Westside Gunn – “And Then You Pray for Me” review

Westside Gunn is a 41 year old emcee, songwriter, entrepreneur & curator from Buffalo, New York proving his legend status & that he’s to be a force to be reckoned with all in only the span of 8 years whether it be running one of the hottest hip hop labels in recent memory to his first 2 full-lengths FLYGOD & Supreme Blientele. Last we heard from West was the 10th & final installment of his infamous Hitler Wears Hermes mixtape series last fall only 3 days before Halloween, but is making his 7th & final official LP a sequel to his 4th one Pray for Paris over 3 & a half years ago already.

After the “FLYGOD DiD” intro, the first song “Mamas PrimeTime by Hall ‘N Nash featuring J.I.D is a dusty boom bap opener produced by Beat Butcha & Mr. Green boasting about how devine they are whereas “Kostas” by Griselda goes into trap territory thanks to Tay Keith including a bar about the Indiana Jones franchise owned by The Walt Disney Company subsidiary Lucasfilm. “1989” featuring Stove God Cook$ finds the 2 turning up 36 ounces in public housing even though Westside’s chopped & screwed verse is distracting, but then “Suicide in Selfridges” works in a hazy loop with kicks & snares courtesy of Conductor Williams so DJ Drama can help welcome y’all to the new golden era.

Stovey returns for the orchestral “Kitchen Lights” explaining that the wrists be shining differently leading into “FLYGOD 2x” flexing the fact that he can get anything these days over a lo-fi boom bap beat. “DunnHill” featuring Rick Ross finds the 2 over more trap production making it clear that the protocol is to hit everybody just before “House of Glory” named after the Amazing Red & Brian XL’s independent circuit wrestling promotion of the same name that Westside Gunn & Master P have invested themselves into has a beautifully classy RZA instrumental flipping Gladys Knight so West & Stove God asking what they’d have to weigh it for since it’s all good.

Estee Nack joins Westside & Stovey for “JD Wrist” over a futuristic trap beat from FLYGOD Jr. with additional vocals from DJ Trap-A-Holics cautioning not to trip like this while “Disgusting” featuring Giggs keeps the spacey vibes going with some hi-hats in the mix with a bar about The Simpsons trademarked by The Walt Disney Company & on the Fox Corporation’s flagship property. “Chloe” luxuriously returns to the boom bap provided by Denny LaFlare getting his romance bag while “LL Bool Gunn” finds West singing over some keys & hi-hats paying homage to LL Cool J himself.

“Babylon Bis” featuring Stove God Cook$ has a sumptuous boom bap quality to it that JR Swiftz hooked up talking about them knowing their drug of choice prior to “Ultra GriZelda” featuring Denzel Curry justifiably boasting that they be running shit up over a cloudy trap beat. “Jalen Rose” featuring Boldy James looks at Daringer pulling off an eerie trap vibe showing off their globetrotter statuses while “Steve & Jony” featuring EST G compares themselves as the Steve Jobs & Jony Ive of the streets over a woozier instrumental.

Jeezy slides through on the energizing “Mr. Everything” to drop some braggadocio in their own respective styles while “Freddy Js” featuring Detroit trap star Peezy finds the 2 over some piano chords talking about their eastside roots. “The Revenge of the Flips Leg” featuring Rome Streetz brings back the kicks & snares showing respect to Eastside Flip, but the title track featuring KayCyy closes out West’s last LP on a peaceful & beautifully sung note.

Pray for Paris is easily one of my favorites from the FLYGOD, so to hear And Then You Pray for Me as a counterpart makes a noticeable change in sound. The production’s more based around trap music even though he doesn’t abandon his boom bap/drumless roots at all as he pulls inspiration from all across the world by bringing a humongous list of guests with him throughout the journey.

