Grounds – “Walking into Tragedy” review

Grounds is a singer/songwriter & multi-genre producer from Farmington, Missouri most well known for leading the alternative rock band It Comes in Waves. Finding his calling quickly during his adolescence, he was invited to front multiple local bands & even formed a hip hop duo which would go on to release 2 full-lengths. He eventually signed to Dirtcore Music last summer, which marked a pivotal moment in the label’s expansion into rock & metal music. Couple singles later, he’s putting out an EP of his own & is setting out to show Dirtcore’s versatility.

“Down in the Fire” is a nu-metal opener produced with Dirtcore founder Crossworm that really gives you a taste of what’s to come from the rest of the EP singing about not feeling alive whereas “Broken” continues the heavy instrumentation explaining that no one knows the Hell he’s been through. “Fractured” goes for an alt-rock vibe that I really enjoy unable to tell if it’s love or regret just before “The Little Things” passionately sings about no longer being afraid of what he’ll lose for speaking his truth. “Make Sure You Hurt” featuring Samson Samson ends the EP vengefully assuring those who cross them will be sorry.

Dirtcore Music is primarily known for their acts being within the underground hip hop realms other than Crossworm’s last album ANTI & Walking into Tragedy feels a lot like Zug Izland releasing their debut album Cracked Tiles under Psychopathic Records or Makenzie Nicole’s sophomore effort Mystic under Strange Music & the Dropout Kings’ sophomore effort Riot Music under Suburban Noize Records being a more recent example. What I’m saying is: Dirtcore lets the It Comes in Waves frontman drop a 5-track EP that I can see appeal to fans of LINKIN PARK, 3 Days Grace, 30 Seconds to Mars & Bullet for My Valentine.

Score: 4/5

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Seth Narley – “The American Dream: Son of a Dealer” review

This is the 8th EP from South Bronx, New York emcee Seth Narley. Dropping his debut EP 5am on Crosby in 2019, he would later follow it up by putting out the Trissland trilogy & drop 3 more EPs last year; Night at the Roxy, A Millbrook Story & S.A.L.Y. (Still Ain’t Lie Yet). Both the artwork & the name for The American Dream: Son of a Dealer caught my attention since it homages former 3-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, NWA National Heavyweight Champion, WWE Hall of Famer, WWE United States Champion, 2-time WCW World Tag Team Champion & 3-time WCW World Television Champion Dusty Rhodes.

“Club Eugene” after the “American Dream” intro is a drumless opener to talk about usually making fast money on a slow day while “Pelle Pelle Princess” works in a heavy piano instrumental asking who this dude get his style from since he clearly stole it. “Jolly Mo (High)” featuring S.W.A.N. finds the pair coming up short & getting a quarter for trying prior to “Dusty (Family)” finishing the EP properly by talking about recently being advised to keep it within the bloodline & chillin’ at the courtyard of the Marriott resort.

A little over a decade in the game & the former A$AP Mob affiliate known for his style being a mixture of former Bad Boy Entertainment artist & current It Is What It Is co-host Ma$e meeting Ye formerly known as Kanye West with wordplay inspired by the late Stack Bundles cooks up my favorite EP of his ever telling us what it was like for him being the Son of a Dealer homaging the late father of the current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes who’s also an 8-time WWE tag team champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, the inaugural & record-tying 3-time AEW TNT Champion, NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGP USヘビー級チャンピオン ROH World Champion & ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champion.

Score: 4/5

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Che Noir – “Seeds of Babylon” review

Buffalo emcee/producer Che Noir recruiting Superior for her 8th EP. Discovering her after 38 Spesh signed Che to TCF Music Group & fully produced her first 3 EPs, her Apollo Brown-produced full-length debut As God Intended & then her self-produced 4th EP After 12 during the 2nd half of 2020 was where her potential began to blossom exponentially. She has since followed this up with the sophomore effort Food for Thought as well as The Last Remnants, the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced Noir or Never, The Color Chocolate & more recently The Lotus Child. It’s been only 5 months since the latter, the Seeds of Babylon have now been planted.

After the intro, the first song “Revelation” soulfully kicks it all off talking about getting a crown after trying to save this rap shit whereas “Bow & Arrow” kinda has a funkier vibe to the beat treating the money as if it’s a fish on a pole. “Sovereignty” goes drumless staying on the grind refusing to go for a day off & after the interlude, “Jynx’s Dream” is really a Jynx716 solo cut giving him a couple minutes to shine by himself.

