The Nnutthowze is a trio from Kansas City, Missouri consisting of Phlaque the Grimstress, Tech N9ne & Zkeircrow. Formed by the future Strange Music founder 3 decades ago already, their only full-length LP to date Welcome to My Asylum would go on to become incredibly pivotal in the development of Tech’s image & rap style that would carry him to success. But after reforming once the pandemic started to clear up, the 6688846993 is officially making their Halloween to be Siqnaling the Siqly as their debut EP.
After the “Enter Nnutthowze Soiree” intro, the first song “The Siqnal” starts off the EP with a trap/rock crossover dedicated to all of those who have been outcasted whereas “Wanna See Me Fall” featuring X-Raided finds the quartet over a darker instrumental talking about how people wanna see you fail. “Wind Me Up” featuring King Iso morbidly cautions that they’ll get ghostly if you approach them just before “Death Tries Like an F5” addresses mass killings over a trap metal beat.
“Glitch Up” takes a cloudier boom bap route sending a message to those they be hearing doing fuck with them leading into the quirky but still eerie “What Happened to You?” talking about being at a loss for words after noticing an off-putting occurrence. After the “Whispers in the Dark” skit & prior to the “Enter the Clergy of Crays” outro, the final song “We’re Home” featuring Seuss Mace joins Tech N9ne & Zkeircrow providing music for the soul over an atmospheric trap instrumental.
I generally enjoyed their reunion cuts on Tech’s latest couple albums & 30 years after the Nnutthowze’s debut album, they outdo themselves on a 10 track EP preluding their sophomore album Clergy of Crays. The production is better than it was on Welcome to My Asylum, the chemistry between all 3 members is still strong & solid feature choices on top of it.
Atlanta, Georgia duo the Homixide Gang consisting of Homixide Beno! & Homixide Meechie are back with their debut mixtape. Beginning to turn heads a couple years ago after dropping their debut EP Snotty World, that led to trap trailblazer/rage pioneer Playboi Carti making them the 3rd act to sign to his Interscope Records imprint Opium Records following Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely respectively. Homixide Lifestyle was a solid debut & Snot or Notreceived mixed responses this past spring, but are celebrating the Halloween season by unleashing 5th AMNDMNT.
“Gunz in Soho” is a rage-inducing opener produced by Cxdy of Internet Money Records & Vanguard Music Group talking about walking around the titular neighborhood in Manhattan with heaters on them whereas “LexLuger” gives off a grimly approach instrumentally explaining that they do what they want by breaking the rules. “B5” goes right back into hypertrap territory describing the fast lives that they just so happen to live, but then “NiNO 5ROWN” stands as a highlight from F1LTHY’s dark synth-based production to the reference made towards the titular New Jack City character.
Problem Child 5’s appearance on the cloudy trap joint “MW5” is ok to me & calling out those who wanted smoke with them until they ratted just before “FroZone” brings back the rage beats reminding exactly what’s gon’ happen when you play with the shits on their watch. “What It Is?!” was a perfect choice for a single as they hop over a tight trap instrumental from Pi’erre Bourne talking about people that cap in their raps, but then “5onjour” dives back into their hypertrap vibe hooking up with Paris chicks.
“Hom3 Invasion” has these wavy synth patterns throughout so the Homixide Gang can chase the paper while “5rew” brings in a psychedelic beat from F1LTHY of Working on Dying boasting that they be drippin’ in fashion with others knowing how Homixide does it. “Roundz” blends these fuzzy synths with hi-hats telling all the fuck boys to come play with them referencing WWE’s 2nd flagship program Friday Night SmackDown whose GM is now former 2-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, IWGPタッグ王座, GHCタッグ王座, 2-time TNA World Champion & 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion Nick Aldis while “DesignerDRÜGZ” experiments a bit giving plugg a shot to show off the work both of them be putting in.
Meanwhile, “Road Rage” explains that the Homixide Gang don’t necessarily fuck with messy bitches with Synthetic of Internet Money Records pulling from trap metal a bit musically while “Left Hand” incorporates these glamorous synthesizers throughout challenging anyone to come grab everything from them. “RckstarB!tch” with Toom & Zodiac of Vanguard Music Group behind the boards comes through with a chilled out dedication to all the women that engage within the rockstar lifestyle while “25/8” is a 94 second rage cut turning 24/7 up to 11.
