Goz – “LEGENDARY” review

This is the 3rd EP from Nigerian born albeit Bakersfield raised emcee Goz. Coming up in 2017 off of Pre-SZN, he would go on to follow it up a couple years later with his last EP SZN 1: Gametime & has put out a handful of singles under his belt since then. But all of that has been leading up to Legendary over here, which is the first outing of his since 2019.

The title track sets off the EP with a horn-heavy trap instrumental talking about expectations not being a thing when you be who you are whereas “The Dream vs. The Odds” takes a more atmospheric approach with KXNG CROOKED tagging along acknowledging how hard it is to make it in hip hop. Ras Kass comes into the picture for song “Built Like That” to returning to trap territory talking about being the realest while the penultimate track “W.A.R. (We Always Ready)” with Planet Asia embraces a boom bap sound to look for the smoke. “Everywhere (The Comeback)” with Kurupt ends the EP on a triumphant note bragging about how far both of them have come.

Of the 3 EPs that GOZ has put out so far, LEGENDARY is absolutely my favorite one yet & I’d definitely recommend it to those who wanna get into him. He takes it back to basics as far as the lyricism goes, the features are all well picked out & things in the production department have stepped up as well.

Score: 4/5

Nvy Jonez LKR & D-Rell – “6 Piece” review

This is the 4th collaborative EP between New York emcees NVY JONEZ LKR & D-Rell. The later coming straight out of Harlem & the other hauling from Brooklyn. The pair started working together a couple years ago during the pandemic by kicking off a series of EPs called The Chicken Spot & releasing the first 3 installments all that summer. But after 2 years, they’re returning for a 6 Piece.

“4 KILLAZ” is a boom bap-tinged opener with RTPBoat joining NVY & D-Rell to talk about their gangsta mentalities whereas “I.D.F.W. (I Don’t Fuck With)” with Mugga Wall shoots for a grimmer aesthetic confessing they don’t associate with people who associate themselves with people they dislike. “Street Politics 2” is a stellar yet raw sequel to the joint on 2 Piece & a Biscuit getting to the nitty gritty while the song “By Any Means” talking about doing it for their legacies over a cold instrumental. The penultimate track “G.D.2.D. (Good Day 2 Die)” incorporates some dusty drums & pianos quenching for blood & “Survive” is a triumphant closer talking about the real lasting in the end.

Although it’s almost been 2 years since the last time these guys have put out an EP with each other, 6 Piece is definitely my favorite of The Chicken Spot series thus far & I think it’s a good place to start for those who’re new to their catalogues. The chemistry from both MCs is still going strong than it was back in 2020 & the production impressively blends elements of today’s sounds with the culture’s gritty roots.

Score: 3.5/5

Sheep Stu – Self-Titled review

Sheep Stu is a East Coast duo consisting of New York emcee Dres & Boston producer Stu Bangas. Both of whom have cemented themselves as legends in the game in their own rights, but have never worked with each other prior. However considering how incredibly consistent Stu has always been (especially in recent years) & as a fan of A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, I was very much looking forward to this debut EP of theirs.

“Simple is an uncanny opener to the EP with Dres coming out to say he ain’t like these other motherfuckers whereas “Hate” fuses boom bap & rock together talking about what doesn’t help the hood rise. The title trackadvises everyone that nothing in the world will ever hit like the same thing over a trunk-knocking instrumental while the penultimate song “Killin’ It (For a Lil Bit)” returns to dustier territory with Dres talking about being a class act. A.G. then comes into the picture for the grimy closer “Walk About It”, where he & Sheep Stu describe the way they lay motherfuckers down.

Now if you ask me, this is the best that Dres has sounded in a long ass time & I really hope we get more stuff from them down the road. The passion is clearly there in his voice, he never lost a step lyrically & Stu gives him the best batch of beats that he’s received in a while.

Will Gates – “Procuring the Wicced” review

Will Gates is a 20 year old MC from Traverse City, Michigan who’s been catching my attention for the last year or so by dropping singles like “Juggalo Rage” or more recently “Clown Town”. However with the 1-year anniversary of his debut mixtape Trashboy passing a couple months ago, he’s returning by dropping his debut EP under his own label Trashboy Entertainment.

“Dedication” kicks off the EP with a hi-hat heavy tribute to his homie Ashton whereas “Undisputed” is a fresh ass ode to Detroit down the hyphy sound that some of the younger acts out here be bearing in the music. “Reppin’” takes it back to the trap route to talk about being underground just before the title track brings back the Detroit trap flavor of “Undisputed” to remind everyone he’s obtaining the wicked shit.

The track “Fuccin’ wit da Oppz” works in some pianos to so he can spit that gangsta shit while the final song “I Keep That Hachet on Me” is a keyboard, hi-hat infused juggalo anthem. “Gratitude” ends the album with a 2-minute spoken word cut giving shoutouts to all the people he’s grateful for including myself, which I’m very honored by.

