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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Duffel Bag Hottie – “Shut Down the Dance Floor” review

Buffalo, New York rapper Duffel Bag Hottie putting out his 2nd EP by rapping over a prison phone. Known as one of the earliest Black Soprano Family Records signees, he has dropped 3 full-lengths along with 5 mixtapes & an EP through the label. Ghost of Rick James stands out the most in his discography personally although I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the Max Julian includes essential tracks of their own & is surprisingly looking to Shut Down the Dance Floor.

The title track is a trap intro boasting that he’s still fly & getting an unexpected visitor from a female one day whereas “Live from USP Canaan” talks about being in the Pennsylvania high security penitentiary as we speak. “Feel that Pain” marks labelmate Fuego Base appearing as the only feature on the whole entire EP working in some sampling linking with Duff to flex they only be hitting the club when the stacks move while “Winter Time in NY” exuberantly talks about spending the coldest & darkest of the 4 temperate seasons in his home state.

“Story Time Duff” has a dope chipmunk soul vibe referencing 10-time WWE world champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag Team Champion, United Football League (UFL) co-owner, TKO Group Holdings board of directors member, co-founder of $7 Productions who recently landed a partnership with The Walt Disney Company & the final boss of professional wrestling himself The Rock set to appear in Toronto tomorrow night to confront the current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber XV & “Heats” ends by promising that he’ll keep us updated on what’s going on with him.

Now I have seen some criticism from people online regarding his vocals being recorded from the prison phone, but I look at it the same way the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard recorded his verse for “Conditioner” off the almighty Wu-Tang Clan’s 3rd album The W in the sense that he’s still capable of rapping as good as he did almost 7 & a half years ago. Would love to see him make another body of work on the caliber of consistency Ghost of Rick James had reached once he comes home.

Score: 3.5/5

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Babystaydown – “Chief 13” review

Here is the 10th EP from Athens, Georgia rapper Babystaydown. Somebody who’s spent the last couple years on SoundCloud with all 9 of his previous EPs under his belt already including PL Top Recruits, 1,350, Drugz Sex & Money and it’s sequel, 17, Genesis, his Cegular Records/Sony Music debut Hate da Way Um Livin, Saint & Pain Before Pleasure. Exactly a week after Pradabagshawty’s brand new EP B What You B, the Cegular crew isn’t wasting any time to drop Chief 13.

“Flyest & Highest” begins by flexing that he’s the dopest & the most stoned out of everyone in his vicinity over a cloudy trap instrumental whereas the pluggier “Perfect Timing” produced by Whyceg & SOULJASPIRITS talks about sending muhfuckas to the sky. “You Don’t Relate” cloudily asks how the fuck someone gonna push down since leaving’s forbidden while “Green Like Neon” featuring Pradabagshawty proves why we need a collab project from them.

Starting the 2nd half of Chief 13, we have Babystaydown going off the top for 2 & a half minutes during the synth-woven “Sun Up” talking about balling in a party with a Glock on him while “It’s Alright” suggests that one better keep their fight instead of going out sad. “Dirt Work” talks about being unconfident even after taking all the drugs he’s been on & “Need You Around” closes with him telling a woman how badly he desires to have her by his side.

Ever since Babystaydown signed to Cegular Records last fall, Whyceg has really done an outstanding job elevating him & Pradabagshawty because they’re already climbing the ranks in terms of becoming one of the most interesting plugg labels out currently. Things in the production department having been progressively strengthening for the Athens artist these past 5 months, which Chief 13 further exemplifies & the hungry gangsta lyrics.

Score: 4/5

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Paradime – “L” review

This is the 2nd EP from Detroit emcee, producer, DJ & hype man Paradime. Discovered by WWE Hall of Famer Kid Rock in 1996 signing to Bobby’s very own Top Dog Records, he eventually made his full-length debut few years later with Paragraphs & the sophomore effort Vices in the fall of 2001 would go on to become his most celebrated body of work yet. Following 11 Steps Down & Spill at Will however, Dime returned by signing to Mello Music Group for his acclaimed 5th album Period. & is back again a year & a half later on L.

After the intro, the first song “Come Back” produced by Middle Finger Music in-house producer Blizzard jumps over this boom bap instrumental returning after he keeps leaving whereas “Whadda Life” soulfully looks back on the 5 decades of life he’s experienced. “So Long” chops up a soul sample thanks to Alpha Howse signee Astray paining him he never got to say goodbye to those who can’t be with us today while “The Sound of Music” enlists Cadillac Dale on the mic with him & Charlie Beans behind the boards to show y’all where the truth lives. “Old” ruggedly claps back at him being too old for this rap shit & “Deja Vu” has a reoccurring dream dabbling with trap.

