Sk8star – “Mogul” review

This is the 3rd EP from Atlanta, Georgia up-&-comer Sk8star. Getting his footing in the spring of 2021 off Superstar Status, he would go on to follow it up this year with both his previous EP B4NWØ & his debut mixtape New World Ørder respectively. The latter being my introduction to Sk8’s music after my lil brody UnreleasedSnip put me on, with songs like “Standin’ on Business” & “YSL Flow” being the standouts for me personally. But coming fresh off a live performance in Brooklyn last month during the Black Friday weekend that we went to & now that Christmas is only a week away, dude’s seeing fit to drop Mogul without any prior notice.

“dover mogul” starts the EP with a pluggy instrumental & Sk8star talking about being as powerful as he is coming straight out of the titular community in Screven County whereas “first class” samples the Fergie & Ludacris bop “Glamorous” 1,000x better than Jack Harlow did thanks to Nosaint from Vanguard Music Group saying he started this shit. “thin line” returns to a more mellow trap-based sound touching on the border between love & hate leading into “tripple cross”, which keeps the plugg vibes going talking about losing friends not really being that much of an issue for him personally.

However with “paparazzi”, we have Sk8 over a rage beat from Popstar Benny calling out those who be hatin’ every time he posts a pic just before “sky’s the limit” works in some hi-hats & rattling bass to deliver some braggadocio. “slatty” has a more spacious atmosphere to it talking about having his swag on overload while the song “workin’” is a piano trap ballad admitting he’s more observant & talkative. The penultimate track “goosebumps” has a more ethereal instrumental continuing to flex & “no heart” finishes the EP on a cloudy note talking about how he did this shit.

Now if you’re like me & got drawn into this dude’s music over the summer by New World Ørder, then you’re gonna wanna give Mogul a listen as well because it’s certainly on par with his last tape & can definitely see his profile continuing to grow going into the new year. The production has some more prominent plugg undertones this time around & his melodic delivery is still as charming as it was on the predecessor.

Score: 3.5/5

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Your Old Droog – “The Shining” review

This is the 9th EP from Ukrainian-American emcee Your Old Droog. Catching my attention when he dropped his self-titled debut. many actually first thought he was an alter ego of Nas given that their voices are somewhat similar. He eventually became a legend in his own right off later projects such as Packs as well as It Wasn’t Even Close, TIME & the Nicholas Craven-produced YOD Wave. The 3 EPs he’s given us since YOD Stewart, Yodney Dangerfield & The Yodfather weren’t as great in my opinion yet most certainly had their highlights at the same time. So just when I assumed the predecessor was gonna be Droog’s last of 2022, dude’s making me eat my own words by dropping The Shining less than 2 weeks before Christmas.

“Fresh Direct” is an ominous boom bap opener with Droog acknowledging that there ain’t a rapper that he’s not sonnin’ whereas “Brinks Truck” takes a jazzier route to spit the illest shit that he can think of. “We on the Tarmac” has a more spacious vibe talking about not worrying about a thing & being where the stars at prior to TCF Music Group’s very own Che Noir tagging along for the sample based “Room 237” referencing the titular room in the fictional Overlook Hotel from the classic Stanley Kubrick film that the EP is named after. The song “Redrum” with Rock & Tha God Fahim finds the trio over some dusty production to get murderous while the penultimate track “Here’s Johnny” weaves a flute-tinged boom bap beat in talking about catching him where the dough at. “The Hedge Maze” however ends the EP with a ghostly Sadhugold instrumental & Droog looking back on all his fake friends as he freezes to death.

Before I wrap things up here, I just wanna sincerely apologize for jumping the gun & assuming that The Yodfather was gonna be the final offering from Droog before the year ends. Now that’s out of the way, The Shining is absolutely a cut above the last 3 EPs dude has put out. It’s more conceptual as one of the most prominent MCs in the underground today uniquely retells the titularly classic Stephen King tale & it’s cool to see Wino Willy get more shine by producing a bulk of it. Here’s to the impending masterpiece of a Droogie Otis full-length debut in 2023!

Score: 3.5/5

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Renelle 893 – “Cocoa Butter” review

This is the 2nd EP from Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Renelle 893. Introducing himself a year & a half earlier off the previous extended play Black Currents, he would eventually catch the attention of High Focus Records not too long afterwards & signed to the label. The historic Hove, East Sussex imprint however has decided for Renelle to end their 2022 by having King Kashmere fully produce Cocoa Butter a couple months succeeding Letherette entirely producing Chuck Enzo’s official High Focus return TR3B only 24 hours away from Robbie X ending Luke Jacobs’ reign as RPW British Cruiserweight Champion.