Score: 4/5

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ShittyBoyz – “TRIF3CTA: The Finale” review

This is the 4th full-length album from Detroit trap trio the ShittyBoyz. Consisting of BabyTron alongside Stanwill & TR Dee, they emerged off their debut mixtape 3-Peat under Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records in the summer of 2019 taking the motor city by storm & following it up with another tape & 2 full-lengths with the last ones being Trifecta as well as the the sequel last summer shortly after BabyTron performed at the Gathering of Dreams with his father Mr. Sadistic of former Psychopathic Records rap metal outfit Motown Rage. Over a year later, the Boyz are now looking to close out the trilogy by completing the TRIF3CTA with a finale.

“Perfect 3” starts it all off with some flutes & hi-hats talking about how they really are an immaculate trio together whereas “Boomshakalaka” works in some horns tossing the mic back & forth with each other boasting that they’re the ones. “Triumphs & Trophies” is a 2-minute bell/trap crossover encouraging to let them get the drop, but then “Tronald & Stanley” if you couldn’t tell by the name finds the Dookie Brothers jumping over pianos for a minute & a half saying you can’t see them like 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena.

Meanwhile, “50 Boyz” gives off a straight forward Detroit trap sound talking about how they be with the fuckery leading into “Fun & Games” gets on their hi-NRG shit betting the’ll put ‘em in the ground if it’s beef for that cheese. “Forever Lit” has a more suspenseful atmosphere declaring that they’ll always be up just before “Fly Life” beautifully kicks the hi-NRG back up going into detail of the fly shit they be doing.

“Mosh Pit” references former 14-time WWE world champion, WWE Hall of Famer, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE tag team champion & WWE’s current CCO Triple H while “Duck! Duck! Goose!” aggressively cautions not to flex on them because they’ll embarrass you in the process. The synth-laced yet Bay Area inspired “Mood Switch” that Jakesand cooked up points out that they’re still undefeated while “Ball Players” gives off a piano-driven trap vibe chockfull of basketball players wordplay including a bar about Point Grey Pictures founder Seth Rogen, who plays Allen on Invincible.

Moving on from there, “Tip Off” makes me feel like blasting this in the middle of driving downtown making it no secret that they’ve been waiting just to ball while the cloudy “WrestleMania” named after the Endeavor-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE’s marquee event makes it clear that they ain’t even gonna fight. “Game 7” gets on their back & forth shit for a minute a half over a rowdy beat calling out those in the club who ain’t throwing shit while “Juggernaut” brings back the synthesizers contemplating if this shit for them on the beach as they dancing.

“Sh!tty Pack” featuring BFB da Packman goes into a more sample-based trap direction even though BFB doesn’t do it for me not wasting bullets on their asses while “On Fire” hooks up a shimmery backdrop with hi-hats having more stripes than a referee. “Wembanyama” blends these strings, bass licks letting it be known his cousin in a suit after saying the wrong shit until “Danny & Jake” featuring GrindHard E & YSR Gramz ends the album with the latter 2 getting washed in a 3 minute cypher.

This whole trilogy has been some of the ShittyBoyz’ best material & they went on a pretty fun note to complete the TRIF3CTA. Wasn’t too big on the features personally, but the Detroit trap production never fails to interest me as do the charismatic chemistry that the trio have always had. Here’s to the next chapter of the biggest group that the local trap scene has to offer today.

Score: 3.5/5

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MIKE & Wiki – “Faith is a Rock” review

This is a brand new collaborative full-length LP between east coast hip hop artists MIKE & Wiki. One of them represents Livingston, New Jersey & the latter hailing from Manhattan, New York. Both of whom have individually been making waves in the underground off their own solo efforts such as May God Bless Your Hustle or even Wiki’s previous LP Half God almost 2 years ago already on top of previously working with each other on songs like “Standout” or “Promised” off both of those albums that I had previously mentioned. They dropped a 3-track EP together last Black Friday fully produced by The Alchemist called 1 More, but are bringing Uncle Al back into the picture once again to turn it up a notch on Faith is a Rock.

