The Musalini – “Mackaroni” review

New York emcee & Jamla Records recording artist The Musalini teaming up with Cookin’ Soul for his 6th EP. Beginning to take the underground by storm since 2018 after dropping his debut mixtape Musalini Season, he went on to release 3 full-lengths & another tape before signing to TCF Music Group. Since then, he’s made himself home by dropping a few EPs & Return of the Oro in the early part of this decade. In God We Trust produced by 38 Spesh, The Don & Eye alongside its sequel fully produced 9th Wonder & Pure Izm produced by Khrysis have all quickly become his best material over the past 3 years. And with the run Cookin’ Soul’s been on these past couple months, I can say stakes for Mackaroni were pretty high personally.

“Say You Love Me” featuring Hus Kingpin & Reuben Vincent starts us off with the trio over a soulful admitting to their flings that can’t say they care whereas “Never Be a Stranger” takes the groovy boom bap route talking about being a pimp. “‘92 Olympics” featuring Tha God Fahim gives me a mafioso atmosphere a bit instrumentally likening themselves to the US men’s basketball team over 3 decades ago just before “I Want It All” featuring Planet Asia taking the luxurious route expressing their desire for everything.

MadeinTYO interestingly joins Mu$ on the luxurious boom bap cut “Mack of the Year” talking about being the pimp’s pimps of 2024 leading into “Got Her” showing a J Dilla influence to the beat getting in his romance shit. “1 Time” featuring Le$ works in these organ-synths with kicks & snares bringing that style for the block whilst turning it up a notch while “Fresh Air” featuring Raz Fresco & Skratch Bastid keeps it boom bap with lavish piano chords talking about mornings on the beach. “Lay Up” warmly looks to turn everything he touches into chicken & “Pay the Man” is a jazzy closer demanding to be paid what he is owed.

Despite the fact that some of of Mu$’ output can be a bit too overloaded with the amount guests, I’m not gonna deny that Mackaroni is the most I’ve enjoyed his music in a while. Cookin’ Soul goes on a 3-peat with the production since it’s on par with Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga’s & Bakin’ Soul’s, the performances from the features themselves are more consistent & Mu$’ is straight mackin’ for nearly 26 minutes.

Score: 4/5

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1600J – “16GTC” review

This is the 24th EP from Bronx, New York up-&-comer 1600J. Emerging in the winter of 2018 off his first EP Mud Motel, he would go on to drop 22 more EPs, a solo mixtape & 4 collab efforts. Standouts include Hitmakers, GTA 6, NextDoorNeighbors with Ghetto Luxury Entertainment general Pasto Flocco & RealYung16’s eponymous debut EP. However coming fresh off producing Casey Veggies’ latest mixtape Nostalgia over a month ago, Dylvinci is teaming up with 1600J the day after April Fool’s Day 2024 for 16GTC.

“Clear Out the Room” is a warm plugg opener with 1600J talking about his shooters making all the rooms empty whereas “Bag It” continues to bring a summery atmosphere to the table admitting that he’s not looking to be boxed in & I completely understand that. “Look At Me Now” featuring Lil Xellybrings this infectiously groovy trap flare reflecting on going from being clowned to where he is currently while the sensual “Blowin’ My Phone” featuring Rx Papi finds the 2 talking about chick continuously callin’ them & telling them to come to the spot. France’s biggest artist in plugg right now Serane joins 1600J on “Global” giving me a cavernous trap vibe with them flexing that no one compares to them & “What He Can’t” by RealYung16 featuring BoofPaxkMooky finishes 16GTC on a cloudy note as the trio talk about being better than the dudes you’re already with since they can do shit that they wouldn’t.

Going through the insane amount of EPs that 1600J has put out in only 6 years, 16GTC has to be my favorite one that he’s put out. Dylvinci’s production refines 1600J’s whole plugg/pluggnb style consistently start to finish, the performances from 1600J himself are on par & even the features during the last 4 cuts all bring their individual flavor on top of it. If we so happen to get another project from them down the line with a shorter guest list, it really could be on par if not better.

Score: 4/5

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genre: sadboy – Self-Titled review

genre: sadboy is an Ohio duo consisting of rapper, singer/songwriter, musician & actor MGK alongside rapper & singer/songwriter Trippie Redd. Both of whom have already crossed paths with one another quite a few times over the years on tracks like “all I know”, “Red Sky”, “Pill Breaker” & “Candy”. So obviously looking back on their history of working with one another as well as the simple fact that they’re both from the same neck of the woods, one shouldn’t be too surprised by them forming genre: sadboy & putting out a debut EP.

