Donnie Darko – “Before the World Got to Us” review

This is the latest EP from East Coast hip hop artists Sutter Kain & Donnie Darko. The first of whom is a producer, DJ & occasionally MC from New York & the latter being an MC from New Jersey. The 2 have been collaborating with one another pretty much since the beginning & to kick off the 2nd quarter of 2020, they’re coming together for Before the World Got to Us.

The opener “Gladys” finds Donnie talks about growing up in Newark over a slowed down loop of “Giving Up” by Gladys Knight while the next song “Block Game, Pt. 3” pretty much addresses the current state of the world over a boom bap beat flipping Debbie Taylor’s “Let’s Prove Them Wrong”. The track “Driving My Crazy” addresses how the world today is insane over a flawlessly incorporated soul sample while the song “Life, Pt. 4” is essentially about how rough life is over an instrumental that kinda has an Alchemist influence to it.

The track “Shadows” talks about almost dying twice over a mesmerizing beat while the song “Feelings” goes at those who rap alike over a boom bap beat. The penultimate track “As the Beat Cries, Pt. 2” standing ground despite life being rocky over a flute & some humming then the closer “Loser, Pt. 10 (Before the World Got to Us)” tackles depression over a boom bap beat over a hypnotic vocal sample.

It’s more an EP to me, but still great nonetheless. Sutter Kain’s production has only gotten grimier with time, Donnie Darko’s sounds angrier than ever & the 2 continue to bring the best out of each other after all the extensive collaborating over the years. Really looking forward for the sequel After the World Got to Us next month.

Score: 4/5

Conway the Machine – ” LULU” review

Conway the Machine is an emcee that blew up as 1/3 of the trio Griselda with Westside Gunn & Benny the Butcher. Last year we saw him droping a total of 3 short projects last year & now with the 1st quarter of 2020 coming to a close, he’s enlisting West Coast veteran The Alchemist to produce his 6th EP in it’s entirety.

After the intro, we get into the first song “14 KI’s”. Where Conway of course talks about pushing coke over an ominous beat. “The Contract” speaks on how nobody’s on his level over an orchestral instrumental while the song “Shoot Sideways” with ScHoolboy Q sees the 2 talking about murder over a boom bap beat. The track “Calvin” talks about being the big homie over a demented beat while the song “They Got Sunny” with Cormega sees the 2 going at wack rappers over a grimy boom bap beat. The EP finishes off with “Gold BBS’s”, where La Maquina talks about gunning down those who oppose him over a boom bap beat with a spooky vocal sample.

To me, this is easily one of the best things Conway has ever put out. He sounds a lot more focused than he did on the 3 projects that he dropped last year & the production is more consistent too because you can’t really go wrong with The Alchemist.

Score: 4.5/5

Vanderslice – “Trendsetter” review

This is the 3rd EP from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania veteran Vanderslice. A man that made a name for himself by producing for the Army of the Pharaohs on numerous occasions since the mid/late 2000s & just last spring, he produced Diabolic’s 3rd album Collusion in it’s entirety & that has quickly become my 2nd favorite release of his. But as the 2nd quarter of the year is starting to begin, Vansleazy’s hitting us with Trendsetter.

After the intro, the first song “ Cold Winter” by Vic Spencer is a minute & a half of witty battle bars over a grimy instrumental. The next track “Christmas Night Heist” by Ty Farris talks about being from Detroit over a tense boom bap beat while the song “Barry White Shit” by G Perico talks about ballin’ over an organ. The penultimate track “Puzzles” by Daniel Son gets on the mafioso too over an intoxicating beat & then before the outro, the closer “Shell Casings” by Capo talks about killing his competition over an suspenseful instrumental.

Vanderslice has always been one of the illest underground producers of all-time & this just solidifies it. It’s only 10 minutes long, but the sound on here is like no other & the guests fit in very well on top of his production.

Score: 3.5/5

ReachingNOVA & Teemonee – “Legends” review

ReachingNOVA & Teemonee are 2 rappers hailing from New York that’ve been active in the underground scene for a while now & this is their collaborative EP.

The EP kicks off with “KLMG”, where the duo go back & forth with each other repping their crew over a beat that sounds like the apocalypse is taking place. The next song “Thriller Music” sees the duo flexing over a bassy instrumental while “The Other Side” pays tribute to the loved ones they’ve lost over a cavernous beat. The track “Phoenix” talks about holding onto faith over a spacious instrumental while the penultimate song “Fusion” talks about backstabbers over a vibrant instrumental. The title track that closes out the EP finds the duo hoping that that the world remembers them & I love the atmosphere the instrumental gives off.

