D. Savage – “We Love D. Savage” review

D. Savage is a 28 year old rapper & songwriter from Los Angeles, California who signed to Victor Victor Worldwide & Capitol Records for his debut EP D Phoenix & the full-length debut Trust No One shortly after his debut mixtape Born a Savage dropped. The sophomore effort BPL marked his debut for EMPIRE Distribution & with the 2-year anniversary of Mafia Musik approaching in a few days following this ongoing weekend, D.’s dropping his 4th studio album to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

“Kick ‘Em Out” starts the album with a plugg instrumental talking about hoes not wanting him back then & all of the sudden wanting him now that he’s becoming a popular artist whereas “Woozy” turns the cloudiness up so he can get fucked up off the lean he poured up. “2025” flexes that he got all the hoes he wants without it even mattering ahead of “Slow Rise” talking about refusing to slow down.

The intoxicating atmosphere of “Like Me” is fitting telling this woman he sees running around that she won’t find anyone else on his level out here leading into “Been a Joint” featuring 310babii finds the pair talking about building an EMPIRE a lot like the label D. Savage is signed to. “How Many Grams?” wants to know the exact amount of weed that was put into the blunt prior to it being rolled while “Palm of My Hand” asking why the fuck everyone soft as they are nowadays.

“Donut” featuring Dave Blunts brings the 2 together wanting to have fun & the killas by their side going up with them just before “inthej” featuring the streamer who finally got DJ Akademiks cancelled PlaqueBoyMax addresses every single person who wants to see them down & failing. “Geek’d Up” featuring Ty$ pours up the lean high enough where it’ll knock them out, but then “Until I Fall” boasts being as wealthy one of the greatest boxers of all-time & Mayweather Promotions founder Floyd Mayweather.

As for “Sin4thewin”, the conclusion of We Love D. Savage draws even closer getting back on his bullshit carrying a machete on him taking his meds to calm his ass down “Fr!ed” rounds out the LP by talking about being back in his bag grindin’ on the road & geeking up with 100 other rich homies outside with him as well as promising to kick the asses of anyone he catches speaking ill of him.

Given that I’ve never reviewed D. Savage up until now, I was first introduced to him when D Phoenix came out & felt that he was a good fit for Victor Victor until his departure. We Love D. Savage as far as his EMPIRE output goes stands as my new favorite compared to his last couple offerings. It’s produced better, the guest-list is tight & he returns after almost 2 years to deliver some of the most enjoyable performances I’ve heard from him in a while.

Score: 3.5/5

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Larry June & 2 Chainz – “Life is Beautiful” review

Vallejo, California rapper & songwriter Larry June joining forces with Atlanta, Georgia rapper, actor & songwriter 2 Chainz for a brand new collaborative studio LP. Both of whom have already crossed paths with one another a couple times in recent years on the tracks “Still Boomin’” & “Ocean Cuisine”, ultimately deciding to get together with one of my top 10 producers of all-time The Alchemist to entirely produce Life is Beautiful after being teased on Twitter a couple months ago sparking interest even further by letting off a couple singles the previous month & 2 Chainz appearing on WWE’s flagship program Monday Night RAW on Netflix a couple weeks ago.

“Munyon Canyon” is a drumless intro with both of them talking about needing everything whereas “Colossal” works in a reversed sample to admit they find it therapeutic counting it up referencing WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger & calling it exactly the way they see it. “I Been” continues to strip the drums as they discuss minding their own business leading into “LLC” talking about how there’s so much money to get bringing a boom bap flare to the table instrumentally.

The jazzy, drumless & boom bap lead single “Bad Choices” was one to begin the rollout perfectly wanting to know where all the good women who make bad decisions are at in the building while the title track has a flute sample that I really enjoy as they discuss the beauties of life. “Generation” dabbles with trap again talking about being the ones getting kids doing drugs, but then “Any Day” strips the drums to talk about giving their all.

“Epiphany” begins the final leg of Life is Beautiful on a mellow note flexing that their cribs be looking exactly like an Airbnb & “Tru Organics” continues to keep the drums out the equation talking about money being the motivator. “Jean Prouvé” psychedelically comes to the realization of them getting their minds right while “Days Like This” starts the deluxe run praising God daily for their blessings. The final bonus track “Spy Hunter” featuring The Alchemist ends with the trio chillin’ on a yacht & staying forever hungry.

