Zukenee – “Knight Shift” review

Brand new EP & the 5th overall from Atlanta, Georgia rapper/producer Zukenee. Starting in the spring of 2021 off his debut EP Undiscovered, he would continue to make a name for himself in the underground by putting out a couple more EPs in Castle & Playful alongside the debut mixtape Stop Playing last summer. Subsequent exclusive singles like “OJAYS” & “Chest” would later become amongst his best singles since both of them were released in the span of a year & a half until Player Slayer came last spring. Cade was brought in to produce Guillotine the previous summer, coming off Birth of St. Slay from last Halloween with Slaytanic & starting November by getting ready for the Knight Shift.

“Ballroom” produced by Cade works in some strings to talk about going fit-for-fit because his closet got attitude whereas “Kino Der Toten” uniquely blends plugg & horrorcore boasting that his diamonds colder than the home state of WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura, who was referenced on the groundbreaking [adult swim] hit series Smiling Friends last month. “Public” talks about being the homage everyone’s been paying over a Cardo instrumental while “WYD?” gets geeked up to watch the Warner Bros. subsidiary HBO-owned Game of Thrones.

Reaching the halfway point, “Skip Rocks” moves things forward with an upbeat vibe talking about not going back to the way things were prior to his popularity increasing just before “Aimy” joyously boasts that he’s higher than the mountains & staying extra clean despite his southern roots. “Nametag” wasn’t a bad attempt at Zuwop self-producing however, talking about his girl fucking him like a king & shutting down traffic when pulling up to the spot.

“Pop Shit / White Beater” starts the last moments of the Knight Shift with an accordion-heavy trap/pop rap song making an OnlyFans hoe into his 1 & only while the piano-tinged “Nobody” talks about carrying swords & sticks beside him due to him growing up roughly. As for the outro “Ribbon”, we’re treated to the Atlanta rapper boasting his new racks & his new bitch over some rage beats.

Birth of St. Slay marked the beginning of Zukenee fusing trap & crunk together although Slaytanic removed the Chicago drill & pop rap influences to give his dirty south origins a chance to shine, which Knight Shift eventually swaps out for his plugg & experimental hip hop in preparation of an eagerly awaited body of work called Zudo entirely produced by Cardo for those who couldn’t tell.

Score: 4/5

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Jim Jones – “The Fall Before the Rise” review

The Bronx, New York rapper Jim Jones dropping a brand new extended play a few days succeeding it’s announcement. A member of The Diplomats in the 2000s, his first 5 full-lengths from 2004-2011 had some highlights in them even if they were all average at best as whole albums. However it wouldn’t be until 2018 after dropping Wasted Talent where he would really start putting out his best material ever & then came out with his magnum opus the following year El Capo. El Capo 2 & the Harry Fraud-produced The Fraud Department continued the acclaim up until the Hitmaka-produced Back in My Prime proved to be disappointing & At the Church Steps was ok, coming off Pusha T dissing him on the Clipse single “Ace Trumpets” to present The Fall Before the Rise.

The intro opens up with a genuinely decent instrumental telling the God’s honest truth until “I’m the Best” butchers a sample of “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito for a little over a minute to stroke his ego after having Fivio Foreign do so not too long ago. The usage of sampling on “Rich Water” isn’t done any better having something for everyone who did him wrong leading into “Move ‘Em” talking about having the city under control like a PlayStaion over some 808s.

“Friday” thunderously speaks of formerly making money by putting yay on the highway just before “Eat Tonight” with an uncredited feature comes through with a mediocre Bonnie & Clyde ballad. “Revolution” talks about us getting increasingly closer to a rebellion of sorts while “Summer Where You Been At?” flips “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince to address a lost love interest. We’re then treated to a freestyle spit during the 3rd annual Mafiathon, which was merely ok.

Wasted Talent marked a huge turning point in Jim Jones’ career putting out some of his greatest material over the course of the late 2010s/early 2020s but since Back in My Prime, the quality of his music is continuing to steeply decline the bigger his head grows. We still would’ve gotten a better product if you kept both tracks from At the Church Steps (deluxe included), whereas The Fall Before the Risecontains worse production & reminds us all he’s not even close to surpassing Nas as an MC.