Celebrating his 50th birthday back in November, the Detroit veteran comes off the most mature LP of his discography introducing himself as part of the Mello Music Group roster continuing to give us the grown man lyricism that was so prominent throughout Period. & getting even more personal than he did over a year ago already, except this time he reflects on his life experiences in the past 5 decades & further succeeding in his comeback mission as amongst the most underrated in the Motor City hip hop scene.

Score: 4/5

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Elcamino – “Martyr’s Prayer III” review

Here we have the 19th EP from Buffalo emcee & singer Elcamino. Blowing up in 2017 off his self-titled EP with Griselda Records, his profile increasingly grew after being followed up by Walking on Water mixtape in the summer of 2018 along with dropped 2 studio albums & a few EPs the year after that. They Spit on Jesus proved to be a well received Black Soprano Family Records debut becoming the first Camino project that I had covered since On the 3rd Day & that much like No Weapon Formed Against Me was an improvement over some of the material we’ve gotten from him in recent memory. 6 months after having Real Bad Man produce The Game is the Game followed by Ill Tone recently producing Built for Cuban Links named after Raekwon’s iconic solo debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… produced by RZA in addition to flexing his Millionaire status & Full Moon showing a heavy Future influence. 2 months later, he & 38 Spesh are back for Martyr’s Prayer III.

“Last Prayer” aggressively starts the Martyr’s Prayer trilogy chapter talking about everyone knowing the deal with him richer than a muhfucka whereas “Hustler Highway” reflects on being stuck in the streets all night as a way of getting by. “Animal Life” keeps it boom bap instrumentally to talk about rightfully earning his stripes staying on the grind his whole life while the drumless “Once in a While” seeing bitches acting like they know him & dudes acting like they homies.

Moving on from there, “Offend You” looks back on when he used to take the bus to get around town & now taking the Benz while “Mossberg Pump” aggressively talks about keeping the shotty on him standing on top of the hill staying in the hood. “Mobile Phone” featuring Benny the Butcher discusses making money feeling right to him while “JPay” talks about meeting him on the block with the AK over horns. “Shirley” soulfully shows off the long-ass sticks they carry & the closer “Babygirl” shows a romantic side to him.

Full Moon was easily the most daring EP that Elcamino has ever made & I appreciate him for taking the risks he did for it even though the music wasn’t for me personally, but Martyr’s Prayer III completes one of my favorite trilogies in his whole catalog with an entry that embodies everything that made it so memorable whether it be 38 Spesh’s consistent production reverting back to his signature sound as opposed to Full Moon’s trap-heavy direction & Camino himself giving better performances.

Score: 4.5/5

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Paris Texas – “They Left Me with the Sword” review

Paris Texas is an experimental hip hop duo from Compton, California 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. Looking to capitalize on the tour, the duo’s dropping off their 4th EP.

After the “Sword” intro, the first song “Dogma 25” is this synth-trap opener ripping off the tops as it they’re the Fairly OddParents character Juandicimo Magnifico whereas “Red Eyes & Blue Hearts” works in a guitar to talk about the journey only beginning & not thinking right. “Tantrum” brings a rattling trap flare to the table responding to those who got them pissed off & after the Boyz II Men interlude, “Holy Spinal Fluid” produced by Kenny Beats vibrantly finds them looking to ante up.

“infinyte” was a great single fusing rap rock, west coast hip hop, spoken word, breakbeat & post-punk promising that shit won’t ever stop while “El Camino” hooks up a prominent bass-line laughing off all the dipshits who thought they wouldn’t make it to the position they’re currently in at this point in their careers applying heavy auto-tune on the hook charmingly breaking down the generational hunger burning within them.

Really ever since I’ll Get My Revenge in Hell almost 7 years ago, Paris Texas have earned comparisons to alternative rap groups like the recently disbanded Death Grips & clipping. who I’ve covered previously resulting in They Left Me with the Sword suggesting that they’re equally inspired by The Cool Kids when you really think about them channeling their retro-futuristic minimalism on a few cuts venturing further out of the rap rock/experimental hip hop realm that made a name for themselves.

Score: 4/5

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RJ Payne – “The 3-Piece” review

Here we have the 13th EP New York emcee & revered battle rapper RJ Payne formerly known as Reign Man. Building up an extensive solo catalogue for himself with 23 mixtapes as well as well as his last dozen EPs & 4 full-length albums, Benny the Butcher even signed RJ to Black Soprano Family Records for a brief period of time & putting out some of best material like Leatherface & Square Root of a Kilo under Benny’s ever-growing indie label of his own. My Life’z a Movie produced by Stu Bangas quickly became my favorite LP in RJ’s discography & Enemy Soil Entertainment in-house producer C-Lance went on a trip with him to The Barbershop, looking to continue the acclaim by having Erick Sermon produce a 3-Piece.

