrumentation cautioning that he’ll leave someone on a stretcher if his trigger finger gets itchy while “Bang” featuring Benny the Butcher talks about both of them being the reason for all the yapping.

“Problems” turns up the soulfulness discussing the fact everyone has their own respective issues that they’re dealing with while “Costly” featuring Nick Grant unites over a jazzy boom bap beat talking about how if they ain’t done it, they’ve seen it. “Hope You Understand” confessing him finding God after a period in time where he almost didn’t make it & “Thank You” concludes It Gets Greater Later talking about the grieving he’s been doing.

2 years since his MNRK debut, Courtney Bell’s return conceptually bases itself around delayed gratification & suggesting that we should instead put faith above timing. Basically when he says It Gets Greater Later, it really does. The production varies between boom bap, jazz rap, drumless, trap & Detroit trap telling us that God sometimes hides the reward until the soul’s ready to carry it & most of the guest appearances doing the hooks aside from a couple.

Score: 3.5/5

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Courtney Bell – “Microdose” review

Courtney Bell is a 29 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who got started in 2018 by releasing the full-length debut album 10 Commandments followed by the debut mixtape Poverty Stricken in the fall of 2020. As of lately though, he’s been taken under the mentorship of Royce da 5’9” & had an impressive guest appearance on Nickle’s 3rd EP The Heaven Experience about 15 months ago. They’re now looking to take it to the next level by not only helping Courtney land a MNRK Music Group contract, but even having Royce oversee the creation of his sophomore effort.

“For All We Know” starts us off with a cloudy instrumental talking about how this is Hell already & nobody might even be aware of it whereas “Westside” featuring Royce da 5’9” works in some ominous piano chords from The Alchemist so both of them can get in their hardcore bag lyrically. The title track has a summery trap flare to the beat flexing that he’s in his element on top of nobody being able to fuck with him, but then the heavenly “Issues” talks about being lost & life shit helping him figure it all out.

Meanwhile on “Feeling You”, we have Courtney portraying a sensual side to himself over smoother trap production while “Motion” brings a Detroit trap flare instrumentally flexing his hustle. Royce returns on the atmosphere bass-heavy “Banz” produced by Jake One to join his protege in calling out all the bitch ass n****s out there just before Nickel sticks around for the funky “Get ‘Em High” alongside LaRussell, Sol ChYld & Symba with Hit-Boy behind the boards so all 5 emcees can drop straight bars for 4 minutes representing 3 of the 4 regions within American hip hop (the midwest, the east coast & the west) & Sol ChYld making a dope reference to former 3-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, NWA National Heavyweight Champion, WWE Hall of Famer, WWE United States Champion, 2-time WCW World Tag Team Champion & 3-time WCW World Television Champion Dusty Rhodes.

“Swivel” hooks up some pianos, kicks & snares talking about keeping your head on the turn while “Bang” featuring Benny the Butcher & Royce da 5’9” brings the trio together for some rugged boom bap shit killing every rapper in their way. “Word II Conway” dustily asks what’s a soldier to a fraud & what’s the love if it’s lost while “Shit” pulls inspiration from trap again talking about what he be on. “Psalms 82” flips a gospel sample & throws some hi-hats in the mix to ring the alarm that is until the closer “Walk with Me” ends the album by soulfully talking about forfeiting if life’s a game.

To start the deluxe run, “100” featuring Icewear Vezzo gets back on the Detroit trap tip explaining that’s how much is in the safe while the somber “Late Night” talks about either finding his balance or simply coping. “Hebrews 13:6” featuring Skilla Baby contains the best Detroit trap beat on the album thanks to Helluva revolving around the titular Bible passage & the final bonus track “Brother’s Keeper” wraps up with pianos & hi-hats doing it for the ones who can’t believe they made it out the hood.

Being a lifelong Royce fan, I got put onto Courtney through his verse on “Ion Wanna” & my anticipation for Microdose was elevated after learning that Nickel was taking him under his wing. Lo & behold: His debut on MNRK marks his return after 4 years introducing himself to newer fans like myself & giving the people that’s already been following him an update as to what’s been going on in his life since. He presents a completely different perspective on music & his life altogether after taking that time off prioritizing his mental health & this LP will surely help others going forward.

Score: 4/5

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