“Ivory” works in some bongos to reflect on the days when she was surviving in the jungle while “Midnight” featuring ICECOLDBISHOP finds the pair talking about seeing rookies become masters outta special ed. The final song “Destiny Rose” prior to the outro strips the drums once again in favor of these bare strings expressing the joy that she gets out of motherhood being unlike anything else.

When discussing the EPs in Che’s discography, Seeds in Babylon has to be my favorite of her’s since Noir or Never couple years ago & I even enjoyed it as much as The Lotus Child this past fall. Superior keeps pushing himself as one of the German hip hop scene’s most in-demand producers currently & his sound combined with the Buffalo standout’s conscious lyricism makes her first offering of the year more than salvageable to any longtime fan of either of them.

Score: 4.5/5

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Tha God Fahim – “Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 5” review

This is the 51st EP from Atlanta, Georgia emcee/producer Tha God Fahim. Starting as an affiliate of Griselda Records as well as being 1/3 of the Dump Gawds alongside Mach-Hommy & Your Old Droog, we also can’t ignore the massive discography that he’s managed to build for himself, some of the standouts include Breaking Through tha Van Allen Belts & Dump Assassins. That said: He’s been on a CRAZY ass run in 2023 with the standouts being the Camoflauge Monk-produced Dark Shogunn Assassin, the Nature Sounds-backed Iron Bull, the Nicholas Craven-produced Dump Gawd: Shot Clock King series, the Oh No-produced Berserko, Dump Gawd: Rhyme Pays produced by Mike Shabb, Tha Supreme Hoarder of All Pristine Wealth. Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga produced by Cookin’ Soul & Machine Gun Vocabulary produced by Cartune Beatz. Continuing the Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap saga that later had a 2nd & 3rd installment, he’s returning 2 months after the predecessor for Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 5.

“Crimes Against Humanity” references the current UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis of the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings division over a spacious boom bap instrumental to get us started whereas “Hakai” soulfully talks about him meeting the requirements to become a titan. “Mass Gainer” keeps the chipmunk soul vibes going unable to put it any plainer than him continuing to gain mass while “Mirko” talks about so many people nowadays hiding their foul smells.

To kick off the other half, “Radioactive” keeps chopping up the soul samples always knowing that he was fortune’s favorite leading into “Remote Location” maintaining a chipmunk soul edge talking about how you can’t come back once you cross the line with him. “SSDG” makes a reference to WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion & 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior prior to “Wayne Towers” ending with a drumless closer dumpin’ like it’s a meteor shower.

These past 10 weeks staying locked in was really what Fahim needed after dropping the previous entries in the series all within the end of 2024 other than the 4th one coming out a little after a week into 2025 & I’m genuinely not trying to sound like a broken record here, but Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 5 could be the new best in the saga. Nicholas Craven’s brings an influx of samples to the table & the Dump Gawd goes fully automatic on the mic.

Score: 4.5/5

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Sk8star – “Rebelution” review

This is the 6th EP from Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Sk8star. Getting his footing in the spring of 2021 off Superstar Status, he would go on to follow it up last year with both the B4NWØ EP & his debut mixtape New World Ørder respectively. The latter being my introduction to Sk8’s music after my lil brody UnreleasedSnip put me on, with songs like “Standin’ on Business” & “YSL Flow” being the standouts for me personally. Following his 3rd EP Mogul along with rebel at the beginning of 2023 & whole new meaning that same spring, Sk8 addressed the Rebel in the Room & the time has now come for a Rebelution.

“Backbone” starts off with a cool trap intro talking about everyone out here being scared simply because they’re losers whereas “On God” talks about people unable to ball with him if you can’t take no charge. “walk down” cloudily boasts that nobody can fuck with a vet like him with the help of Richie Souf until the plugg standout “sex” featuring Diorvsyou & Southsidesilhouette produced by Pi’erre Bourne elevates all 3 of them. “Fuck on a Fan” ends the EP talking about being in the trap & that muhfuckas jumping.

Even if Ye formerly known as Kanye West’s behavior in the past 5 weeks has been absolutely pissing me off, I’m not too surprised regarding him co-signing “sex” yesterday & I myself find to be an exciting moment as somebody who’s been following all 3 artists on there since 2022. As far as the rest of the EP, it’s a good way to prelude his upcoming full-length debut album Designer Junkie.

Score: 3.5/5

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Giffy Pluggo – “Douda” review

This is the 2nd EP from Chicago, Illinois emcee & ATIP Records founder Giffy Pluggo. Emerging a couple years ago off his debut mixtape Paid Leave & it’s sequel last summer, he recently put out a deluxe version of his debut album Los Pluggos a few months ago followed by the last EP Pluggo’s Birthday at the beginning of 2025 itself. Only a couple months later, the Black Soprano Family Records affiliate’s still applying pressure by putting out Douda & one that really caught my interest considering the single “Casino” has been proving to be his biggest song yet.