“Stargate” is a drumless orchestral opener to the album with Wiki talking about how he feels like his life’s improved & MIKE talking about how these motherfuckers soft compared to them whereas “Thug Anthem” takes the jazzier route instrumentally promising to make it jump without any tangent. “Mayor’s a Cop” works in some more jazz-inspired horns with kicks & snares getting on the more conscious side of things lyrically, but then “Bledsoe” strips the drums once more looking to balance what they know with this new trend & that there ain’t no limit to what they can do.

Moving on from there, “Pray for Him” gives off a hypnotic trance to the sample-heavy beat discussing that they ain’t trying to play God asking what they put this pain in for & ecstatically remaining calm leading into the MIKE solo cut “Odd Ways” returning to the boom bap with orchestral flare to it talking about his soul being strong & his mind is crazy. Wiki returns once more on ”Scribble Jam” admitting he doesn’t understand what she saw in him when the floors was all he could see on top of MIKE breathing faster & living slower just before Wiki’s solo joint “Be Realistic” keeps the strings, kicks & snares in tact getting in his hardcore bag lyrically.

The penultimate track “Memory Loss” finds MIKE & Wiki back together for encore of Faith is a Rock looking to live for the large payment with Uncle Al drawing inspiration from jazz music instrumentally once again & the aptly titled “1 More finds both east coast underground MCs looking to provide 1 last thought each before they head out previously having lost sight as opposed to seeing more nowadays in comparison over a soul sample.

Both of these guys are well known in the underground for their abstract lyricism, so to hear them coming together with one of my top 10 producers of all-time sounded like a match made in Heaven on paper. Lo & behold: This might be the best collab album I’ve heard all year. Uncle Al’s jazzy production matched with the elevated use heavy metaphors, symbolism or cryptic meanings used by both lyricists result in some of best work of their careers.

Score: 4.5/5

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$weet-T – “Sweeten the Pot” review

Michigan rapper $weet-T quickly following up his full-length studio debut Sweet Talk with a sophomore effort. Introducing himself alongside $kid for the collaborative EPs Monkey Business & Fancy Off Fiends respectively, it wasn’t too long thereafter when Lando Bando signed him to The Hip Hop Lab Records & properly introduced himself with a debut album earlier this spring. Exactly 90 days have passed & the newest ShittyBoyz affiliate is looking to Sweeten the Pot up a little bit.

“Sweet Chaka” starts by peakin’ off the boomers in contrast to those wasting their lives on on the Meta Platforms-owned Instagram whereas “The Whole Pie” featuring Babytron & Brezden finds the trio excitingly trading the microphone back-&-forth with each other. “Peep the Receipts” produced by Danny G & Jakesand cautions that he’ll make anyone obsolete if he & the gang pop out while “Federal Offenses” featuring Certified Trapper makes another attempt at a back-&-forth chemistry although not as great.

$kid reunites with his partner in rhyme on “Otis” throwing it back to the Fancy Off Fiends era a little dismantling their competition leading into “Spot Test” talking about making the pot burst with all the pressure he has on him. “7 Horses” brings $kid back in the fold for 1 more collaboration that I like less than the first one just before “Nebuchadnezzar” references the Discovery Global subsidiary Cartoon Network owned [adult swim] hit series Rick & Morty.

“Seasick” featuring BandGang Biggs links the 2 up to talk about ballin’ in contrast to others barely gettin’ by while “Hot Potato” dismisses those with puny vocabs & making people think he went to a university the way he articulates himself. “Callin’” taps in with Carlo Anthony to talk about the money hitting his line while “Cape Cod” speaks of plugging people in with God & airing out a whole team of broads.

ScrumbleMan’s appearance on “Dionysus” is one of the weaker guest performances on the LP even with them trading verses with one another while “Money Mission” featuring J1Hunnit makes up for it with both labelmates talking about their assignment of getting the bread. “Merlin” boasts that he keeps a 45 auto tucked like he was fightin’ the fascists while “Knockin’” makes reference to both Flynn White & Huell Babineaux from my favorite shows Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul.

