Estee Nack – “B.R.A.P. 2 (Big Rifles & Pistols)” review

Pretty sure this has to be the 14th proper full-length studio LP from Lynn, Massachusetts emcee/producer Estee Nack. Emerging as a member of the Tragic Allies, he also branched out on his own my senior year of high school off his Purpose-produced solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack & has since built a lengthy yet impressive discography for himself. Other highlights include the Sadhugold-produced Surfinongold.wav alongside it’s sequel The Order of the Golden Fleece, the Giallo Point-produced Papitas & it’s sequel, his collab efforts with al.divino, the V Don-produced B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties), the Griselda Records debut Nacksaw Jim Duggan, the Mike Shabb-produced Live at the Tabernackle & the Futurewave-produced Stone Temple Pyrex. Commemorating the 2-year anniversary of B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties) this spring, Nackman & V Don are looking to pull out the Big Rifles & Pistols for a follow-up.

The title track was a jazzily drumless intro talking about haters casually ducking headshots whereas the 2nd & final single “LAKOTA DREAM CATCHER” heads for a soulful boom bap direction speaking on trying to wake up those who prefer to sleep on him. The lead single “CARVEL” finds himself properly executing a plan that cannot fail leading into “EZBRED” featuring Al-Doe links the 2 up to talk about being centuries ahead of the rest.

“OGFIRE” nears the end of the 1st half of the album by telling those who think they know him to cut that shit out just before the atmospheric “HIGHTECHNOLOGY” featuring al.divino, BoriRock & Shaykh Hanif finds the trio talking about running the game in a vice grip. After the “TRUE ESSENCE” interlude, “COLDER” featuring Ty da Dale returns to the boom bap so both of them can talk about their pockets being full of bloods & crips just before we get a treated to a “PAPERCHASIN’” sequel pulling from rap rock.

To start the final leg of B.R.A.P. 2 (Big Rifles & Pistols) the song “OFFTHEPLANE” takes it back to the basement looking at taking his competition down rather quickly while “RINGWALK” talks about being in tip top shape for the purchase. “ELEGANTDELINQUENT” featuring al.divino reunites the duo 1 last time over pianos providing something flavorful for their customers while “ILDUCE” caps it all off with a hardcore hip hop closer talking about being victorious without violence.

V Don’s been staying busy all year whether it be his 2nd EP albeit Black Soprano Family Records/Roc Nation Records debut Sent For at the end of January or producing Boldy James’ 14th album Alphabet Highway over 2 months later, but his production during B.R.A.P. 2 (Big Rifles & Pistols) feels a little jazzier than the original B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties) not to mention the guest list being a step down from the predecessor.

Score: 4/5

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Estee Nack – “Stone Temple Pyrex” review

Lynn, Massachusetts emcee/producer Estee Nack joining forces with Toronto producer Futurewave for his 11th proper full-length studio LP. Emerging as a member of the Tragic Allies, he also branched out on his own my senior year of high school off his Purpose-produced solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack & has since built a lengthy yet impressive discography for himself. Other highlights include the Sadhugold-produced Surfinongold.wav alongside it’s sequel The Order of the Golden Fleece, the Giallo Point-produced Papitas, his collab efforts with al.divino, the V Don-produced B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties), the Griselda Records debut Nacksaw Jim Duggan & the Mike Shabb-produced Live at the Tabernackle. So considering the high quality of those last couple efforts, Stone Temple Pyrex had to be as equally great.

“Sunday Service” starts by blending jazz & boom bap talking about getting rich every Sunday whereas “Subtracktion” gets more grimier instrumentally to say right now’s a great time to have a great time. “Glaciusvsfulgore” featuring Rome Streetz brings the 2 Griselda signees together likening themselves to the titular Killer Instinct characters of the same name with the beat sounding reminiscent to Daringer, but then “Oscardelarenta” hooks up & an uncanny loop with kicks & snares talking about never doubting himself.

On the other hand, “&Bondizlyfe” goes drumless to detail the hustler lifestyle leading into “Blockwarz” featuring Daniel Son talking about the top spot forever being theirs over a crooning boom bap instrumental. “Weirdscience” flips another eerie sample so Estee can diss all the weaklings who want power just before “Datewifdef” references former 2-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel “Izzy” Adesanya.

“Cornchowder” featuring Raz Fresco incorporates a jazzy loop referring to their minds as weapons & letting it squeeze while “Wavydominicans” featuring ??? & BoriRock finds the trio over grim piano chords talking about a sinister presence. “Eddiebernays” featuring al.divino strips the drums once more making this shit complete while the final song “¡Sorpresa!” excluding the “Ogoscardelarenta” remix aggressively suggests to check the sign language.