“lost boys” unceremoniously begins with this emo-folk cut talking about how it’s just another one of those nights again whereas “beauty” takes the somber trap route sampling “Let Go” by Frou Frou dropping corny bars like “Ship across the sand like The Mandalorian”. “time travel” immerses everyone into their worlds showing a back-&-forth chemistry over a spaciously drumless beat while “struggles” goes head-on rock again whining that they’re not happy to be here.

Moving forward, “suddenly” brings that trap flare back trying to be edgy by saying that’s everyone’s alive except for them while the cloudy yet tedious “half dead” moans about being all alone. “hiding in the hills” discusses running from themselves with Satan as Ronny J mixes rock & trap just before the dreary trap cut “no more” talks about giving 0 at this point. J.I.D’s feature on the rap rock “who do I call?” is the best verse of the entire EP asking where do they go from here & the stripped-back “summer’s gone” finishes self-titled by telling y’all to let them dry & rot.

It was pretty much a guarantee that genre: sadboy was gonna come out with one of the absolute worst EPs of the year & they sure did not disappoint considering the standard that was already set by the couplet of singles we’ve gotten in over a week. The poppy trap & rock production is ok considering that both members of the duo have ventured out in those particular sounds previously, it’s just that Trippie’s performances are significantly better than the 2 & they just aren’t enough for me to keep coming back to the EP.

Score: 1/5

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Rico Nasty – “HVRDC0RE DR3AMZ” review

Maryland recording artist Rico Nasty teaming up with Boyz Noize for her 3rd EP. Turning heads in 2018 off her 6th mixtape Nasty, I was still very much impressed by her unique personality & her eclecticism although it was just ok. However the next spring, she got Kenny Beats to produce her debut EP Anger Management in it’s entirety & that ended up being my favorite body of work of hers even to this day. Nightmare Vacation was a bit of a step down from Anger Management even though it has a good share of bangers like “iPhone” & “10Fo”, but Las Ruinas showed a more experimental side to her & A Nasty Summer was kinda mediocre truthfully. That said: HVRDC0RE DR3AMZ had to be more properly conceived going into it.

“Arintintin” begins the 3-piece offering with a hip house opener talking about feeling a little cheeky & that she finna cause a scene that is until the next joint “Vvgina” asks why would she cry when she can just get high instead continuing the hip hop/EDM crossovers instrumentally. Finally, “H.O.T.” is this dubstep/rap hybrid to close out the EP as Rico makes it known that no one can fuck with her & that’s facts.

All I wanted was for HVRDC0RE DR3AMZ to be better than A Nasty Summer almost a year ago already & although it’s what we got only by a slight margin, I’ll still take it over the predecessor. It’s more focused, Boyz Noize’s production delves into electro house, UK hard house, electro, electroclash and Miami bass & Rico’s performances are a step above also. Whenever she’s ready to put out the sophomore effort, I’ll be here.

Score: 3.5/5

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Dom McLennon – “The Changing of the Trees” review

Dom McLennon is a 31 year old MC/producer from Hartford, Connecticut notable for being a founding member of the now defunct BROCKHAMPTON collective as well as the older brother of it’s former de facto leader Kevin Abstract. He also has 3 mixtapes alongside a couple EPs & a few instrumental projects under his belt on top of that but coming off Prologue last month, Dom’s following up Matt Champion’s solo debut Mika’s Laundry from last weekend by putting out his 3rd EP.

“First Offering” is a guitar-laced opener looking to build a coalition while everyone else is trying to build companies whereas the cloudy “Sculptor’s Request” vibe talks about being the only real one in a bunch of fake situations & that’s the reason why he’s lost a lot of patience. “Amongst Swords” slows down his vocals a bit over a peaceful instrumental flexing that he’s in everybody’s ears more than the warranty extensions leading into the drumless “Generations” talking about making hundreds off stackin’ dimes.

To start the 2nd half, the catchy “River” explores identity through a conversation about growth & peace providing words to guide you through your travels just before the piano ballad “Gym Hours” is a profound letter to himself. “Russian Cream” gives me a boom bap vibe rappin’ like the muthafuckin’ rent’s due, but then the trippy “4theblock” finishes the EP by getting out of bed with Satan himself.

Of all the solo projects that I’ve heard from Dom ever since getting into BROCKHAMPTON, I actually came away from The Changing of the Trees liking it more than his last couple EPs Prologue & Roadtrip. I’m sure that he’ll continue to progressively improve on the jazzy production here along with the consciously abstract style of lyricism he goes for on here, which I think will catch some people who’re familiar with his BROCKHAMPTON material off-guard.