Larry has brought the best out of 2 Chainz in the past throwing it back to his Tity Boi days & even though I initially thought that Jay Worthy was gonna be on here a couple months ago, the former Playaz Circle member taps in with The Freeminded Records founder to take their chemistry to the next level. Alchemist’s production is mostly drumless other than some hints of boom bap & trap for both of them to drop their signature luxurious raps.

Score: 4.5/5

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Babytron – “Song Wars” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Babytron preluding Luka Trončić 2 with his 5th EP. Coming up as a member of the ShittyBoyz along with his childhood friends Stanwill & TR Dee signing to Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records, he’s also built an impressive solo career for himself as well as the side groups Lewis & Clark and the Dookie Brothers. But the last couple years was probably his biggest yet landing interviews ranging from No Jumper to even Rolling Stone following the release of Luka Trončić until signing with EMPIRE Distribution later that same month & Bin Reaper 2: The 2nd Coming that same fall. Bin Reaper 3 ended the trilogy with a 2-disc effort, the bootleg Style EP wound up being disappointing, the full-length LP 6 made up for it as did his previous mixtape Megatron 2. His collab mixtape Mario & Luigi with Certified Trapper wasn’t all that great either & Tronicles was cool, whipping up 5 new tracks & compiling them into Song Wars.

“Xyla” was a decent Detroit trap intro with these bells & pianos talking about being immersed in the dangerous gangsta lifestyle & after “5 Star” finds himself feeling like he’s on Tattooine from The Walt Disney Company-owned Star Wars after consuming some psychedelic mushrooms, “Boogaloo (May God Be My Witness)” gets back on the gangsta tip lyrically.

16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena gets referenced on my favorite track here “2025” produced by Danny G prior to “Killas, Juggers & Robbers” peacing up the Song Wars by talking about his preference of being the kidnapper instead of the hostage or a killer rather than getting popped.

Recorded for PlaqueBoyMax’s popular series on his Twitch channel where he invites rappers to compete against each other in a music competition & judged by a panel of guests, Song Wars still proves to be tolerable enough to satisfy fans of Babytron distinguishable punchlines until time for the sequel to my favorite tape in his catalog comes.

Score: 3.5/5

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MJPaid – “Paid Ponzi” review

Michigan rapper MJPaid dropping off a sophomore effort. Coming up off the 6 Mile Trend$etter EP along with it’s sequel & the debut album 6 Mile Mi$fit respectively, Detroit trap group the ShittyBoyz would make 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 Fordio celebrating it’s 1-year anniversary last week. Coinciding with a deluxe version of that tape in the near-distant future, Paid Ponzi coming out made for an exciting prelude with 1 of the 2 performers handling the mic by himself.

“Ian Feelin’ That” pops it all off with a Detroit trap intro expressing his desire for $1B like he’s JAY-Z & shit not being hard to get if you put your mind to it whereas “Flavors” talks bitches chasing him & him chasing the money. “Dave Blunts” likens his pockets to the morbid obesity of a collaborator on Tronicles almost 3 months ago that I’m not too much of a fan of leading into “On Bro” featuring Babyfxce E exchanging brief verses with one another.

The vibraphones & pianos on “I Got It!” are peppily pleasant to the ear shrugging off any help some thinks he may need since he has it all taken care of while “6 Times” featuring Certified Trapper finds the pair asking how you a scammer when you ain’t even seen $10. “My Story” chops up a vocal sample for MJ to give everybody some backstory regarding himself just before “Elon Musk” feels like bad timing in light of the Tesla CEO, Twitter owner, SpaceX founder & Neuralink founder’s recent sieg hail.

“Y.N.W. (Young N Wild)” featuring DaBoii brings the pair together so they explain what kind of individuals they are while “3 Peat?” talks about everyone asking him for a handout being hoes. “Dracula” gives off a cloudier approach to the beat wanting red as if he’s a vampire while “OT7” talks about being out here with 7 hoes like he’s Quanny when I’d personally prefer him more than Quanny.

Babytron joins MJ on “It Depends” doing the back-&-forth execution of the verses better than the “On Me” single while “Don’t @ Me” produced by Danny G & Jakesand talks about mastering the art of cracking backs & going ghost when you need people the most. “Home Team” featuring Fordio recaptures the energy of that Made & $tyle tape we got 53 weeks earlier while “Dr. Doom” references the Fantastic 4 antagonist in light of his brief First Steps appearance.