This upcoming weekend will mark a whole year since B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties) came out & the Nackman has already blessed us with his 3rd classic within the span of 365 days. The guest-list is briefer than Live at the Tabernackle’s was, Futurewave’s production is mainly rooted in the traditional boom bap sound with jazzy & drumless undertones mixed in & my favorite Tragic Allies member picks up where he left off 6 months ago lyrically.

Score: 4.5/5

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Estee Nack & Raz Fresco – “Gia…À La Carte” review

This is a brand new collaborative EP from Lynn, Massachusetts emcee/producer Estee Nack & Toronto, Ontario, Canada emcee/producer Raz Fresco. One getting his start as a member of the Tragic Allies & the other garnering my interest in 2011 when short-lived Odd Future member Ace Hashimoto formerly known as brandUn DeShay had him featured on “Why Bother?” off All Day DeShay: AM. But as the Nackman comes fresh off his Griselda Records debut & one of his best albums of his career Nacksaw Jim Duggan couple months ago, Raz is now teaming up with him & the hottest producer in Montréal, Québec right now Nicholas Craven to take us through Gia…À La Carte.

“Cinque Campi” kicks off the EP with a bare drumless loop as both of them are masterfully mackin’ prior to “Roll Up the Rim” incorporates some strings & crooning background vocals showing y’all some shit referencing WWE Hall of Famer, 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Hardcore Champion, IWGPヘビー級王座, the inaugural 6-time TNA World Champion, TNA X Division Champion & 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion Kurt Angle.

The song “Fleece” goes for a funkier groove getting the bread to bless those below them with crumbs whereas “Whirlwind works in some flutes talking about seeing his shadow on Groundhog’s Day yet pushing it because they’re fearless. Jimmie D, Mike Shabb & The 6th Letter all join Estee & Raz for the climactic 6-minute closer “Born King” discussing being born for greatness with Jimmie & Shabbo’s verses sticking out.

Both of these dudes have crossed paths with one another before on tracks like “God’s Better” or “Mad Scientist”, so to see them come together knocking out a whole EP after a whole meal at Gia Vin & Grill is something that fans of each artist would want to check out. Nicholas Craven’s production is rooted in his signature sound with both MCs taking their chemistry to a new level.

Score: 4/5

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Estee Nack – “Nacksaw Jim Duggan” review

Estee Nack is a 38 year old MC & producer from Boston, Massachusetts emerging as a member of the Tragic Allies. He also branched out on his own my junior year of high school of his Purpose-produced solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack & has since built a lengthy yet impressive discography for himself. Other highlights include the Sadhugold-produced Surfinongold.wav alongside it’s sequel The Order of the Golden Fleece, the Giallo Point-produced Papitas, his collab efforts with al.divino or more recently the V Don-produced B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties). But coming fresh off the 6th installment of the #MiniMansionDust series, he’s finally unveiling his 8th full-length album & Griselda Records debut executive produced by the FLYGOD himself Westside Gunn named after WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE United States Champion, WCW World Television Champion & the inaugural WWE Royal Rumble winner “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan.

“Nackman Coletrain” is a drumlessly jazzy opener to the album produced by Denny LaFlare already getting on his coke rap shit whereas “Mass Money Wires” featuring al.divino works in some pianos, kicks & snares so both of them talking about burning trees instead of bridges which as a weed smoker myself, I can absolutely relate to. “Bonductor We Have a Problem” obviously plays into Conductor Williams’ name as the KC beatsmith ditches the drums once more talking about refusing to fuck around with anyone today that is until “Angeldior” dives back into boom bap territory courtesy of JR Swiftz so Estee can make it clear that he’s been a dreamer encouraging to come get with a crowd pleaser.

On the other hand, “Green Celophane” works in a drumless rock instrumental from Camoflauge Monk talking about being in the jungle with creatures just before “Fetty Guerrero” by al.divino has a more minimal albeit morbid vibe discussing watch what they do when the torch is passed down to them. “Strawberry Milk” has a more cheerful tone sonically calling out those trying to copy the formula who simply don’t get it leading into “We Made History” following the “Knowledge Wisdom” interlude having a more shimmery quality to it courtesy of the big homie CG with the title saying it all subject matter-wise.

“Mini Mansion Bartel” dives into drearier turf saying that his homies go to war for him as if he’s the son of Chapo alongside paying the price since he got stripes like Waldo while “Tal Commando” gives off a more tense vibe this time around talking about turning into WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger in the jungle. The song “Vanilla Skies” returns to the boom bap cautioning that it’s gonna be a hot summer while the penultimate track “SpaceX” takes it’s name after Tesla CEO, Twitter owner & Neuralink founder Elon Musk’s space technology company. “Old NackDonald Had a Farm” featuring West is a cold boom bap closer dissing those for growing shit that ain’t as half as strong as theirs.