Score: 1.5/5

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Tayo – “Goodbye” review

This is the 8th EP from Seattle, Washington up-&-coming rapper & producer Tayo. Originally starting under the moniker ByeTayo, he started on SoundCloud close around Halloween 2021 off his first few EPs Crash on Purpose as well as Inside Voices & PM the following year. He would later go on applying pressure with couple more EPs in wintr & a sequel to PM, coming off Thank You Tayo taking himself to newer levels both artistically & personally on Bye this past spring. Merely 6 months later, he’s setting out to do it again with Goodbye.

lade takes up a bulk of the intro “strawberry” aside from the hook melodically talking about getting fly & wanting to know who has a better closet just before the 70 second “wells fargo” produced by Pi’erre Bourne asks his this woman trusts him or not. “fitch” brings a pluggnb vibe to the table courtesy of Goyxrd for a woman to continuously question his feelings towards her while “Pull Out More” featuring Ppgcasper talks about oxycontin taking over

“icarly” references the Paramount Skydance Corporation owned Nickelodeon franchise of the same name & after a 90 second Tooly? solo joint disguised as an interlude, “fake bby” locks back in with Goyxrd for another foray into pluggnb talking about relationships. The self-produced “that part” brings a standard plugg flare to the table while “lil peep” featuring Tooly? finishes Goodbye on more of a rage-inducing note remember the emo rap pioneer.

Looking to take the evolution Bye began embracing to the next level, Tayo’s 2nd extended play of 2025 improves from the previous one we got in May & could easily become the greatest body of work in the 4 years he’s been making music. Goodbye’s plugg & pluggnb production feels stronger than its predecessors obviously since he’s generated enough buzz to lock in with some of the greatest trap producers & the Seattle artist’s hunger hasn’t waned.

Score: 4/5

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Lefty Gunplay – “I Told You So” review

Lefty Gunplay is a 29 year old rapper from Baldwin Park, California who began his music career in 2023 after a prison stint. He has since dropped 6 full-lengths & an EP, including an outro on “tv off” from Kendrick Lamar’s 6th album GNX around this time 12 months ago. Can’t Get Right produced by Jason Martin formerly known as Problem would become his most celebrated work this spring, coming off Ghetto Heisman‘s mixed reception to have Jason produce his 2nd EP alongside Mike & Keys.

“C-Murder Flow” opens with a homage to the wrongfully incarcerated member of TRU himself almost 2 weeks after No Limit Records smoked Cash Money Records at the Verzuz occurring at ComplexCon whereas Jiggy works in a vocal sample so he can talk about nobody being in his division. “Califa” featuring MC Davo & pfacebabyy finds the trio decently flexing that they’re catching fades throughout the city leading into “M.W.A. (Mexican With an Attitude)” eerily talking about being Hispanic & having an N.W.A mindset.

The song “She Fell in Love with an Ese” beginning the final leg of I Told You So asking if there’s a single person out in the streets who can outrun his gun while “Story of My Life” featuring Coyote, Cricket, Jason Martin & pfacebabyyy gets together over some horns so they can talk about being in the position of making their own rules. The title track ends the EP in the most appropriate way imaginable from the summery guitar instrumental to the lyrics promising that he wouldn’t break his lovers’ heart.

Ghetto Heisman earlier this fall was a little disappointing compared to Can’t Get Right mainly because the production & guests simultaneously felt all over the place in terms of consistency, not quite reaching the bar of WC’s sophomore effort of the same name under Def Jam Recordings over 2 decades earlier. Now regarding I Told You So, it comes off to me as an amalgamation of Ghetto Heisman‘s inconsistencies & Can’t Get Right‘s refinement of Lefty Gunplay’s whole entire Chicano/west coast style.

Score: 3/5

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Jay NiCE & Tha God Fahim – “Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 20” review

Atlanta, Georgia emcee Jay NiCE & the local Dump Gawd himself Tha God Fahim are back for their 5th collaborative EP. Both of whom have worked with each other countless times in the past several years, teaming up for the collab album Strictly 4 My D.U.M.P.E.R.Z. during the spring of 2018 & the Bloodspiller EP almost 3 years ago. Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 12 produced by Nicholas Craven became their greatest joint offering yet, coming off the 17th & 18th chapters to run it back for the 20th.

“Panamera” soulfully sets the tone with both of them talking about their flows leading to streams & income whereas “The Yolk” takes a funkier approach instrumentally bodying MCs in a gruesome manner. “Take It on the Chin” calls out those with phony actin’ over some pianos just before the colorful “Destruction Ability” discusses the crowd of people shittin’ on their consistency.

The song “Abandon Ship” counts down Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 20’s last 6 minutes or so with a soul sample talking about thriving in their current positions while “Deadlifts” hops on top of a flute to brag that nobody can do it hotter than them. “Cold Steel” finishes up the EP using some sampling techniques 1 last time talking about their cosmic influence.

5 episodes deep into season 2 of the Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap saga, 60% of them including this latest entry have all been collaborations with Jay NiCE except this one might be the best since 12 when speaking of his & Tha God Fahim’s shared output. Of course you can’t go wrong with Nicholas Craven’s production, but both southern hip hop artists that’re on the mic together step up their chemistry compared 17 & 18.

