Mozzy – “Survivor’s Guilt” review

Mozzy is a 35 year old MC from Sacramento, California who I became a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his full-length debut 1 Up Top Akh. He would go on to be featured on the soundtrack for the incredible Marvel blockbuster Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more albums through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records but considering that Memphis veteran Yo Gotti signed him to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group back in February, it was only a matter of time that Mozzy would drop his major label debut considering the fact that CMG’s been turning a lot of heads & getting a lot of coverage recently.

“Not the Same” is a introspective opener with it’s piano/sample infused trap beat along with the lyrics addressing those who say he’s changed whereas “If You Love Me” takes a more acoustic turn asking why he would change if people cared for him. EST. G tags along for the grim “Lurkin’” getting on their gangsta shit, but then Shordie Shordie comes into the picture for “Tell the Truth” to deliver one of the weakest features on the album despite the hyphy instrumental & the subject matter of wanting to be alone.

Continuing on with “Murder on My Mind”, we have Mozzy over some pianos & snares explaining why he can’t sleep without no slime leading into “Burrr” weaving in a twangy trap beat talking about how things are getting icy out here. “Wouldn’t Be Us” with YG shoots for a more cavernous aesthetic as both MCs telling their significant others it’s different then they’re thuggin’ just before “Smoke Nuffin’” bringing back the keys as 42 Dugg assists the mic to keep it 100.

“4Life” is a heavenly ode to Mozzy’s affiliation with the Bloods while the weepy “Make the News” with Blac Youngsta & Yo Gotti finds the trio calling out those who don’t actually love them like they said. “What You Hollin’” with his younger brother E-Mozzy & Celly Ru sees the 3 over some pianos & thumping drums getting on their mobb shit while “Ain’t Really Real” throws some strings in the mix talking about fake love.

The song “Open Arms” has a more smoother feel to the production as Mozzy talking about the streets welcoming him very kindly while the penultimate track “In My Face” with Saweetie & 2 Chainz shows a raunchier side to all 3 of them over a nervous DJ Mustard instrumental. “Real Ones” with Roddy Ricch however is a deadpan finisher to the album by showing love to those who’re no longer here with him.

Overall, I’d say that Survivor’s Guilt is one of the best major label debuts that I’ve heard in a while & most definitely a standout in Mozzy’s ever-growing discography. I could’ve done without a couple of the features, but a good portion of them proves that he fits in with CMG with the emotion throughout the 43 minutes is truly touching.

Score: 3.5/5

Lloyd Banks – “The Course of the Inevitable 2” review

This is the 5th full-length album from Queens emcee Lloyd Banks. Gaining notoriety in the 2000s for his witty punchlines along as well as being an original member of G-Unit alongside childhood friends 50 Cent & Tony Yayo, he kept himself busy for a little while after the group’s disbandment in 2015 by releasing A.O.N. 2 (All Or Nothing 2): L.I.U. (Live It Up) & Halloween Havoc 3: 4 Days of Fury just before taking on a 5-year hiatus that really lasted until he received a song placement on the soundtrack for Griselda Records’ theatrical debut Conflicted a year & a half ago & his comeback effort The Course of the Inevitable last summer. However, we’re now being treated to The Course of the Inevitable 2 after getting a couple singles recently.

“Impact” opens up the album with Lloyd calling this his get-back on top of a cold instrumental from Cartune Beatz whereas “No Reward” takes the eerie boom bap route talking about rewards only come with the struggle. Conway the Machine tags along for the appropriately titled “Menace” to lyrically obliterate their competition leading into Benny the Butcher coming into the picture for the piano-tinged “Living Proof” talking about how real ones always regroup.

Meanwhile on “Value of a Check”, we have Lloyd addressing those wylin’ for a rep over a dusty instrumental just before “Power Steering” with Jadakiss finds the 2 talking about makin’ a killin’ this time around & the beat here’s just ok.“Fell in Love” shoots for a more sensual vibe whilst excellently tackling the idea of being lovestruck even though he didn’t want to, but then “Socialize” returns to the boom bap acknowledging the fact that some people will literally do anything for survival.

