Jae Skeese – “The Good Part” review

Here is the 5th extended play from Buffalo, New York emcee Jae Skeese. Starting in 2010 off his debut mixtape W.A.C.K. (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks), it wasn’t until a decade later where he & 7xvethegenius gained wide exposure as the very first signees to Conway the Machine’s very own Drumwork Music Group. The Big Ghost Ltd.-produced 3rd EP Authenticity Check & the sophomore effort Abolished Uncertainties both elevated Skeese’s popularity in the last couple years. Coming off the Superior-produced Testament of the Times & elevating from Ground Level though, Ill Tone’s producing The Good Part succeeding 40 Hours.

“Paralysis” chops up a soul sample to get things going talking about feeling like nobody’s above him whereas “Accelerant” featuring Conway the Machine & Stove God Cook$ finds the trio aggressively going at the throats of those who got the game wrong. “Curt Menafee” featuring Cory Gunz goes for a summery direction instrumentally talking about putting it all on the line leading into “S.W.G.M. (See It, Want It, Got It, Mines)” end the 1st half by speaking of taking what’s his.

Fuego Base & Sule appear on “Raiden” kicking off the 2nd leg with all 3 of them aggressively talking about wanting the finer things closer in reach just before “Worldwide” featuring Talib Kweli & T.F links up so they can discuss how far they wanna take it musically. “Mua” hops over a victorious beat to talk about getting his cake up & winning in the biggest ways while “No After No” featuring Brother Tom Sos & Consequence finishes with each artist explaining that they never stopped chasing their goals after being counted out.

I completely understood what Jae Skeese was doing trying give lesser known local artists a bigger platform although I’m still on the fence with that EP over an entire year later, but The Good Part has to be my personal favorite project of his since Testament of the Times. From the penmanship to the higher profile guest appearances & Ill Tone’s production, it’s already been implied that they’re gonna make an entire series out of this & this inaugural entry checks off every box regarding why they should.

Score: 4.5/5

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Chip Fu – “The Beginning of the Reckoning” review

Brooklyn, New York veteran Chip Fu putting his debut solo EP up on all streaming platforms after making it exclusive to EVEN for a short period of time. A member of the Fu-Schnickens, he put out a solo mixtape of his own 15 years earlier called Stop Playing & the sequel roughly 32 months later. The Beginning of the Reckoning dropped exclusively on EVEN at the very beginning of the month, but has now become available on all streaming platforms regardless of whichever one you prefer to use.

After the intro, the first song “Me” produced by Blizzard opens with a soulful boom bap instrumental & Chip taking 113 seconds to kick his speedy flows into full gear whereas “Levels” keeps chopping up more vocal samples to talk about life being similar to that of an elevator. “Thousandz & Hundredz” finishes the EP with a boom bap/reggae crossover blending intricate rhyme schemes with a chopper flow.

Continuing to innovate & elevate hip hop over 3 decades deep into the game The Beginning of the Reckoning regardless of it’s brevity powerfully showcases Chip Fu’s lyrical mastery & depth in superior ways than either Stop Playing or Stop Playing 2 did making considerable improvements in the production department of things from those early tapes.

Score: 4/5

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Lørd Skø – “PiFF” review

New York up-&-comer Lørd Skø signing to Fat Beats Records for his 3rd studio LP. Getting his start in the fall of 2020 off his debut EP 13th Angel, his profile would grow from there eventually hiring one of the greatest A&Rs in the industry Dante Ross as his manager & showing the world of what he’s capable of doing last summer when he put out his debut Museum. His sophomore effort United Palace was a great dedication to his neighborhood, returning a year & a half later to drop PiFF.

“Livin’ Life” is this jazzy intro talking about living right these days whereas “2nd Thought” produced by Statik Selektah proves to be a highlight as he shows off an aura that can’t be confused with anyone else. “Stubborn” works on this high-pitched gospel sample getting reckless in the middle of his block rockin’ 2 boots while “Bong Rips” featuring MAVI along with Harry Fraud behind the boards making reference to the current TNA World Tag Team Champion in his 3rd reign & inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champion Jeff Hardy of The Hardy Boyz.

