Benny the Butcher – “Burden of Proof” review

This is the sophomore album from Buffalo emcee Benny the Butcher. Coming up as the leader of the Black Soprano Family collective as well as a signee to Westside Gunn & Conway the Machine’s label Griselda Records, he would make his presence known in the culture with his Butcher on Steroids that dropped on his birthday in 2017 as well as his full-length debut Tana Talk 3 on Black Friday 2018. This was followed up 7 months later by releasing The Plugs I Met but a little over a year later, he’s teaming up with Hit-Boy for Burden of Proof.

The title track that kicks the album off is pretty much Benny talking about expanding himself over a boom bap beat with some horns along with an outro from Pain in da Ass whereas the next song “Where Would I Go?” with Rick Ross sees the 2 talking about being big bosses over a heavenly instrumental. The track “Sly Green” talks about money ain’t changing shit for him over a beat that kinda has a JAY-Z feel to it while the song “1 Way Flight” with Freddie Gibbs finds the 2 talking about bitches over a soulful instrumental. The track “Famous” talks about how he still doesn’t feel like a celebrity over an climatic beat while the song “Timeless” with Big Sean & Lil Wayne sees the 3 talking about their legacies over an energized instrumental.

The track “New Streets” talks about only being concerned of what hustlers think rather than haters over a classy soul sample while the song “Over the Limit” talks about success over a smooth, cavernous instrumental & it’s great to hear The Madd Rapper during the outro. The track “Trade It All” talks about his desire to give up his wealth to see those he’s lost once more over a somber beat while the song “Thank God I Made It” talks about being grateful for where he is today over a lavish instrumental. The penultimate track “War Paint” with Conway the Machine finds the 2 spitting the usual pusher bars over a beat with hypnotic vocal loop hanging in the background & then the album finishes with “Legend”, where Benny proclaims himself as such over a delicate instrumental.

Even though I’d have to go with From King to a God for my Album of the Year pick so far, this is just as great in my personal opinion. The production Hit-Boy brings to the table is somewhat more glamorous & clean in comparison to Tana Talk 3 & The Plugs I Met, but it manages to suit Benny well as we get to hear him at his most mature.

Score: 4.5/5

Papoose – “Endangered Species” review

Papoose is a 42 year old MC from New York City who rose to fame by dropping a slew of mixtapes throughout the 2000s. His full-length debut The Nacirema Dream finally saw the light of day in 2013, which was followed up with You Can’t Stop Destiny in 2015 & then Underrated at the beginning of last year. However, Papoose has decided to enlist Brady Watt to produce a bulk of his 4th full-length album over here.

The album kicks off with “Billionaire”, where Papoose talks about getting a big bag out of this rap shit before time runs out over some keyboards & organs with the drums popping in midway through while the next track “Boxcutter” talks about having the deadliest pen of them all over a deadly boom bap beat. The song “Cobra Scale” brags about how he’s living over a harp loop while the track “Kickback” with Conway the Machine & French Montana sees the 3 spitting battle bars over a luxurious instrumental.

“The Human Body (The Brain)” is a full-blown science lesson with a dystopian beat while the song “COVID-19” gives a run-down of the ongoing pandemic backed by a ghostly instrumental. The track “Maturity” pays tribute to his wife Remy Ma over some piano chords while the song “Hate Be Real” talks about those who’re envious of him over a rock inspired beat.

The following track is a killer sequel to Numerical Slaughter” accompanied by some strings while the song “Antidote” compares his raps to just that over a whimsical beat. The penultimate track “Workin'” over an creepy instrumental from DJ Premier & then the closer “Tribute” pretty much freestyles over 50 Cent’s “Many Men (Wish) Death” paying homage to those who were murdered by corrupt cops.

This dude’s last 3 albums have been either hit or miss with me personally, but I think this might be his best one to date. The production on here is a lot more consistent to my surprise & Papoose’s lyrical talents are still as off the way as they were when he first came up.

Score: 3.5/5

TR Dee – “Trapped in My Bag” review

TR Dee is a rapper from Ypsilanti, Michigan notable for being 1/3 of the ShittyBoyz alongside Babytron & Stanwill. Signing to Detroit music executive Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records as a group & as solo artists, the time for him to become the 3rd & final member of the trio that co-founded the Dog $hit Militia to branch out on his own has arrived with him releasing a debut mixtape a little over a couple months since Stanwill became 2nd at bat with his highly acclaimed debut EP $camwill.