“AddXcts” draws near the end of the tape by fusing elements of metal music with trap once more making it clear that they got habits while the penultimate track “E.U.” gives off a spacier flare to the rage beat looking to run it up. “HXG Bizness” couldn’t have ended the tape any better from the gorgeously bouncy trap instrumental so the Gang can clarify what their business is exactly.
Snot or Not still has it’s highlights even though I still don’t listen to it as much as I do with their debut, yet I feel like this mixtape is the best thing that Homixide has done in 2023 out of both projects they’ve given us in the last 6 months. The tape has a rougher vibe to it as Beno! & Meechie continue to expand on their niche hypertrap sound.
This is the 6th full-length album from Nebraska emcee/producer King Iso. Coming up as a protege of San Diego chopper Twisted Insane, he would only drop first 2 albums & The Insanity Plea & Autophobia under Brainsick Muzik. Shortly after, they fell out & it prompted Iso to put out his next album DeMenTia independently in 2018. However, I was thrilled to see him sign with Strange Music the following spring & his debut on the Kansas City powerhouse World War Me has quickly become one of the label’s best albums ever. Get Well Soon & 8 P.M. Med Call both went on to be well received too, so it makes since to have Iso cap off Strange’s 2023 run by putting out iLLdren during the final weekend of the month.
After the “Welcome to iLLdren” intro, the first song “Feel” featuring Tech N9ne co-produced by Matt Phoenix works in some twangy guitar passages & hi-hats talking about how he wasn’t even a teen yet until he started puffing on that green whereas the title track talking about forming a society of outcasts over a dreary trap instrumental. “Stoned” blends a cinematic loop & hi-hats explaining that his father was never there for him, but then “CPS” featuring X-Raided gives off an eerie trap vibe talking about how murder was all they saw growing up.
“Voices” featuring Redro reflects the first time he could start hearing voices in his head over some hellish guitars & hi-hats just before “Midwest Baby” featuring Snake Lucci is an acoustic trap ballad ending the Baby Blues talking about growing up in their hometown of Omaha. “T.F.O.G. (Town Full Of Ghosts)” starts the Teen Trauma section of the album morbidly reps his set while the haunting trap hybrid “Young” talks about feeling like Pac.
Meanwhile, the suspenseful piano chords mixed with the hi-hats on “Teen Suicide” detailing the leading cause of death today leading into the grunge rap “Nightmare” praying that he’ll wake up from the suffering one day. “Holes” featuring Taebo tha Truth finds the 2 taking it back & keeping it current at the same time over a rowdy trap beat while “Run Away” gives off a smoother vibe talking about running from his problems.
“P.T.P.A. (Party The Pain Away)” featuring Tinywiings goes into trillwave vibe for a fun club banger & Iso showing off plenty of charisma. Especially the “Face Off” reference during the first verse as much I still don’t like The Rock’s verse on there respectfully. “Love Me” ends the 2nd leg of the LP with a pillowy trap vibe telling y’all to prove it that you love him prior to the Adult Adversaries starting off to a heartfelt tribute to “My Kids”.
Being born with Asperger’s syndrome myself, hearing songs like “Way You Are” is absolutely inspiring hearing King Iso paying tribute to one of his children that’s on the spectrum while the piano-trap “Step Daddy” pays homage to 2 individuals that he loves so much. “Attack of the Clones” featuring C-Mob has these killer synth-organs on top of hi-hats calling out biters & “Dear Mama” ends the album with a warm tribute to his mother that he reconciled with earlier this year.
Since 2019, there is no question in my mind that this dude has become the best artist on Strange Music other than Tech himself for the way he addresses topics that aren’t covered too often in hip hop today like mental health. But in comparison to Get Well Soon, iLLdren is easily Iso’s most introspective work to date. He takes us through chapters of his entire lifetime & beyond with some eclectic trap production & tight features near-flawlessly.
Joey Cool is a 38 year old MC from Kansas City, Missouri starting out as a long-time affiliate of local independent hip hop powerhouse Strange Music dropping a total of 4 mixtapes & a studio album on his own until Tech N9ne decided to officially sign him to the Snake & Bat in 2017. He then dropped an eponymous sophomore album the next spring followed by Old Habits Die Hard as well as Coolie High & I Tried to Be Normal Once. But with the 1-year anniversary of The Chairman of the Boardpassing by a couple months ago, Joey’s beginning the fall by enlisting Mario Casalini to fully produced his 7th album.