“Good Run” pushes towards the conclusion of Sweeten the Pot by referencing future WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE world champion & 4-time WWE Tag Team Champion Dave Bautista while “Filthy” featuring GlockBoyz TeeJaee kicks off with a nod to EMPIRE Distribution founder Ghazi Shami & later the 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. Couldn’t forget to mention the line about the Paramount Skydance Corporation subsidiary Nickelodeon hit series SpongeBob SquarePants almost halfway.

J1Hunnit comes back 1 last time for “Block Party” with a bar out the gate referring to former 3-time WWE world champion, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion, 3-time TNA World Champion, ΩCW Heavyweight Champion, 9-time WWE Tag Team Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, HoG Tag Team Champion, 2-time ΩCW Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion & The Crash Mundial Parejas Campeon Jeff Hardy.

If you’ve ever wanted a spiritual successor to Fancy Off Fiends in the sense that Danny G’s handling most of the production, Sweeten the Pot would be it except it’s the most exciting that $weet-T has sounded by himself. Jakesand & Carlo Anthony’s contributions behind the boards are all on par with Danny’s beats since they’re amongst the best in Detroit sound & even if the guests are a little 50/50, the flows that $weet-T hits us with still makes up for it.

Score: 4/5

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Prince Jefe – “Jefe’s Way” review

This is the 7th mixtape from Detroit, Michigan rapper/producer Prince Jefe. Known for his affiliation with the ShittyBoyz, I can’t forget to mention the 9 EPs & his previous 6 tapes he’s already put out since 2023 to establish himself as a solo artist. Personal favorites of mine gotta be Jefe, 12/19, On the Run & more recently Lab Talk a couple months earlier. For his 3rd & final offering of the year, he’s looking to do it Jefe’s Way under Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records.

“Angel” opens with some strings & bells talking about hearing Envy next to him as if he’s on The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne tha God leading into “Handle It Right” venting over seeing people he knew in life changing all because of some money. “Tryna Tell U” embraces the Detroit trap vibes heavier talking about living more on the right side of things these days prior to “50 Boy” boasting that he cooks better than his own mother.

As for “Jealous”, we have Jefe going for a cloudier approach to the Detroit trap aesthetics comes clean of his daughter catching a body recently & feeling that exact way about it just before “Math Ain’t Mathin’” warning that he got hitmen who’ll send out hits with the blicks if you piss him off over a Jakesand instrumental. “Single Again” has a cloudier Detroit sound to it talking about a breakup while “L.L.$. (Long Live $camaurion)” featuring Fordio of the Dog $hit Militia pays tribute to $camaurion, who was killed in a fatal car accident last fall.

“Voodoo” admits it’s been hard to switch from the streets to rap while the self-produced “On the East” featuring Certified Trapper boasts of everyone in their hoods knowing about them. “J Reed” references Green Bay Packers WR Jayden Reed while “Another Deuce” produced by Danny G talks about having junkies knocking on his door in the early morning. “Heel Toe” featuring Babytron ends Jefe’s Way with them entertainingly going back-&-forth with each other.

Familiarizing myself with his appearances on Lando Bando’s 4th album New Era & of course Babytron’s 8th mixtape Bin Reaper 3: New Testament, the most underrated artist in the Detroit trap scene puts out a new tape under Lando’s steadily growing label & it easily surpasses a lot of what I’ve heard regarding Jefe’s earlier material. Including his work when his original moniker used the same name as Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince because he’s doing it how he wants to.

Score: 3.5/5

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Babyface Ray – “Summer’s Mine” review

This is the 3rd full-length album from Detroit rapper, songwriter & actor Babyface Ray. Starting in 2014 by joining the Team Eastside collective, he has since gone on to drop 5 mixtapes as well as 5 EPs & a well received debut within the last 6-7 years before turning heads worldwide & becoming one of the 2 biggest up-&-comers in the city next to Babytron, both of whom eventually landed spots in this year’s XXL Freshman Class over the summer. But coming off of Mob last winter, Face’s declaring that the summer’s his.

