Big Bye – “Paper Plates” review

This is the 2nd mixtape from Michigan rapper Big Bye. Originally known as byetimo, he released his first couple EPs Bye & Big Bye in the late 2010s/early 2020s until changing his moniker after the Bye’s successor at some point between 2022 & 2023. Coming off his debut tape The Big Lebyeski couple months ago, Detroit music executive Lando Bando has officially signed Timo to his own imprint The Hip Hop Lab Records & is letting him make his debut for the label with Paper Plates.

The title track is a creatively soulful jazz rap/Detroit trap hybrid talking about having bitches everywhere that only know him by his looks & only asking for grace whereas “Sparkle” boasts of him breaking weed down to particles as well his chain glistening. “Ballin’ Hard” featuring BandGang Javar finds the 2 talking about the za being so good that it’s like they’re smoking cigars while “No Tattoos” finds himself deciding not to get freshened up for the day.

“Waterboy” works in some pianos & 808s to suggest one should come to his suburbs if you wanna get a cup of lean while “Fat Packets” featuring Babytron cloudy trades the mic back-&-forth with each other for a couple minutes. “Big Yuck” featuring BYEVIXEN finds the 2 over a Jakesand instrumental talking about having gold in their teeth like popcorn kernels just before “Girl Next Door” works in some shimmering pianos from Danny G selling sunshine & happiness.

As for “Dick Dastardly”, we have Big Bye referencing the titular antagonist of the Warner Bros.-owned Wacky Races franchise over a sample & 808s meshing with one another leading into “Payday” featuring Certified Trapper dabbling with lowend a bit talking about lining their opps out in chalk as well as receiving the wages they’re owed within 24 hours & a reference to one of my favorite WRs of all-time Randy Moss.

“My 1st Rodeo” starts the final leg of Paper Plates with a bell-inflicted beat responding to weirdos calling him a rookie who won’t amount up to anything solely because they’ve done more than him musically while “Counting on Us” talks about going from rags to riches. “Rainman” wraps up the mixtape with Bye riding in the same Buick convertible as depicted in the 1988 road comedy-drama of the same name.

Straying further away from the pop rap influences of his earlier output, Big Bye’s inaugural release under The Hip Hop Lab Records further capitalizes on the Detroit sound of The Big Lebyeski only 9 weeks after it’s predecessor & cements Timo as a welcoming addition to Lando’s roster. 75% of the features are underwhelming, but Bye’s growth both artistically & personally within nearly a decade remains easy to hear.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Lefty Gunplay – “Can’t Get Right” review

This is the 5th studio LP from Baldwin Park’s hottest artist currently Lefty Gunplay entirely produced by Compton, California emcee/producer Jason Martin formerly known as Problem. One of whom has been putting it down for the west coast for nearly 2 decades & the other has been blowing up since last summer later appearing on Kendrick Lamar’s 6th album GNX already 6 months ago. After putting out a few singles, Jason & Lefty are teaming up on Can’t Get Right.

“Lord Forgive Me” produced by Scott Storch & Jason fuses west coast trap & gospel music asking why these éses ain’t out yet here without no gun homaging the iconic Boogie Down Productions song “9mm Go Bang” during the hook whereas the title track produced by Mike & Keys and Sndtrak lets everyone know exactly how he got his stage name. “Scary Movie” takes a bit of a nervous vibe talking about the streets making him realizing. Shit out here ain’t as scary as he thought he would be just before “Gangsters Get Scared” featuring Cactus Jack Records’ newest signee Wallie the Sensei & YS talks bout even the realest of G’s taking on fear.

Meanwhile on “Heavens Above (My Angel)”, we have Lefty talking about being pussywhipped to the point where he’ll start listening good & he God sending him angels from above the pearly gates of Heaven to watch him & “Hotel Party” lives up to its name from its horn-heavy beat to the celebratory lyricism partying in his hotel room. “Menace” featuring The Game finds the 2 talking about they way both of them having become to being threats to the societies that raise them while “Cracks in the Ceilings” talks about sitting in the country jail counting the amount of cracks that’re present on the roof.