Considering that Ester’s lengthy history of working with Griselda, it was only a matter of time he put out an album of his own through them & it sure enough happens to be amongst the strongest in his discography. The production is rooted into the label’s signature sound & Mr. Rose’s performances throughout are on par if not stronger than B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties)’s, which should be more than enough to satisfy longtime fans & has me anticipating his future with the Buffalo powerhouse even more

Score: 4.5/5

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Estee Nack – “B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties)” review

This is the 6th full-length album from Boston emcee Estee Nack. Coming up as a member of the Tragic Allies, he also branched out on his own my junior year of high school of his Purpose-produced solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack & has since built a lengthy yet impressive discography for himself. Other highlights include the Sadhugold-produced Surfinongold.wav alongside it’s sequel The Order of the Golden Fleece, the Giallo Point-produced Papitas, his collab efforts with al.divinowith the #MiniMansionDust series. But as Estee makes up for his Griselda Records debut Nacksaw Jim Duggan being delayed, he’s enlisting V Don to fully produce B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties).

“Opening Statements” is a grand drumless opener with Estee talking about going from riding a train to a truck & those trying to reach for his charm whereas “Penny Pinchin’” goes right into sinister boom bap attacking the type of motherfucker to play games with you. “Paperchasing” takes a more soulful route with some bass guitar to go after the bread, but then The Hidden Character tags along for the rugged “Gatpackin’” talking about guns of course.

As for “Devils Can’t Fool God”, we have Mr. Rose over a bare string instrumental to address those who still be trying to get on his good side even after the fact that a bunch of weak shit about them was confirmed leading into Primo Profit tagging along for “The Uncanny” accompanied by a blaring yet raw ass beat advising to check your own posture. “Who to Trust” has a bluesy, drumless approach to it with the Nackman talking about being unsure as to who he can genuinely trust leading into “Sang Tsung” is a attaches these synthesizers to some more kicks & snares to talk about those who ain’t got cake to blow waiting ‘til you’re famous.

The song “Vivir triumfar y morir Pt. 2” comes through with a bare orchestral loop to deliver a sequel to a joint off Joan Manuel Serrap expand on the themes of living, succeeding & eventually death while the penultimate track “Rules & Regulations” has one of the stronger feature performances from Rigz from Da Cloth as they hop on a beat with a rich boom bap quality to it talking about how it be where they come from. The closer “Exodus” has another great guest verse from Eto this time with both them sending off the album with a hypnotically psychedelic instrumental addressing being from the streets & trying to make it with their feet pressed against the sand.

Although it’s certainly disappointing that Nacksaw Jim Duggan got pushed back, that’s just how it goes sometimes. As for the album before the album right here, it’s quickly becoming amongst my favorites in Estee’s discography & reassures me that his Griselda debut will be on par if not superior to what B.R.A.P. (Born Rewards & Penalties) brought to the table. He’s always been my favorite Tragic Allies member & I’m truthfully 50/50 on the 4 features, but V Don continues to further reveal himself as an in-demand producer in the underground with his production here being the most consistent we’ve heard the Nackman spit over in a while.

Score: 4.5/5

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Estee Nack – “Balandas” review

This is the 3rd full-length album from Lynn, Massachusetts emcee Estee Nack. A member of Tragic Allies, his 2015 solo debut 14 Forms: The Book of Estee Nack would reveal himself as the group’s breakout member & he has released a plethora of projects since then including Surfinongold.wav & Papitas. But after starting off his 2020 with #MiniMansion4, he’s now teaming up with Superior for Baladas.

The album kicks off with “Sammy Sosa Clean Coca”, where Estee gives some brief street knowledge over some strings & a vocal sample. The next song “Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil” talks about being a God over an instrumental with a prominent organ lead while the track “A Rock & a Hard Place” with Eto sees the 2 getting murderous over a cool saxophone sample. The song “Pop Rock Classics” with Daniel Son sees the 2 getting mafioso over an atmospheric instrumental while the track “Infinite Black Mind” gets in the faces of his competition over a psychedelic beat. The song “Ballads for the Brilliant” with Ice Lord sees the 3 getting on the five-percenter tip over a symphonic instrumental.

The track “Mango Marmalade” continues to belittle those who try to oppose him over a pretty woodwind instrumental while the song “Launch the Boat Off a Key West” over a boom bap beat. The track “Wisdom” definitely lives up to it’s name lyrically & the dream-like instrumental is great, but the Codenine feature is just ok. The song “Plegaria a un Sicario” with Ice Lord is straight up homicidal & the orchestral sample in the instrumental is a nice touch also. The album then finishes with “Yola”, where Estee talks about cocaine & the guitar instrumental on here is killer!

Dude’s discography is nothing short of consistent & this is a fine addition to it. Couple of the features were a bit spotty, but Estee’s lyricism has continuously progressed over time & Superior’s production fits him in pretty nicely.

Score: 3.5/5