This is a pretty solid EP. The production is nice, both of their pen-games are witty & the chemistry between both parties is very natural. Really looking forward to seeing what they do from here.

Score: 3.5/5

Truemendous – “Huh?” review

Here we have the 5th EP from Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom emcee Truemendous. Introducing herself in 2015 off her debut EP Whoremonal Moodswings, she continued to build momentum with the trilogy P.S. This Is Your Mother Calling began & bridged by P.S. This is Your Father Calling. The final chapter P.S. This is Your Aunty Calling eventually caught the attention of High Focus Records, who signed Truemendous & looks to introduce herself as part of the roster in the form of Huh? a month after Gisele Shaw & Michael Oku respectively became the new RPW British Women’s Champion & RPW British Cruiserweight Champion.

“That Don’t Mean” starts us off showcasing unique flows over a Pitch 92 beat speaking of being self-aware of an imminent breakup & that taking breaks is ok whereas “Meerkatz” takes the cloudy trap route instrumentally asking how one’s broke when they’re always at work. “O.T.Y.L. (Only Time You Love), Pt. 2” produced by Illinformed is a boom bap sequel to a 2016 loosie that greatly improves everything regarding the original version prior to “Sweetheart” talking about giving a fuck less regarding anyone else’s superstitions.

Continuing the final leg of Huh?, the song “Sumtymes” goes for a west coast vibe to the beat speaking of everything being too much yet she manages to cope with it prior to Telemachus getting behind the boards 1 last time during the woodwind-heavy “Out My Face” telling a group of people she dislikes to back away from her quickly as they can. “Hmmm” closes up shop with some synthesizers questioning those acting out of pocket behaviorally & not saying shit as often as she once did.

Preluding her forthcoming debut album The Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson, the High Focus Records debut of Truemendous confidently marks the finest example of the very same storytelling expertise or varied range & unrivalled flow that helped give her the honor of being the label’s First Lady in the midst of the whole entire world shutting stopping as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production’s a big upgrade compared to her earlier stuff & she really saved her strongest performances for this special occasion.

Score: 4/5

Megan Thee Stallion – “SUGA” review

Megan Thee Stallion is a 25 year old rapper from Houston, Texas who rose to prominence last May with the release of her debut mixtape Fever. I myself was very impressed with how it displayed Megan’s knack for catchy songwriting, dirty south/Memphis inspired production & a unique personality. However despite being entangled in a lawsuit with 1501 Certified Entertainment earlier this week, I was still very curious & excited to see what she would do on her 3rd EP over here.

The album kicks off with “Ain’t Equal”, where Megan talks about how she isn’t like any other over a cloudy yet dark trap beat from Helluva. The next track “Savage” talks about how wild she is over a J. White instrumental with a keyboard lead similar to that of the Star Trak days while the song “Captain Hook” finds Megan over some bass lead by the sound of a sword being pulled out as well as some pots & pans. The track “Hit My Phone” featuring Kehlani is your usual bedrocker tune with Jake One behind the boards while the song “B.I.T.C.H.” interpolates 2Pac’s Ratha Be Ya Nigga” over a classy sample of Bootsy Collins’ “Rather Be With You”.

The track “Rich” talks about her newfound wealth over a quirky instrumental & speaking of Star Trak, the song “Stop Playing” is one of 2 cuts on the album produced by The Neptunes. This first one has a nightly yet calming vibe to it whereas Megan & Gunna both declare that they ain’t messing around. The penultimate track “Crying in the Car” is pretty much Megan melodically firing back out at those who’re mad at her elevation over a more lusher instrumental from Pharrell & Chad Hugo then the closer “What I Need” gets more flirtatious over a sensual Timbaland beat.

For a while I’ve been saying that Megan Thee Stallion is the best female rapper in the mainstream right now (with Rapsody being the best female rapper right now PERIOD) & this just proves my point. There are a few weak spots, but the catchiness of Fever is being quadrupled on here with her best songwriting & instrumental choices to date.

Score: 3.5/5

Elcamino – “Martyr’s Prayer” review

This is the brand new EP from Buffalo, New York emcee Elcamino. First time I listened to him was in November 2017 when he dropped his self-titled EP with Griselda Records. This was followed up by his Walking on Water mixtape in the summer of 2018 & last year alone, he dropped 2 studio albums & a few EPs. However to ring in the new year, he’s dropping off the 38 Spesh-produced Martyr’s Prayer.