The title track starts with some 808s & bells talking about nobody else from the city being able to fuck with him whereas “On a Boat” hooks up a more uptempo Detroit trap instrumental to admit he hasn’t been the same since Kobe Bryant’s death. “Wakanda” featuring Kasher Quon talks about their only fear being going broke while “Groove” suggests glasses for those who ain’t seeing the Ws they’re catching.

“Me vs. Me” goes for a cavernous Detroit sound talking about himself being the only competition while my 2nd favorite song “Big Show” by the ShittyBoyz produced by Danny G references current AEW performer & commentator as well as former 7-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Paul Wight.

Danny G sticks around for another standout track “Run To” promising that he’ll ball until he can’t anymore while the funereal “It’s Not Easy” talks about living today up because he might not see tomorrow over more 808s & bells. “Malice at the Palice” refers to the most infamous NBA brawl of all-time but once the 2 & a half minute “Party Pooper” bodies a Stanwill instrumental pulling from electro, “Billie Jean” ends by sampling the hit Michael Jackson single of the same name.

Similarly to Bin Reaper last Halloween season & $camwill a few months earlier, Trapped in My Bag counts down the 4th quarter of what’s been an unbearable year for many others by proving that TR Dee has as much of a promising solo career as Stanwill despite Babytron becoming the most popular ShittyBoy of the 3. In terms of the production, we’re still getting some creatively used samples brought into the fold & the Ypsilanti native holds his own weight to warm up for Sleeve Nash this Halloween.

Score: 4/5

Armani Caesar – “The Liz” review

Armani Caesar is a 31 year old rapper from Buffalo, New York with a couple of mixtapes under her belt already. She just signed with Griselda Records at the beginning of 2020 after being featured on Westside Gunn’s FLYGOD is an Awesome God II, Armani is now making her debut on the label with a brand new EP.

After the “Sissy Intro”, the first song “Countdown” takes aim at those who think they can double-cross her over a boom bap beat from JR Swiftz with an old timey piano sample whereas the track right after “Macs 10s for Everybody” looks back on when she used to struggle over a sumptuous instrumental. The titular song shows off some clever wordplay over a lush beat while the track “Gucci Casket” with Conway the Machine sees the 2 rightfully proclaiming themselves as bosses referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE world champion & WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage over a boom bap beat with some twinkling keyboard arpeggios.

The song “Drillarama” with Benny the Butcher finds them flexing over a vibrant trap beat from the 808 Mafia, but then they hook back up on the track right after “Simply Done” to give the listener some facts over some nostalgic DJ Premier production. The song “Yum Yum” gets raunchy over a rubbery beat while the track “Palm Angels” talks about how her new man makes her ex look like shit over a sensual instrumental from Animoss. The song “Ginger Rothstein” charmingly brags over a glamorous instrumental & then the EP finishes off with a short freestyle on top of the instrumental to one of my personal favorite songs of all-time: “Searching” by Roy Ayers.

I was curious to hear what Griselda would do bringing a female spitter on the roster & Armani manages to hold it on her own pretty well. In contrast to her previous efforts, the sound on here is a lot more boom bappy as to be expected from the camp & her lyricism has improved as well. She can only go up from here if you ask me.

Score: 3.5/5

Conway the Machine – “From King to a God” review

Conway the Machine is a 38 year old MC from Buffalo, New York who’s risen to prominence as a co-founder of Griselda Records with his brother Westside Gunn. The label has put out a lot of the most essential releases from the East Coast within the past 5 years & have quickly become one of the most well-respected crews in hip hop today. Although everyone on the team has always been working their asses off (especially as of late), Conway has definitely stood out the most in 2020. He dropped 2 damn-near perfect EPs in the spring with LULU & No One Mourns the Wicked but as the release of his long-awaited Shady Records debut God Don’t Make Mistakes approaches, La Maquina is finally delivering the highly anticipated prelude album From King to a God.

“From King…” starts by speaking on how Conway has become a brand, taking his demeanor from former 5-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE tag team champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion & TNA World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash along with joking about newly inducted WWE Hall of Famers nWo over a grimy Daringer beat whereas the next song “Fear of God” with DeJ Loaf sees the 2 talking about how far they’ve come over an empowering Hit-Boy instrumental. The track “Lemon” with Method Man finds both wordsmiths talking about over a creepy beat while the song “Dough & Damani” is pretty much Conway’s equivalent to “‘97 Hov” off of Benny the Butcher’s 2018 magnum opus Tana Talk 3 down to the switch-ups in the instrumental. The track “Juvenile Hell” with Flee Lord & Lloyd Banks sees the 3 over a dusty Havoc beat & after the “Words from Shay interlude, the song “Front Lines” is a well written response to the murder of George Floyd backed by a demented Beat Butcha instrumental.