Score: 4/5

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Scatz – “F.T.O.S. II (Fuck the Other Side II)” review

This is the 8th EP from Flint, Michigan rapper Scatz. Introducing himself 3 years ago with his debut EP Kyriee Krazy followed by the debut mixtape Yung N***a World, his next 5 EPs SharkLoto, Gift of Gab, Yung Dirty Bastard, The Biggest & Yung Dirty Bastard all the following year caught the attention of Rio da Yung O.G. & signed the 6 Ward Lord to M.I.N.E. Entertainment behind bars. F.T.O.S. (Fuck the Other Side) celebrated its 1-year anniversary last month, so it makes sense for him to drop a sequel on Halloween.

“Talkin’ Dumb” featuring Rio da Yung O.G. starts with both them over a Flint trap instrumental spitting a whole bunch of gang shit whereas “Jog” works in some 808s & pianos referencing the Endeavor-owned TKO Group Holdings division WWE’s secondary flagship program Friday Night SmackDown. “1 of 1” flexes that the body he hit with the switch has become unique in it’s own way just before “Can’t Forget” featuring 2800 Twin decently trades verses with one another.

We have Scatz understandably representing his squad on “It’s M.I.N.E.” for a good 2 minutes while “Cheddar Bob” references DJ Rec, who inspired the popular 8 Mile character of the same name. “Fluffy” featuring Baby TR delves deeper into the gangsta lifestyle taking 2 blocks & keeping only 1 while “Lulu” featuring Doonie talks about both of them having more stripes than the British luxury fashion house Burberry.

“Make a Bet” featuring FTOS Swan promises to walk victims down in Rick Owens instead of wearing Prada while “King of the Hill” give a nod to the Hulu serves of the same name set to premiere season 15 in 2026 in light of seasons 16 & 17 being ordered. “Facts” wraps up F.T.O.S. II (Fuck the Other Side) II with him talking about shooting up a crib every single week with the sole purpose of testing his groove.

Gotta be honest: As much as I enjoy the original F.T.O.S. (Fuck the Other Side) last fall, its spiritual successor feels a bit mediocre in comparison. I don’t mind the production nor do I have any criticisms with Scatz’ own performances, but the guest list is more inconsistent with only 1 of the 5 sticking out & that being none other than Rio.

Score: 3/5

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Tha God Fahim – “Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 19” review

Isn’t too surprising the 66th EP from Atlanta, Georgia emcee/producer Tha God Fahim would arrive on Halloween. Starting as an affiliate of Griselda Records & 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. He’s been putting out amongst his best material in the past few years like 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, the Mike Shabb-produced Dump Gawd: Rhyme Pays, Tha Supreme Hoarder of All Pristine Wealth, Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga produced by Cookin’ Soul & Machine Gun Vocabulary produced by Cartune Beatz. Lethal Weapon 4 produced by Drega33 was the last time we heard Fahim on his own, making Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 19 the first since the season 2 premiere to be a solo effort.

“Not Ez” featuring Jay NiCE cautions that going against them will only backfire over a chipmunk soul instrumental whereas “Take the High Road” also featuring Jay NiCE works in some pianos to talk about being the new rulers of the game. “Grimsong” featuring Jay NiCE references WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson’s coke addiction prior to “Enchanted” setting the tone for the rest of the EP talking about immature styles not being a fraction of his power.

The song “Hexproof” nears Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 19’s conclusion cautioning not to ignore the factual combat found when dissecting tracks while “Mill 2” soulfully talks about this ongoing saga only being the tip of the iceberg as far as he’s concerned. “How Does It Feel?” finishes the EP by using some sampling technique a 1 last time looking to make a great impression whenever hits the stage.

Not too surprised that Jay NiCE appears during the 1st half or so of Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 19, but I could definitely say that this is the most that I’ve enjoyed an entry from the series ever since season 2 began over 4 weeks earlier. The production is prominently more drumless than Tha God Fahim’s last couple collaborative extended plays with the NiCEst of Immobilaire making boom bap a secondary influence & getting more abstract lyrically.

Score: 3.5/5

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Ransom – “The Reinvention” review

Here is the highly awaited 13th EP from Jersey City wordsmith Ransom. Coming up as 1/2 of the short-lived duo A-Team alongside Hitchcock, he branched out on his own in 2008 following their disbandment beginning with the full-length debut Street Cinema & the Statik Selektah-produced sophomore effort The Proposal. But it’s been safe to say these last couple years have been his biggest so far whether it be the 5 EPs that he put out produced by Nicholas Craven or 7 based around the 7 deadly sins, Heavy’s the Head produced by Big Ghost Ltd., the Rome Streetz collab album Coup de Grâce, Chaos is My Ladder, Director’s Cut 4 & Deleted Scenes 2. Lavish Misery produced by Harry Fraud was a step above Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child and MadeinTYO producing Smoke & Mirrors last summer was an exciting surprise, but The Reinvention produced by DJ Premier had me as excited The Coldest Profession almost 3 months earlier.

