Nnutthowze – “Siqnaling the Siqly” review

The Nnutthowze is a trio from Kansas City, Missouri consisting of Phlaque the Grimstress, Tech N9ne & Zkeircrow. Formed by the future Strange Music founder 3 decades ago already, their only full-length LP to date Welcome to My Asylum would go on to become incredibly pivotal in the development of Tech’s image & rap style that would carry him to success. But after reforming once the pandemic started to clear up, the 6688846993 is officially making their Halloween to be Siqnaling the Siqly as their debut EP.

After the “Enter Nnutthowze Soiree” intro, the first song “The Siqnal” starts off the EP with a trap/rock crossover dedicated to all of those who have been outcasted whereas “Wanna See Me Fall” featuring X-Raided finds the quartet over a darker instrumental talking about how people wanna see you fail. “Wind Me Up” featuring King Iso morbidly cautions that they’ll get ghostly if you approach them just before “Death Tries Like an F5” addresses mass killings over a trap metal beat.

“Glitch Up” takes a cloudier boom bap route sending a message to those they be hearing doing fuck with them leading into the quirky but still eerie “What Happened to You?” talking about being at a loss for words after noticing an off-putting occurrence. After the “Whispers in the Dark” skit & prior to the “Enter the Clergy of Crays” outro, the final song “We’re Home” featuring Seuss Mace joins Tech N9ne & Zkeircrow providing music for the soul over an atmospheric trap instrumental.

I generally enjoyed their reunion cuts on Tech’s latest couple albums & 30 years after the Nnutthowze’s debut album, they outdo themselves on a 10 track EP preluding their sophomore album Clergy of Crays. The production is better than it was on Welcome to My Asylum, the chemistry between all 3 members is still strong & solid feature choices on top of it.

Score: 4/5

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Elcamino – “Martyr’s Prayer II” review

Buffalo emcee & singer Elcamino back with his 15th EP. Blowing up in 2017 off his self-titled EPwith Griselda Records, his profile increasingly grew after being followed up by Walking on Water mixtape in the summer of 2018 gradually building up a solid discography for himself along the way. But coming off a well received Black Soprano Family Records debut They Spit on Jesus earlier this month, Camino’s gonna keep it rolling by linking back up with 38 Speshfor a Martyr’s Prayer sequel.

“Streets Don’t Love Us” is minimally-produced opener explaining to everyone why he feels that the streets really don’t have love for him & his crew at all whereas “You Made It” gives off a warmer boom bap groove to it talking about celebrating success. “Kill Switch” delves further into his hardcore bag detailing that the best way to kill ‘em is by fucking their while “Weighing Options” somberly talks about another body dropping with each day. “Dope Talk” obviously spits that drug shit over some pianos & “No Drums” happens to be an appropriately drumless closer discussing his acquired tastes.

As much as I still like They Spit on Jesus for a B$F debut, Camino’s never missed over Spesh beats & it really doesn’t come as a surprise to me that I would view Martyr’s Prayer II as the best 2023 offering in the Buffalo recording artist’s discography. Spesh’s production is a slight cut above what we heard from Elcamino’s latest LP at the beginning of the month & the dude has some of his strongest performances in a while.

Score: 4/5

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BBY GOYARD – “Spirit” review

This is the 22nd EP from Maryland recording artist BBY GOYARD. Getting his start in 2016 off You Had Me At Hello, he would go on to take over the plugg scene by putting out his last 21 EPs & 4 mixtapes. But coming off his debut full-length LP Loreseeker over the summer fully produced by DJ Smokey. However with only 4 days left until Halloween, it makes sense for GOYARD to drop off a 7-track offering to get people in the Spirit.

“New Earth” opens up shop with an adrenaline pumping trap instrumental with GOYARD getting boastful lyrically whereas “Shadowban” takes an industrial route to the best talking about being in MTL with empty bottles & that he loves to cast spells. “Myth” shoots for a haunting trap atmosphere showing off his wealth & looking to raise the stakes that is until “Black Magic Voodoo Diamonds” talks about the only thing he knows for certain is that he rocks with a band like The Used over a plugg beat.