The track “Anza” with Armani Caesar finds the 2 talking about how their crew has the most money over a trap beat from Murda Beatz while the song “Seen Everything But Jesus” with Freddie Gibbs finds the 2 talking about their regrets over a boom bap instrumental with some fancy keyboard embellishments. After the “Words from Shay 2” interlude, the song “Spurs 3” with Westside Gunn & Benny the Butcher get on their pyrex shit over a somber instrumental while the song “Forever Dropping Tears” talks about how no one can deceive him a smooth beat from none other than Erick Sermon & Rockwilder. The penultimate song “Jesus Khrysis” talks about being in rare form over a cinematic instrumental from Khrysis whereas the closer “Nothin’ Less or More” talks about how he’ll forever keep it raw over a funky boom bap beat from none other than DJ Premier.

“Raw Oysters” is a raw kickoff to the deluxe run starting with O’s & ending with ki’s ahead of Cardiak & Hitmaka giving “Ameenah’s Van” a soulful boom bap flare talking about being different & the streets needing this gospel. “Crack in the 90s” featuring Jae Skeese & 7xvethegenius hopping over a gritty Roc Marciano instrumental for a flawless Drumwork posse cut while 9th Wonder samples “Wistful Dreams” by Paul Williams for “Serena vs. Venus” acknowledging it feels good to know you fuckin’ with a real g. The final bonus track “Stefon Diggs” featuring Jae Skeese hops over a flute telling their experiences in the streets.

After years of hype, this album certainly lived up to my expectations & only enhances my excitement for God Don’t Make Mistakes. Not only is Conway the most versatile he’s ever been before, but you can really hear how much he’s grown both as an artist & as a person throughout the years.

Score: 4.5/5

Boldy James – “The Versace Tape” review

Boldy James is a 38 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who I first caught wind of with his Alchemist produced 2013 debut M.1.C.S. (My 1st Chemistry Set). The critical acclaim of which that album received would land him a contract with Nas’ independent label Mass Appeal Records, but Boldy unfortunately got incarcerated sometime after. Upon being released, Uncle Al would help get his name back out there by dropping the Boldface EP last winter & The Price of Tea in China just this past February. Both of which where also widely praised & even resulted in a new deal with Buffalo powerhouse Griselda Records. To mark his debut with the label, Boldy has enlisted Jay Versace for his 4th EP.

After the “Pony Down” intro, the first song “Maria” talks about going from selling drugs to where he is now over a jazzy beat while the track “Nu Wave” talks about cooking up over a soulful instrumental. The song “Cartier” with Elcamino sees the 2 talking about having footwork over a rich piano loop while the track “Brick van Excel” talks about how it is in the streets will test you over an euphoric beat.

The song “Long Live Julio” looks back on his younger days over an old school sample while the track “Monte Cristo” talks about whippin’ it up over another vintage loop. The song “Cardinal Sin” talks about being from the east side of Detroit over a slow instrumental while the penultimate track “Bentayga” talks about “pitchin’ like Verlander” over a delicate sample. The EP finishes with “Roxycontin”, where Boldy & Westside Gunn talk about being tied up in the dope game over an angelic instrumental.

Not as good as The Price of Tea in China, but still a good follow up. Jay Versace’s drumless production goes over well with Boldy James’ gritty street imagery. However, I wish it was longer than just 20 minutes. Nonetheless, Boldy shows himself as a fine edition to the Griselda roster.

Score: 3.5/5

Westside Gunn – “FLYGOD is an Awesome God II” review

This is the 5th full-length album from Buffalo emcee/entrepreneur Westside Gunn. Breaking out in 2016 with his near-perfect debut album FLYGOD, he would go on to take over the hip hop scene with his brother Conway the Machine & their cousin Benny the Butcher as they’ve consistently dropped a slew of high quality releases both solo-wise & as a trio. However, Westside has stated on numerous occasions that 2020 will be his final year rapping & kicked it off just this spring with Pray for Paris. But with the 1 year anniversary of FLYGOD is an Awesome God approaching this weekend, Westside is celebrating with a sequel preluding his Shady Records debut Who Made the Sunshine? set to drop next month.