After the “Tales from the Schu” interlude, “123456” featuring RJmrLA turns the traffic music influences all way the up so both of them can talk about the hustle being hereditary while “1 Day at a Time” featuring Ty$ talks about every single one of us tryna figuring it out taking it day-by-day. “Grey Goose” featuring Kiing Khash & Osbe Chill unites the trio over a Terrace Martin beat trying to become billionaires while “Me, My Gun & You” featuring Storm DeBarge talks about it only those 3 things in the end. After the “It’s Time” interlude, the closer “Through the Fire” ends with a soulful flare claiming the rap game revolves around redemption.

My introduction to Lefty was his feature on Coyote’s breakout sophomore effort last summer L.Aliens & roughly 10 months later, Jason taps in with him to fully produce what could very well be the strongest body of work in his discography yet. The production is a lot stronger than what Lefty has put out previously & aside from a few guests not sticking the landing in terms of their performances, you can very much tell that he was locked in laser-focused by the way his pen has been sharpened.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Stanwill – “Stan Always Will” review

Detroit, Michigan rapper Stanwill starting the new month with his 4th studio LP. 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 off the debut EP $camwill as well as it’s successor Gifted & the debut mixtape Van Gundy. He also went Full Auto for his 3rd EP & 4ever $hittin’ after Still $hittin’ celebrated it’s 1-year anniversary last weekend trying out new sounds, he’s clarifying that Stan Always Will.

“No Lol” comes out the gate referencing 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 whereas “Power” talks about not being as sweet as some think he is. “Spring Fling” keeps it in the Detroit trap style instrumentally describing a girl he met named Summer while “4th Dimension” produced by Danny G treats beef like a shish kebab.

As for “Rocky Road”, we have Stan talking about taking the dirt path & coming out icier than he ever was leading into “Lime Light” featuring Nasaan uniting both of them so they can trade verses with each other talking about hittin’ muhfuckas with the fire soon as they catch ‘em. “50 Shots” throws in a cool bar referring to the Amazon-owned Fire TV Sticks turning any television set into a smart TV just before “Kung Pao” discusses having to do no talking & let the guns fire off.

“Kelly Olynyk” has a grittier Detroit trap flare to the beat comparing himself to the New Orleans Pelicans player of the same name prior to TR Dee joining Stan on “Pushing Daisies” to talk about the paper giving them butterflies soon as they see it cruising in a 45 except they feel like they pushin’ 80. “Run & Gun” boasts that his stash is 3x the size of whatever yours is providing the soundtrack for those who be spinning the block while “Rock Lee” featuring T Bone drops people similarly to the Naruto character.

The classy sample during “Bora Bora” was pleasant to the ears telling his girl that it’s normal for his competition to be punching under their weight in a battle with him while “Villain Arc” talks about people getting him in a time where he bounces back from a tragic event in his life. “Voila” likens the way he lives now to BMF co-founder Big Meech keeping only the pros in his mind these days while “Recipe” featuring Babyfxce E claps back at people claiming that have the sauce taking it up a notch.

“Cuban Links” continues the 2nd half of Stan Always Will airing people out quicker than the greatest basketball player of all-time Michael Jordan while “GG” humorously suggests that he injures bitches the way he be smashin’ ‘em. “Mucinex” shows a bit of a Mobb influence calling anyone stupid to get in an altercation with the Dog $hit Militia while “Ding Dong” by the Dookie Brothers references former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, ECW World Television Champion, IWGPタッグチャンピオン, WCW Hardcore Champion & 2-time WCW World Tag Team Champion Bam Bam Bigelow.

The song “Powerball” reaches the album’s final moments feeling like the Warner Bros. subsidiary DC Entertainment-owned Superman ahead of the DC Universe media franchise & shared universe beginning in a couple months while “2 Easy” talks about jackin’ people in the face wearing the honorary WWE Hardcore Champion Travis Scott’s line of shoes. “By Any Means” finishes us off by hoping he runs into his enemies & cutting off people who ain’t did shit for him.