Curren$y joins Skø on the single “Understand” suggesting that even the haters gotta love it & turning their plugs into fans of their music just before “Girbaud Talk” featuring Grand Puba brings back the jazz thanks to Mike Shabb talking about checking the wave & sliding. “Robinhood” takes a more cloudier route with the beat likening himself to a vigilante, but then the lo-fi boom bap “Cigarette Butts” smacks the makeup off these clowns making them do 10s.

“Camel Eyes” featuring Conway the Machine psychedelically talks about both of their standards being high & being where they are now by staying on course prior to Feardorian bringing a woozy trap flare to the table on “Holding Me Up” featuring Polo Perks airing everyone moving wack. “Problem Child” soulfully telling his homies to stay safe moving dangerously & after a “Funkee Intermission”, he puts smoke in his “Lungz” like he always does daily.

The song “Not the Same” hits the backend of PiFF working in a crooning sample referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE Champion, 11-time WWE tag team champion, the inaugural WWE Hardcore Champion, CWA World Tag Team Champion & TNA World Champion Mick Foley merely 19 years to the day he gave former 2-time AEW TNT Champion, WWE Hall of Famer, 11-time WWE world champion, 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 15-time WWE tag team champion Adam Copeland married to WWE Hall of Famer & 4-time WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix his best singles match.

“Randy Moss” closes it out comparing himself to the Pro Football Hall of Famer & my personal favorite WR of all-time temporarily playing with the New England Patriots at a point in time where his career was winding down, who was recently battling cancer this past winter & is now fortunately cancer free while the vinyl exclusive bonus track “Lesson Learned” reunites with Statik Selektah once again asking it all for the wrong reasons.

For his Fat Beats debut, Lørd Skø makes an example of cross-generational worldbuilding at its best with PiFF by referencing classic New York City hip hop while embracing today’s NYC sound much like he did on United Palace a year & a half ago. Inspired by the stoner wing of the Blog Era during his pre-teen years, he’s created a wide-reaching stoner-friendly future classic showcasing his evolution as an artist in full.

Score: 4.5/5

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Doodlebug & 80 Empire – “A Galactic Love Supreme” review

Doodlebug is a 58 year old MC from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania notable for being 1/3 of the Digable Planets. Following their disbandment, he would branch out in favor of a solo career beginning with his 2011 debut Futuristic Sci-Fi as well as The Expendables & more recently The Calidelphian roughly a decade after Futuristic Sci-Fi dropped. West coast duo 80 Empire are officially joining him for a new collaborative LP & have signed a deal with Fat Beats Records to help put it out into the universe.

After the “Galactic Intro”, the first song “Outtaspace Connection” is a funky romance tune throwing it back to Zapp during the hook talking about the laws of attraction whereas “Breathe” slickly talks about his passion for drums coming from his uncle having a drum set at his grandmother’s house growing up. “Mother Earth is Dying” jazzily discusses our planet slowly deteriorating leading into “Spread Love (Communicate)” talks about positivity & communication.

Shabazz Palaces joins Doodlebug for “Deliveries” letting it be known what they stay constantly running & getting paid off of these days while “Amore” soulfully gets back on the themes of romance. “Time Keeps Slipping” featuring Nejma Nefertiti finds the pair talking about life flying by the way does just before “Intergalactic Love Supreme” featuring YaH-Ra spaciously speaks on love once again.

“I Am” featuring Emma Lee M.C. & Skrewtape unites the trio they can demand that you obey the empire, but then “Nothing Lasts Forever” featuring Bone Crusher & KXNG CROOKED officially concludes A Galactic Love Supreme with all 3 of them cooking up what could possibly be my favorite collaboration reminding us all that there isn’t a single thing out there that’ll last until eternity.

Sir Analog & Duke of Digital both really nailed it helping Doodlebug make a provocative body of musical escapism with every song revealing itself to be a different painting making the canvas at its core hip hop although it’s meticulously textured with so many other influences from jazz to soul music. Reminiscent of a time when music’s sole obligation was to make you feel good & think critically, they portray a healthy marriage of analog & digital or nostalgia meeting contemporary.

Score: 3.5/5

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Fat Ray – “Food From the Gods” review

Detroit, Michigan veteran Fat Ray returning after 4 years for his 4th album. A member of the trio B.R. Gunna alongside Black Milk & Young RJ, he would eventually go solo in 2008 by dropping the criminally slept-on The Set Up, but it wouldn’t be until a full decade later when it was followed with both The Lunch Room mixtape & then his sophomore effort Perseus. Santa Barbera proved to be the strongest since his debut & he’s taking it back to where it all began on Food From the Gods.