“Murda 1” has a more sumptuous beat talking about how vacations will come when the rain’s gone while “Don’t Switch” reunites with Tony Yayo to call out those who be changing up on their kinfolk without holding anything back over a cloud boom bap instrumental. “Dead Roses” brings in the pianos talking about wanting his flowers while he can still smell ‘em while the song “Trapped” talks about how some doors are open for a reason of a deadpan beat. The penultimate track “Traffic” with Dave East & Vado finds the trio maliciously declaring anyone who turns their back needs to suffer while “On My Way” is an organ-laced opener talking about it’s how you get up, not how you fall.

Anyone who’s been following G-Unit for the past 2 decades should know by now that Lloyd rarely misses when he drops & The Course of the Inevitable 2 to me is a worthy sequel to the comeback album that he just dropped a little over a year ago. His punchlines are always highly entertaining to hear & not only do the features remain as consistent as the predecessor was, but the production does also.

Score: 3.5/5

DaeMoney – “Slayer’s Coming” review

DaeMoney is a 22 year old rapper from Detroit, Michigan who also happens to be the nephew of one of the 2 biggest artists in the city right now Babyface Ray as well as member of the WRLD Tour Mafia collective. He dropped his debut mixtape Young Sexual Misconduct & his debut EP Slae Season, which was followed up last summer by his 2nd EP Rockstar Lifestyle & then his Slae Season 2 in the fall. Now in light of DaeMoney signing to EMPIRE Distribution recently, it’s only right for him to celebrate by delivering a 3rd EP.

“Level Up” is a futuristic opener co-produced by LulRose talking about Dae’s success whereas “Wayne Perry” takes a wavier approach bragging that no one can touch him. “Andrew Wiggins” continues to work in some more synths & hi-hats talking about being tired of detailing his lifestyle leading into “Losses & Lessons” taking a more introspective approach from the subject matter to the glossy production. The song “Lemon Cherry” shoots for a mellower vibe talking his shit with the penultimate track “Do More” fusing trap & rock to tackle the concept of more problems coming as you get richer, but then “Congratulations” ends the EP with a meditative ode to the self made.

For those of you who’re familiar with Babyface Ray & are looking to get into DaeMoney, then give Slayer’s Coming a listen because it has to be my favorite effort from Dae thus far. Much like Ray, his sound is completely different in comparison to some Detroit trap rappers sounding the same & speaks from the heart about his life profoundly.

Score: 3.5/5

Westside Gunn – “Peace FLYGOD” review

Westside Gunn is a 39 year old emcee, songwriter & entrepreneur from Buffalo, New York who’s already proven his legend status at this point whether it running one of the hottest hip hop labels in recent memory to his first 2 full-lengths FLYGOD & Supreme Blientele. Last we heard from him was almost a year ago by now with the double disc conclusion to the Hitler Wears Hermes mixtape series with Side B being superior to Side A but with his 40th birthday coming up at the end of the month, he’s celebrating a little early by dropping his 10th mixtape.

After the titular intro, “Jesus Crack” with Estee Nack & Stove God Cook$ sets off the album with drumless yet soulful & jazzy instrumental talking about making cake by the thousands whereas the Estee-assisted “Ritz Barlton” takes a lo-fi boom bap route comparing the halfway house to that of the titular hotel. “Big Ass Bracelet” with Stovey works in a bare soul sample to get on their fly shit, but then “Bobby Rhude” is basically an Estee solo cut talking about glory over more beautiful vocal chops taking it’s name after WWE producer, former NXT Champion, WWE United States Champion, 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Champion, 6-time TNA World Tag Team Champion & 2-time NWA World Tag Team Champion Bobby Roode.

Meanwhile on “Derrick Boleman”, we have Gunnlib & Stove God Cook$ on top of a classy loop referencing lucha libre popularized by the Lutteroth family-owned Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) & it’s rival promotion in the Peña–Roldán family-owned Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) leading into “Horses on Sunset” incorporates a smoky boom bap beat talking about how someone should’ve shot someone 7 times instead of 6.

The song “Open Praise” details love turning to envy ’cause Westside’s success over some pianos while “Danhausen” named after the titular AEW star who I met at Astronomicon this spring is a jazzy boom bap banger produced by Conductor Williams with West rightfully bragging. “Flip v. Phil” by Eastside Flip ends the album with a sample provided by Daringer reminding that he’ll put his competition to sleep.

I know he’s been teasing Michelle Records for a while now & for him to give us this as a prelude to warm everyone up for the main course, I’ll definitely take it. Stovey & Estee continue to take their lyrically chemistry with Westside to new heights with the production giving off some abstract undertones this time around.

