Glorilla – “EhhThang EhhThang” review

This is the 2nd mixtape from Memphis, Tennessee rapper Glorilla. Breaking out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” couple years ago, the ultimately resulted in local veteran Yo Gotti signing her to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group a little over a week before they dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Gangsta Art a few months later, making her the very 1st female recording artist on the label. Anyways, Life’s Great… continued to have her presence felt & I went into EhhThang EhhThang hoping it would take her to the next level since she’s amongst my favorite CMG signings personally.

“Yeah Glo!” was an incredible choice of a single & even the perfect opener to the tape whether it be the Memphis-influenced sound or Glo’s charismatic braggadocio whereas “All Dere” featuring Moneybagg Yo follows it up with a decent strip club anthem although I admire the Project Pat samples. “Nun of ‘Em” works in hi-hats & a rubbery bassline talking about how she ain’t like the rest of those bitches, but then “No Bih” is another standout for me givin’ a middle finger to all the haters out there over a vibraphone-inflicted trap instrumental from Chopsquad DJ.

Megan Thee Stallion joins Glo on “Wanna Be” for what is essentially the female counterpart to “Captain Save-a-Hoe” by The Click heavily sampling “Pretty Boy Swag” by the first rapper to do it all Soulja Boy just before “Opp Shit” brings back the Memphis trap vibes a bit talkin’ about fuckin’ with an opp essentially since her cousin smoked his brother, which is interesting because she’s confirmed that both Cardi B & Lil Uzi Vert are in fact her cousins in recent interviews not to say she’s referring to either one of them at all. “Aite” featuring Kevo Muney finds the 2 over a solemn vocal sample & hi-hats tackling loneliness on the road leading into “Bad Bih 4 Ya” featuring Boston Richey going trap metal & falling flat.

“Finesse da Flo” featuring Finesse2tymes isn’t any better trading verses with each other over a generic beat & Glo being the superior performer of the 2 while the “High AF” picks back in the form of a piano-trap crossover dedicating to being faded than a hoe. The penultimate track “G.M.F.U. 2 (Got Me Fucked Up 2)” draws near the end of the tape with a sequel to a song on her debut mixtape Most Likely Up Next that’s superior to the original & the futuristic closer “In Dat Mode” sends off the tape flexing it don’t get bigger than this.

All & all, this is yet another average body of work from Glo yet it’s better than her previous material much like the last EP was. The production is a mixed bag generally although there are some incredibly detailed ideas & the features are mostly underwhelming, but Glo can very much rap her ass off. If she can improve in the other 2 departments, I’m sure the full-length debut can really take herself to the next level because she really is amongst the best on CMG.

Score: 3/5

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100GrandRoyce – “The Fix” review

This is the 10th EP from Harlem emcee 100GrandRoyce. Starting as a member The Stackboys, he eventually went solo in 2011 although it wasn’t until the release of his 5th EP Prodigal Sun produced by 183rd in the spring of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic where he caught my attention. The Return, Triple Crown & Unfinished Business would all reach the bar that Prodigal Sun had set & The Fix here produced by Dame Grease really peaked my interest.

“Shine” gets the ball rolling by incorporating claps into a cloudy instrumental with an interpolation of the “Wu-Gambinos” hook & grinding until the A.M. whereas “Above the Clouds” talks about having nightmares of ending up like everyone else out here working in a flute along with kicks & snares. “Cheri Amor” goes into soulful turf paying tribute to his sweet love just before “On Me” returns to the boom bap refusing to chase a chicken since they call him sometimes.

Starting the 2nd leg of the EP, “The Last Gone Be First” brings these exuberant piano chords into the fold talking about being cool as long as the bag right leading into “Block to the Bank” featuring BerryA bringing a jazzier flare to the beat going for dollars. “One of a Kind” bringing back the kicks & snares talking about being unique, but then “My Just Due” finishes The Fix on some straight up grimy shit boasting that he got the key to the city from the players.

Lo & behold: The Fix is the most I’ve enjoyed a 100GrandRoyce project since Unfinished Business. The production gives it a timeless & captivating sound blends hard-hitting beats with soulful melodies, the chemistry is evident throughout as they effortlessly complement each other’s styles & it’s a testament to the power of storytelling as well as the resilience of the human spirit offering a glimpse into the realities of street life while also conveying messages of hope, perseverance & the pursuit of dreams.

Score: 4/5

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Reuben Vincent – “General Admission” review

This is the 2nd EP from Charlotte, North Carolina emcee Reuben Vincent. Emerging under the original moniker Esau, his debut mixtape IDOL.escent would catch the attention of 9th Wonder & would sign Reuben to Jamla Records in 2016. His debut album Myers Park would be released the next fall followed by the previous EP Boy Meets World, the latter of which resulted in Roc Nation Records handling distribution for Reuben’s future output much like fellow Jamla signee Rapsody beginning with the sophomore effort Love is War almost a year & a half ago continuing to elevate his popularity. But starting the 2nd quarter of 2024, he’s following it up with General Admission.

“Troops” is a dizzying trap opener talking about the block boilin’ whereas the hypnotic “Big Bank” likening his pockets being deeper than Toni Braxton feelin’ like Mike Jones simultaneously. “Fufu” brings a more playful trap vibe instrumentally to tell everyone business is business, but then “32 Flavors” hooks up a sample & hi-hats talking about his closer coming in 32 different flavors & the crew like the 36 Chambers a.k.a. the almighty Wu-Tang Clan.

Beginning the encore of the EP, the lead single “Grand Cherry” goes for a luxurious atmosphere likening the taste of revenge to exactly that although I respectfully prefer the original version over the remix featuring Chris Patrick & SWAVAY that follows “Jump” featuring Southfield, Michigan’s very own Malaya properly concluding General Admission fusing pop rap with trap & R&B talking about bringing some change if you tell ’em what you goin’ through.

It makes me happy to see Reuben getting more love as of lately & this EP much like the last album continues to find himself continually evolving from an artistic standpoint. He’s at his most introspective balancing the wordplay, awareness & bravado you have come to expect from him exploring generational trauma & triumph, self-identity, success, struggle & growth all over a gumbo palette of soulful, southern & tribal sounds.

Score: 3.5/5

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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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