53 weeks since the most versatile body of work in Stan’s solo discography & he takes it back to a prominent Detroit trap style for this one spitting rapid fire verses on nearly every song in addition to him bringing on a more consistent guest list that delivers less misses than hits steadily keeping up with his pen. Whether he’s by himself or accompanied by either one or both of his ShittyBoyz cohorts, Stan Always Will deliver & come correct in terms of leveling up in terms of making the most exciting music in his style.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Fordio – “Fordi Milligrams” review

Michigan rapper Fordio releasing his full-length studio debut. Emerging in 2022 off his debut EP Foreva$camz, the follow-up Blame It on My Cup resulted the ShittyBoyz making him a member of their Dog $hit Militia collective signed to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records dropping the Made & $tyle collab project with MJPaid & recently the Forever Juggin’ EP almost a year ago already. We literally got MJPaid’s own debut Paid Ponzi at the beginning of 2025 & here we are 3 months later with Fordio applying pressure on Fordi Milligrams.

“Rackz on Rackz” made for a cloudy Detroit trap intro imaging the YC & Future single of the same name whereas “No Lol” completely blocks out all the hate being spewed from the nosebleed section. “Aha” gives a spacious yet funky feeling to the beat making those who’ve turned on him regret their decisions while “Tell Me Sum” puts his faith in the drugs since he can’t trust a soul.

That subject matter gets delved deeper onto “Ain’t Feeling Luv” talking about taking percocets to help put him in a better mood leading into “Tryfe Lyfe” featuring Babytron refusing to give slices of their cheese since they’re too stingy with it. “Hot Boyz” featuring G.T. brings the pair together suggesting that people out here are more broke than they are tough while “Not Too Long” produced by Danny G talks about pouring up with 5 folks.

“Run” reaches the halfway point of the LP vowing to sprint until his legs don’t work anymore & counting his bread up until his hands go numb while “Dirty $oda Club” if you clearly couldn’t tell speaks of his love for sippin’ lean. “Jugg Anthem” experiments with plugg advising not to come around him if the loot isn’t a priority while “Y.N.B.W. (You N****s Better not Wait) talks about seeing millions coming in his dreams.

As for “IDK”, we have Fordio dismissing what others gotta say since he’s been in the v-cut & “PA All-Stars” featuring MJPaid & 72 Reezy unites the trio to talk about being the worst nightmare of any individual with nothing in their pockets until Baby Ghost outraps Glockboyz Teejaee on a song named after 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE tag team champion, 2-time AEW World Champion, inaugural ROH Hall of Fame inductee, ROH World Champion, 2-time ROH World Tag Team Champion & former UFC fighter “CM Punk” finally getting his WrestleMania main event last weekend.

“Leanin’” featuring Certified Trapper kicks off the 4th quarter of the tape trading verses over a lowend instrumental while “Overtime” suggests not to mind him or the crew whenever they pull up to your town. “72mg” oozes of psychedelia explaining that his heart is beating fast due to the drugs he’s consuming while “NeedDat” finishes the album talks about not being a fool whenever it comes to the bag.

Not too far off from Paid Ponzi several months back, Fordi Milligrams similarly to what that previously mentioned debut had done displays what Fordio has to offer by himself & makes me hope the other 2 members of the collective catch up to them with projects of their own. The production is a step up from that early material & despite a few features I could’ve done without, many of their verses rival Fordi’s.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

G Perico – “L.A. Gangster” review

Los Angeles, California gangsta rapper G Perico enlisting Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin’ to produce his 5th mixtape & having DJ Drama hosting it. In the past 13 years, his last 4 tapes along with over a dozen EPs & 5 studio LPs. The last time Drama hosted a project was Hot Shot celebrating it’s 2-year anniversary last month & I found that to be pretty decent like a good portion of Perico’s output in recent memory, except L.A. Gangster could surpass the predecessor & maybe become an important entry in the dude’s whole entire discography.

After the “Go Shop” intro, the first song “Street Lights” is this west coast trap opener with lyrics painting images of the gangsta lifestyle whereas “Gangsta” featuring E-40 finds the 2 coming together to discuss being a whole different pedigree. “Commas” brings a jazzier vibe to the table assuring it’s all about the checks just before “Resume” featuring Kamaiyah basically gives middle fingers to anyone no good tryna hang with them.

“L.A. Real Estate” gets back on the trap tip instrumentally explaining what people out in the west be gangbangin’ for leading into “Lil Homies” featuring Dody6 giving their kudos to all their friends on the come-up at this moment. “L.A. Takeover” conceptually needs no further explanation since the Innerprize’s statement is being made loud & clear while “Hey” talks about people living their lives & ain’t ever getting it.