“MJPaid Type Beat” pushes the 2nd leg of Paid Ponzi even further talking about trying to get his homies rich while “Scuba Dive” blends jazz & Detroit trap in a unique fashion talking about what he does every time a wave comes in his direction. “Bandz = Band-Aids” swaps out the jazz influences in favor in Mobb feelin’ like shit gonna be stayin’ the same while “Cold Summer” talks about how shit gonna be several months from now.

The song “What I Say?” speaks of having shit on his chest that ain’t gonna come out refusing make cheap convos with anyone broke while “Dog $hit” represents his team & talks about getting married to the money with Ben Frank becoming his best man. “Shhh” closes the album incorporating a chipmunk soul flip addressing the individuals who have no dedication wanting the lifestyle he’s experiencing.

Nearly 4 years since the 6 Mile Trend$etter properly introduced him within the Detroit trap realm, MJPaid makes his solo debut as part of the Dog $hit Militia once that pushes himself compared to his previous material & has me keeping my fingers crossed of the other members showing us what they’re capable of doing by themselves in the coming months. Even with 6 Mile Mi$fit having a stronger guest-list, the production is a big improvement from that earlier output & MJ channeling the energy of my 2nd favorite basketball player Kobe Bryant.

Score: 3.5/5

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Rio da Yung O.G. – “Rio Free” review

This is the sophomore full-length studio LP from Flint, Michigan rapper & M.I.N.E. Entertainment founder Rio da Yung O.G. home from behind bars. Breaking through the local trap scene during the latter portion of the previous decade under the mentorship of Peezy signing to #Boyz Entertainment in tandem with EMPIRE Distribution, he has since put out his last 9 EPs as well as a full-length debut album & a handful of collaborative projects under his belt all over the duration of 7 years. Rio Circa 2020 was a solid EP celebrating his 30th birthday & we’re here 8 months to celebrate Rio Free.

“Yung O.G.” happens to be this synth-driven Detroit trap intro demanding everyone brings their cheddar out now that he’s in the streets again whereas “Shake Back” comes through with a club banger clarifying his only concern being getting his weight back. “Do Dat” tears down his competition mixing Detroit trap & Mobb music leading into “Me & Marc” talking about going from sitting incarcerated to a Maybach.

Moving on from there, “Uncle Sam” warns that he might pull up with a strap & everything he says ain’t cap at all just before “Off-Rap” wanting to know how he got indicted when he ain’t ever cooked powder. The title track makes a clear statement that it’s his time now while “We Dem Niggas” reps M.I.N.E. & #Boyz Entertainment while “W.Y.D.T. (What You Do Today?) asks a question for the broke. “Rap War” concludes Rio Free by daring everyone to bring their dogs out.

“Something Happen” kicks off the deluxe run with some bells gearing up to a start a fire up in this muhfucka while “4 Minutes of Hell” holds it down for that exact length of time rappin’ without a hook. “Coincidence” asks how the fuck y’all became broke when he was in jail & him being rich soon as he came home while “Booked Summer” talks about his son loving money as much as he does never wanting any toys.

As for “Make a Way”, we have Rio assuring that he still has the wheel except he can’t steer straight these days getting by with 25 racks while “We Need a Pilot” talks about needing to sit down for a minute due to him consuming too many pills. “2:52am in Atlanta” lays a trap out in order to catch a mouse while “Cousin Killed” talks about slime shit resulting in his cousin’s death. “Crash Dummy” admits that he cries even with his gangsta status & the final bonus track “Claressa Shields” gives his flowers to the Flint boxer & MMA fighter.

For only a 54 minute follow-up to the full-length debut turning 5 this spring, Rio da Yung O.G. gears up for his homecoming show at the Masonic Temple tomorrow by dropping one of the most pivotal offerings in his discography yet. He refrains from having any guests join him in contrast to Rio Circa 2020 containing features half of the time letting the Detroit trap scene that he’s a key figure of know that he’s returned as if he was never locked up.

Score: 4/5

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Peysoh – “Peysoh Did It” review

Maywood, California up-&-comer Peysoh dropping off a brand new EP with only 11 days left in 2024. Introducing himself 4 years ago already with the debut single “6 Block”, he would later sign to EMPIRE Distribution for his full-length debut Ghetto Journal at the beginning of 2022 in addition to a sophomore effort Get Rich or Life Sliding the next summer. He recently landed guest verses on Berner’s 16th album Hoffa & of course the title track of Kendrick Lamar’s 6th album GNX a month ago, preluding next album by declaring Peysoh Did It.