After the “Praise God” intro, the first song “Michael Irvin” finds Westside talking about how no one’s flyer than him referencing WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson over a jazzy beat whereas the next track “Jose Canseco” with Stove God Cook$ sees the 2 talking charismatically boasting including a reference to WWE Hall of Famer, former 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Curt Hennig over a soulful instrumental from STREETRUNNER. I was surprised to see the loosie “1 More Hit” appearing on here, but I’m glad it did & the new Stove God Cook$ verse added on is a nice touch to it as well.

After the first “Sadhu Interlude”, the song “Lil Cease” with Griselda Records’ newest signee Armani Caesar finds the 2 rightfully proclaiming their thrones as King & Queen of Buffalo over a creepy boom bap beat from JR Swiftz. After the “Fuck the Police” skit, the song “Buffs vs. Wires” with Benny the Butcher & Boldy James of course gets on the drug dealer tip over a classy ass loop from Daringer.

Then after the “Mr. Maino” skit, we’re treated to a remix of another old WSG loosie “Bubba Chuck” with Stove God Cook$ being added on once again & I actually like this a lot more than the “1 More Hit” remix that I discussed earlier. Including the bar about WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion & 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior. After the final “Sadhu Interlude”, the song “Drive By Love” is a gangsta sex tune over a savory Chuck Inglish instrumental.

The penultimate track “Rebirth” namedrops both WWE Hall of Famers & former 3-time WWE tag team champions The Road Warriors alongside former CZW World Jr. Heavyweight Champion, PWG World Champion, record-setting 3-time ROH World Champion, ROH World Television Champion, the longest reigning NXT Champion, the inaugural NXT North American Champion & NXT Tag Team Champion Adam Cole on top of the peaceful instrumental. The album then finishes with “Steve Behr”, where Westside enlists Rome Streetz to talk about pushing coke over a hypnotic sample.

It’s not as good as Pray for Paris, but I still think this is a solid album regardless. In contrast to the predecessor seeing Westside Gunn experimenting & trying new things, he pretty much takes it back to the basement on here. Beyond excited to see where he takes things on Who Made the Sunshine?.

Score: 3.5/5

Freddie Gibbs – “Alfredo” review

Freddie Gibbs is a 37 year old emcee from Gary, Indiana that started out in 2004 with his debut mixtape Full Metal Jackit. Interscope Records would eventually sign him in 2006, but he left shortly after without releasing a full-length debut. This was made up for with the mixtapes The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs & Str8 Killa No Filla, which would catch the attention of Jeezy & land Freddie a contract with CTE World in 2011. This didn’t last long though, as Gibbs would leave CTE the following year after releasing the tapes Cold Day in Hell & B.F.K. (BabyFace Killa). In 2013, he decided to form his own label E$GN Records & finally dropped the full-length album, E.$.G.N. (Evil $eeds Grow Naturally). He & iconic Oxnard producer Madlib would drop their MadGibbs debut Piñata the year after that, which is EASILY one of the greatest hip hop albums of the previous decade. Gibbs continued to grow his profile after that with Shadow of a Doubt, You Only Live 2wice, Freddie, the Curren$y collab EP Fetti & of course there’s MadGibbs’ sophomore effort Bandana almost a year ago at this point. However, he’s returning out of the blue with his 3rd full-length album & The Alchemist producing it in it’s entirety.

Things kick off with “1985”, where Freddie talks about his flow being God level over a psychedelic guitar instrumental. The next song “God Is Perfect” talks about “Gangland shit” over a dreary instrumental while the track “Scottie Beam” finds Gibbs getting conscious & Rick Ross flexing over a dreamy instrumental. The song “Look At Me” talks about how he ain’t looking back over a soulful instrumental while the track “Frank Lucas” featuring Benny the Butcher sees the 2 talking that drug dealing over a grim boom bap beat.

“Something to Rap About” featuring Tyler, The Creator sees the 2 discussing rapping about crime & fame respectively over a tropical instrumental while the track “Baby $hit” talks about how soft dudes be nowadays. The song “Babies & Fools” with Conway the Machine sees the 2 reminiscing on their first & second loves over a gorgeously smooth instrumental while the penultimate track “Skinny Suge” opens up about feeling like someone’s tryin’ to kill him over a meditative beat. The album finishes off with “All Glass”, where Gangsta Gibbs gets on the gangsta tip over a hard hitting instrumental.