The song “Sold Out” kicks off the final leg of L.A. Gangster with a nervous flare buying out everything in his path while “No Interruptions” talks about people giving him fake love only because of his wealth. “Lost Time” works in some fingersnaps & a guitar refusing to lose any more valuable time in his hands, but then “Thankful” featuring Keith Rice ends the tape with both of them expressing their gratitude for a myriad of things.

Building on both artists’ previous individual successes, L.A. Gangster surpasses Hot Shot as a sequel & I could even make the case of it being the best thing I’ve heard from G Perico in recent memory. Larrance Dopson’s production throughout is the most consistently well-crafted batch of beats that he’s rapped on in a while delving into themes of persistence on L.A.’s streets, personal victories & hurdles.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Too $hort – “Sir Too $hort: Freaky Tales” review

Too $hort is a 58 year old MC, songwriter, producer & record executive from Oakland, California known for being a west coast pioneer within the last 4 decades. Born to Mack, Life is…Too $hort, $hort Dog’s in the House, Get In Where You Fit In & Gettin’ It (Album #10) all stick out in his extensive catalog. This fall will mark 8 years since The Pimp Tape & he’s finally returning with the 21st full-length studio LP he’s actually been teasing since roughly 2022 or so only 2 & a half years after Mount Westmore’s debut Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort.

“Still Mackin’” samples the “Dope Fiend Beat” off Born to Mack to talk about his longevity in the rap game whereas the uncanny trap-flavored title track discusses always winning in the end & all the bitches knowin’ his name. “You Don’t Know” dabbles with Mobb music thanks to Ant Banks talking about these hoes not having an idea as to what’s going on while “Pick a Side” featuring WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg wants to know exactly who their partners are playing for.

BossLife Big Spence & Larry June join $hort Dog on “Pimpin’ Like Kenny Red” for a turnt-up hyphy track likening themselves to pimps leading into “Go Bitch” featuring Big Zeke, Jay Chess & Kokane serving as a g-funk club banger for the bitches out there who be doing the most. “No Feelings” featuring Bandaide & Mistah F.A.B. brings the trio together so they can live & die by the code, but then the acoustic trap hybrid “Keep It Going” featuring King George encourages everyone to continue moving.

“The Budget” pulls a bit from rap rock to spend a few bucks while “Sucka Shit” essentially calls out the people who be on their bullshit. “Got It from the Bay” represents the northern side of California that made him while “Brain Surgery” talks about people having to know how to do it to make it. And prior to the Check the Stats” outro, the self-produced “Everywhere” takes the Mobb route for the final time reflecting on the places his career has taken him.

Drawing heavily on his Bay Area roots & long-standing partnerships, the 1st installment in a new trilogy is more of a a deliberate look back as much as a statement of staying power Too $hort has ultimately bridging the classic template with new wrinkles & familiar faces. The funk-heavy, bass-driven production marks a return to the smoothness that anchored many of $hort’s most influential releases during the golden age & joins the ever-growing list of hip hop pioneers adapting decades later.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Mozzy – “Intrusive Thoughts” review

In front of us is the 10th studio LP from Sacramento, California emcee Mozzy. Becoming a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his debut 1 Up Top Akh & he went on to be featured on the soundtrack for Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more full-lengths through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records prior to Memphis veteran Yo Gotti landing him a contract with Collective Music Group/Interscope Records. His major label debut Survivor’s Guilt was more poignant than what Mozzy had done previously & Children of the Slums last spring exemplified growth in his rap career & personal life, although Brash Dummies became a letdown. 8 months later, some Intrusive Thoughts of his are becoming let out in the open.

After the “$FlyMoney2X” intro, the first song “Press Play” is this nervous opener talking about never taking a weekend off & never leaving his dogs despite what people say online whereas “Death Before Dishonor” featuring EST G finds the 2 hoping a gangsta shot them if they happen to die in their sleep. “Under Oath” works in more traffic music influences talking about the slums having a hold of him while “Katta Clips” dabbles with Detroit trap throwing it back to a deep cut in his catalog “Dear XXL”.

Lil Poppa joins Mozzy on the sample-driven “Nightmares” talking about it being hard to sleep at night trying to be doing alright leading into the solemn although much necessary “Keep Callin’ My Name” getting some pain off his chest lyrically. “7 2’s” continues the introspection feeling fed up with seeing graduation pictures whenever he checks the news, but then “Role Model” talks about him not trying to become someone others should take examples from.