After the “From the Gods” intro, the first song “Elderberry” starts with a trippy boom bap instrumental wanting to know how to sow & reap whereas “Talcum” psychedelically talks about having that powder. “Cane” featuring Guilty Simpson works in a guitar sample to warn that you’ll get popped for playin’ with them, but then “Just Say No” featuring Danny Brown fuses jazz rap & drumless together cautioning that this ain’t chess.

“Double It” continues the sampling boasting that he’s been doubling up while “Franky Lymon” featuring Bruiser Wolf atmospherically talks about who these hoes think they are. “El Hongo (The Mushroom)” explains that you either fight or fly heading for a rap rock vibe just before the orchestral “Stash” talks about cashing ruling. The final song “Gotta Know” ahead of the “Daily Bread” outro charismatically shows off his brilliance to finish his best album since his debut.

Over 15 years after Black Milk helped cook up Ray’s acclaimed debut, they get back together for a successor that show’s how much both of them have grown since then. Granted that Food From the Gods can be quirky sometimes, it’s mostly a grimey sonic ride through the streets of the Motor City with raw tales told through the lens of the ever so sharp & witty standout of the Bruiser Brigade crew.

Score: 4.5/5

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Diamond D – “The Diam Piece 3: Duo” review

The Bronx, New York emcee/producer Diamond D continuing the final installment of The Diam Piece trilogy. A mentor of Jazzy Jay, he would then form the D.I.T.C. collective alongside Lord Finesse & Showbiz in ‘92 only to put out his classic full-length debut Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop shortly after. D went on to drop 6 more albums & a couple mixtapes of his own, the latest being Gotham’s acclaimed self-titled effort & The Rear View. The Diam Piece & it’s sequel left most of the rhyming to the guests, coming off Initium from this summer by putting out Duo.

“I’m Not Crazy” by B-Real & Everlast is this rap rock intro suggesting that the whole world’s insane whereas “T.S.N.Y. (The Sound of New York)” by NEMS, Prayah, Saigon & Tons takes the boom bap route instrumentally telling everyone who ain’t with the vibes to get lost. “My DJ Spits Betta Than U” by Da Inphamus Amadeuz, Doo Wop & Kid Capri samples “Monochrome” by Alan Parker boasting that the DJs are better on the mic than a lot of these guys nowadays leading into “Casket Fresh” by Chip Fu, Kardinal Offishall & Peedi Crakk brings the trio together to make sure you look good when they bury you.

Diamond D himself temporarily joins Sadat X on the funky, flute-tinged “Get with It” talking about everyone being a rapper now just before “Hyenas” by Reef Hustle, Shortee Sha & Tek returns to the boom bap bringing it hardcore. “Weed, Sex & Cars” by Camp Lo playfully expresses their desire for all those things leading into the synth-driven “It’s Up 2 Me” by Junk & 4-IZE talking about being here for a while. “Ride the Wave” energetically shares the mic linking up with Aftermath Entertainment in-house producer Focus… telling everyone to approach them with caution prior to “Keep on Steppin’” by Boog Brown, Camari & Lady Luck finishing it up with a cool gospel flip as the ladies speak to the Higher Power.

Of the 2 installments of The Diam Piece trilogy chapter, I find myself preferring Initium still in comparison although I still very much enjoy it whether it be continuing the series’ knack for allowing Diamond D to take a backseat as an MC with a few occasional spots here & there allowing a myriad of guests to do what they do best over his signature boom bap production. I’d finally be remised if I didn’t mention there are some dope influences of rap rock along with funk & a hint of gospel music including a sample I haven’t heard since one of my all-time favorite 7L & Esoteric cuts “Watch Me” off their classic sophomore effort Dangerous Connection.

Score: 3.5/5

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Fashawn – “Carte Blanche” review

Fresno, California emcee Fashawn tapping in with New York producer Little Vic for his 5th studio LP. Breaking out 15 years ago off his 7th mixtape The Antidote, his profile would begin to increase from there whether it be the Exile-produced debut album Boy Meets World. or The Alchemist-produced debut EP FASH-ionably Late & the Mass Appeal Records-backed sophomore effort The Ecology during my senior year of high school. Although his music since for me personally has been hit or miss with this fall’s You Owe Us with Interest being a more recent example, I have enjoyed Little Vic’s production work in the past & that made me anticipate Carte Blanche.