Score: 3.5/5

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They Liv3 – “Obey” review

They Liv3 is an underground trio from Milwaukee, Wisconsin consisting of Jaysin Logik, King Relik & Prolifik. All of whom have collaborated with one another extensively since signing to Force 5 Records as solo artists before forming a group together over a year ago & properly introducing themselves as a unit on their eponymous full-length debut. However with the first quarter of 2024 coming to a close on Easter weekend, They Liv3 are linking back up for a debut EP.

“TCOB” begins by hooking up horns, kicks and snares so everyone can go back & forth with each other on the mic whereas “Galvanized” goes rap rock to talk about being the real deal. “Evil Wayz” brings a Memphis trap atmosphere instrumentally to get in their wicked shit bags & after an interlude, “Hollow” featuring Rick Dogg works in these summery guitar passages going where the wind blows while the trap-driven “Killaz” talks about drinking. “Crazy” featuring their deejay Danny Diablo sends off Obey with a 2-minute hardcore jam.

Self-titled was a solid showcasing of They Liv3’s chemistry & Obey continues to further establish themselves as one of the most integrating groups that the Milwaukee hip hop scene has to offer right now. The production goes from boom bap to rap rock, Memphis rap, trap & even a bit of hardcore punk as they all continue to ping off each other impressively just like they did on the debut from 13 months ago.

Score: 4/5

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Q-Unique – “Royal Blood” review

Brooklyn emcee, singer & producer Q-Unique teaming up with Jake Palumbo for his 3rd EP. Emerging as 1/4 of the Arsonists & the lead singer of the 3-man hard rock outfit Stillwill, he’s also built up impressive solo discography for himself since the Uncle Howie Records-backed Vengeance is Mine nearly 2 decades back at this point. He would follow it up the previous decade with Between Heaven & Hell alongside BlaQ Coffee and The Mechanic before Stillwill bassist Fieldy of KoЯn fame to produced his last EP Pound for Pound in full last spring. So hearing Jake was producing Royal Blood, I was just as excited.

“Bad Meaning Good” sets the tone with it’s horn-laced boom bap instrumental to the lyrics looking to shatter dreams like LeBron whereas the rugged “Eye Don’t Sleep” works in strings, kicks & snares talking about being up before the sunrise. “133rd Psalm” takes the soulful route describing how wonderful & pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony just before “Don’t Wanna Wake Up” intricately pays homage to everyone that paved the way for hip hop culture. “Chess Checkers” ruggedly talks about being done running from trouble with blood on his knuckles while “Random Play” keeps it in the basement instrumentally to discuss the street life. “Ingredients” closes the EP by admitting he got that Bruce Banner anger mixed with the love of a ‘60s hippie.

Pound for Pound was received to mixed responses although I felt it was a great comeback for Q & it only made since for Fieldy to hop behind the boards throughout the duration of it. That said, I feel like those who didn’t get a lot out of that previous EP will come away from Royal Blood enjoying a tad bit more. Jake’s production is more rawer in comparison to Q’s Stillwell bandmate & Q himself goes just as aggressive on the mic as last time.

Score: 4/5

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Gibby Stites – “Pariah” review

Millville, New Jersey emcee/producer Gibby Stites coming off the 4th installment of the Family Tree series with a new EP. Getting his start in the music industry over a decade ago off his first 2 mixtapes Gillmatic & Broke n Local, he wouldn’t catch my attention until performing a set during Netfest On Your Couch during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. Later that fall, he signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment & I had the honor of interviewing him shortly after the deal was made public. The 13th Wonder pretty much showcased Gibby to the juggalos as Jamie Madrox’ protégé & Welcome to iLLViLLE several months later took listeners through exactly where he comes from, but decided not to renew his MNE contract to form his own label iLLViLLE Worldwide shortly after. Off Air from last summer marked his return behind the boards after 5 years & is so far my favorite thing he’s done since leaving Majik Ninja, so I was interested in Pariah after being announced a couple months ago.

The title track gets the ball rolling with a somberly self-produced trap instrumental talking about why he sets it off & that they won’t ever stop him whereas “Memory Card” works in a guitar & hi-hats admitting that he really doesn’t give a fuck about a brand. “Swerve” keeps the dreary trap vibes going hittin’ ‘em with the cold facts prior to “Real Life” featuring Lingo brings a summery atmosphere to the table talking about layin’ down more personal subject matter.

“The Business” featuring EnzoHard incorporates this orchestral sample from DJ Emaculate with kicks & snares as both of them discuss going up in the music industry essentially just before “Eastside 3.0” ominously represents the East Coast for 3 minutes. “Suffocate” closes Pariah by fusing trap & rock confessing that it doesn’t hurt him to say the space in his heart nowadays has turned vacant.

Juggalos are generally divided when it comes to Gibby Stites, yet it’s undeniable to me that this EP has to be one of the most meaningful entries in his discography. The production altogether is generally more mellow than anything he’s put out in the past & it has an interesting mental health concept throughout except it’s coming from his own perspective.

