Tha Eastsidaz – “Still Easty” review

Tha Eastsidaz are a trio from Long Beach, California consisting of Big Tray Deee, Goldie Loc & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg. At the beginning of the current millennium, they would put out a classic eponymous full-length debut album through Doggystyle Records & TVT Records followed by Duces ‘n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way & That’s My Work 4. A decade after the previously mentioned debut mixtape, they’re reuniting for a 2nd time to sign with Death Row Records now distributed by gamma. for a debut EP.

After the “Passport” intro, the first song “Hood Been Good starts with a smooth ass west coast opener talking about how great the streets of Long Beach have been to them whereas “Groove Bacc” featuring October London takes the g-funk route instrumentally so Tha Eastsidaz can get back in their bags. “Rag Tied” produced by Rick Rock reps the group’s Crip ties just before DJ Battlecat gives “Going Down” some rap rock undertones talking about changing the game. “Watch & Chillin’” funkily classifies themselves as a lyrical threat while “Gangstafied” ends the EP detailing the gangsta life.

Tha Dogg Pound’s latest album W.A.W.G. (We All We Got) marked a return to form for the duo after the commercial-heavy vibes of DPG 4 Life & Danny Boy announced a few months ago that he had returned to Death Row, so it was only a matter of time until Tha Eastsidaz did & they gave us a bangin’ EP ahead of their upcoming LP on the label. The production sticks with the prominent west coast sound of their previous material & I like they didn’t have any guests other than Snoop on 4 cuts.

Score: 4/5

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Kembe X – “It’s Not That Deep” review

This is the 3rd EP from Chicago, Illinois emcee & Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate Kembe X. Getting his start over a decade ago with the debut EP Soundtrack II Armageddon & the debut mixtape Self Rule, his profile would continue to grow off the strength of the debut LP Talk Back as well as an eponymously titled 2nd EP & the sophomore effort I Was Depressed Until I Made This. His comeback effort from this spring Sleep Paralysis produced by Hippie Sabotage became his most acclaimed work & raised expectations for It’s Not That Deep.

“national anthem” starts with some guitars that transitions into a trap instrumental talking about everyone wanting to see him fall whereas “Death & Taxxxes” works in this dynamic beat with a Drill-influenced at the start ahead of a trap direction during the other explaining that you don’t need shrooms to trip with him. “i’m kool” psychedelically gets as smooth as he wants to while the standout “Introverted Extrovert” featuring Ab-Soul discusses the exact characteristic.

Moving on from there, the bombastic “Air Bae” flexes he’s been everywhere just before “British” featuring T.F woozily find both of them clowning everyone else for being as sweet as they are. “spilled milk” has a upbeat trap vibe assuring he’s got ya & “Neck on the Loose” aggressively promises to clap this adversary next time they link. “arizona summer Hope” ends the EP on an acoustic note singing that chick be seeing ghosts.

Sleep Paralysis noticeably stood out amongst the rest of his discography for taking a more personal approach than some of his previous work & It’s Not That Deep continues towards that trajectory since he used to resent the fact he’s always been the type of person that’s always tryna make shit deep except he’s now at a point where he’s having fun with it. Even if it’s only for a brief moment.

Score: 3.5/5

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Pharrell – “Piece by Piece” Soundtrack Review

This is a brand new soundtrack EP from Virginia producer, singer/songwriter, rapper, fashion designer, film composer, entrepreneur, Billionaire Boys Club/Icecream founder & Louis Vuitton’s creative director for men’s fashion Pharrell. Cementing his legacy as 1/2 of the greatest production duo of all-time The Neptunes alongside Chad Hugo, they would eventually form the side project N*E*R*D with their debut album In Search Of… going on to become a classic inspiring Tyler, The Creator amongst others. Even his 2006 solo debut In My Mind would become one of the most underrated albums ever made, even though he’s discredited it himself as “being written out of ego”. G I R L during my junior year of high school received mixed reception although I personally still enjoy the pop soul/contemporary R&B vibe of it pay tribute to all the women in his life (Case in point: “Lost Queen / Freq”). He celebrated his 51st birthday in the midst of an ongoing lawsuit with Chad over the Neptunes trademark by releasing his 3rd mixtape Black Yacht Rock: City of Limitless Access on an exclusive website possibly in response to James Blake’s recent comments in regards to streaming & coincided the release of his new LEGO biopic Piece by Piece that I saw earlier tonight by putting together 5 new tracks.