“Crown Vic” is this piano-driven boom bap intro turning muhfuckas into sacrifices similar to that of Jesus Christ himself whereas “1 Eyed King” works in a soul sample with some kicks & snares giving handcuffs for Christmas in addition to a middle finger for the already corrupt system. “Pearly Gates” featuring Rasheed Chappell finds the 2 promising that they’ll still rising like murder rate even when they’re gone leading into “Autumn in New York” providing a boom bap anthem dedicated to fall in the City of Dreams.

As for “168”, we have Little Vic keeping it in the basement instrumentally as Fashawn looks for a 187 while “Victim” talks about everyone being soft & this being as hard as it gets. After the “Waygu” interlude, “Mac n Cheese” returns to the boom bap unloading a short but deadly 37 second verse on top of it just before “Capo” brings back the soul sampling getting in his battle rap bag. “Spaghetti Western” though ends Carte Blanche talking about pumpin’ weight instead of pumpin’ fake.

Coming from 2 different worlds, these guys bring unique stories & sounds that excellently blend the raw with the refined. Little Vic’s production creates a soundscape that mirrors the rags-to-riches journey that he & the Fresno lyricist represent flexing between hard-hitting rhythms & delicately soulful sounds that match the conceptually gritty yet sophisticated journey through life’s harsh realities & ultimate triumphs that Fashawn vividly paints.

Score: 4/5

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Diamond D – “The Diam Piece 3: Initium” review

The Bronx, New York emcee/producer Diamond D preparing the final installment of The Diam Piece trilogy by splitting it into 3 EPs & giving us the first Initium ahead of Duo in November as well as Tria in February 2025. A mentor of Jazzy Jay, he would then form the D.I.T.C. collective alongside Lord Finesse & Showbiz in ‘92 only to put out his classic full-length debut Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop shortly after. D went on to drop 6 more albums & a couple mixtapes of his own, the latest being Gotham’s acclaimed self-titled effort & The Rear View. The Diam Piece & its sequel left most of the rhyming to the guests, so I get why he’d return to that formula coming off The Rear View.

“Fire & Water” by RJ Payne & Skyzoo starts off ruggedly bringing hardcore lyricism over boom bap production whereas “The King” by KRS-One was a great lead single & another one of the best Blastmaster songs I’ve heard in recent memory taking the crown as rightfully his. “Merk” by Bishop Lamont & Torae keeps it in the basement instrumentally getting bloodthirsty, but then “Bosses” by Lord Tariq & Sauce Money finds the 2 getting on the mafioso tip for 4 minutes.

Fatman Scoop & Static the Prodigy hop on the playful sounding “Death B4 Dishonor” promising that you don’t wanna test either one of them leading into “Codes” by Agallah, David Bars & Royal Flush rawly reminding not to trust anyone in the streets. “Lay Me Down” by Inspectah Deck & Shyheim aggressively details the life of crime while “Blue Sunshine” by E-A Ski & 38 Spesh brings the respective west coast & east coast producer/MCs dustily getting on the battle rap tip. “My People” by Bonecrusher ends with a jazzy tribute to his kinfolk.

In the digital era where a lot of people’s attention spans are incredibly short, it’s more than understandable that the D.I.T.C. co-founder didn’t want to release a 29-song album & decided to split The Diam Piece 3 into a trilogy of EPs. Initium itself with its versatile list of performers over Diamond D’s signature sound is more than enough to hold everyone over until Duo at the end of 2024 & finally Tria early next year.

Score: 4/5

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GUTTR – “Everything is…GUTTR” review

GUTTR is a newly formed supergroup consisting of Ras Kass, RJ Payne & Havoc. All 3 of whom have been established within hip hop whether it be the waterproof MC’s debut Soul on Ice, RJ decimating anyone in the battle circuit that dared to step up against him under the original moniker Reignman or last but not least Havoc being 1/2 of the greatest duos of all-time Mobb Deep alongside the late Prodigy. Ras & RJ have worked with each other a few times previously, but got one of the East Coast’s most underrated producers as their 3rd member in time to put out a full-length debut.