Score: 3.5/5

KanKan – “##B4W2G” review

This is the 20th EP from Dallas, Texas recording artist & producer KanKan. Emerging in 2019 as a member of the Slayworld collective as well as landing production credits for a wide range of artists from Summrs to even Little Pimp, he would also go on to drop an eponymous debut mixtape accompanied by 19 EPs & a full-length debut in that short amount of time. But to warm everyone up for his upcoming sophomore effort Way 2 Geeked, it’s only right for KanKan to give the fans ##B4W2G as a way to hold us over until then.

“14” starts off the EP with a electronic/trap fusion talking about how the pussies can’t hit his za whereas “don’t @ me” takes a more uptempo route calling out those who think they’re better than him. The song “see u” shoots for a more atmospheric sound talking about treating every day like it’s a holiday while the penultimate track “after me” works in a rage beat confessing that he’s been geeked all summer. “taxbracket” closes things out with a fun braggadocio banger.

##RR was an impressive debut album for KanKan & for him to give us this in preparation for Way 2 Geeked, I’m really looking forward to hearing him continuing to artistically expand on there. I think the production of each cut gives off it’s own vibe & Kan’s songwriting is only getting catchier.

Score: 3.5/5

CyHi the Prynce – “EGOT” review

CyHi the Prynce is a 37 year old MC & singer/songwriter from Stone Mountain, Georgia who originally came up in ‘09 when Akon signed him to Konvict Muzik for a short period of time. He then jumped ship to Kanye West’s very own Def Jam Recordings imprint G.O.O.D. Music, dropping a total of 7 mixtapes & a full-length debut under the Chicago, Illinois icon’s wing. We haven’t heard much from him since then but in preparation for his sophomore album The Story of EGOT coming this summer & founding his very own label EGOT Records backed by EMPIRE Distribution, CyHi is returning with his debut EP.

“Extra” opens up the EP with a horn-laced trap banger talking about feeling a little too cocky while the song “Help Me God” goes into chipmunk soul territory with CyHi delivering a message to the higher power. The penultimate track “Slide” returns to a trappier vibe with some jazzy undertones to it talking about sliding forever, but then “Tears” closes out the EP with a emotional ballad encouraging listeners that it’s alright to cry accompanied by a cavernous instrumental.

Now I’m not sure if any of these cuts are gonna make their way onto The Story of EGOT but nonetheless, I think CyHi gave us an enjoyable appetizer to warm us up for the main course. He sounds rejuvenated on the mic & I really like the amalgamation of sounds that the producers bring to the table ranging from trap to jazz rap & chipmunk soul. Definitely excited for the album later this summer.

Score: 3.5/5

TR Dee – “Trapped in My Bag 2” review

Ypsilanti, Michigan rapper TR Dee coming off his full-length debut with his 3rd mixtape. Notable for being 1/3 of the ShittyBoyz alongside Babytron & Stanwill signing to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records, he also began carving a path for himself as a solo artist off his first couple tapes Trapped in My Bag & Made for This ahead of his debut album M.I.P. (Most Improved Player). Ahead of him teaming up with Detroit producer Danny G on Crunch Time later this fall, we’re bearing treated to a Trapped in My Bag sequel.

The title track references 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena whereas “Scam Vet” talks about the continuous grind being his only motivation even after the label deal over a Danny G beat. “Jimi Hendrix” samples “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo to admit that he feels like a rockstar while “NBA” flips “Basketball” by Kurtis Blow for some sharp wordplay about the sport.

Both former NXT Women’s Champion, 6-time WWE women’s world champion & 2-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Mercedes Moné and WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion & NWA World Tag Team Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin get referenced on “Johnny Test” prior to “Watch the Cats Race” reuniting the Dookie Brothers.

“T.Y.B.” (Take Your Bitch)” works in some sampling reminiscent of the Afrika Bambaataa single “Planet Rock” to flex about stealing women from other guys while “Late Night Shenanigans” talks about what he does during the evening. “Rick & Morty” shouts out the Discovery Global division Cartoon Network owned [adult swim] hit series of the same name just before he takes a moment to “Pledge Allegiance to the Grind”.