The opener “ScarFACE” starts off with these synthesizers & claps refusing to stop under any circumstances whereas “Donda Bag” hooks up these piano melodies & hi-hats talking about coming through black on black. “Bosses Linking With Bosses” featuring Veeze swaps the chords out for more synths as both of Detroit’s biggest new stars detail being the bosses they truly are that is until the cloudy “Leaving London” cleverly talking about coming through regulating as if he’s Warren G.

“All Star Team” clarified that he’s far from a rookie with a more danceable appeal to the instrumental just before “Luh Tyler Flow” featuring Los & Nutty reincorporated the synthesizers talking about keeping your guard up watching out for vultures. “I75” gives off a more nocturnal feeling to the beat admitting spending too much time on the titular interstate, but then the spacey “Racks N” flexes his wealth & calling a chick’s bestie so he can hit it.

Meanwhile, “Skateland” instrumentally throws it back to the 80s a little telling those who stay talking negatively about him to boss down leading into “Life Full of Lies” jumps on top of some hi-hats & horns asking why he’d listen to anyone when their whole life is cap. “I Can’t Rap Foreva” plans his escape with a cloudier flare that is until “Dancing with the Devil, Pt. 2” is a superior sequel to one of the weakest joints on Face.

“Big Meech Holiday” featuring King Hendrick$ produced by Cardo & Dez Wright moodily calls to give a holiday for infamous Detroit drug trafficker Big Meech while the song “Jackboys” cautions to play this dirty game safe over a groovy beat. The crooning loop throughout “Fly Gods” is well flipped as well as Westside Gunn spits the best guest verse on the entire album talking about being old school & the 4th installment of “My Thoughts” sends of Face’s 3rd album on a more personal note.

Unlike Face seeing him stepping out of his comfort zone to experiment with new sounds & Mob showing a more introspective side to Ray, he pulled a 180° on Summer’s Mine & it’s one that I’m sure fans will keep in rotation until autumn comes around the corner in a couple months. Other than a hit or miss feature list, he goes for a warmer climate appropriately enough & the adamant confidence in his voice is as clear as it could possibly be.

Score: 3.5/5

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King Von – “Grandson: The Album” review

This is the 2nd posthumous full-length album albeit 3rd & final overall from late Chicago, Illinois rapper King Von. Emerging as a Lil Durk protege signing to Only the Family Entertainment, I wasn’t really too big on his music at first truthfully since Grandson: The Mixtape & LeVon James were both pretty mild. However, he really blew me away once his full-length debut Welcome to O’Block came out over a year ago & a half on Devil’s Night. But as soon as he finally won me over, he was tragically murdered a week later in broad daylight. Von’s last posthumous outing What It Means to Be King was a bit of a mixed bag due to the consistent production yet overloaded with features, so I was a bit curious going into the official sequel to Grandson.

“Don’t Miss” starts off the album by wanting a guy who drew a foul stretched over a synth-drill instrumental from ATL Jacob to my surprise whereas “Real Oppy” featuring G Herbo finds the pair calling out those who be snitching accompanied by pianos & hi-hats. “Hitman” gives off a creepier trap vibe thanks to the Chopsquad DJ talking about being a marksman, but then “Phil Jackson” featuring Polo G discusses calling the shots so Scott Storch can remind us of his talents on the keys & IllaDaProducer supplying the hi-hats.

On the other hand, “Robberies” gives off a more stripped back trap feel admitting something ain’t right to him just before “From the Hood” featuring Durk layers these hi-hats on top of a cinematic loop talking about the Chi-Town slums. “Pressure” shifts gears into more orchestral turf declaring that O’Block can’t be stopped leading into “Jimmy” ominously telling the story of the titular character knowing death’s around the corner.

“Heartless” featuring Tee Grizzley has a more atmospheric trap approach so they can explain that they grew up without a heart considering the cities both MCs hail from while “Jealous” featuring BreezyLYN & Tink has a drearier instrumental from Wheezy talking about being the realest every though Breezy’s verse punched under his weight. The tensional drill beat on “Act Up” is something I enjoy cautioning not to act up around him while the moody “Think I’m a Hoe” addresses those who thought he was a bitch.