“Couple Myles” is this trap intro that Benny’s nephew Myles laced reflecting on the days people went from hating on him & counting him out to signing a label deal whereas “Villain Origin Story” keeps the hi-hats in tact including a dope bar at the end referencing the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef. “Roseland” featuring C. Bill$ finds the pair over a sample-driven boom bap instrumental getting hit hard by the quest for fame while “Tracy” goes for a soulful vibe to the beat wanting better for him & his romantic interest the track is named after in a perfect world.

To start the other half of the EP, the song “How I Came Up” hops over some pianos returning to the boom bap once again discussing his upbringings until a switch-up during the outro remembering his late homie Dilla just before “Plugs & Violins” featuring & produced by Rick Hyde finds the pair suggesting to boss up you want more out of life. “See You in Hell” reunited with C. Bill$ so they can talk about doing well as of late & finally, “Casino” featuring Jae Skeese on the remix ends with a soulful trap heater warning your fate will be sealed if you run up on them wrong.

“Douda 2” begins the deluxe run promising that you’ll meet your Ruler soon as the mistake of running up him had been made feeling like he might be killed out of envy while “Right Before Your Eyes” switches back into boom bap territory talking about becoming a star in front of us all. “Reggie’s Return (Nuck’s Fall)” poses the question of when his funeral was since his detractors thought he was dead while “No Turning Back” featuring ELZ talks about being nice since Ludacris was popular in the 2000s.

C. Bill$ & Henry Ali join Giffy during “Plug Party” assuring that they’ll cover the tabs for this jazzy celebration being thrown while “Mortgage” aggressively talks about him, refusing to tuck his chain because he’s way too important. “Tiffany” stylistically has a more chilled out approach to it boasting his girl being so bad that she can be considered an enemy while “Dinner at Smokey’s” blends a vocal sample with some horns explaining that this is in regards to the choices he’s made throughout his life instead of the money or the cars.

“Waddup” gets in his Chiraq bag lyrically over a decent trap beat telling all his detractors all their hatin’ failed ready to get shit crackin’ now that his exposure has been steadily increasing & to finish up the ATIP CEO’s most pivotal statement of his entire career, the final bonus track “London Towne Soldiers” featuring Cash Bundlez instrumentally takes inspiration from boom bap 1 last time spending the last 5 minutes coming together to recall the West Pullman living complex they grew up at.

Basing itself around a character from The Chi on the Paramount Skydance Corporation-owned Showtime network executive produced by Common who was a gangsta & also the mayor, Giffy Pluggo’s story is similar given the fact he’s from Chicago & educated with had a street/rough upbringing in a neighborhood on the southside of Chicago called Roseland. Scenes from the show can be all throughout the EP & the production that Myles primarily handles takes it a few levels above Pluggo’s previous material.

Score: 3.5/5

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Icewear Vezzo – “Undefeated” review

This is a brand new EP from Detroit trap veteran & Iced Up Records founder Icewear Vezzo. For over a decade now after appearing on the studded “Detroit vs. Everybody” remix, this dude has been making waves locally by releasing the Rich Off Pints trilogy of LPs & over a dozen mixtapes. The previous tape Paint the City hosted by DJ Drama preluded his Quality Control Music debut album Live from the 6 celebrating it’s 1-year anniversary a little over a month ago & remains Undefeated after the sequel.

“Fuck the Internet” gets the door broken down with an ominous Detroit trap intro talking about refusing to chase trends whereas “Streets Ain’t the Same” samples “Regulate” by Warren G & the late Nate Dogg letting off his observations of shit changing in the hood & getting the actual Warren G himself on the remix. “Geeks” references 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 just before “Cake & Rice” pours up enough drank that can give him stomach aches during the evening.

Meanwhile on “Good to Me”, we have Vezzo talking about a woman who wants someone rich leading into “Worth Something” featuring Big Sean & Skilla Baby finding the trio making the whole block jump. “Minnesota” morbidly takes the wocky to the North Star State while “Richer Than I’ve Ever Been” featuring GT of course boasts their wealth. “Dumb Dumb” finishes by leaving the plug & coming right back since his packages be slapping.

It’s been 4 months since the Detroit trap star & IUR CEO celebrated his birthday by putting out a Live from the 6 successor that explored 6 Mile even further than the predecessor did & he warms up the streets for whatever has coming next by cooking up 9 tracks bringing along a few of the city’s biggest artists for the ride letting y’all into the way they be living over the Motor City’s unique take on trap music.