“Let Go” begins with a funky boom bap opener talking about keeping his hood up in his head low whereas “Wine Bottle” drumlessly flexes of pulling up to a zoo because he got a cougar in his whip. “I Dunno” featuring The Strange Neighbour finds the pair suggesting that they act the way do because of the cognac they drink & once “Like a Villain” wavily talks about him wanting to simply chill, “Gotta Go” ends the EP with him speaking of ruling with Hell fire & brimstones.

Continuing to warm fans up for an upcoming full-length debut album of his own, Renelle 893 embraces a new era in the London artist’s career with an extended play that greatly improves beyond the predecessor & his future on board the High Focus Records roster promises a bright future for him in preparation of グレート-O-カーン becoming the new RPW British Heavyweight Champion tomorrow. King Kashmere’s production throughout Cocoa Butter feels nostalgically reminiscent to the simpler times of our lives compared to Black Currents & Renelle’s pen-game has improved tremendously over the course of 20 months.

Score: 4/5

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Skribbal – “Road to Dystopia” review

Skribbal is a 30 year old MC from Los Angeles, California who came up in 2016 off the strength of his full-length debut Drug Spun Funk. This would catch the attention of the rising Wisconsin underground label Force 5 Records & they would put out his sophomore effort Skinwalker a couple years later. But once Skribbal dropped his debut EP Quarantine Sessions a month after the pandemic started, he would leave the label to form his own Sony Music imprint Hell Patrol Records & celebrated this newfound independence by dropping his 3rd album Black Eyed Children last spring distancing himself from horrorcore in favor of a more hardcore hip hop style. We’ve already gotten 2 EPs from him in 2022 with In Their Blood…& from the Gutterand Man with the Screaming Brain, but is finishing the year with a 4th EP.

“Son of Paleface” is a twangy boom bap opener dropping some battle bars whereas “Dorothy Lamour” works in a crooning vocal loop talking about searching for his soulmate. “Ralph & Alice” has some dejecting piano chords throughout as he & Brittany Dominguez compare one another to the titular couple from The Honeymooners while “Thanks for the Memory” reminiscing on how gorgeous this chick that he saw was over a vintage sample. The closer “Jackie Gleason” with Mopes is a horn-boom bap combination continuing to bring the hardcore prior to the bonus cut “Mambo Italiano truly ending the EP with an Italian flip explaining how crazy he is.

All 3 of the EPs that this dude has dropped throughout the year are solid in their own rights, but I think that Road to Dystopia is my 2nd favorite of the trilogy behind In Their Blood…& from the Gutter. The heavy 40s/50s influence throughout is pulled off in an interesting fashion & you can tell Skribbal has a genuine appreciation for that specific time in history. Whatever’s next in 2023, I’m interesting in hearing where it goes from here.

Score: 3.5/5

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38 Spesh – “Beyond Belief” review

This is the 4th EP from Rochester emcee/producer 38 Spesh. Notable for being the leader of the Trust Army, he’s been steadily busy throughout the last few years whether it be him producing projects for the likes of Planet Asia & Elcamino. He’s also built up an impressive solo discography for himself with my favorites being the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced A Bullet for Every Heathen & even his last full-length Interstate 38 a couple Christmases ago. But to follow-up 7 Shots almost 3 months ago, Spesh is enlisting Harry Fraud to fully produce Beyond Belief.

“Warm Winter” is a rap rock opener with Spesh talking about flying out to Hawaii with a bunch of bitches in December whereas “Speshal” works in more guitars as Stove God Cook$ comes into the picture following his immaculate feature on “Shootouts in Soho” off Westside Gunn’s latest mixtape Hitler Wears Hermes X to help Spesh deliver an ode to the drug dealing lifestyle. “2 23’s” has more symphonic boom bap quality to it as Conway the Machine drops the best feature verse with it’s insane rhyme scheme & Spesh talking about never stressed visits when he was locked up. “Loverboy” acknowledges that he was living exceptional behind bars, but then “Back to Shore” with Elcamino & Wiz Khalifa is an impassioning ballad about the road to riches.

Following that on “Target Practice”, we have Jim Jones & Spesh over more rock guitars talking about pulling up to your show with backstage passes until “Band of Brothers” with Benny the Butcher & Ransom finds the trio saying they came together similar to how The Jackson 5 did & the string sections throughout the beat are just absolutely fucking stunning. The song “Sal’s Pizza” has a cool vocal sample before the verses as Spesh hops on top of some pianos & guitars confessing he moved out of Rochester because home is where you receive the worst hate while “Mint Green” with Curren$y has a more chilling quality to it calling out those who were never them dudes. “Sharlene” though ends the EP chipmunk soul style talking about chasing big money ever since he first realized what it was.

