Sk8star – “Rebel in the Room” review

Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Sk8star back for his 5th EP. Breaking out 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’s addressing the Rebel in the Room.

“E Sex” is a futuristically smooth & romantic trap joint to start the EP cuffing his girl to the bed whereas “FlyLikeABird” takes a rage-inducing route instrumentally talking about his money getting longer. “Southside” has a cloudier vibe to it showing off his bitch from the titular part of the ATL leading into “fukyaface” ending Rebel in the Room’s first half restoring the hypertrap vibes thanks to Clayco & Y3rip of Vanguard Music Group boasting that he’s fly as shit in his own lane.

To start the 2nd leg, “SaidSome” turns the bass up to talk about doing what he wants shrugging off the broke ass muhfuckas around him while “Racks on Racks” vibrantly gets boastful. “KameFromNothin” starts the 4th quarter of the LP with a cloudy trap beat talking about not coming from shit similarly to local trap trailblazer Young Thug & “PlayNoGames” finishes the EP hopping on top of a cavernous instrumental letting it be known that he don’t fuck around.

As someone who’s been following Sk8star for a year & a half, the dude’s been getting progressively better with each project he’s put out & his statement as the Rebel in the Room has been made very much loud & clear. The production draws from rage to trap, cloud rap & pop rap serving as an eclectically cumulating backdrop for a recharged Sk8 to body.

Score: 4/5

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Phonte – “Pacific Time 2” review

Phonte is a 45 year old MC, singer/songwriter, producer & podcaster from Greensboro, North Carolina notable for being of the 3 founding members of Little Brother alongside Rapper Big Pooh & 9th Wonder as well as 1/2 of The Foreign Exchange with Nicolay. In the fall of 2011, he would break out solo with the acclaimed debut Charity Starts at Home followed by the sophomore effort No News is Good News roughly 7 a half years later. His first EP Pacific Time the next spring went full R&B/neo soul which makes sense considering that Drake was heavily influenced by Percy Miracles when he first rose to stardom, so hearing that a follow-up was coming down the pipe had me interested.

“Run for Your Life” starts us off going for a synthpop direction produced by Focus… talking about heading somewhere he can get a peace of mind whereas “Follow” featuring Carlitta Durand embraces a house flare instrumentally singing about themes of romance. “5:55am” starts the 2nd leg of the Pacific Time sequel working in a spacious atmosphere describing the vibes he’s getting in the early hours of the new day before the sun comes up & the final song “Outta My Head” featuring Carmen Rodgers hooks up a psychedelic guitar lead as they sing about being here together for a night.

The original Pacific Time almost 5 & a half years prior was more centered around R&B & neo-soul so I kinda knew what I was getting myself into for the sequel, but Pacific Time 2 takes it a step further developing further beyond of both those particular styles blending them with other sounds ranging from synthpop to house & even psychedelic rock with a couple decent guest performances joining him here & there.

Score: 3.5/5

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Summrs – “Nightfall” review

Lafayette, Louisiana recording artist Summrs once again preluding his upcoming 10th album Tale of da Raven with his 16th EP & the 2nd of the year following B4daRaven. Starting out as a member of the Goonie-founded Slayworld collective, his presence has been known predominantly in the plugg scene by constantly dropping projects whether it be his last EP What We Have or even the Fallen Raven LP, both of which I highly recommend listening to if you wanna get into his music. Stuck in My Ways & Ghost were cool, but Rino brought back the plugg elements that Ghost lacked on the official What We Have sequel What We Didn’t Have last September & was curious of what direction Nightfall would take.

“Bentley Mulsanne” starts the final EP ahead of the next LP boasting that he’s at the top of the food chain over a futuristic trap instrumental whereas “F.W.W.Y.N. (Fuck Wrong With Y’all N****s?)” brings a cavernous trap beat to the table talking about never catching him slip. The hollowly produced “Phantom Musik” confesses he still doin’ things wrong thinking everything was right while the vibrantly catchy “F.O.B. (Family Oriented Business)” produced by Synthetic of Internet Money Records discusses coming for his. “Marble Floors” was a great trap/regalia crossover & the outro is a rage-inducing anthem for his fans.