The song “CursedLife” fuses elements of rage & Chicago drill so he can discuss how he lives with being cursed just before “Falls Count Anywhere” gives off a triumphant edge to the beat flexing that his whole fit costed him a mortgage. “Vowel Ritual” officially wraps up Spirit by asking what it’s exactly like in the Chamber of Secrets & the instrumental GOYARD hops on top of has a bit of a chaotic flare to it.

Lil Shannon has always been my personal favorite member of the Nitemare collective as proven & he continues to cement that as the case ahead of the spookiest time of the year because Spirit is certain to aptly get you into the Halloween mood. The production’s more trap-based with some undertones of Chicago drill & plugg thrown in unlike the sonic variety of Loreseeker balancing his playfulness with the occult in a healthy dosage.

Score: 3.5/5

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Ameerlyn – “Slime in the Ice Machine” review

Ameerlyn is a duo consisting of Houston, Texas emcee Ameer Vann as well as Ghanan-American recording artist Merlyn Wood, both of whom you may remember as original members of the now defunct BROCKHAMPTON collective with Ameer being featured on the cover of their highly acclaimed SATURATION trilogy before being kicked out in 2018 due to sexual misconduct allegations & Merlyn being known for his Ol’ Dirty Bastard-like aura during his time in the best boy band since 1 Direction. Now it’s almost been a year since BROCKHAMPTON’s disbandment but only a week until Kevin Abstract puts out his 5th solo effort Blanket, I didn’t expect Blacksmith Recordings to sign Ameerlyn for their debut EP.

“Swisher” is an atmospherically bouncy opener to the EP with both of them delivering some energetically hardcore bars in their own characteristic manners whereas “Smog Check” goes for a cheery boom bap flare instrumentally talking about the lives they’ve made off this music shit. “On Everything” has a vibrant trap tone so both of them can ball like the playoffs just before “Okay” jumps on top of hi-hats humorously dropping more braggadocio.

Meanwhile, “Hit” goes for a moodier trap sound to get in their romance bags leading into the quickly produced “Freaks” talking about the weirdos coming out once the sun goes down. “Bling Bling” goes for an alien-esque sound to the beat continuing to boast, but then “Love’s a Scandal” shoots for a groovier aesthetic comparing love to some sort of wrongdoing.

The penultimate track “Song 2” draws near the end of Ameerlyn’s first EP together incorporates this mellow ass guitar lead getting on the more introspective side of things lyrically (especially Ameer) & as for the closer, “Ride” appropriately pays homage their Houston roots chopped & screwed style considering that BROCKHAMPTON originated in San Marcos.

As surprised as I was like other BROCKHAMPTON fans to hear Ameerlyn reuniting considering the allegations against Ameer & the highlight “DEARLY DEPARTED” off GINGER, I also had my curiosity about Slime in the Ice Machine & I wound up enjoying it as a fun little subgroup project. Merlyn & Ameer still match each other’s intensity as they always have been able to do so in the past with decent production also.

Score: 3.5/5

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Brigid Bites – “Pumpkin Spice” review

This is the 2nd EP from Davenport, Iowa rapper & dancer Brigid Bites. Creating the juggalette burlesque troupe in 2017 called Juggalesque, they’ve have since become a drawing attraction at the Gathering or the Juggalos since then with her eventually joining Chapter 17 Records CEO/Psychopathic Records recording artist Ouija Macc on stage quite a few times since. However she made a pretty solid introduction into the music world this past spring with her last EP Hatchet Girl, she’s returning in time for Hallowicked to put out Pumpkin Spice.

The title track produced by Elevated Focusion formerly known as Jonny Rythmns gives off an electronic vibe instrumentally as she talks about the titular spice mix making you feel incredibly alive whereas “Batshit Love” works in some synthesizers expressing her to desire to be insanely toxic. “D.O.T.W.S. (Daughter Of The Wicked Shit)” gives off an eerier trap flare to the beat declaring herself to be exactly that & “Stay Forever” is a groovy choice of a closer describing a carnival full of dead ghosts.