Moving on from there, “All We Do is Drill” resurrects the Chicago drill sound once more promising to score first time they slide while “Gangland” featuring 42 Dugg gives off a shimmery trap instrumental from Southside repping the street life. The track “Out of the Streets” featuring Hotboii & Moneybagg Yo has a peppier groove trying to make it out of the trenches alive even though both features mid while the final song “When I Die” until the “Family Dedication 2” outro foreshadows his own fucking death in a powerful fashion.

So we have 2 posthumous full-lengths from Von thus far & I gotta as it that I came away from Grandson: The Album liking it more than I thought I would although by a small margin. The production’s as tight, I love how OtF toned it down with the features in comparison to What It Means to Be King & he channels the same energy that he brought onto that debut tape in bigger capacity.

Score: 3.5/5

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Drumwork Music Group – “Drumwork: The Album” review

Drumwork Music Group is an independent hip hop record label based in Buffalo, New York founded by Conway the Machine in 2020 distributed by EMPIRE with Jae Skeese & 7xvethegenius as their first signings. La Maquina has since expanded the roster by bringing Goosebytheway, Lucky 7, SK da King & Shots Almigh all on board. So considering the squad is gradually growing, it only makes sense to conceive their very 1st showcase compilation.

“Hov Numbers” by Conway the Machine, Goosebytheway, Lucky 7, SK da King & 7xvethegenius is a 6 minute opener to the compilation with an airy trap instrumental from the label’s only in-house producer Unique declaring they’re still in their bag whereas “Lonely” by Jae Skeese, Lucky & SK dives right into boom bap turf sonically as the trio talk about getting it. “Lalo” by Conway featuring Benny the Butcher & 38 Spesh works in some woodwinds, kicks & snares from Graymatter as the trio discuss drug money leading into “City Grill” by Goose, Jae & 7xve has a slicker quality to the beat talking about how things get surprising because it’s mesmerizing.

“Rory Joint” by Jae Skeese & 7xvethegenius finds the label’s first 2 signings returning to the boom bap promising to leave y’all painted on some art shit just before Shots Almigh joins Jae & Goosebytheway for “Blue Glass” layering these kicks & snares on top of a vocal loop talking about having to get the bands to survive. “Take It Back” by Goose, Lucky 7, SK da King & 7xve has these crooning vocals in the background that I like with the 4 talking about throwing it back to the old days prior to “Elephant Man” by Conway the Machine, Goose, Heem, Rome Streetz & SK brings the quintet together over a cinematic boom bap beat admitting their minds are made up.

Goosebytheway, Jae Skeese, Lucky 7 & SK da King the final leg of the comp by linking up for “This is War” returns to a more soulful quality to the instrumental making it clear that none of them can be another casualty while the song “Crown for Queens” is an empowering 7xvethegenius solo cut about no one being able to stop her. The song “Andre 3000” by Conway the Machine & D Smoke goes into jazzier boom bap territory thanks to Bangladesh telling y’all to look how far they’ve been brought while the penultimate track “Sudan” by Con, Goose, Lo Profile & Shots Almigh intimidatingly talks about not playing around where they’re from. “Far Away” by Con & Elcamino is a minimally produced closer with Beat Butcha behind the boards discussing the game they play.

I’m sure we’re gonna get more showcase comps from the Drumwork camp in the near future, but their first over here definitely makes it seem like that it’s only the beginning of their dominance. The production’s tight, the features from their affiliates/outside collaborators are all well picked out & each artist on the label’s current roster all have their own distinctive characteristics that they each display with the hunger that continues to grow from within everyone.