After the titular intro, the first song “Legal Money” shows off his riches over a spooky instrumental whereas “Flowers” finds Camino aspiring to be respected while he’s alive over a calming beat. The track “Street Signs” talks about how he would’ve died for his block over a boom bap beat & after the “Martyr’s Speech” skit, the song “Young Lordz” talks about coming a long way from the hood over a blissful boom bap beat. The track “Get Hi Too” is a short yet effective stoner anthem with a mellow instrumental & before the outro, the final song “2K20” with Che Noir sees the 2 flexing over an impeccable BADBADNOTGOOD sample.

Compared to Elcamino’s last 2 projects that he dropped this past fall, this is a big step-up. I feel like it could’ve been more fleshed out since every single cut is under 3 minutes but nonetheless, Spesh cooks up some of his best production & the pen-game has improved also. Looking forward to see what else he does this year.

Score: 4/5

Big Twins – “Queensbridge” review

This is the brand new EP from New York emcee Big Twins. Best known for being a member of the Infamous Mobb, it wouldn’t be until the late 2000s that he would branch out solo & has released 4 studio albums to date. However, he is now teaming up with California producer DirtyDiggs for Queensbridge.

It all starts with “No Hesitation”, where Twins raps about how he isn’t afraid to shoot anyone over an organ. The next song “Infamous Chain” with Godfather Pt. III & the Durag Dynasty sees the East Coast/West Coast titans painting vivid images of the street life over a while the track “Do It Big, Do It Dirty” gets more personal over jazzy boom bap instrumental. The song “Multi Million Art Collection” with Planet Asia & Willie the Kid sees the 3 talking about donning over a soulful beat while the penultimate track “Smells Like Blood” with Asia & Hus Kingpin speaks on death over a dark piano instrumental. Then there’s the closer “Cash In”, which is about both parties trying to get paid over an intimidating instrumental.

For an EP, this is honestly one of Big Twins’ best releases yet. His lyricism has continuously stepped-up over time & DirtyDiggs reminds us that he’s one of the dopest West Coast producers that the underground has to offer. Love to see them collaborate with each other more in the future.

Score: 4/5

Denzel Curry – “UNLOCKED” review

This is the new surprise EP from Carol City’s very own Denzel Curry. A man that got his start as a member of the Raider Klan, founded by SpaceGhostPurrp. His 2013 debut Nostalgic 64 was nice, but the next 2 albums he would put out Imperial & TA13OO would show his talents much more clearer. Last time we heard from Zel was this past spring with ZUU & not even 9 months later, he’s teaming up with Kenny Beats for UNLOCKED.

After the predominant spoken word intro “Track 01”, the EP’s first actual song “Take_it_Back_v2” finds Denzel lashing out & getting wreckless over a dystopian instrumental. The track “Lay_Up.m4a” talks about fighting haters over a spacious beat while the song “Pyro (leak 2019)” speaks on being on a God-level over a woozy. The track “DIET_” is pretty much Zel bragging over a trunk-knocking beat while the song “So Incredible.pkg” talks about how great he is. After the “Track 07” interlude, the closer “Cosmic.m4a” drops knowledge to the phonies tryna bite him over a hypnotic instrumental.

Didn’t think Denzel would drop new music this quickly but nonetheless, I’m very pleased with the outcome of UNLOCKED. The concept is a lot more interesting than ZUU as much as I enjoyed that previous album, Kenny reminds us that he’s one of the best producers out right now & Denzel continues his reign as the King of the Florida hip hop scene.

Score: 4/5

Valid – “Plum Brandy” review

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This is the brand new EP from Detroit emcee Valid, who made his solo debut in 2015 with Reach High. The album was followed up just last year with the man’s most personal work to date Mihajlo & now 9 months later, he’s back on the scene with Plum Brandy.

The opener “January 8th” itself is a cool nod to Serbian Christmas & I really like the mellow boom bap production on here as well. The next song “Pops” is a touching dedication to Mihajlo’s father over a soulful instrumental while the track “Foreign Forever” with Boldy James sees the 2 talking about their ancestry over some gorgeous strings. The song “ULUV’ gets more on the romantic side of things over a funky instrumental while the penultimate track “Take Me Down” continues to get flirtatious over intoxicating instrumental. The EP then finishes with “Paper” where Valid gets with Smoke Mardeljano & Struka to talk about money over a woozy instrumental.

This is a pretty interesting release in Mihajlo’s catalog. For him to showcase his Serbian roots from the samples to the production choices & even most of the features is a pretty cool move on his part & I think he did a pretty good job at it.

Score: 3.5/5