After the “Warning” intro, the first song “Right Cross” featuring Erick Sermon himself is a boom bap opener with both of them dropping hardcore lyricism together for a little over 2 & a half minutes while “The Hook” suggests that everyone else should get on his level of penmanship & I’d have to agree with him on it. “The Uppercut” is a soulful closer to the EP talking about everyone else being unable to match him lyrically & being a businessman as opposed to simply an MC with true skill.

For only a 4-track EP running at a little over 8 & a half minutes, there’s quite a lot to unpack from it & continues the prolific run of output that RJ’s been on for the past couple of years or so. The Green Eyed Bandit fresh off producing the highlight “Don’t U Miss” off his protege Redman’s comeback album Muddy Waters 2 a couple months ago in a Christmas Eve miracle to give the Reign Man a few beats showcasing his signature style & for him to let off lyrical pressure in that short amount of time.

Score: 4.5/5

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Brigid Bites – “Hot Honey” review

Here is the 3rd EP from Davenport, Iowa rapper & dancer Brigid Bites. Creating the juggalette burlesque troupe in 2017 called Juggalesque, they’ve have since become a drawing attraction at the Gathering since then with her eventually joining Chapter 17 Records CEO/Psychopathic Records recording artist Ouija Macc on stage quite a few times since. However, she made a pretty solid introduction into the music world with Hatchet Girl & Pumpkin Spice respectively. Coinciding with Juggalo Weekend wrapping up, she’s returning by serving Hot Honey almost 2 years since Hatchet Girl.

The title track made for a hip house intro talking about having what you need & others not handling her spicy heat whereas the rage-inducing “Reap Wut U Sow” featuring Kasuke finds the pair reminding us of karma’s legitimacy. “My Money” expresses the love she has for her bread & the affection money has for her while “Loved 2 Death” somberly tells her younger self she’ll fly one day. “Beat ‘Em” finally ends with a sample of the Riddle Box intro tackling the idiom “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”.

Those wanting to get into Brigid Bites’ music are gonna wanna listen to Hatchet Girl & Pumpkin Spice since I still feel like both of them musically present her to us in peak form but nevertheless, it’s still exciting to hear the Daughter of the Wicked Shit coming back with a body of work after doing a couple guest appearances & releasing a single or 2 only a year earlier. Production-wise, the trap/electronic sounds of Hot Honey’s predecessors are being recaptured & she’s hooking the underground up with the flavor they need.

Score: 3.5/5

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Pasto Flocco – “Rebirth” review

Queens, New York rapper Pasto Flocco returning after a 2 year hiatus for his 8th EP. Coming up as an associate of Lil Tecca, he’s seen quite the success off his own once branching out on his own by dropping his first 2 albums March Madness & Dreams 2 Reality along with a debut mixtape Surf to Kill (SGBSTK) as a member of the Surf Gang collective. Pasto rang in 2022 by dropping sophomore tape R.O.A.M. (Rich Off A Mic) under his newly founded Ghetto Luxury Entertainment & continued to build upon the sample drill sound on March Madness 2 & Walking Glitch. The Way Lyfe Goes was a solid mix of all kinds of sounds & is returning for a Rebirth following up Flocc4President.

“My Aura” is this cloudy trap intro produced by Swervo of Vanguard Music Group talking about the chick that’s seeing him feeling the vibes he gives off generally whereas “Nick Cannon (Wylin’ Out)” works in some synthesizers to flex that he still gets these hoes going crazy even after his sabbatical. “D Rose” maintains a synth-heavy sound comparing himself to the Windy City Assassin who retired after the previous NBA season, but then “Mentally Stable” talks about stepping away to get right.

Moving on from there, “Off the Grid” goes for a plugg vibe refusing to go for 2nd place while “Jimmy Butler (Sean John)” makes a bold nod to disgraced Bad Boy Entertainment founder Puff Daddy a.k.a. P. Diddy or Diddy & that he feels like the Golden State Warriors player. “Hot Like Summer” has these fabulous synthesizers showing off his stunner status leading into “Keep It 100” calling for everyone to be legit around him.

“Accident Prone” starts the encore of Pasto’s first body of work in 2 years with a colorful plugg track talking about a clumsy woman trying to get with him & basically telling her to back the fuck up from him that is until the official closer “Lobotomy” finishes off the EP with these psychedelic synths talking about having too much on his mind calling out every fuck boy copying him these past couple years when he stepped away.

The Surf Gang nowadays is mostly known for their run as a production team since a lot of their vocalist members have departed the collective & for Pasto’s comeback effort, quite possibly my favorite member of the collective departs from the sample drill sound that was prominent on his most recent material in favor of plugg rapping as if he never even had to take a step back.

Score: 4/5

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