“Roll Call” featuring Lil’ Fame & Method Manis a grimy way to kick off the album asking where all the real ones at in this bitch whereas “Nostalgia” incorporates a soul sample for the trio to pour one out for all the fallen soldiers we’ve lost along the way. The title track featuring Kurupt & KXNG CROOKED takes the cavernous route talking about how it’s only right for them to get the cheese but after the “RNR Ep. 1” skit, “Once Again It’s On” featuring Twista ruggedly finds everyone in their battle rap shit.

On the other hand, “Different” kinda has a jazzier flare asking not to be compared to any other artists out here while “Lo-Fi” right after the “RNR Ep. 2” skit soulfully talks about liking the atmosphere gritty. “Stop Playin’” featuring Freeway & Raekwon brings back the pianos to tell everyone to not fuck around with them but after the “RNR Ep. 3” skit, the final song “Old Soul” ends GUTTR’s debut warning that gossiping to them will leave you with your head blown clear.

The hardcore hip hop fans are really gonna find themselves gravitating towards GUTTR’s introductory album & hopefully this is only the beginning of more to come from what is recognized as hip hop’s very first unionization. Primarily due to Ras Kass & RJ Payne paying homage to Prodigy by channeling that old Mobb Deep energy, Havoc setting the musical canvas on an entire album for both lyricists to paint their bars, the guests all matching their intensity

Score: 4/5

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Vega7 the Ronin – “Kawasaki Killers” review

Queens, New York emcee Vega7 the Ronin continuing to dominate the underground releasing his 3rd album to end the first half of 2024. Emerging after enlisting Danish beatsmith Machacha to produce his debut EP The Lead Lined Wall, he would go on to land feature placement on the 5th & final installment of Ty Farris’ historic No Cosign Just Cocaine mixtape series this past February & tap in with Superiorfor his debut Sleep’s the Cousin. It’s been 6 months since the latter & Body Bag Ben is being brought in to produce Kawasaki Killers.

“Imagine That” is this dark intro referencing WWE Hall of Famer, 7-time world champion, 7-time tag team champion & WWE Hardcore Champion The Undertaker iconically defeating fellow WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE Champion, 11-time WWE tag team champion, the inaugural WWE Hardcore Champion, CWA World Tag Team Champion & TNA World Champion Mick Foley during King of the Ring VI whereas the infernal “New Jack” remembers the late 3-time ECW World Tag Team Champion & SMW Tag Team Champion of the same name on top of likening himself to Undertaker prior to marrying 4-time WWE women’s champion Michelle McCool.

Meanwhile on “Rage Against the Machine Gun”, we have Vega7 heinously making reference to former 3-time WWE Tag Team Champions & WWE Hall of Famers The APA prior to “Ghost in the Shell” featuring Body Bag Ben himself throws in a bar regarding the late WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 4-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 2-time ECW World Television Champion & AAA Mundial Parejas Campeon Eddie Guerrero.

“The Gray Man” brings an unsettling boom bap vibe to the table comparing himself to Walter White from my all-time favorite show Breaking Bad just before the title track references AJPW世界タッグチャンピオン & WWE’s former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, who admitted almost 2 months ago that the Endeavor-owned TKO Group Holdings division’s former CEO Vince McMahon held power & control over him making dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if they weren’t met in light of the former self-booked WWE Champion & ECW World Heavyweight Champion’s ongoing sex trafficking scandal.

To get Kawasaki Killers’ last leg rollin’, “Lion Tamer” hooks up a bloodcurdling boom bap instrumental promising he can take the best rapper you know & break his spine using the aptly named object while “Scott Summer Shades” featuring Body Bag Ben again treats treating garbage like the Earth at it’s equator. “Hip-Fire” boasts him taking the cap off the pen he writes with & magma coming out of it, but then “Harley Bandanas” talks about him making music as if it’s gateway computed.

Following a Hell-&-back journey, Vega7 turns personal experiences of pain & streetwise knowledge into elevated rhyme schemes over Ben’s impeccable production paired with an enterprising tone & flow that cuts through the fog making the listing experience from the top to the bottom a declaration leaving the listener stuck between Earth & the Afterlife musically steeping into a dystopian city where the sonic mischief are the only source of salvation in a world filled with mediocrity & force feed elitism.

Score: 4.5/5

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