After the colorful “It’s Happening” intro, the title track is a synth funk/pop soul crossover with additional instrumentation from Brent Paschke of the former Star Trak Entertainment power pop act Spymob on electric guitar & even the Princess Anne High School Fabulous Marching Cavaliers where Pharrell himself graduated in 1992 singing about how good it felt for his hard work to pay off whereas “Virginia Boy” featuring Tyler, The Creator finds the 2 taking the jazzy boom bap route instrumentally repping Virginia & California respectively.

“L’EGO Odyssey” gives off a heavy triumphant vibe from the horns to the choir vocals in the background thanks to the Budapest Scoring Orchestra & the Voices of Fire respectively, making way for Skateboard to sing about the universe being a university for the soul in addition to being thankful for your dreams & encouraging everyone to build them piece by piece while the 5th & final original song “For Real” ends the soundtrack EP on an upbeat note waiting for some kind of sign like a meteorite or some kind of magic to make him feel real.

Piece by Piece itself was a well-put together biopic with interviews from Pharrell, his former N*E*R*D bandmates Chad & Shae Haley, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar who Pharrell recently called 2024’s MVP, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, JAY-Z, WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, N.O.R.E., Missy Elliott, his mentor Teddy Riley & 海水浴猿/ヒューマン・メイド founder ニゴー who’s currently gearing up for his upcoming 3rd album 私もニゴを知っています!. Pharrell’s production varies between synth-funk, pop soul, jazz rap, boom bap & orchestral music as opposed to the prominent psychedelic pop/contemporary sounds of Black Yacht Rock further demonstrating his unique versatility.

Score: 4/5

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Nvy Jonez LKR – “583” review

Brooklyn emcee Nvy Jonez LKR teaming with Man of Many Hats for his 4th EP. Coming up in the summer of 2019 off an eponymous debut EP, he would go on to expand his profile in the underground within the last few years by follow it up in the form of Black Popeye as well as a tetralogy of collab EPs with D-Rell called the Chicken Spot series. Last I covered NVY was his previous EP A.L.T.D. (Angels Loyal to Demons) produced by Accosta the Man & the Undertaker vs. Kane collab EP with Chop the Father, but is starting a new saga of EPs with 583.

After the “All Hands” intro, the first song “Gator” is this boom bap opener flexing that he’s all over the borders with different lawyers whereas “Québec” maintains a darker tone instrumentally welcoming everyone to the danger zone. “R.A.S.” featuring Cruu Lee brings an unsettling atmosphere to the table hoping all the vultures die slowly while “A.E.L.” featuring Sham Blak strips the drums calls these goofies crazier than Gnarls Barkley. The closer “Up 2” drumlessly ends the EP promising it’s forever up & he stay slangin’ truths.

583 tells a wavy & grimy tale of how Nvy Jonez LKR & Man of Many Hats both swerved through life from the streets to the military and back considering the fact that both of them first met in San Diego whilst serving the US Navy. The production is a mix of boom bap & drumless, both features are also fellow veteran artists who just so happen to be making waves in the hip hop scene on their own accords & the New York lyricist recalls sets out to make the future installments of this new series reflecting on his upbringings & time serving our country.

Score: 4/5

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ovrkast. – “KastGotWings” review

Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. enlisting St. Paul, Minnesota producer/rapper Cardo behind the boards for his 13th EP. In almost a decade, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of the last dozen EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. Coming off the 1-year anniversary of the predecessor Reset! over the summer & is ringing in the final quarter of 2024 by shaping KastGotWings up to be the most exciting entry in his discography yet.

The opener “UP” gets the ball rollin’ with a rich trap instrumental feeling on the verge of erupting working the hardest he’s ever had whereas “PAYMEAGRIP” works in more hi-hats & a mellow backdrop advising to cough up the dough since they tryna erase the hood he came from. “CUT UP” fuses jazz rap & trap asking what the business is just before “BEAT IT UP!” talks about going harder than muhfucka.

“FREE UP SUM’N” starts the other half of the EP going for a minimal sound wanting to know what’s up with it taking 1 for the team while “SLOW MONEY” shifts into boom bap territory so he can talk about staying golden. The closer “BIPPER’S JOINT” ends KastGotWings by hooking up these piano chords & hi-hats feelin’ like he could possibly make a scene.