Score: 3.5/5

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Lost Membranes – “The Empty Diaries” review

Albuquerque, New Mexico emcee, songwriter, producer & architecturalist Lost Membranes dropping his debut EP on his YouTube channel. Inspired by a multitude of artists in different genres from the almighty Wu-Tang Clan to post-punk pioneers Joy Division & the pioneering nu metal band KoЯn, he first introduced himself at the very beginning of 2022 & has put out numerous singles since then. However, he’s opening The Empty Diaries as his 1st official body of work in order to make a broader statement in the underground.

“Awakening” starts the EP by screaming in the brightest moonlight until it’s time for the almighty to show him what he has in store for him next whereas “Bleached” has this occult atmosphere that I find fitting talking about how the world got him feeling & he’ll never be the same again. “Confront” goes for a rap rock to discuss life being a daily struggle while the solemn “Discord” marches on to a war’s parade. “Paradox” ends by talking about everything coming down to the decisions he’s made.

Each song on this 5-track EP gives you an inside look into the constant grind & fights we have with the battles we face in life such as our personal struggles, our faith, our ups & downs, our hopes & dreams, having loved ones or losing loved ones & what we do to maintain our sanity through it all. A mix of hip hop as well as punk & metal music, The Empty Diaries is an emotional journey from beginning to end.

Score: 4/5

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Action Figure 973 – “Dark Side of the Ring” review

This is the 6th EP from Belleville, New Jersey emcee/producer Action Figure 973. Somebody whose growing discography comprised of 2 mixtapes & 5 EPs has been steadily making waves in the underground for a few years already, gearing up for the hit Vice docuseries Dark Side of the Ring’s upcoming 6th season at the end of the month 48 hours succeeding John Cena’s shocking heel turn attacking the current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber XV this past weekend.

“Villain Eyes” sets it all off with an uncanny boom bap instrumental talking about the way he sees the game whereas “Rap is Crap” gives a nod to The West Texas Rednecks from WCW’s dying days led by the late WWE Hall of Famer, former 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Curt Hennig and calling the game cornier than WrestleMania IX.

WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund gets referenced on the jazzily drumless “Laughing at Your” just before “Mook vs. Arty” references both the late 3-time ECW World Tag Team Champion & SMW Tag Team Champion New Jack and WWE Hall of Famer, 7-time WWE world champion, 7-time WWE tag team champion & WWE Hardcore Champion The Undertaker.

“Skip the Pleasantries” goes for a jazzier direction instrumentally talking about being stronger than record 10-time WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat just before “Jack Veneno vs. Carlos Colón” acknowledges the former NWA Worlds’s Heavyweight Champion & WWE Hall of Famer of the same name respectively. “Are You Not Entertained?” sends off the EP with a boom bap outro talking about his presence drawing results.

Focusing on topics like former ECW World Tag Team Champion Eddie Gilbert & WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik to name a couple this spring regarding the show itself, the Dark Side of the Ring EP musically takes the love Action Figure 973 has had for the professional wrestling business throughout his career & incorporates it significantly heavier into his music with a hardcore boom bap project turning up the amount of nods to it’s long & rich history.

Score: 3.5/5

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Paris Texas – “They Left Me with a Gun” review

This is the 5th EP from Compton, California experimental hip hop duo Paris Texas. Consisting of Louie Pastel & Felix. These guys started to become popular several years ago after their first few EPs I’ll Get My Revenge in Hell alongside Boy Anonymous & Red Hand Akimbo. Their debut album Mid Air garnered co-signs from Ye formerly known as Kanye West & Tyler, The Creator with the latter having them open on his ongoing Chromakopia Tour. Their previous EP They Left Me with the Sword came out last weekend & are quickly putting out They Left Me with a Gun as a successor.

“Superstar” breaks the door off the hinges with this rap rock intro talking about the way they be living now that they’re becoming famous whereas “Twin Geeker” kinda gives me a Gorillaz vibe instrumentally talking about having everything you don’t because of you going idle. “Stripper Song” blends rap rock, post-punk revival & synth-punk for a refreshing strip club joint while “mudbone” maintains a synth-punk/hip hop vibe. “H A L O” asks to be let in out of desperateness & “No Strings” refuses to go back to their previous selves.

Keeping a prominently hardcore west coast hip hop vibe to the table, they completely ditch the trap undertones that were shown during the EP these guys put out last weekend so they can keep the experimental details in the picture & putting a bigger emphasis on the rap rock influences that made them so popular making up for it not being as prominent a week ago in addition to both synth-punk & post-punk revival.

Score: 4/5

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