B4daRaven had more of a prominent pluggnb/pop rap sound with cloud rap undertones in comparison to What We Didn’t Have astoundingly returning to Rino’s plugg roots, but the overall vibe on Nightfall generally leans more toward straight forward trap in comparison although you do get hints of cloud rap along with regalia & even rage. That tells me all of these sounds are gonna come together into 1 by the time Summrs himself feels ready to tell the Tale of da Raven sooner rather than later.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jakesand – “Sandbox” review

This is the 2nd EP from Michigan producer Jakesand. Releasing his debut EP El Fureidis in the summer of 2018, he has since become an in-house producer for Lando Bando’s own EMPIRE Distribution imprint The Hip Hop Lab Records working with some of their biggest acts from the ShittyBoyz both as a group & as solo artists to $weet-T & Prince Jefe. 6 years later, he’s making a comeback & putting out Sandbox through the biggest Detroit trap label out amassing what looks to be an immensely promising list of guest performers.

“Motion Picture” by Babytron co-produced by Danny G references WWE Hall of Famer, 7-time WWE Women’s Champion & former WWE Hardcore Champion Trish Stratus while “Business” by Lil P might be the only track I don’t care for despite the rich Detroit trap instrumental. “Jonah Hex” by J1Hunnit has a witty bar referring to the Paramount Skydance Corporation subsidiary NBCUniversal-owned Shrek franchise while “100 Routes” by Stanwill talks about having 100 methods.

Tony Shhnow surprisingly has his own song with “Sell a Dream” boasting that he’s in love with the money & wakes up every morning with the intention of making more of it just before “Pints, Pills, Prescriptions” by Babytron, Fordio & MJPaid finishes up the Sandbox experience with all 3 members of the Dog $hit Militia trading brief verses with one another & everyone holding their own weight.

Between this & the El Fureidis EP, it’s no debate from my perspective that Sandbox is the best solo offering that we’ve gotten from Jakesand thus far. I’m confident that we’ll be getting a sequel to it at some point sooner rather than later because his production as strong as the predecessors, except there’s more consistency from the guests who’re performing over his Detroit trap beats.

Score: 4/5

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Ice Spice – “Y2K!” review

This is the 2nd EP from Bronx, New York rapper Ice Spice. Growing up with a hard knock life at the Hudson Street Orphanage ran by Agatha Hannigan & later being adopted by Oliver Warbucks (kidding), she grew up to pursue a music career in 2022 after uploading a couple viral music videos & landing a Capitol Records contract. Drake eventually flew her out to join him at OVO Fest not too long after & unfollowed her on Instagram rather quickly once the festival concluded, with him calling her “a 10 trying to rap” & that her music is “good on mute” on the highlight track “BackOutsideBoyz” off their collab album with 21 Savage later that fall Her Loss. Ice Spice’s debut EP Like…? a year & a half ago was greeted to mixed reception & is looking to make a bigger breakthrough on Y2K!.

“Phat Butt” was a mediocrely experimental hardcore New York Drill opener sampling “Oh I Think Dey Like Me” by Dem Franchize Boyz talking about women biting her flows & poses whereas “Oh Shit” featuring Travis Scott takes a bouncier drill route instrumentally courtesy of Internet Money Records in-house producer Synthetic so both of them can look to turn up the spot. “Popa” dabbles a bit into rage territory to talk about getting super lit out here since she from the trenches, but then “Bitch I’m Packin’” featuring Gunna fuses drill & hypertrap explaining they got what they need.

Finishing the EP’s first half, “Plenty Sun” goes for a futuristic drill approach explaining that she don’t know how to do shit leading into “Did It First” featuring Central C fusing Jersey Club & cloud rap addressing themes of infidelity. “BB Belt” murkily declares herself as Ms. Poopie even though she doesn’t smell while “Think U the Shit (Fart)” swaps out the trillwave elements in favor of Miami Bass & new jazz courtesy of venny belittling her competition.

“Gimme a Light” nears the final moments of Y2K! with an underwhelming crossover between sample drill & dancehall flipping both “Gimme the Light” by Sean Paul & “Hazard Lights 4” by Blockwork featuring ShotBy O.A telling them to pass the dro to her prior to the bell-driven closer “T.T.Y.L. (Talk To You Later)” going out for the paper from the very moment that she first wakes up in the morning.