When you look at the handful of EPs that ovrkast. has put out since 2015, this new one here unsurprisingly takes the cake as his best one thus far & increases my anticipation for his full length debut studio album whenever that comes. Cardo’s production mainly has a trap vibe with additional elements of boom bap & jazz rap, allowing the Oakland lyricist to drop his most passionate performances.

Score: 4.5/5

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Big Trip – “Honestly Filthy 2” review

Detroit, Michigan emcee Big Trip reuniting with Jamil Honesty for his 4th EP. A member of The Umbrella collective, he introduced himself in 2021 off his first EP Bullet Tooth Tony followed by another one Crasseux & of course the full-length debut album Filth Be Thy Name. All of which showed the underground what Big Trip was capable of doing on his own, but Honestly Filthy would elevate him & the sequel here is shaping to maintain the classic caliber they reached over 4 months ago.

The piano-driven boom bap intro talking about everyone else being unable to come outside until they say so whereas “Wave Runners” featuring Jamil Honesty & Snotty finds the trio aggressively referring to themselves as trendsetters. “Kenny Lofton” takes the soulful boom bap route instrumentally to write pain with a golden glove prior to “Ice Wood” featuring Mvck Nyce paying homage to the late, great Blade Icewood.

“Clout Chasers” hops over a vocal sample observing a drought in real ones out here this day and age while “In the Filth We Trust” returns to the boom bap talking about getting it out the mud with no luck. “Gold Mouth” featuring Mickey Diamond maintains a dusty edge getting on their street shit together, but then the outro brings back the exact same beat as the intro so Trip can body it again talking about being destined to shine.

What made Honestly Filthy the best entry in Big Trip’s whole discography for me personally was the fact that it excellently refined everything that you’ve heard from him previously & the sequel here takes that to a whole new level. His hardcore lyricism & Jamil Honesty’s boom bap production from the predecessor carry their way onto the follow-up, except their chemistry is being elevated.

Score: 4.5/5

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King Kong Bundyy – “Tales from Castle” review

This is the 3rd EP from Spring Valley, New York emcee King Kong Bundyy. Originally starting off under the moniker G-Field, he would put out 2 mixtapes Street Credibility & Bail Money before Benny the Butcher signed him to his ever-growing indie label Black Soprano Family Records for his 2019 debut EP Living Life Bundyy. A follow-up EP The Lost Files happened to be unearthed by B$F last Black Friday & now that the 1-year anniversary of the predecessor coming next month, Bundyy’s returning a week after the 4th quarter of 2024 began so he can tell some Tales from Castle.

After the “Heavyweight” intro, the “Where Was You At?“ remix featuring Funch the Camden Kid truly starts the EP with both artists over a piano-trap beat talking about almost giving up wanting to know where the homies were at their lowest whereas “Do or Die” featuring SuperChilly takes a cloudier approach instrumentally asking nothing more than trust. “Gotta Get Mine” works in a soulful boom bap beat to put his life on the line taking risks while “Mozart’s Keys” grittily talks staying in the trap since it doesn’t get boring. “Kan’t Sleep” ends the Tales from Castle soulfully discussing being unable to sleep these days.

Living Life Bundyy & The Lost Files are both good places to start for any B$F fan who has yet to familiarize themselves with King Kong Bundyy, but I’d recommend Tales from Castle since you get a better idea as to who he is & where he comes from in to addition to him artistically himself to a new level. Even if both of the features are ok, the Spring Valley artist gives the listeners a glimpse of the personal experiences that’s he’s had on Castle Avenue with the production healthily balancing the boom bap & trap sounds.

Score: 3.5/5

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Stretch Money – “The Old Me” review

This is the 12th EP from Detroit, Michigan emcee Detroit, Michigan emcee Stretch Money. Emerging in the fall of 2006 off his full-length debut album Take Money to Make Money, he would go on to put out 3 more LPs with 25 Miles Per Hour as well as Locked In & Lil Daran from da Way Way. His output of EPs consists of The Villain, The Tribute, The Drunken Master, The Real Money, the Upper Echelon: Legend of the Silver Surfa duology, Giant, Eastside Lord & the previously mentioned 1984. Stretch also formed the duo Bill & Isiah with Valid, introducing themselves a year ago on their eponymous debut paying homage to the 80s in the process. Coming off To the West Coast…with Love & the other half of 1984 however, he’s taking it back to The Old Me.