Pro Football Hall of Famer “Dan Marino” talks about feeling like the greatest Miami Dolphins player of all-time after landing in Miami while “Ni Hao” featuring Stanwill ends the first half of the mixtape with them trading verses with one another for a few minutes. “Give It to Me” talks about his head coach status since he doesn’t play game & still being the same kid with the fro while “Highlights” refers to Joe Swanson from the Fox Corporation’s flagship property hit series Family Guy.

“Winnin’ Team” produced by Jakesand suggests that people come & get it with THHL since the Dog $hit Militia’s internationally known while “Porch Pirate” talks about being up early to catch a package over another noteworthy Jakesand instrumental. “Lotta Bands” featuring AK Bandamont unites both of them so they can discuss their riches while “TreDee” corrects people who’ve been erroneously calling him by that name.

We have TR Dee on “No Reply” ghosting a woman who’s been texting him saying she doesn’t perform oral while “Millionaire” references 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.

“Bin Laden” talks about getting back up like it’s nothing whenever life knocks him down while “Living Legend” responds to the notion that D$M is trash because of the ShittyBoyz’ name, which I can further confirm. “Hidden Gem” talks about his gang only knowing to shoot & repping the squad for eternity while “Wait Yo Turn” dismisses the type who’re all bark with no bite.

Fueling my anticipation for Crunch Time even further whenever the time for that comes, TR Dee of the ShittyBoyz crafts a sequel to the mixtape that properly gave the world an idea of what he could do all by himself & Trapped in My Bag 2 feels like an acceptably worthy sequel to the original Trapped in My Bag. It’s longer than the predecessor, but the sample choices within production for this style of trap remains creative & the Dog $hit Militia lieutenant gets in his element once more.

Score: 4/5

7xvethegenius – “Self 7xve 2” review

This is the 5th EP from Buffalo emcee 7xvethegenius. Breaking out a couple years ago off her first 2 EPs The Calm Before & Self 7xve as well as the full-length debut 7xve is Love, it wasn’t until she & Jae Skeese both became the first artists to sign with Conway the Machine’s very own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group where 7xve got her biggest break yet. Last we heard from her was over the summer when he dropped Thy Will Be Done during my first night at last year’s Gathering of the Juggalos & now in light of Skeese dropping his Big Ghost Ltd.-produced magnum opus Authenticity Check a little over a week ago, 7xve is stepping up to the plate with Self 7xve 2.

“Waves” kicks off the EP by cinematically talking about how crazy her life’s been up to this point whereas the bassy, yet flute-tinged “Affluence” follows it up by declaring that she’s cut from a different cloth. Trae tha Truth tags along for the wavy “Always Thank God” encouraging listeners to give their praise to the higher power, but then “Fluidity” brings back to the woodwinds thanks to EYEKETYSON to bring the smoke.

The song “Forecast” with Flee Lord sees the pair over some boom bap production from JR Swiftz advising to stay true to the game while the penultimate track “Back End” works in some jazzy undertones talking about fucking shit up with her partner. “Moxie” then ends the EP with a somber piano ballad putting her life up to this point on wax.

Of all the sequel projects in hip hop that have lived up to the hype set by the predecessor or even surpassed it, you can definitely add Self 7xve 2 onto that list. I really admire how she decided take it back to basics & enhance everything that I liked about the first one. Most notably also, the inclusion of features was actually a really nice move as they bring their on flavor to the tracklist.

Score: 3.5/5

Stanwill – “Big $hitter” review

Detroit, Michigan rapper Stanwill making his full-length studio debut. Coming up as 1/3 of the ShittyBoyz with Babytron & TR Dee signing to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records, he eventually branched out on his own during the COVID-19 pandemic as did the rest of the group off the debut EP $camwill as well as it’s successor Gifted & the debut mixtape Van Gundy. However, the Big $hitter of the Dog $hit Militia collective has revealed himself after going Full Auto.

“When You Dropping?” gets the ball rollin’ with him & the rest of his crew making it seem like they’re working out the way they be flexing whereas “Sandlot” talks about how his lil’ bro been swinging the sticks lately. “Rick Grimes” references the main character of the amc series The Walking Dead’s early seasons while “OMG” finds him & the rest of the squad trippin’ out at the Ritz-Carlton.

4-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE Tag Team Champion, PWG World Tag Team Champion, ROH World Champion & 2-time ROH World Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins gets referenced during “On i94” produced by Danny G leading into “Crash the Whip” talks about shopping with no limits, buying an outfit that cost as much as a whole pint.