After the “It’s Rare” intro, the first song “Oh God” is a gospel trap crossover to start off the album declaring that he is who he is & that he will help teach you what to say on your journey whereas “Kingdom” featuring Tech N9ne is a more rap rock infused cut calling out those trying to bring their paradises down. “Kansas City Classic” shoots for a more playful vibe aesthetically talking about continuing to drop exactly that in you bastards leading into “Flickin’” giving off a bit of a west coast feel sonically reminding that he isn’t going anywhere.
“Sweet” featuring Lex Bratcher starts off with a wavy trap sound prior to a triumphant beat-switch during the 2nd half both being at a level that’s not near, but then “At My Expense” takes a groovier approach refusing to the back & forth tonight. After the “Please Tip Your Ushers” interlude, “Hallelujer” goes full blown gospel rap telling you to ask anyone if he’s been that dude just before “Closer Now” featuring K.A.A.N. & King Iso talks about how they was all supposed to drown there over a moody instrumental.
Meanwhile, “Sink” blends some keys & hi-hats tackling the concept of depression even further while “I Bet” featuring Wennely Quezada comes through with more of a pop rap duet accompanied by an spacious beat explaining that they just can’t go down the river. “Peanut Butter Jealous” featuring X-Raided pointing out how no one wanted flicks with him now that they’re well established with a bouncy trap instrumental while the lead single “Great Time”drops off a club banger for the 1-time.
“Buckets” gives off an eerie tone to the beat feeling like he’s on today while spirit-lifting “We Got Us” talks about how his mom told him there would we be days like this & that all his family as his each other specifically with his father Bill Johnson being featured on here as he’s been in the past. The penultimate track “Buddy Effyn” hops on top of a pitched sample explaining that too many tried to shade or change him & “American Swankster” closes out the album on a jazzier note declaring himself to be just that.
Now the deluxe has 8 bonus tracks & I’ll touch base on them. The first of which “Swank You Very Much” is this empowering trap rock cut talking about knowing that his mother is proud of him while “Big Cool” looks to add another title over more guitars & hi-hats. “Give ‘Em Hell” has this cool gospel flip throughout telling everyone to stop talking to him like it’s 2012 while “Oxygen” featuring Jehry Robinson gives off a peppier trap tone advising to get back.
“Chai Tea” featuring Lex Bratcher goes into a futuristic direction talking about being off the titular mixed-spice tea while the piano-driven “Don’t Cry” featuring Mac Lethal talks about not shedding tears for them. The “Kingdom” remix adds 2 new verses from King Iso & High Deafinician of the unConventionAl KingZ that make it better than the original & “Do-Over” ends the deluxe by having Matt Phoenix help Joey go full-on rock down to the Swankiest of Strangeland flexing his singing voice predominantly.
Self-titled & Old Habits Die Hard are my personal favorite albums in Joey’s catalog, but Enjoy the View has to be my favorite that he’s done in a while in my opinion. Mario Casalini’s production gives off a different vibe of its own & the American Swankster himself happens to be the most emphatic he’s ever previously as far his performances go. Couple underwhelming features too, but it should be noted that most of them stick the landing.
Jehry Robinson is a 35 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Long Island, New York who came up in 2016 of his eponymous debut EP & the debut mixtape Pts. IV-VI few months later. His biggest breakthrough came around Christmas 2019 after signing to Strange Music, establishing himself with the KC indie powerhouse by dropping his full-length debut 20/Twenty the summer COVID had the world shutdown & a sophomore effort The Name’s Not Important the next fall. And with the 2 year anniversary coming up this weekend, Jehry’s commemorating it by dropping his 3rd album.
“Still Breathing” featuring Rittz & Tech N9ne is a somber trap opener to the LP that Jehry himself produced with Matt Phoenix so he & both guests display their technical lyricism & speedy flows taking everyone hostage knowing that this the life they chose whereas “Sincerity” featuring Hi-Rez finds the 2 talking about how it really might not be as bad it seems since he’s in a state of arrival with his biggest fear fucking up his momentum over an uncanny loop with hi-hats. Hi-Rez’ appearance might be the weakest on the whole album in my respectful opinion. “Out My Head” has a more melodic approaching both in terms of delivery & the instrumental owning up that he’s the one to blame just before “Memorial Day” works in what might be a slowed down flip of the acoustic guitar at the beginning of Sixpence None the Richer’s best song “Kiss Me” & I could be totally wrong on that, but anyway he does display some real pain in his voice as he sings that heaven gained an angel feeling like he’s lost a friend.