Score: 4/5

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Elcamino – “The Game is the Game” review

Buffalo emcee & singer Elcamino following up his Black Soprano Family Records debut They Spit on Jesus with his 15th EP. 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 was 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 years. Fast forward 5 months later, Real Bad Man’s being enlisted throughout the duration of The Game is the Game

“Give Them Hope (Curtis)” is a piano-driven opener saying he was more of an understudy for Ghost that constantly took notes whereas quasi-jazzy “Chest Wrestlers” talks about not having time for fake aggressive coke-snorters. “Champagne Pisses” featuring the B$F general himself Benny the Butcher works in these strings, kicks & snares asking if anyone fears not making it to the finish line just before “Fashion Week” featuring King Ralph finds the 2 brothers showing off their big mafia statuses.

Meanwhile, “New Levels” talks about being long way from a crook with all the sacrifices that he’s taken on top of some vibraphones leading into “C’mon Nephew” goes into soulful territory to pen an open letter to his nephew forgiving him for some bullshit he pulled some time ago. “No Fighting” featuring Boldy James is an organ/boom bap crossover likening themselves to scramblers, but then “Expensive Cloth” brings to funkier flare airing out those who want him to be more of a target.

Rick Hyde joins Elcamino for the penultimate track “Melrose” pushing near the encore of The Game is the Game discussing their elevations over pianos, kicks & snares that is until “Sllick Talk” featuring Player K rounds out the EP by hopping over synthesizers calling themselves shooters trying to score as well as telling y’all that we should be seeing the way both of them be living now.

If you enjoyed They Spit on Jesus as much as I did 6 months ago, you’re probably gonna like The Game is the Game almost as much if not more than the LP that officially introduced Elcamino to the B$F roster. Real Bad Man continues to further cement himself as one of the most in-demand producers the underground, the guest-list is equally tight & Camino’s just breaking down how it be out here.

Score: 4/5

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Rafa – “Good Girls Don’t Exist” review

Detroit rapper Rafa is back with his 3rd EP. Coming up as a member of the WRLD Tour Mafia a couple years ago, he would also begin a solo career of his own starting on Thanksgiving 2020 with his debut EP Not for Household Use & followed it up in the form his full-length debut Dog$hit & Ammunition. Last we heard from him was almost a year & a half ago when he put out an eponymous EP that I still consider to be his strongest solo effort to this day, but is applying pressure with Good Girl’s Don’t Exist since DaeMoney dropped Rockstar Lifestyle 2 earlier this month.

The title track is a cloudy opener clarifying that there are no such thing as good girls to him whereas “Waste No Time” is an acoustic trap hybrid ripping his heart out & putting it on display. “Luv a Do” dives into the Detroit trap sound throwing some synthesizers into the fold going ape shit like he was hanging around Nigo just before “Money Virus” melancholically admits he don’t know how to live & is unable to trust his homie.

“Cash Rules” fuses rock with trap saying he’s never met another woman like the one he wrote this song for while the “Interlude” takes the atmospheric route hoping to be a billionaire like one of my top 10 producers Ye since making money is a hobby for him. “200 Days (Malala)” talks about coming a long way & previously doing stuff ass-backwards over a dreamy trap instrumental prior to “On Me” featuring Rally & Samuel Shabazz dabbles with plugg being able to tell the love ain’t there.

The untitled penultimate song continues to draw near the end of the EP by bringing rage beats into the picture acknowledging that there are so many things for him to figure out, but then “A$AP & Riri” finishes Good Girls Don’t Exist by talking about being too busy getting rich & refusing to let a hoe have his kid going for an entrancing vibe instrumentally. “Matchin’ Tracks” cloudily starts the deluxe advising to stay down until you up while “Understanding” hops over a sample-woven trap beat addressing someone he can’t live life without.

“I Luv WRLD Tour” psychedelically bridges the halfway point of the bonus track run representing the crew that he stay running with while “Rafa Bieber” pulls inspiration from the trillwave scene once more talking about handling the trials & tribulations by his lonely. The final bonus cut “Surf Gang” featuring Rally wraps up the deluxe on some plugg shit bragging over being more lit than propane itself.

It’s only a couple weeks after Slae put out Rockstar Lifestyle 2 & here we have Rafa continuing to elevate the WRLD Tour Mafia by putting out an an EP that I actually believe tops Not for Household Use almost 3 & a half years ago by now. His sound is growing & lyrically, he has to be right behind DaeMoney as my favorite member of what has to be one of the most exciting up-&-coming groups in the Detroit trap scene.

Score: 3.5/5

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