For this to be the first EP he’s done outside of the Shots trilogy, it’s gotta be my favorite one he’s done so far & absolutely a highlight on his solo catalogue. Harry’s production has a predominant boom bap sound with some chipmunk soul & drumless undertones, the features all bring their unique styles to the table excellently with Spesh ensuring that people don’t sleep on him lyrically.

Score: 4.5/5

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Saweetie – “The Single Life” review

Saweetie is a 29 year old rapper & actress from Santa Clara, California who came up in the spring of 2018 off her debut EP High Maintenance. However, it wasn’t until later that fall when she started dating Quavo of the Migos where I really started paying attention. Her next 2 EPs ICY & Pretty Summer Playlist were ok, but maintained faith after “Best Friend” rightfully became the hit that it was. But with her full-length debut Pretty Bitch Music finally arriving next year, she’s preluding it in the form of her 4th EP.

“Don’t Say Nothin’” is a hyphy opener with Saweetie advising clout chasers on Twitter whereas “BO$$ CHICK” is a rubbery ode to boss lifestyle. “P.U.S.S.Y. (Powerful, Utopia, Supreme, Sacred, Yummy)” samples “Juicy Fruit” by Mtume in the same vein as the iconic Biggie single “Juicy” talking about female empowerment, but then “Handle My Truth” goes full-blown g-funk acknowledging that she never said she was perfect & asking if one can do such. The penultimate track “Memorable” returns to the hyphy sound talking about what it’ll take to be her lover & “No Reception” has a bit of a Neptunes influence to the instrumental admitting she’s been laying low for 9 months.

I really didn’t know how I felt going into this EP, if I came away from it considering it to be her best body of work to date. The production is respectfully versatile in sound & gives off a lot of charm with her performances go. Will most certainly have to check out Pretty Bitch Music whenever she decides puts it out in the upcoming year.

Score: 3.5/5

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Busta Rhymes – “The Fuse is Lit” review

This is the debut EP from Brooklyn emcee, songwriter, producer & actor Busta Rhymes. Coming up as a member of the Leaders of the New School, he would go on to turn heads in the spring of ‘92 off the strength of his verse on “Scenario” off of A Tribe Called Quest’s iconic sophomore album The Low End Theory. The dragon would see greater success as a solo artist with full-lengths like The Coming, When Disaster Strikes…, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front, Anarchy, Genesis & The Big Bang. However when E.L.E. 2 (Extinction Level Event 2): The Wrath of God dropped a couple Devil’s Nights back, it would find Busta returning to form considering the mixed to subpar reception of B.O.M.B.S. (Back On My Bullshit & the Cash Money Records-backed Year of the Dragon. But to warm everyone up for his upcoming 11th album, Busta’s coming together with The Fuse is Lit.

“Break This Bitch Up” kicks off the album with a Middle Eastern instrumental from Swizz Beatz talking about how he can’t be stopped whereas “Slap” is a vintage boom bap cut produced by Marley Marl as Big Daddy Kane & Conway the Machine come into the picture to spit some hardcore bars tremendously. The song “Hot Sex, Pt. 2” has a more electronic quality to it courtesy of Aftermath Entertainment in-house producer Focus… with the lyrical themes being reminiscent of the Tribe Called Quest joint “Hot Sex” while the penultimate track “Bulletproof Skin” with Skillibeng is a decent dancehall/hip hop crossover. “Run It Up” though is a jazzy closer with Busta showing motherfuckers how it’s done.

E.L.E. 2 was an incredible return to form for the Dragon & for him to give us this as of way of holding people off until the next full-length, I wouldn’t say it’s as great but the high points on this EP are most definitely worth your time. The overall sound of it is eclectic from boom bap to dancehall & jazz rap with Busta remaining to be strong with the pen.

Score: 3.5/5

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Vic Spencer – “I.M.P.a.C.T. (I Must Punch a Car Today)” review

Vic Spencer is a 41 year old MC from Chicago, Illinois who emerged in the early 2010s as a member of the local SAVEMONEY collective led by Vic Mensa. He’s also made up a lengthy solo discography for himself with highlights including the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced The Ghost of Living to the Sonnyjim-produced Spencer for Higher trilogy. Vic’s already dropped a total of 3 albums in 2022 so far with the last one being the final installment of the Psychological Cheat Sheet trilogy a couple months ago & overt the weekend, he happened to enlist Boston underground veteran Stu Bangas to produce his 5th EP that surprise-dropped over the weekend.