King Iso comes into the fold on the bluesy trap hybrid “No Happy Days” produced by Wyshmaster tackling the themes of mental health that Iso has become renown for ever since signing to Strange right before Jehry did leading into “Kill My Daydreams” fusing pop rap & reggae talking about not letting anyone make you feel like you’re crazy or judge you for the things you naturally find yourself daydreaming about. “His Story” keeps the positive vibes going with a moodier atmosphere admitting he’s still lost & the best things in life come with pain, but then “Old Black Benz” talks about it having sex in his titular whip with a vibrantly summery beat.
“Candy Paint” is a quasi-jazzy trap crossover laced by Dominique Sanders getting on a more boastful side of things lyrically while “NY Talk” featuring Coney Island veteran NEMS who’s fresh off his fantastic major label debut Rise of the Silverback coming together over a club-rattling instrumental representing their home state. “Mushrooms” is a hypnotic ode to the titular drug taking them at 5am prior to “Water Boy” layering some hi-hats over these fresh piano chords talking about how motherfuckers always got something to say every single time he walks into the room now & that there ain’t no competition.
The lead single “Question Why” dives headfirst into boom bap territory so Jehry can count his blessings & never questioning why while the acoustic trap “Darkness” with C-Lance behind the boards calls out someone who’s been fucking with the wrong one feeling used & abused even though he never starts shit. “Razor” returns to a more tropical feeling sonically addressing the fact that we’re still hurtin’ & it won’t get better that is until the groovy “That Way” sings about exactly the way how he likes certain aspects of his life.
“Sleep Sleep” dabbles with acoustics more singing that he’s been lost in the wind & some of his friends don’t even know who he is anymore crying himself to sleep only to roll the dice in the morning while the closer “Front Door” continues to shoot for a more stripped-back sound continuing to sing about him not knowing life without the love of his life by his side. “Get Back Up” on the other hand happens to be a horn-inflicted pre-order exclusive bonus track delivering an anthem the champions can celebrate to.
Jehry’s verse on the “Screen” remix on top of the singles that we got up to this point had my anticipation Drink More Water continuously growing & makes it seem as if he never left to start. He’s definitely shown some growth in that 104 week span toning down the amount of features from last time on top of blending all the styles that he’s become known for since making himself home at Strange Music & continuing to push his artistic range forward.
If anyone’s been following me long enough up to this point, you probably already know that I’ve covered Tech N9ne quite a bit around here. Starting out 3 decades back as a member of the groups Black Mafia as well as the 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians & Nnutthowze, his profile began to increase in the late 90’s after landing a spot on the Gang Related soundtrack & becoming among the first to join Yukmouth’s then-newly formed collective The Regime. But after having issues with Interscope Records & Universal Music Group following the release of his iconic 3rd album Anghellic, that’s when Tech decided to form his own label with the help of a man at Paradise Originals named Travis O’Guin. Together, they would call it Strange Music & solidified itself as one of if not the biggest indie label in the world. Tech has made it a tradition to drop an album every year since Everready (The Religion) back in ‘06 but after a taking a year off when Asin9ne came out a couple falls ago, N9na’s returning from the snake & bat-cave to unleash his monstrously long 24th full-length album.
After the introductory “Welcome to the P.I.T.S.” skit, the first song “Badge of Honor” is a trap/rock crossover produced by N4 talking about never needing exactly that whereas “Knock featuring Conway the Machine as well as X-Raided & Joyner Lucas all come together for a boom bap-inflicted tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Conway steals the show with his verse followed by Tech’s, then X-Raided’s & Joyner’s being the weakest in my respectful opinion due to his triteness. “KC Huh? KC What?” goes back into trap territory shedding light on Kansas City, Missouri up-&-comers King D, Lil’ Ava & Roblo Dastar leading into N9na reuniting with The Popper on the catchy “They Know Meh” laced with the help of Dominique Sanders of The Xtraordinaire$ talking about being known everywhere they go.