Hatchet Girl to me is still a solid gateway as to who Brigid is both personally & artistically, but I honestly think that she outdid herself a bit on here. The production mostly handled by Elevated Focusion is on caliber with the last EP as I feel like he continues to bring the best out of the Iowan Juggalesque founder so she can provide the soundtrack to the best time of the year.

Score: 4/5

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RJ Payne – “The Barbershop” review

New York emcee & revered battle rapper RJ Payne formerly known as Reign Man back with his 9th EP. Building up an extensive solo catalogue for himself with 23 mixtapes as well as well as his last 7 EPs & 4 full-length albums. Benny the Butcher even signed RJ to Black Soprano Family Records for a brief period of time, putting out some of best material like Leatherface & Square Root of a Kilo under Benny’s ever-growing indie label of his own. However, My Life’z a Movie produced by Stu Bangas quickly became my favorite LP in RJ’s discography celebrating it’s 1-year anniversary last weekend & to come off the moderately well received P.A. Dre-produced sequel last month, Enemy Soil Entertainment in-house producer C-Lance is teaming up with the Reign Man for a trip to The Barbershop.

After the “Barberchair” intro, the first song “Uninspired” explains his reasons for inspiration being at a low currently over a luxurious boom bap instrumental whereas “Already Rich” works in some glamorous keys talking about being rich spiritually. “Man Child” gives off a somber vibe musically coming to teach & rebuild the love, but then the piano-driven “The Ghost of Kevin Samuels” gives his flowers to the late controversial internet personality going on to say that we need to look into the mirror & get our shit together.

“Losing My Religion” has a crooning soul vibe to it telling y’all to consider him to be a hoodlum with a mission while “Slave Food” cautioning those who’ll use food as a weapon as he’s been noticing it since the recession. But until the “Barberchair” outro, the final song “Conspiracy Theories” prays that every day will get better being well aware of what the government’s hiding over some kicks, snares & an luscious backdrop.

If My Life’z a Movie is RJ’s best album, then there’s no question in my mind that The Barbershop will stand the test of time as my favorite EP of his because I went into it expecting it to be an LP but they still delivered on the same caliber as that Stu Bangas-produced album. Conceptually, RJ takes the listeners through a trip experience feeling as if you’re at an actual barbershop & the score that C-Lance cooks up is incredibly consistent.

Score: 4.5/5

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Meechy Darko – “Doses” review

Brooklyn emcee Meechy Darko is returning with a brand new EP of solo material. Starting as 1/3 of the trio Flatbush ZOMBiES with his childhood friends Zombie Juice & Erick the Architect, they would go on to release a couple mixtapes & albums together throughout the previous decade all to critical acclaim before focusing on solo careers since their debut EP now, more than ɘver… came out a few summers back. Meech was the first up at bat with a full-length executive produced by Dot da Genius last summer called Gothic Luxury which es solid in it’s own right, but is looking to hold fans off until an upcoming sophomore effort with Doses.

“This is Doses” starts off the EP by promising to never overdose over a cloudy trap instrumental whereas “360° Resurrection” keeps things atmospheric stripping the hi-hats talking about trippin’ with drugs all in his system. “Falling…” gives off a psychedelic vibe instrumentally explaining that the good keeps dyin’ younger & all these evil motherfuckers continuing to live just before “No, Thyself (Paranoia)” featuring Nyck Caution finds the 2 over a drumless loop talking about how they know the message once the acid hits & Nyck hooking dude up with what could possibly be my favorite guest appearance on the project personally.

“The Slaughter” details calling Meechy’s grandma clutchin’ on the Bible over a jazzy ass beat leading into “HELLalujah” talking about being unable to serve money & God over an excellently crafted trap instrumental from Kirk Knight. “LASTNITE (Confessions of a Pussyholic)” featuring Anthony Flammia goes for a tranquil vibe thanks to Erick the Architect tackling the themes of sex while “That, I Could Live Wit” woozily talks about being different following his father’s passing. “TheWorldAlreadyEnded.” though happens to be a piano-driven closer burning money in the apocalypse.