If any of y’all still aren’t hip to Will yet, then I recommend you give Procuring the Wicced a listen because it’s my favorite body of work that he’s put out thus far. The sound of this EP is very refreshing considering that I don’t think I’ve ever heard many people or anyone really put a horrorcore spin on the Detroit trap style & he’s at his hungriest lyrically.

Score: 3.5/5

Conway the Machine – “What Has Been Blessed Cannot Be Cursed” review

This is the 11th EP from Buffalo emcee & entrepreneur Conway the Machine. Blowing up in late 2015 as part of the 3 OGs of Griselda Records alongside his brother Westside Gunn & their cousin Benny the Butcher. Ever since the trio have rose to prominence, they’ve had hip hop on lock by their constant work ethic balancing quality & quality as well as vividly detailing their lives in the streets on top of boom bap production kin to that of RZA & Havoc in their music. Con’s full-length debut From King to a God was my Album of the Year for 2020 & just dropped his Shady Records-backed sophomore effort God Don’t Make Mistakes back in February, which is the most personal he’s ever been. He just dropped Organized Grime 2 a few weeks ago & is reuniting with Big Ghost Ltd. for What Has Been Blessed Cannot Be Cursed.

“Salutations” is a grim opener talking about whacking motherfuckers whereas “It’s a Green Light works in a piano & a harp admitting that he’s more confident than ever. “Bodie Broadus” takes a richer albeit drumless route calling out those who waited until he blew up to reach out to him leading into Jae Skeese tagging along for bloodcurdling “In My Soul” talking about people wanting them gone. “Y.B.C.M. (Your Bitch Chose Me)” goes into more soulful territory saying they know the game just before “Why You Ain’t Move on Me?” eerily gets on his murder shit.

Meanwhile on “Sunday Sermon”, we have Conway reuniting with Jae Skeese to go back & forth with each other over yet another soul sample bragging about their legendary status while the song “Scared II Death” with Method Man is a ghoulish boom bap banger taking a shot at those who be afraid of them. The final song “Big Drum” comes through with yet another Drumwork posse cut except he’s showcasing damn new the full roster at this point & “Dog Food” ends the EP with an outro from the skit gawd himself Lukey Cage.

No One Mourns the Wicked & If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed have quickly become some of the best EPs that Con have put out yet, so I had very high hopes going into into What Has Been Blessed Cannot Be Cursed & I’m very satisfied with it. As raw as Organized Grime 2 was, the production from Big Ghost Ltd. is much spookier & Con’s lyricism remains unmatched in today’s hip hop climate.

Score: 4.5/5

SoFaygo – “B4PINK” review

SoFaygo is a 20 year old rapper from Cobb County, Georgia who has cemented himself as one of the biggest faces in the plugg/pluggnB & rage scenes. He’s gone on to drop a total of 10 EPs since 2015 & now in light of Travis Scott signing him to Cactus Jack Records early last year, SoFaygo is preluding his upcoming full-length debut Pink Heartz by dropping an 11th EP & to celebrate him earning a spot on the new XXL Freshman Class list that also came out today.

“Long Way” is an amazingly energetic opener produced by Nick Mira of Internet Money Records & BryceUnknwn talking about how far he’s come whereas “Count Me Out” takes a airier, trap route instrumental wise dismissing those who be doubting him. The song “Good Day” returns to a more cloudier approach confessing that he can’t stay in Atlanta anymore while the penultimate track “Fall” is him bragging about him being the shit over a hazy beat. “Got Damn!” ends the EP by venting out what’s been on his mind & the Bakkwoods/Rafmade instrumental on here has a futuristic flare to it that I really like.

My lil bro J$zpiech actually put me onto SoFaygo months before he signed to Cactus Jack & I really think he gave everyone a fun little prelude ahead of Pink Heartz. The production is alright, but I can’t deny that he has a knack for catchy songwriting & melodic performances. All that being said: I’ll be going into his upcoming full-length debut expecting it to be a pivotal moment in his career.

Score: 3.5/5

CyHi the Prynce – “EGOT” review

CyHi the Prynce is a 37 year old MC & singer/songwriter from Stone Mountain, Georgia who originally came up in ‘09 when Akon signed him to Konvict Muzik for a short period of time. He then jumped ship to Kanye West’s very own Def Jam Recordings imprint G.O.O.D. Music, dropping a total of 7 mixtapes & a full-length debut under the Chicago, Illinois icon’s wing. We haven’t heard much from him since then but in preparation for his sophomore album The Story of EGOT coming this summer & founding his very own label EGOT Records backed by EMPIRE Distribution, CyHi is returning with his debut EP.

“Extra” opens up the EP with a horn-laced trap banger talking about feeling a little too cocky while the song “Help Me God” goes into chipmunk soul territory with CyHi delivering a message to the higher power. The penultimate track “Slide” returns to a trappier vibe with some jazzy undertones to it talking about sliding forever, but then “Tears” closes out the EP with a emotional ballad encouraging listeners that it’s alright to cry accompanied by a cavernous instrumental.

Now I’m not sure if any of these cuts are gonna make their way onto The Story of EGOT but nonetheless, I think CyHi gave us an enjoyable appetizer to warm us up for the main course. He sounds rejuvenated on the mic & I really like the amalgamation of sounds that the producers bring to the table ranging from trap to jazz rap & chipmunk soul. Definitely excited for the album later this summer.