“Ain’t as Evil as Me” is this Mobb-influenced open or talking about how nobody out here is more evil than he is whereas “Not Me” eerily works in some pianos getting on the gangsta rap tip lyrically. “Lucky 7” embraces the Detroit trap vibes talking about his nickname & getting away with some shit while “What’s Beef?” puts a modern west coast trap twist on a homage to the iconic Biggie track. “Let ‘Em Run” goes Mobb for the final moments asking the city to tell you who be poppin’ shit.

Similarly to the new YoungThreat mixtape that came out earlier today It Gets Greater Later, we have another artist who was featured on Dot’s surprise LP coming through with a body of work that lands a step above Siete7x’s recent tape Stucc in the Hole in terms of quality. All 3 artists can very much rap, but the latter tape had too many features & the other 2 artists didn’t have to bring any in whatsoever.

Score: 3.5/5

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Fury – “The Bender in November” review

Bristol, Connecticut emcee as well as Leathal Wreckords founder & the founder of the Leathal Weekends festival Fury releasing his 2nd EP. For 17 years almost 18, he’s dropped 3 full-length studio LPs & an EP by himself in addition to the Leathal Winter collaborative EP with Majik Ninja Entertainment alumni/iLLViLLE Worldwide founder Gibby Stites & most notably the You Already Know collab EP with Tre Lb of the Chop Shop over the summer. 6 months later, the younger brother of Shaggy 2 Dope from the Insane Clown Posse is now fully producing The Bender in November.

“I Wouldn’t” featuring Trikkdout opens up with this alarm-raising trap instrumental & both of them talking about their deadly tendencies whereas “Red Lights” featuring Vanity Grime somberly admits nothing good’s coming to him in this place he’s in right now. “Somebody Help Me” works in some guitars to talk about not wanting to go on & after the “A Friend” skit, “The Last Time” ends the EP by orchestrally wanting to heal this person’s soul.

Fury himself has been saying that The Bender in November stands as some of the best music that he’s ever made & being somebody who’s been paying attention to him since he formed the duo Something Awful alongside Bizarre of prior D12 fame, I’d have to agree with him on that fully. Tre Lb’s production maintains the consistency of You Already Know except this time around, he’s letting the Weirdo Movement member rip the mic by himself for 15 minutes.

Score: 4/5

Fat Joe – “The World Changed on Me” review

This is the 11th full-length studio LP from Bronx emcee, songwriter & actor Fat Joe. A member of D.I.T.C. & the Terror Squad, his first 3 albums Represent, J.O.E. (Jealous Ones Envy) & Don Cartagena are considered by many to be the best in his discography. However, much of his output since then has been either hit or miss from the underrated The Elephant in the Room to the horrendous J.O.S.E. 2 (Jealous Ones Still Envy 2). Cool & Dre produced the What Would Big Do? EP few years back & that was the most I’ve enjoyed Joey Crack’s music in a while, giving me hope for The World Changed on Me.

“Talking Hot” begins with a drumless Cool & Dreinstrumental letting it known that they gon’ be gettin’ shit poppin’ in here whereas “Mini Birki” featuring Ty$ happens to be a decent blend of trap & pop rap telling their respective partners Lorena & Zalia that they mean everything to them. “Us” featuring Remy Ma with co-production from 808-Ray makes a cutthroat toast to hip hop music leading into the underwhelming “Dog House” continuing the themes of romance albeit not as enjoyable as “Mini Birki” was.

As for “Me & U”, we have Joe over some horns & hi-hats talking about being alone with Lorena improving on what the previous joint lacked just before “Bad Man” featuring Tuggawar gets back on the drumless tip thanks to Don Cannon flexing their authenticity whilst everyone else be with the scams. “I Got You” was another mediocre pop rap joint that I could do without despite the Babyface hook, but then “Fresh” featuring Tony Sunshine finds the pair refusing to stop until they bring home Grammies.

The song “Paradise” was an obnoxious choice of a lead single from the DJ Khaled beat heavily ruining a sample as one would expect Khaled to do & in this case “Spring Love (Come Back to Me)” by Stevie B to the lyrics about giving his lover what she wants when she wants while the title track hops over a soulful STREETRUNNER instrumental confessing to feeling as if everyone switched on him. “They Don’t Love You” ends the LP with 1 more drumless cut laying passionate verses on top of this bare loop.