I still prefer Gothic Luxury by a hair but regardless, Doses holds off finely until Meech is ready to unleash his sophomore effort into the world presumably another year from now. Yes the production on that previous LP is a bit stronger, it’s that the honesty Meechy showed throughout the predecessor which made it so enjoyable makes its way over here

Score: 3.5/5

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Anarchy – “My Mind” review | アナーキー – 「マイ・マインド」レビュー

Anarchy is a 42 year old MC from Kyoto, Japan getting his start in 2006 off his full-length debut Rob the World followed by Dream & Drama and Diggin’ Anarchy respectively. Following his debut mixtape D.G.K.A. (Dirty Ghetto King Anarchy) alongside his next couple LPs New Yankee & The King, it wasn’t until Anarchy’s very first EP Noise Cancel celebrating it’s 2-year anniversary of the summer being the last time we heard from him. But for his 2nd EP, we’re being treated to Statik Selektah producing the whole thing.

アナーキーは日本の京都出身の42歳のMCで、2006年にフルレングスデビューのロブ・ザ・ワールドから始まり、ドリーム&ドラマとディギン・アナーキーがそれぞれスタートしました。彼のデビューミックステープD.G.K.A.に続いて（ダーティ・ゲットー・キング・アナーキー）彼の次のカップルのLP「ニュー・ヤンキー」と「ザ・キング」と並んで、アナーキーの最初のEP「ノイズ・キャンセル」は、夏の2周年を祝うまで、彼からの最後の連絡がありました。しかし、彼の2枚目のEPでは、スタティック・セレクタが全体を制作しています。

“Light Up” sets the tone of what’s to come by weaving a rock-inspired boom bap instrumental into the fold so Anarchy can kick some flows in Japanese rockin’ it with Statik once more from start to finish whereas “Reach featuring C.O.S.A. finds the 2 over a cloudy backdrop with kicks & snares talking about the city of dreams. “Brooklyn” pushes near the end of the EP keeps it dusty with a heavenly sample flip paying homage to the titular city in Kings County, New York & “Pass the Mic” ending My Mind on a warm boom bap note encouraging to have the microphone given to him.

「ライトアップ」は、ロックにインスパイアされたブームバップインストゥルメンタルを折り目に織り込むことで、来るべきもののトーンを設定します。アナーキーは、最初から最後までスタティックで日本のロックのいくつかの流れを蹴ることができますが、「C.O.S.A.をフィーチャーしたリーチは、夢の街について話しているキックとスネアで曇った背景の上に2を見つけます。「ブルックリン」は、ニューヨーク州キングス郡の名目上の都市に敬意を表する天国のサンプルフリップでほこりを払い、「マイクを渡す」は、彼にマイクを与えることを奨励する暖かいブームバップノートで私の心を終わらせます。

Although Nujabes & the Teriyaki Boyz have always stood as my favorite acts within the Japanese hip hop scene throughout my life, Anarchy’s been putting it down for nearly 2 decades & this new EP with Statik Selektah has to be one of the best I’ve heard this year. Statik’s boom bap production matched with Anarchy’s improved performances compared to Noise Cancel makes a great introduction to anyone who hasn’t heard of him in America.

しかしヌジャベスと照り焼きボーイズは、私の人生を通して日本のヒップホップシーンの中で私のお気に入りの行為として常に立ってきました、アナーキーは20年近くそれを置いてきました&スタティック・セレクタとこの新しいEPは、私が今年聞いた中で最高のものの1つでなければなりません。スタティックのブームバッププロダクションは、ノイズキャンセリングと比較してアナーキーの改善されたパフォーマンスと一致し、アメリカで彼のことを聞いたことのない人に素晴らしい紹介になります。

Score: 4/5

スコア: 4/5

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Jay Worthy & Kamaiyah – “THE AM3RICAN DREAM” review

This is a brand new collaborative EP between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada born albeit Compton, California raised emcee Jay Worthy alongside Oakland recording artist Kamaiyah. Both of whom have crossed paths with one another on previous singles like “Bullshit” & “Good Lookin’” throughout the duration of these last 3 years, but both west coast spitters are now looking to take things to the next level by enlisting Brooklyn beatsmith Harry Fraud behind the boards to fully produce THE AM3RICAN DREAM.