“Amazing Graces” begins with with a gritty piano instrumental talking about his style being so outstanding whereas “A Cut Above” works in some strings hoping that may the best man win lyrically. After the “Rap Radar” interlude, “Chaos is My Ladder” dustily welcomes anyone hoping to reach his level of lyricism while “Forgiveness” talks about going from broke to sipping champagne in Venice.

The song “Survivor’s Remorse” winds down the last few minutes of The Reinvention explaining that fake love always deceives along with the opinion of one not really trying to win if they’ve never taken a loss in their entire lives & the title track sends off the EP by advising those in attendance to prepare for his growth to he seen since they’re already stuck around to see the vengeance.

Representing a meeting of 2 master craftsmen whose fingerprints are woven into the DNA of hip-hop production & another who is recognized by peers & fans alike as one of the best pound-for-pound lyricists alive, The Reinvention showcases Ransom & DJ Premier joining forces to create a transformational musical experience that epitomizes the streetwise mentality realizing the journey’s just as important as the destination.

Score: 4.5/5

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southsidesilhouette – “Untitled” review

Here we have a brand new mixtape from Atlanta, Georgia recording artist southsidesilhouette. Emerging in the SoundCloud scene of his debut EP Metanoia & later the full-length studio LP Diafora, he continued to build his discography from there whether it be ( ︶︿︶)_╭∩╮ & ♃ or the original Hits followed by the sequel & 2009. The final chapter in the Hits trilogy would drop almost 20 months ago, coming off Dream But Don’t Sleep earlier this spring for a new untitled tape on Halloween.

“Wet ‘Em Up” begins with a bit of a rage-inducing instrumental talking about giving no fucks & dying on that hill whereas “Can’t Pipe Down” colorfully reminds us that some people don’t make it that far in this industry. “Pop Out” featuring Tezzarain finds the 2 talking about it being another day instead of a phase just before “Every Other Day” featuring Rollinthrax flexes that their pockets are full of parmesan.

Meanwhile on “New Stick”, we have southsidesilhouette over this swampy trap beat talking about his new gun coming with a kick while “Yes” asks where the safe is so he can break the bank. “Die Lit” embraces a bit of an ethereal trap vibe to the beat talking about having everything he needs while “Changes” featuring Diorvsyou & 6bill psychedelically links up to speak of doing everything by themselves.

“Face the Music” starts the last act of Untitled with a glitchy rage instrumental talking about giving ‘em the belt when it’s time while “Loading” featuring Rollinthrax reunites both of them so they can discuss trying to take this shit off the map. “IDH8ME2” nears the end with a pluggier flare responding to his detractors while “Long Time” featuring Rollinthrax soulfully talks about it taking forever for them to get where they are.

Only dropped a half hour late, but at least Untitled didn’t wind up being delayed because I actually enjoyed this mixtape more than the Dream But Don’t Sleep EP. The monotony of the latter is broken off completely by the inclusion of all 4 guests, I feel like there’s more going for the production than this past spring although I’d love to hear him work with Internet Money Records or Vanguard Music Group again & southsidesilhouette’s flows remains amongst the most unique in the modern underground trap scene.

Score: 4/5

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The Doppelgangaz – “Bet on Black Cloak” review

Orange County, New York duo The Doppelgangaz back with their 13th EP on Halloween. Consisting of MCs/producers Matter ov Fact & EP, they’ve gone on to make waves in the underground by dropping a total of 8 full-length albums as well as a dozen EPs & 6 beat tapes. Standouts include their breakout sophomore effort Lone Sharks, the follow-up Hark, their 5th album Dopp Hopp, Aaaaggghh, Black Cloak Lifestyle & Went Left. The latter of which got a sequel this summer, assuring that you can Bet on Black Coat a few months later.

“Dopp Gang Thang” starts off with a piano-boom bap instrumental talking about being the game never being the same again whereas “6 Ways 2 Sunday” dustily flexes that they do things the dumb way. “Wacky Wild Crazy” works in some pianos to talk about acting that way sometimes while “Don’t Mess with Them Sharks” advises that you don’t wanna fuck with them. “Whatchu Wanna Do?” soulfully asks their partners that very question for the evening & “Live 2 Regret It” ends with a message to the hardheaded.

The ghastly duo continue to warm up for their forthcoming 9th LP by taking it back to the traditional boom bap sound that made The Doppelgangaz so popular in the underground after taking a quick g-funk detour with a rawer, more rugged, dustier & dirtier extended play than the slept-on Groggy Pack Entertainment founders have ever sounded almost 2 decades in the game.

Score: 4/5

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