“Big Daran” is this Detroit trap opener talking about fucking up the game for a minute now & calling it lightwork whereas “The Rapper” works in some sinister keys & 808s teaching y’all that you can get it too if you play your role & know your position. “Watch Me Get It” brings an eerie Detroit trap flare instrumentally to talk about these bitches sitting back & observing Stretch’s success continuing while “Blood, Sweat & Tears” atmospherically refuses to wait for his blessings to come. “Sadly Mistaken” maintains the Motor City’s unique take on trap music addressing themes of betrayal & lastly, “Not Them” spaciously ends the EP brushing off being anything like his competition.

To the West Coast…with Love earlier this spring was a short but great homage to the city of Los Angeles & as one would expect on The Old Me, we have Stretch Money taking it back to his roots to the point where I actually found myself enjoying this a lot more than the EP of his I previously covered a little over 5 months ago already. The west coast vibes from April within the production are completely thrown out the window in favor of the upbeat 808 percussion that makes Detroit trap stand out for 15 minutes, taking the opportunity to reflect on his past & mix it with where he’s at today.

Score: 4/5

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DJ Chunk – “Soul Spill” review

DJ Chunk is 31 year old DJ & producer from Utah notable for being the tour DJ for Ouija Macc & an in-house producer for the Psychopathic Records subsidiary Chapter 17 Records. He even has a couple solo EPs under his belt in the form of the Vinyl Days duology & most notably did a collab EP with C17/PSY in-house producer Devereaux at the Gathering of Dreams called Another Day in Hell, which I was very favorable towards. But when his 3rd EP was announced last weekend, I wanted to give it a listen.

“Official Redrum” starts us off with the C17 DJ showing us his skills on the turntables over a trap instrumental from Deadboy Grim who did the entire EP whereas “City on Fire” provides a slower, more morbid atmosphere to the beat looking to burn the entire town to the ground. The instrumental on “Don’t Make Threats” has this cloudy trap vibe that I like to it a lot allowing DJ Chunk himself to continually kill it with the scratches while “Imma Break It” looking to break it down for the slow muhfuckas with solemn trap production & Chunk’s wheelz of steel. “Don’t Need Nobody Else” ends the EP on some mystical trap shit & impressively scratching vocal samples 1 more time.

I’ve already reviewed a handful of beat tapes in the past, but I’ve never actually covered a turntablism project before up until this point although I absolutely loved The X-Ecutioners. Now in regards to Soul Spill here, DJ Chunk is basically continuing what we’ve seen from him in the past on both Vinyl Days EPs showing off his dope techniques on the 1s & 2s in time for Hallowicked season with Deadboy Grim’s production here resulting in being on par with what Mythic Mindz consisting of Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producers Devereaux & Shaggytheairhead have laid out for him the past.

Score: 3.5/5

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CunninLynguists – “The Heartstring Theory” review

Lexington, Kentucky underground veterans the CunninLynguists returning 7 years after their 6th studio album Rose Azura Njano to drop a brand new EP of material through Old Soul Music. Consisting of Deacon the Villain as well as Natti & Kno, the trio have had several classics under their belt for over 2 decades including their full-length debut Will Rap for Food or more specifically their 3rd LP A Piece of Strange & the follow-up Dirty Acres. And with L’Orange’s newly formed indie label gradually growing in the past year or so, The Heartstring Theory was certain to be a welcoming debut for the trio.

“Forever” is synth-driven boom bap opener to the EP with the trio Finding Forever similarly to how Common did 17 years back whereas “When Your World Falls Apart” hooks up some jazz rap influences talking about doing what you can do it seems like everything’s starting to crash down on you acknowledging that it isn’t an easy thing got some. “Fading (Clock Struck 5)” starts the 2nd leg of the EP with a groovy instrumental finding them addressing their romantic interests & “Wasted (Cloud 92)” featuring Kelly Moonstone ends on the soulful boom bap tip talking about being really fucked up with their boos.

These guys have maintained a tightly stellar discography in the span of 24 years & even when they take 6-7 years off like they did when you look at the time gap between their last couple projects, they still keep giving great results. Kno’s production other than throwing some synthesizers in the equation to get the gears turning brings together elements of boom bap, jazz rap & soul music tackling themes of romance adding a hint of conscious in too.

Score: 4/5

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