“9AM” is a triumphantly soulful kickstarter talking about the pigs knocking on their doors at 9am pacific time or noon eastern since both emcees are out in Cali whereas “Money in the Bag” has a jazzier boom bap flare talking about making that bread. “Pressure” featuring Buddy & Guapdad 4000 finds the quartet joining forces takes a groovier route admitting freaks they type, but then “Good Shit” featuring Max B flips another soul sample talking about smoking that good weed.

To start the 2nd half of the EP, “Pull Up” brings in the funk for an irresistibly fun party-starter just before “Entrepreneur” goes for a cloudier approach cautioning that shit’s gonna be getting real scary. “Figueroa Fortunes” references the luxuries of the major north-south street in Los Angeles County while “Ragtop Riches” gives me a bit of a summer feeling talking about being the highway dippin’. “Streetlights” lastly closes out this EP by asking what you would do for the spotlight over a chopped up soul flip.

It’s no 2 P’z in a Pod, but what we got here is more than worthy of further solidifying THE AM3RICAN DREAM as the 2nd best collab effort in Jay Worthy’s discography as of me writing this & the strongest I’ve heard Kamaiyah in a while. They build off one another impressively considering they’re both westside representers, the features are all well picked out & Harry Fraud’s production elevates both lyricists’ chemistry.

Score: 4/5

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G-Mo Skee – “8 Bit Filth 2: Hero Hunter” review

This is the 3rd EP from Richmond, California lyricist G-Mo Skee. Emerging as a member of the trio Stampede & later the Inf Gang. He would drop 2 official mixtapes Got Filth & Got Filth II: The Great Adventures of G-Mo independently before Twiztid signed him to Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2016. His full-length debut My Filthy Spirit Bomb coming out that same winter to significant acclaim, but I personally think G’s sophomore effort Chaly & the Filth Factory is his best work so far because of it’s incredible concept & the instrumentals accompanying it (mostly handled by former Strange Music in-house producer MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7). His last LP The Filth Element commemorated his 30th birthday by proving that he didn’t need MNE, but is returning to The Dojo for 8 Bit Filth II: Hero Hunter ahead of his upcoming 4th album album Huckleberry Filth & the next EP Filth City produced by Stu Bangas following his Astronomicon 6.5 return.

Things start off with the 3rd & final installment of the “Final Boss” trilogy sampling Super Mario World adding some kicks & snares into the fold reminding that he’s the final boss off this rap shit whereas “Filthbound” is my favorite on the EP putting a unique spin on Earthbound & former Majik Ninja in-house producer Godsynth cooking up the phattest beat on the entire project. “Inf Kong Country” featuring Cell & Jae Harmony of the Inf Gang finds all 3 members of their respective Richmond crew flipping Donkey Kong Country referencing AAA Mundial Crucero Campeon, IWGPジュニアヘビー級チャンピオン, 5-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Juventud Guerrera alongside WWE Hall of Famer Paul Bearer

“That Ain’t Falco” goes into trap turf sampling Starfox prior to “Heart Pieces” going for a dreamy boom bap quality instrumentally dedicating this the love of his life that is hip hop just before “Falcon Punch” featuring Seuss Mace & Ubiquitous references Captain Falcon’s neutral special move in the Smash Bros. series over a triumphant instrumental. “Skull Kid” angelically talks about what the road & show business did to him leading into the wavy boom bap closer “Hero Hunter” telling everyone to drop their coins.

A reference to Twisted Metal was made on the latter cut that I enjoy in light of it getting a TV adaption last summer on the Comcast Corporation subsidiary NBCUniversal-owned peacock with the franchise’s mascot being played by the current ROH World Television Champion, former 2-time AEW TNT Champion, GHCタッグチャンピオン, inaugural ROH Hall of Fame inductee, the longest reigning ROH World Champion, ROH Pure Champion, TNA World Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, 5-time TNA X Division Champion, record 3-time NXT Champion & 2-time WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe.

The original 8 Bit Filth contains some of G’s best material & this sequel here is an equally fun return to Majik Ninja for the Richmond emcee. The video game samples are as creative as they were last time mainly grounding them into his signature boom bap sound & his ear-grabbing bars always entertain. Here’s to Huckleberry Filth & Filth City.

Score: 4/5

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