“Pac Proud” hooks up these prominent piano chords gives his flowers to the late west coast icon 2Pac & speaks on being unable to forget the trenches since he’s a child of it throughout while “Hella Hyphy” taps in with his Northern California roots embracing the hyphy subgenre Keak da Sneak pioneered. “Who Want War?” featuring Polo G gives off a bloodthirsty trap vibe asking if anyone wants beef with them while “10%” advises to ask him why he signed to CMG.

E Mozzy & Maine Musik appear for “Modify It” catchin’ somebody lying about catching a body while “Reputation Everything” featuring Celly Ru breaks down their name around the street being everything to them. “Blood Diamonds” featuring Peysoh blends nervous music & gangsta rap themes together for a collab that makes up for the latter 2 while Tsu Surf gets his own solo cut with “Free Surf” calling for his freedom. “No Fabrication” finally ends the album brushing off any notion that his life is all cap.

Similarly to his CMG debut, Intrusive Thoughts doesn’t shy away from the trials & tribulations that drive some of Mozzy’s most memorable recordings bouncing back from the mediocre reception of Brash Dummies with his best since Children of the Slums. He continues his journey towards inner peace attempting to silence his unquiet mind & move forward from his traumatic youth in Oak Park in addition to imparting some knowledge on how to keep your mind strong enough to navigate street life & emerge with your soul intact.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

RMC Mike – “The 6” review

Flint, Michigan recording artist RMC Mike enlisting The World Famous D-Boy to fully produce his 4th EP. Signing a joint deal with Rio da Yung O.G. & Peezy’s own labels M.I.N.E. Entertainment & #Boyz Entertainment alongside EMPIRE Distribution, his first couple EPs Rookie Season & Sophomore Season established himself as in the Detroit trap scene until his full-length studio debut Junior Season elevated it further. His last EP Ghetto Season was good & his 2nd album it preluded Senior Season was ok, returning to embark on a trip to The 6.

After the “Walk a Mile” intro, the first song “I Remember” is this trippy Detroit trap intro shrugging off those calling him a rapper insisting he’s an artist whereas “Venting” talks about selling out every show because he’s a main attraction. “5am on Fenton Road” featuring Louie Ray vividly takes us to the Flint streets in the early hours of the morning while “U Never” cloudily shouts out his late grandfather who recently passed.

“Radric Davis (Get It)” featuring Bossileni Jagg goes for a darker Detroit trap vibe instrumentally paying homage to one of the big 3 trap pioneers Gucci Mane & prior to the “Walk a Mile” outro, the final song “Get Yo Roll On” featuring Iced Up Records signee Krispylife Kidd officially closes out the EP with them fucking up the whole zone.

Can’t necessarily blame RMC Mike for taking 2 years off because having Sophomore Season & Ghetto Season as my favorite EPs of his respectively, The 6 will most certainly accommodate for the primarily moderate reception Senior Season got. I found myself enjoying The World Famous D-Boy’s production for giving the Detroit trap style that can feel repetitive to some a refreshing take & of course Mike maintaining his signature mix of savagery, humor & rampant trash talk.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Berner – “Carbon” review

This is the 3rd EP from San Francisco, California rapper, songwriter & entrepreneur Berner. Beginning as a battle rapper in high school, he would go on to drop 16 LPs along with a few mixtapes & a couple EPs in addition to the plethora of collaborative projects he has with numerous artists. Hoffa was a Gotti sequel that recaptured the essence of its predecessor from a new perspective & the Cookies founder is back 5th months later to put out Carbon teasing his next studio album.

“Mid Flight” soulfully talks about everything you need if you want to get right whereas “Envy” strips the drums to discuss themes of jealousy. “Fuck ‘Em” featuring Mando works in a rock sample to give everyone the middle finger while “1,000,000 Bags Sold” featuring Ohgeesy & Yung Chowder finds the trio talking about pushing that many bags of dope. The title track goes for a dreary trap vibe embarking on an endless paper chase & “Corporate Thuggin’” featuring Chevy Woods smoothly ends with them tryna get paid.