I’ve been wanting Cool & Dre to produce an album for Fat Joe since I feel like they’ve been bringing the best out of him in recent memory & considering that they produced 54% of it, I’ll still take it since it’s better than I had anticipated in it being even if it’s still average as a whole. The production’s actually consistent for a good portion of it & I like that he’s recapping the last 15 years of his life, it’s that the pop rap joints are hit or miss for me.

Score: 3/5

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Siete7x – “Stucc in the Hole” review

This is the 2nd mixtape from Compton, California up-&-comer Siete7x. Breaking out in 2019 off his debut mixtape Ccut from a Blue Cloth in the summer & later the full-length debut Compton Soul Child that same winter, he returned last fall off the sophomore effort Long Live My Therapy & recently had a verse on “dodger blue” off Kendrick Lamar’s latest album GNX couple weeks ago. Keeping that same energy, he’s striking while the iron’s hot on Stucc in the Hole.

After the “3704” intro, the first song “Make It Out” starts the mixtape by hopping over a solemn trap instrumental to discuss making it out of the trenches whereas “Feelin’ Me” featuring Bino Rideaux” takes the synth-trap instrumental talking about letting him pick his girl’s brain. “Trynna Make Away” has a bit of a cloudy trap edge as he addresses needing a way just before “Dive In” featuring Kalan.FrFr produced by Blxst fuses pop rap & trap in an enjoyable fashion.

“Make It Right” brings an acoustic trap flare to the table as he does whatever he can to make it up to this woman that he’s been seeing leading into “Anybody” featuring Sietegang Yabbie talking about both of them not simply being any other dudes out here. “Tell Me What You Know” brings back a stripped-back trap vibe wanting this chick to come clean with him regarding everything she knows, but then “Keep Going” featuring Kalan.FrFr playfully talks about the checks being nonstop.

Lil Bean & Siete team up on “Auntie Baby” warns not to trust any of these lames out here since they stay cappin’ in their music while “Only 1” featuring Lefty Gunplay shows ‘em somethin’ when the beef cracks off. “Up Late” featuring AD finds them tryna touch $1M while “All My Life” featuring Wallie the Sensei talks those envying them because of the cash flow. “Who Can I?” featuring RJmrLA gets on more of a raunchier tip topically & “Real True Story” admitting it’s been hard for him to focus for a couple minutes.

Siete7x’s sophomore tape here comes off the biggest guest appearance of his career applying further pressure out in the streets of Compton telling his story along with hoping to become a leader in his community & uplift the youth. I very much appreciate the entire concept of everyone involved trying to make it out of the hole they’re stuck in, except the features take up roughly half of it with their performances being either hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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GT – “Great Timing” review

GT is a 33 year old rapper from Detroit, Michigan who got his start at the beginning of 2018 by releasing the debut mixtape Relentless along with both his full-length debut Timeless & the sophomore effort Relentless during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. He would later follow these up with 2 more albums Call Me GT & Motion, his first EP Money Counter Music spawned his own label of the same name & the sequel became the 5th LP in his discography. GT’s previous album Owe It to Myself got mixed reception the summer prior & is returning with a month left in 2024 for his 2nd EP.

“I’m Straight” produced by Pooh Beatz is this cloudy opener assuring everyone he’s been doing good whereas “Get ‘Em Back” works in a rubbery bass-line & pianos talking about being the same despite being stressed. “Stay Low” cautions those coming in your life with bad intentions just before “Money, Power & Respect” stand sour from the Helluva instrumental to the boastful lyricism.

Landstrip Chip joins GT on “The Streets Dead” clarifying that both of them can break down how deep shit can get while “Prayed for It” heads for a sample-driven Detroit trap vibe speaking his dreams into existence & finally being fortunate enough to be in a place where he can finally live them out. “This Life of Sin” featuring Streetlord Juan ends the EP with 1 more Detroit trap cut calling themselves living legends.

Right when you thought that the Detroit trap star wasn’t gonna drop anything in 2024, he came in the game during the 4th quarter & dropped off an 18 minute EP reaching the same caliber as both Money Counter Music offerings along with Timeless in being essential listens for those new to his discography. The features are alright, but the productions sees some notable improvements & GT sounds focused ahead of whatever he’ll do next.

Score: 3.5/5

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