Score: 4/5

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Lucki – “sx mney dr*gs” review

Lucki is a 27 year old rapper & occasional producer from Chicago, Illinois who began to turn heads in the summer of 2013 when he released his debut mixtape Alternative Trap to critical acclaim. He would later go on to give his fans 6 more tapes & a dozen EPs with the last one being the F1LTHY-produced Wake Up Lucki a week before my 25th birthday in December 2021 & eventually the full-length debut Flawless Like Me last fall. So when it was announced that the sophomore album was gonna start off the 2nd half of 2023 only 48 hours ago, to say I was anticipating it would be an understatement.

“Tunevert” is a top notch opener produced by YSL Records in-house producer Taurus with it’s twangy trap approach boasting that he bossed up a city girl whereas “No Bap” takes a cloudier route talking about being so geeked up. “Super Ski” works in some synthesizers & hi-hats thanks to Cxdy of Vanguard Music Group & Internet Money Records producer Rio Leyva describing his bitch as slimey that is until “Gemini Love” has more shimmery trap vibe talking about a chick who moves sloppy yet stays in shape.

The plugg beat from Cash Cobain on “2021 Vibes” was unexpected considering his sample drill roots & Lucki flows all over it well dropping lines like “Bentley’s talkin’ to myself, Ghazi said it’s sendin’ help” just before “Mubu” points out that he sealed the deal with a seal in hand over a peppily cloudy trap instrumental, but then “Almighty Tune” blends these vain horns & hi-hats boasting that he has different hoes who by different clothes.

“Str8 Syrup” has a depressing trap vibe to the beat so Luc can pour 4 to make it feel like ecstasy while “Purple Heart Ski” has these psychedelic guitar passages as well as claps & hi-hats telling the world that you can get it like him if you’re patient. “Karma a Bitch” fuses an operatic vocal sample with hi-hats & a booming bass-line admitting that he has to show the way & “Pop Star” is a standout from the futuristically spacious beat.

Veeze serves as the album’s only guest appearance on “Wholeworldslatt” joining forces with Luc to show everyone how slimey they both are & that they fit in while the song “Bby Pluto” is another favorite off the album paying homage to Future with Tay Keith & Cubeatz experimenting with rock guitars & elements of trillwave. The penultimate track “Chrome Denim” is a trap banger with synths & bells talking about still being too geeked & “New York” rounds out the album coming clean that he’s high on drugs in a S 580 as he was recording.

Between the 2 full-length albums under Lucki’s belt thus far, I feel like s*x m*ney dr*gs has to be a tad bit superior compared to the other & the best thing he’s done in a while. He returns to a form a bit as the production expands the style of his that came into it’s final form last fall alongside delivering better performances & keeping it at a reasonable length by including less filler cuts.

Score: 4/5

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The Alchemist – “Flying High” review

This is the 10th EP from Beverly Hills producer, DJ & rapper The Alchemist. Beginning as 1/2 of the duo The Whooliganz in 1993 with Scott Caan, they would only disband a year later after recording a debut album that eventually got shelved & Scott went onto acting like his late father. Mudfoot on other end quickly established himself as one of the greatest producers in hip hop history with a resume including ranging names from Mobb Deep to even Eminem. But as the 2 year anniversary of his last solo EP This Thing of Ours 2 approached this fall, Uncle Al is Flying High back with another brief offering.

“RIP Tracy” by billy woods & Earl Sweatshirt is a soulful opener to the EP with both MCs wanting everyone to know exactly who the fuck they are & what they represent while the song “Trouble Man” by Boldy James & T.F. has a grimier approach instrumentally so they can talk that gang shit. The penultimate track “Bless” my MIKE & Sideshow has a more soothing sound to it talking about touching briefs & splitting it with their dogs, but then “Midnight Oil” featuring Jay Worthy & Larry June ends the EP with the trio over a sample-based beat acknowledging that everyone knows they’re top tier.

It’s always exciting when Alchemist comes through with an EP showcasing his talents behind the boards bringing along some of the finest MCs that he can assemble to tear his beats to shreds because the Flying High series is off to a solid start here. Al’s signature sound remains in tact so everyone can bring their own unique delivery styles to the table, even Mudfoot himself on the closer.

Score: 4/5

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