“Spitbook” opens the EP with a horn sample with the drums kicking in halfway though calling himself perfect with the pen & pad whereas “Contractor” takes a more eerie boom bap route talking about getting fucked when people sign their lives away to shady record labels. “Confederate Flag Couch” has a more synth-based groove to it admitting that he’s fed up with people doubting him, but then Ankhlejohn & Fly Anakin come into the picture for the raw “Rusty Silverware” reminding that they ain’t to be fucked with.

However on “Bag Pipes”, we have Crimeapple tagging along with Vic over a jazzy instrumental dropping some gangsta bars just before the smooth “Pure Carnage” advises not to tell him about anything that they haven’t even gone through. “Graveyard Record Book” goes full-blown chipmunk soul explaining his violent while the song “Disappointed Development” with Sulaiman finds the 2 over a drumless loop talking about how it’s just another sad story. The penultimate track “RPG” featuring D. Brash has a more rugged quality to it so both of them can drop battle bars until the synthesizer-lenient boom bap closer “Strung Out” featuring Da Villins continuing to bring the hardcore lyrically.

“The Healing Remedy” was a favorite of mine off Beats & Blood, so it was really a matter of time before these guys did something together & it turns out to be my favorite Vic EP to date. The lyricism is some of his most abstract since Still Here back in the spring with Stu’s production teetering between boom bap & drumless.

Score: 4/5

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Glorilla – “Anyways, Life’s Great…” review

Glorilla is a 23 year old rapper from Memphis, Tennessee who broke out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” this past spring. This 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. So the stakes were high for her 2nd EP albeit CMG debut over here.

“No More Love” starts the EP by airing out people left & right who used to be in her life over a cloudy trap instrumental from ATL Jacob whereas “PHATNALL” featuring Lil Durk on the remix goes into Detroit trap territory comparing her pussy to fentanyl referencing Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder, Neuralink founder & Twitter owner Elon Musk. The “Tomorrow” remix with Cardi B is just ok from the keys & hi-hats to the lyrics basically talking their shit, but then “Unh Unh” returns to the Detroit trap sound once more to my surprise acknowledging that they don’t wanna see gangsta bitches winning.

Meanwhile on “Blessed”, we have Glorilla over another piano-trap instrumental telling us that’s exactly how she’s feeling while “Get That Money” with Niki Pooh weaves a whistling sample into the fold as they encourage women not to be scared to as their men for money. The song “Nut Quick” is basically a Memphis version of the Missy Elliott joint “1 Minute Man” while the penultimate track “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” happens to be a great addition to the EP despite the controversy surrounding it. “Out Loud Thinking” though finishes the EP by getting her thoughts out there over a glistening beat.

For a debut EP, it’s a pretty solid way for Glorilla to introduce herself to a wider audience because I think she’s one of the best signees on CMG alongside Mozzy & 42 Dugg. She definitely has potential as shown by her performances & songwriting throughout the 26 minutes of our time that she’s given us, but the production is just mostly average & the 2 features are hit or miss.

Score: 3/5

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Planet Asia – “U.Z.I. (Universal Zeitgeist Intelligence)” review

Planet Asia is a 46 year old MC from Fresno, California who came up as 1/2 the duo Cali Agents. He would also go on to have a very successful solo career & has made a lengthy yet consistent discography for himself that includes The Grand Opening, The Medicine, Pain Language, Abrasions, Anchovies, Trust the Chain & Rule of 3rds. But for his 10th EP over here, Planet Asia’s enlisting the Snowgoons to produce the whole thing top to bottom.

“Splashing” sets it off with a holy instrumental & Asia boasting how great his style truly is whereas “Pistol Grip Pump” with Jay Royale takes a more rugged route from the boom bap sound to the lyrics letting y’all know they ain’t on fake shit whatsoever. Flash tags along for the creepy yet dusty “Metabolism” talking about both having high chemical reactions when it comes to the streets while the song “Scud Missile” returns to a more rugged sound providing information to everyone listening. The penultimate track “Brick & Motor” keeps it in boom bap turf to give it raw & uncut with “The Office” accompanied by A Plus tha Kid ending the EP with a guitar-based beat taking through another day at the titular location.

Of the 5 projects that he’s given us throughout the year, U.Z.I. (Universal Zeitgeist Intelligence) has to be my favorite one of them all & possibly amongst the best bodies of work in Planet Asia’s ever-growing discography to date. The Snowgoons’ signature sound compliments his lyrical style well in my personal opinion & even though the features are kept to a minimum, the verses that Jay Royale & Flash both spit on this EP go as hard as those of the seasoned West Coast vet.

Score: 4/5

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