Score: 3.5/5

MC Ren – “Osiris” review

MC Ren is a 52 year old MC, songwriter & producer from Compton, California who got his start when Eazy-E signed him to Ruthless Records as a solo act in 1987 & enlisted him to write half of his full-length debut Eazy-Duz-It. This resulted in him joining N.W.A & they went on to become one of the most impactful groups in hip hop history even to this day. But it wouldn’t be until the summer of ‘92 where he started building a solo career for himself with the debut EP Kizz My Black Azz & has since dropped 4 albums of his own, with the last being Renicarnated a little over a decade ago at this point. However, Ren is returning after 13 years & has enlisted Tha Chill of Compton’s Most Wanted to fully produce his 2nd EP.

After the intro, “Keep It Gangsta” sets it off with Ren admitting he’s feeling like Roy Jones Jr. on top of an instrumental giving off a vintage west coast flare to it whereas the title track goes into more trap territory sampling the classic Raekwon joint “Ice Cream talking about him just chilling. Kurupt tags along for the minimally produced “Fire” getting in their battle rap bag just before “The News” takes a soulful route with socially conscious lyricism. The song song “Time” is a cool reflection on the old days over a slick instrumental while the penultimate “Hub City Love” with Tha Chill finds the pair over some pianos paying tribute to their old stomping grounds. “The Anthem” ends the EP with a gritty ass posse cut accompanied by the likes of Cold 187um, J-D, Jayo Felony, Ras Kass & of course Tha Chill.

Ren has always been one of the most underappreciated forces behind N.W.A in my opinion & Osiris continues to show that because I think this is not only a great comeback from the Villain himself, but it’s also the best solo effort he’s made since Ruthless for Life. It makes me really happy to hear that him passionate on the mic again & Tha Chill’s production is incredibly consistent as well.

Score: 4/5

Young Z – “Scumbag” review

Young Z is a 51 year old MC from Newark, New Jersey who came up in the early 90s as a founding member of the Outsidaz. He then branched out solo in ‘96 with the full-length debut Musical Meltdown, which was followed up 16 years later with the Mr. Green-produced 1 Crazy Weekend. Fast forward a decade later, Z’s returning once more by dropping a debut EP under the newly formed Hand to Hand Records based out in Australia.

“D.N.A. (Dat N***a Ass)” is an unsettling boom bap opener where Z’s just ripping on everyone’s favorite rapper whereas “Monkey Bars” with Vinnie Paz almost has a bit of a Middle Eastern flare to the instrumental bragging about how sick their rhymes are. The title track responds to those asking why he doesn’t speak on himself or his relationships over a mystic beat just before “Slave Son” is a deranged piano ballad talking about his grandpa.

The song “S.T.F.U. (Shut the Fuck Up)” with Pacewon finds the 2 heinously reminding everyone to keep their mouths shut when they’re talking, but then the penultimate track “Go Fund Me” works in an alluring vocal sample to get back in his battle rap bag even though R’s verse is pretty weak. “Tonight” with Rah Digga however ends the EP on a cinematic note saying they don’t wanna shoot no one.

For anyone who missed the Outsidaz de factoleader as much as I did, then do yourself a favor & PLEASE give Scumbag a listen because I think it’s a great comeback effort. Flu’s production from front to back is incredibly dark & Z’s casually destroying mics like he never went away for a decade.

Score: 4/5

Your Old Droog – “YOD Stewart” review

Your Old Droog is a Ukrainian lyricist by way of Brooklyn, New York who caught my attention when he dropped his self-titled debut & many first thought he was an alter ego of Nas given that their voices are somewhat similar. Nonetheless, he’s reached legend status at this point by proving that he was in his own lane off later projects such as Packs as well as It Wasn’t Even Close & TIME. He just his incredible 5th EP YOD Wave produced entirely by Nicholas Craven almost 3 months ago at this point & is following it up in the form of a 6th EP.

“Nightmares & Dreams” is a psychedelic opener produced by Conductor Williams talking about appreciating the simpler things in life whereas the drumless yet atmospheric “Mind Your Business” saying we’re better off if we don’t stick our noses where it don’t belong. “I Knew You Was a Bitch” works in some pianos to call out an ex of his leading into “Toxic Love” being a more abstract cut detailing how poisonous this woman was to him.

The song “Love & Basketball” mixes in a soul sample & a guitar to describe his new bitch while the penultimate track “Go to Sleep” has a jazzy boom bap flare to it thanks to Tha God Fahim talking about staying home some days to cash out. “The Ballad of Krutoy” ends the EP with some organ melodies admitting that he feels like crying sometimes even though the tears won’t just come out.

Although I find YOD Wave to be more superior, that’s not to say YOD Stewart isn’t worth checking out for those who fuck with Droog as much as I do. The production takes it back to the more abstract vibes of some of his more recent work & I admire how personal the lyrics tend to be during it’s short runtime.

Score: 3.5/5