Hoffa was the most that I personally have found myself enjoying a project from Berner in some time since his most recent output has been generally treated to mixed reception & sadly to say, Carbon feels like a step or 2 back after taking a few steps forward last fall. His verses & the production are both, but I feel like the performances from the features primarily don’t really hold up to the Bern 1 Entertainment founder’s other than both Ohgeesy & Chevy Woods.

Score: 2.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

J1Hunnit – “It Is What It Is” review

Smackover, Arkansas rapper J1Hunnit is back almost 11 months after Nevermind, I’ll Do It to release his 14th studio LP. Notable for his affiliation with the ShittyBoyz, he’s built up a discography of over a dozen full-lengths for himself along with 3 EPs & a couple collab efforts. Briefcase Boy, Modern Day Classic, Mink Coat Music, On Display, Planet Spunk & Don’t Be a Dweeb have all improved from his late 2010s/early 2020s material greatly & some of the guests who appear throughout It Is What It Is had me more excited than I typically get for his music.

“John Doe” starts the album by talking about wanting to sit from outer space & watch the world resolve itself over a Detroit trap instrumental whereas “Small Things to a Giant” how he views wasted time to be the worst thing ever referencing my 2nd favorite basketball player of all-time Kobe Bryant. “Encrypted” moves on to talk about clout being a hell of a drug leading into “Go 2 Work” speaks directly to those who ain’t built for this music shit.

Meanwhile on “Bad Muthafucka”, we have J1Hunnit over a fusion between cloud rap & Detroit trap talking about the kind of person that he is generally just before the personal favorite “Goyard Duffle” feels less of an interlude & more of an 155 second song feeling like he’s the same person he’s always been. “Finding My Passion” vents about feeling like he loves too hard & doesn’t hustle enough while “How I’m Livin’” breaks down his lifestyle.

“Lame” lets this chick know that she’s fed up with the broke ass dude she’s seeing & wanting to find out why she always got an attitude while “Wrong Type” featuring Tony Shhnow produced by Danny G & Jakesand introspectively talks about falling in love with the incorrect type of women. “Thumbin’” featuring Certified Trapper & G.T finds the trio flexing their wealth even if G.T. has my favorite guest appearance of the 2 while “9x Outta 10” talks about the kind who pump fake rich.

Babytron & Sada Baby both join J1Hunnit on the refreshing “Pop It” from the synths & 808s to the boastful lyricism while “Boston Baked Beans” featuring Babytron puts the pairing chemistry up for display clocking in at 2 & a half minutes approximately. “Chanelly” has to be another favorite of mine whether it be the Jakesand beat or the materialistic subject matter while “Avant Garde” talks about him being so fly, that he lets his closet hang glide.

“Fuck Fame” finds himself unable to tell if the love is coming from a genuine place & that he doesn’t want to be famous if his people only call him when they need him while “Missing You” passionately remembers the people in his life who’ve all passed away. “Aladdin’s Carpet” talks about wanting to take a shortcut as a quicker way of reaching his target while “Kamilla” gives a shoutout to Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky.

The song “Wagwaan” winds down the last few minutes of It Is What It Is with J1Hunnit asking what the fuck’s going on with a delivery that was supposed to touch down selling hits with Lando out the Bando while “Hollywood” finishes up the LP talking about witnessing someone he knew mutating into a monster. “Streets Don’t Love You” featuring Spice 1 starts the deluxe run reflecting on when they walked past the flames while “I Hope You Hate Me” featuring Samuel Shabazz oozes of bitter ex energy.

“Girl Wyd?” turns up the bass & atmosphere for 139 seconds talking about how he ain’t ever gonna stop throwing cash in the strip club while “I’m a Just Boy” gets his in spiritual bag topically. “Rikishi” references none other than the WWE Hall of Famer, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion & 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion himself while “Photosynthesis” featuring Babytron goes back-&-forth with each other 1 last time. “1st Day Out” marks the final bonus track talking about getting to the bread immediately.

Coinciding with his birthday, J1Hunnit makes it his newest mission now that he’s got his chips stacked to take over the world under Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records & It Is What It Is welcomes him home after some time incarcerated with the most captivating project he’s ever done. Tight production catered to the Detroit sound & an almost perfect list of guests joining quite possibly the most entertaining hip hop artist in Arkansas right now making up for lost time.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!