“GoldenEye” named after the timeless Nintendo 64 game of the same name flexes that he’ll turn his entire opps into Ronald McDonald the way he be hittin’ ‘em with the Mac-10 leading into “Chemistry” talking about stealing bitches solely off his chain referencing the Endeavor Group Holdings-owned UFC president Dana White. “Forever Active” featuring TR Dee finds the pair shit-talking over a Danny G beat while “Real Me” shows the most synthetic version of himself.

Meanwhile on “Tag Popper”, we have Stan describing the type of people he & the rest of the D$M are while “Glock on Stage” talks that he be hanging with the killers staying strapped when performing at shows. “Effortless” boasts that he doesn’t have to box because he keeps the Glock by his side daily prior to “Why the Fuck?” asking for the reason people think they’re part of the Dog $hit Militia.

“Fr Doe” featuring TRL trades the mic back-&-forth with each other decently over a Danny G instrumental while “Poetry” references the New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick the way he draws plays up for bills. “Cooper Kupp” gives a nod to the Los Angeles Rams WR of the same name while “No Lie” talks about him & his crew being sticked up at every single function they pop out at.

We get a cleverly chopped up string sample all over “Violin” looking back on coming from the dirt to the position that he’s in currently with the rest of his D$M family while “Limitless” by Lewis & Clark takes a couple minutes to trade brief verses with one another. “Shit Show” talks about chasing bags being the only thing he knows while “1st Class” explains that he keeps an X on him because he’s an Off-White enthusiast.

“Gladys Knight” winds down the last few minutes of Big $hitter by talking about the idea of becoming broke being exactly like a fish sinking & making the chopper sing while “No Way” featuring Tae Retro wraps up the LP with both parties breaking down the rebel mindset each of them have, refusing to work with anyone who doesn’t have anything to say to them from a financial position.

With 3 EPs & a mixtape under his belt already, Stanwill’s debut album Big $hitter will certainly appeal more tho those who got into him as a solo artist through $camwill or Van Gundy in comparison to the moderate reception of Full Auto although I certainly enjoyed it last fall for what it was. The secondary influences within the production puts an emphasis on more standard trap in addition to the Detroit sound we all know & it’s the most lyrically gangsta he’s been since Gifted.

Score: 4/5

Jae Skeese – “Authenticity Check” review

Jae Skeese is a 31 year old MC from Buffalo, New York who first emerged in 2010 off his debut mixtape W.A.C.K. (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks). However, it wasn’t until a decade later where he & 7xvethegenius got their biggest break thus far after the very first signees to Conway the Machine’s very own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group. He just dropped his 7th mixtape Revolver Ocelot over the fall & then his 2nd EP Iroquois Pliskin a couple weeks ago, but is now tapping in with Big Ghost Ltd. to produce his 3rd EP from top to bottom.

“Shuttlesworth Form” is a creepy boom bap opener reintroducing himself whereas “Premium Grails” continues to flex his lyrical abilities & the groove of the bass happens to be my favorite part of the instrumental here. “Double Nickel at MSG” takes a more chilling route as far as sound goes talking about big stepping just before “Drip or Drown” works in a guitar & some dusty drums explaining that he’s in over his head.

Meanwhile on “Triple Post Offense”, we have Con & 7xve assisting Jae for a stellar Drumwork posse cut with an interesting vocal sample while the song “Stick-Up” reveals itself to be a perfect ode to muggin’ from the raw beat to the “Gimme the Loot” sample around the 43 second mark referencing 3-time WWE world champion, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion, 3-time TNA World Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, HOG Tag Team Champion, ΩCW Heavyweight Champion, ΩCW New Frontiers Champion, 2-time ΩCW Tag Team Champion & The Crash Mundial Parejas Campeon Jeff Hardy. The penultimate track “Vintage Eastbay Pages” encourages listeners to staying committed to making that bread over some vibraphones & “$1.50 wit Tax” admits how crazy his life has been when you really think about it over a shimmering instrumental.

Now for those who loved Jae’s verse on “Drumwork” & you’re looking to get into his music, then I’d recommend starting with Authenticity Check because I happen to look at it as the crown jewel of his discography thus far. In comparison to Iroquois Pliskin he’s at his best lyrically & the production that Big Ghost Ltd. brings to the table is incredibly consistent.

Score: 4.5/5