Roc Marciano – “Marciology” review

Long Island emcee/producer Roc Marciano has returned with his 11th full-length studio album. Starting out in the very late 90’s as a member of the Flipmode Squad, he then went solo in 2008 to drop classic albums that would pave the way for those like Griselda such as Marcberg & Reloaded. He would begin focusing on producing projects for other artists like Flee Lord & Bronze Nazareth following Mt. Marci but after enlisting The Alchemist to produce The Elephant Man’s Bones which I gave a perfect score, we’re being taught Marciology.

The self-produced title track is this ominous opener reminding that he done brought game to the rap game whereas “Goyard God” works in these luxurious piano chords thanks to Animoss so he can shit on everything. “Gold Crossbow” keeps the exuberant boom bap vibes going boasting he has more style in his small toe than your whole torso leading into “True Love” going into soulful turf for a dedication to all his ghetto homies.

“BeBe’s Kids” brings a groovier approach instrumentally talking about others not digging your style because shit’s foul while the crooning “Bad JuJu” featuring Larry June strips the drums courtesy of Uncle Al breaking down to the rich lifestyles that they both live. “Tapeworm” brings a symphonic vibe to the beat talking about being too high class to work with purse snatchers & he is if we’re being honest with ourselves here, but then “Killin’ Spree” featuring Crimeapple brings the 2 together over a rock sample painting images of the gangsta life.

Meanwhile on “Went Diamond”, we have Marci over more strings teaching those who don’t know by now that their worst enemies be their own pride & ego just before “Higher Self” featuring Flee Lord & T.F. yet again builds itself on operatic sampling talking about leaving bullets flying even through your grandma’s room referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE United States Champion & WWE Intercontinental Champion Rick Rude. “LeFlair” ruggedly breaks down doing everything from scramblin’ to pimpin’ & panderin’ while “On the Run” featuring Jay Worthy having this infectious vocal flip talking about always being on the lamb.

“Larry Bird” featuring GREA8GAWD & Knowledge the Pirate draws near the end of our Marciology lesson with these jazzy woodwinds throughout referencing the titularly iconic Boston Celtics player of the same name that is until “Floxxx” concludes the album toning down the jazz influences talking about never losing his touch, which he hasn’t.

Marc always comes correct whenever he puts out new music and although Marciology isn’t flawless like The Elephant Man’s Bones was, anyone who’s familiar with his discography should know what they’re getting themselves into by now. The production is mostly drumless with additional undertones of boom bap & jazz rap very much like the predecessor charismatically spitting that illustrious pimpire shit.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Roc Marciano – “Mt. Marci” review

Roc Marciano is a 42 year old MC/producer from Long Island, New York who started out in the very late 90’s as a member of the Flipmode Squad. He then went solo in 2008 & has dropped 8 albums since, with the latest being Marcielago last December. Almost a year later, Marci is following it up by dropping his 9th full-length album.

After the “Allegories” intro, the first song “Downtown 81” talks about breaking bread at the penthouse over a savory Jake 1 instrumental while the track “COVID Cough” with ScHoolboy Q sees the 2 getting murderous over a perilous beat. The song “Wheat 40s” talks about not playing the hero role over some strings while the track “Spirit Cookin’” with Action Bronson finds the 2 on their mobster shit over a piano & a woodwind boasting their girls get busy like UFC Women’s Strawweight Chamlion Zhang Weili.

The song “Pimps Don’t Wear Rabbits” talks about those hating need to quit over a grimy beat while the track “Butterfly Effect” talks about trusting the process over a jazzy instrumental. “The Eye of the Whorus” with Stove God Cook$ sees the 2 talking about being paid to gloat referencing WWE Hall of Famer & 4-time WWE tag team champion Chief Jay Strongbow over a funky beat while the song “Steel Vagina” talks about this woman betraying him over a bare piano instrumental.

The track “Broadway Killa” with Kool Keith finds the 2 talking about being cold blooded over an instrumental with some frightening synths while the song “Baby Powder” is well played 2-parter as Marci talks about hustling drugs over an peaceful instrumental from Chuck Strangers, but then transitions into some triumphant horns. The track “Trench Coat Wars” talks about smoking weed in a g-wagon over an eerie instrumental while the song “Wicked Days” talks about how no angel can stop the bullets over a murky beat & the Trent Truce feature is wack as fuck.

The track “Garbage Pal Kids” talks about how this chick’s gonna run if he calls her over a guitar while the song “Crocket N Tubbs” talks about how real bad boys move in silence over an alluring beat. The album ends with the title track, where Marci spits about writing it in coke oil over some keys & a high-pitched vocal sample.

It’s no secret that Roc Marciano has paved the way for cats like Griselda throughout the previous decade & this is a great way for him to kick off his 2020s output. His gritty lyricism never fails to amuse me this deep into his career & the production is on point as always too.

Score: 4/5

The Alchemist – “Bread” review

The Alchemist is a 41 year old producer, DJ & rapper from Beverly Hills, California who started out as 1/2 of the duo The Whooliganz in 1993 with Scott Caan. The duo disbanded a year later after recording a debut album that eventually got shelved & Scott went onto acting. Alchemist however, quickly established himself as a household name in hip hop production by working with a handful of legends from Mobb Deep to Eminem. He dropped a short 4-track EP back in April of this year called Lunch Meat & now he’s following it up with this 6th EP right here, which is equally as long as the predecessor.

The EP kicks off with “Ray Mysterio” by Hall ‘N Nash, where Westside Gunn & Conway the Machine deliver their signature gritty street bars over a smooth yet mystic sounding instrumental. The next track “Roman Candles” by Black Thought & Roc Marciano sees the 2 getting boastful over a jazzy beat while the penultimate song “Mac 10 Wounds” by Conway talks about how he’s not weak over a sinister beat. The EP then finishes off with E. Coli by Earl Sweatshirt, where he gets spiritual over a harmonious vocal sample & some strings.

Even though I would’ve loved 3 more tracks just like with Lunch Meat, this is on par with it’s predecessor in terms of length, production dynamics & passionate yet raw lyricism from beginning to end. Hopefully, Uncle Al drops something bigger as we head into 2019.

Score: 4/5