For this being the lyrical surprise album everyone was talking about dropping this week, it’s phenomenal. Probably Freddie’s best solo effort yet in my opinion. The production is phenomenal as we’d all expect from Uncle Al at this point culminating in jazz rap, boom bap & drumless with Freddie’s pen-game being just as gruesome as it was on Bandana depicting the gangsta lifestyle he’s experienced with guests that’re on the same level.

Score: 4.5/5

Westside Gunn – “Pray for Paris” review

Westside Gunn is an MC & entrepreneur from Buffalo, New York that made his mark on hip hop in 2016 with his debut album FLYGOD. This has been continued with a handful of mixtapes, his 2018 sophomore album Supreme Blientele, inking a management deal with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation & his own label Griselda Records even signing a distribution deal with Shady Records. In 2019, we saw Westside drop his 3rd album FLYGOD is an Awesome God in the summer & then the 7th installment of his infamous Hitler Wears Hermes series 4 months later. However to kick off his final year of making music allegedly, he’s coming through with his 4th full-length album.

After the $4M + Tax” intro, we get into the first song “No Vacancy”. Where the FLYGOD of course talks about pushing & slamming muhfuckas on their necks like the longest-reigning WWE Champion, former 3-time WWE tag team champion & WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino over a blissful DJ Muggs instrumental. The next track “George Bondo” with Conway the Machine & Benny the Butcher sees the 3 talking about going from selling dog food to being successful & impacting the culture like former WCW senior VP, Monday Night RAW GM, TNA Executive Producer & WCW Hardcore Champion Eric Bischoff over a grimy Daringer/Beat Butcha instrumental while the song “327” with Joey Bada$$ & Tyler, The Creator sees the 3 flexing over a mellow boom bap beat.

The track “French Toast” with Wale sees the 2 talking about crushing their competition over a piano-inflicted boom bap beat & while the song “Euro Step” may have my least favorite instrumental on the album, I do like how Westside pays tribute to everyone he knows who’re still slanging yay. The track “Allah Sent Me” with Conway & Benny sees the 3 trading bars back & forth with each other like it’s nothing over a menacing Daringer beat while the song “$500 Ounces” with Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marciano sees the 3 getting mafioso over a jazzy Alchemist beat.

The track “Versace” talks about how he’s never going back to being broke over a harmonious vocal sample while the song “Clairborne Kick” with Boldy James sees the 2 talking about their dealing days & I really love the atmosphere that Uncle Al provides them with as well as nod to current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre’s finisher. The track “Shawn vs. Flair” shows off his wordplay over a flawless boom bap beat from none other than DJ Premier while the song “Party with Pop Smoke” finds Westside bragging & Keisha Plum closing it out with some beautiful poetry over a colorful Tyler, The Creator instrumental. The album then finishes with “Le Djobila”, where we get a very short verse & some really awesome tap-dancing over a soulful beat

If this really is Westside’s final year rapping because everyone has said it at some point, then what a way to kick it off. He sounds as passionate as ever, the big name features all come together fantastically & the production is easily some of the best that the man has EVER gotten his hands on.

Score: 4/5

Conway the Machine – ” LULU” review

Conway the Machine is an emcee that blew up as 1/3 of the trio Griselda with Westside Gunn & Benny the Butcher. Last year we saw him droping a total of 3 short projects last year & now with the 1st quarter of 2020 coming to a close, he’s enlisting West Coast veteran The Alchemist to produce his 6th EP in it’s entirety.

After the intro, we get into the first song “14 KI’s”. Where Conway of course talks about pushing coke over an ominous beat. “The Contract” speaks on how nobody’s on his level over an orchestral instrumental while the song “Shoot Sideways” with ScHoolboy Q sees the 2 talking about murder over a boom bap beat. The track “Calvin” talks about being the big homie over a demented beat while the song “They Got Sunny” with Cormega sees the 2 going at wack rappers over a grimy boom bap beat. The EP finishes off with “Gold BBS’s”, where La Maquina talks about gunning down those who oppose him over a boom bap beat with a spooky vocal sample.

To me, this is easily one of the best things Conway has ever put out. He sounds a lot more focused than he did on the 3 projects that he dropped last year & the production is more consistent too because you can’t really go wrong with The Alchemist.

Score: 4.5/5