Starting the deluxe run, “Gyat” is a Jersey Club rap joint telling the haters to back up & the baddies to throw their asses back while “Hannah Montana” featuring DaBaby & NLE Choppa includes a dope line referencing “Tweakin’ Together” by Bktherula offering nothing else exciting than the drumless beat. “So What?” is this generic trap number talking about being spoiled & the final bonus track “Like” wants to know why everyone coming for her.

My thing with Ice Spice has always been the fact that I’ve heard the styles that she presents done better as said previously when I reviewed Like…? about 2 & a half years ago, which still stands of this very moment. Examples include Don Toliver’s 4th album Hardstone Psycho coming into his own through the help of new jazz, Yeat’s early stuff when it comes to rage, RealYungPhil’s 7th EP Dr. Phil regarding New York/sample drill & the Moh Baretta mixtape Unorthodox in terms of Jersey club rap. I don’t mind her trying out sounds, it’s just not as interesting as some of her contemporaries.

Score: 2.5/5

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Rakim – “G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH)” review

Rakim is a 56 year old MC/producer from Long Island, New York notable for being 1/2 of the seminal golden age duo Eric B. & Rakim. They put out 4 classic albums together from the mid-80s to the early 90s, with their debut Paid in Full & the sophomore effort Follow the Leader laying out the groundwork for future generations of hip hop to come. Kid Wizard eventually went solo in late ‘97 signing to Universal Music Group for an acclaimed debut The 18th Letter & the follow-up The Master while not as acclaimed still received positive feedback. Reception to The 7th Seal a decade after The Master was more mixed due to the lackluster production although the lyricism was certainly praised, but is returning after 15 years for a self-produced solo EP.

“Be Ill” featuring Kurupt & Masta Killa was a soulful boom bap choice of a lead single allowing the trio to talk about being down & real whereas “Now’s the Time” featuring B.G., Compton Menace & Hus Kingpin keeps it rugged explaining that the time is in fact now & they’re the last to know it. “Love’s the Message” featuring the late Nipsey Hu$$le, Planet Asia & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg takes the cloudy boom bap route instrumentally asking if you can see what they see while the symphonic “God’s Playground” featuring DMX, Fred the Godson, Skyzoo & 38 Spesh declares that the chase is on.

Canibus, Chino XL in what would be the final feature of his lifetime, KXNG CROOKED & La the Darkman all join The God for “Pendulum Swing” hooking up kicks, snares & strings looking to make a major change in the game together referencing Neuralink founded by Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder & Twitter owner Elon Musk leading into “International” featuring Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap & TriState nearing the conclusion of G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH) on some piano/boom bap shit wanting the money as opposed to violence. “Sign of 7” featuring Big Twins, Method Man, the late Prodigy & X-Raided finally ends the EP with the quintet luxuriously talking about being the mob including a reference to WWE Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne.

This man has to be in my top 3 with Nas & Kendrick Lamar, so it makes me more than thrilled that hear that his “G.O.D.” status extends to more than just lyricism by showing Rakim’s chops as a producer & resulting in one of the best EPs of what’s already been a prolific year in hip hop culture. The God hasn’t lost a step lyrically, the production is WAY better than The 7th Seal & a majority of the guests hold their own weight on the mic being some of the best that the east, west & south have to offer.

Score: 4/5

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Flee Lord – “Raised in the Sand” review

Queens, New York emcee Flee Lord is back with his 18th EP. Coming up in 2017 as protege of the late Prodigy, he has since become known for building up a massive discography for himself in the last 5 years. This includes the Loyalty or Death: Lord Talk trilogy produced by GodBlessBeatz, the Loyalty or Trust duology produced by 38 Spesh, the DJ Shay-produced Lucky 13 the Buckwild-produced Hand Me My Flowers, the Pete Rock-produced The People’s Champ & the Havoc-produced In the Name of Prodigy, the DJ Muggs-produced RAMM£LLZ££, the Roc Marciano produced Delgado. Last time I covered him was his 4th proper full-length album Ladies & Gentlemen which was followed by 2 more LPs 2-3 Zone & Full Court Press, but Raised in the Sand peaked my interest even more.

The title track starts off with a hypnotic boom bap instrumental talking about drawing a clear vision in the booth with his pen whereas “Hate When You Rich” produced by Harry Fraud works in a drearier loop with kicks & snares addressing those who envy his bread stacking up. “Snakes in Disguise” is an organ/boom bap crossover that DJ Green Lantern cooked up calling out those in the streets who’re literally snakes in disguise prior to “Pay the Price” swaps the organs out with a piano explaining that it takes to business with him.

V Don gives “Where’s the Love?” a soulful vibe telling y’all to get yours, lay low & stay out the way leading into “Ice Water 2” featuring Roc Marciano serving as a drumless sequel to “Ice Water” by Raekwon featuring Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah laced with the help of Mephux. Lord Mobb Music in-house producer Ghost Dave jumps behind the boards for the rap rock flavored “Lord’s Work” featuring Mummz & Trizz getting on their street shit just before “Brother 4 Life” soulfully talks about loyalty over Pounds440 sampling soul music.

“Skipping Out the Bank” featuring Pounds440 himself starts the final moments of Raised in the Sand by jumping on top of horns together literally skipping out the bank in the midst of everyone in their lives who’re jealous of them stressing out even further due to the fact & “Get Yours” ends the EP telling the homie to pass him a drink & given that he doesn’t do it very often, he’s in the mood to celebrate right now keeping the beat exuberant yet dusty at the exact same time.

Flee’s last couple albums were good, but I haven’t found myself enjoying a project from him this much since Delgado. Needless to say, what we have in front of us is the best EP that the guy has put out in 3 years. The production is a cut above 2-3 Zone & Full Court Press, I like that the amount of guests are toned down in comparison & Flee Lord himself tells everyone what it was like for him being Raised in the Sand.

Score: 4.5/5

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BandGang Lonnie Bands – “Creature Thoughts” review

Here we have the 12th EP from Detroit rapper BandGang Lonnie Bands. A member of the BandGang collective, he has since solidified himself as my personal favorite member of the group by putting out a total of his last 9 EPs as well as 3 full-length studio albums & 6 mixtapes. It’s been over a month since we last heard from Lonnie on his previous EP Antimedia 2: Reloaded & is returning 5-6 weeks later celebrating his 29th birthday weekend by letting out some Creature Thoughts.

“Kill the Goat” puts a Detroit trap spin on the same sample used in “Quiet Storm” by the late Prodigy assuring the Devil is a lie because his throat slit whereas “Creature Thoughts 2.5” cloudily continues the series of loose singles that came out in the summer of 2022 & last winter respectively talking about getting back focused. “Heartflow” discusses divinely experiencing the highs & lows over more Detroit trap production that is until the symphonic trap crossover “Detroit River” talks about rapping his life.

Moving forward with “Tarzan”, we have Lonnie over a slick Detroit trap beat explaining that he made it out the jungle just fine leading into the cold-blooded “Jack of All Trades” talking about being able to do many different types of work in the streets. “Shapeshifter” has the most dynamic beat on the entire EP getting in his gangsta bag lyrically, but then the acoustic trap hybrid “Lion Kingdom” warning that they done let the lion out.

“Live Fast Die Old” pushes further towards the encore of Creature Thoughts talking about hopes of of his music career taking off since he doesn’t want to be out in the streets hustlin’ much longer cautioning that people don’t really wanna walk up in his shoes because they won’t even fit at the end of the day & “Creature Speaking” finishes the EP with a soothing Detroit trap vibe putting mind over matter talking about the streets being as deceptive as they are.

Starting the deluxe run, “All in 1” fuses cloud rap & trap wanting to see this woman smile while “UKnowIKnow” maintains both elements from earlier advising to let him give her what she wants. “Big Dog” shows off his titular status for a couple minutes while the atmospheric “Praying for a Wife” talks about wanting to get married. “Risk It All” dynamically discusses the possibility of risking everything & the final bonus track “Reap What You Sow” talks about your present actions shaping your future consequences.

Lonnie couldn’t have celebrated entering the final year of his 20s any better than releasing Creature Thoughts, which is a 10 track/23 minute offering dedicated to the real ones that’re by his side & definitely the most that I’ve enjoyed a project from him in quite a while. It’s more well produced than his last few efforts especially in this particular style of trap music that people complain for being repetitively 1-dimensional taking us through the creaturous mindset of the BandGang’s most prolific member.

Score: 3.5/5

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chelmico – “ati natu” review | チェルミコ – 「アティ・ナトゥ」レビュー

chelmico is a duo from Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan consisting of Mamiko Suzuki & Rachel Watashiga. Introducing themselves with their self-titled debut album & an EP, their next 2 albums Power & Fishing as well as the 2nd EP Cozy drew further acclaim up until Maze quickly became the crown jewel of their entire discography. gokigen matched the same caliber as Maze & Fishing but looking to come off I just wanna dance with you- period, Mamiko & Rachel are nearing the end of summer dropping off ati natu.

チェルミコは、鈴木麻美子とレイチェル・ワタシガからなる東京・渋谷出身のデュオ。セルフ・タイトルのデビュー・アルバムとEPで自己紹介をし、続く2枚のアルバム『Power』と『Fishing』、そして2nd EP『Cozy』は、『Maze』が彼らの全ディスコグラフィーの頂点に立つまで、さらなる賞賛を集めた。ゴキゲンは、『Maze』と『Fishing』と同レベルの作品に仕上がったが、『I just wanna dance with you-ピリオド』からの脱却を目指し、マミコとレイチェルは夏の終わりに近づき、『ati natu』をドロップする。

“Sunburn” hits us with a refreshingly playful & lightly rhythmic Japanese pop rap summertime bop to start the 3 track run of the EP whereas “Summer Course” featuring Neibiss links up with hyunis1000 & ratiff so the quartet can hop over this bright yet fast-paced beat ripping up the mic together. “Watermelon” concludes ati natu by going for a tropical vibe instrumentally bringing a catchy hook to the table & some of the craziest flows that the EP has to offer during the verses.

「Neibissをフィーチャーした “Summer Course “では、hyunis1000とratiffが参加し、この明るくもテンポの速いビートの上で一緒にマイクを握る。”Watermelon “では、トロピカルなヴァイブスをインストゥルメンタルで表現し、キャッチーなフックとEPで最もクレイジーなヴァース・フローを聴かせる。

Come to think that it’s already been a decade since chelmico went from forming after meeting through a mutual friend bonding over their appreciation for RIP SLYME now consisting of both Ryo-Z & Ilmari of the Teriyaki Boyz alongside DJ Fumiya to becoming one of the most popular acts emerging from the j-rap scene in recent memory following their recent output & reaffirmed once more. All 3 tracks on ati natu are summer-themed, but each one has their own different vibe to them.

共通の友人を通じて出会ったRIP SLYME好きが高じて結成されたchelmicoが、テリヤキボーイズのRyo-ZとILMARIにDJ FUMIYAを加えた編成になってから早10年。ati natuに収録されている3曲はどれも夏をテーマにしたものだが、それぞれ違った雰囲気を持つ。

Score: 3.5/5

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SNAKEGANG – Self-Titled review

The SNAKEGANG are a supergroup consisting of London, England, United Kingdom electronic duo Snakehips as well as Atlanta, Georgia conscious hip hop duo the EARTHGANG. One of whom made their full-length debut the previous summer never worry & the other has quickly placed themselves behind fellow Spillage Village member J.I.D as the best Dreamville Records signees. Especially after their last couple LPs Mirrorland & Ghetto Gods. Ahead of the & final chapter in the EARTHGANG vs. the Algorithm trilogy of EPs, Olu & WowGr8 are coming off the latest installment Robophobia to unite the SNAKEGANG for an eponymous EP of their own as a quartet.

“if u down” starts the SNAKEGANG’s debut with a dance-inspired beat wanting to know if anyone out there listening is in fact down with them while “Glimmer.” continues to turn up the EDM club influences a bit talking about shining brightly. “Bounce” featuring DijahSB has a futuristically funky vibe to the instrumental loving the way that ass bounces whereas “The Remedy” featuring Rush Davisgroovily asks if you can handle them. “Been a Minute…” featuring Sinéad Harnett closes the EP with 1 last electronic/hip hop hybrid spending all their time & riches on themselves & the deluxe bonus track “Don’t Rush” mixes funk with hip house encouraging everyone to get lit.

This kinda reminds me of when Big Boi & Phantogram formed Big Grams to put out an eponymous EP of their own almost a decade ago, but fans of Snakehips & the EARTHGANG are gonna find themselves enjoying SNAKEGANG’s introductory EP more. Snakehips do a fine job of carrying their electronic sound over here allowing Olu & WowGr8 to lay down more fun subject matter on top of.

Score: 3.5/5

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