After the “Y’all Having a Good Time?” skit, “Tell Everyone” is another highlight for me personally as it’s a victorious ode to the Kansas City Chiefs winning this year’s Super Bowl & I acknowledge Pat Mahomes as the best QB in the league even though I’m more of a Pats/Buccs guy leading into “Things I Like” is a groovy rap rock banger talking about everything he enjoys. “3D” has a more atmospheric flare to it declaring he can see you in 1-dimension, but then “W H A T (We’re Hungry & Thirsty)” by BL1GHT featuring Kim Dracula is a decent trap metal “Riot Maker” callback in contrast to Tech & HU$H’s damn-near unlistenable eponymous brostep EP couple years ago.
After the “Crowd Participation” skit, “Wess Paul Bennett” featuring Joey Cool & King Iso find the trio attack everyone who downplays them over a rich trap beat from Wyshmaster while “Pull Out” might be the worst cut on the whole album. Not saying Tech can’t make love songs, he’s done it numerous times in the past whether it be “The Beast” or “Love Me Tomorrow”. It just sounds almost as corny as “Fish in a Pita” back on the Dominion collabos album. “Fatha Fig Ya (Food For Thought)” makes up the cringe with some pianos & hi-hats talking out how days will come while the “Reach Us” featuring X-Raided, 2Gunn Kevi & Head da Don is a cavernously decent trap cut with a lazy hook about haters.
“Red Aura” with Qveen Herby has to be another standout with it’s kicked-back sound & a way better chorus dedicated to his favorite color (& mine personally too) prior to the “Screen” remix featuring Jehry Robinson gives a more heinous trap approach asking why motherfuckers be knocking on the door of their properties. After the “That Was Dope!” skit, “Drill Sergeant” works in some creepy piano chords comparing himself to a noncommissioned officer that trains soldiers in basic military skills prior to “Bro So Mo (Lemony Snicket’s)” getting in his storytelling bag paying homage to Daniel Handler over synths & hi-hats.
The final leg of the album starts with Ubiquitous of prior CES Cru fame coming into the picture for “I Met a Morph” looking back on the old versions of themselves accompanied by symphonics & after the last skit “Problem at the Pump”, the song “Deer Alley” somberly details how much of a super inconvenience it is when you roll in the titular place while the penultimate track “2 Happy” by the Nnutthowze sees the 3 joyfully talking about being proud of being fucked up. “Got What I Wanted” ends the indie hip hop veteran’s 24th full-length with a warm ode to give him what’s his since he’s been all over the world
As a long-time Tech N9ne/Strange Music since high school, what else can I say other than Bliss has left me torn much like Enterfear & Asin9ne? The way he exemplifies just how far away he feels from conflict of any sort comes from a genuine place & the production’s cool, but it didn’t need to be 25 tracks/76 minutes long & the guests all perform on his caliber at best or mid to unlistenable at worst. If he left half of what we got here on the cutting room floor, I would’ve most likely enjoyed what we got here but that’s ok when you have that much of a extensive discography.
X-Raided is a 48 year old veteran from Sacramento, California exploding onto the scene in 1992 off the strength of his full-length debut Psycho Active. He was shortly after sentenced to 31 years in prison on murder charges, only to be granted parole in the fall of 2018 & continued to build his discography by dropping 13 more albums whilst incarcerated. Following his last 2 since being a free man California Dreamin’ & There Will Be a Storm however, the Nefarious Loc surprisingly signed to Strange Music last spring & his making his 17th full-length his official debut through the Kansas City independent powerhouse.
The title track is a chilling opener produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 praying for everything that’s holy to give him strength from slaying this child that only feels disdain whereas “Return of the Living Dead” goes into trap territory talking about having a heart full of pain & dread. “Life Sentences” gives off a more shimmering flare to it telling y’all what his life like just before “To Whom It May Concern” talks about ending it all over a morbid instrumental.
Tech N9ne comes into the picture for “Stratus Fear” to hop on a booming trap beat from Wyshmaster claiming that they fear the ascension of the lyricists leading into “Any Challenger” featuring Ras Kass hop on top of some strings courtesy of Robert Rebeck so both of them can talk about taking on anybody. “Legendary” featuring King Iso on the other hand fuses these horns & hi-hats making it known what the mission is, but then “Knoccin’” has some of the weaker feature performances from Bleezo & Playboi Prada despite the heinous instrumental & lyrics comparing themselves to Michael Myers on Halloween.
“No1 is Safe” was a cold choice for a lead single talking about carry the Heat like Mourning with a fittingly depressing atmosphere to the beat while “Celebration” featuring A-Wax dives into soulful turf as both MCs find themselves in a more commemorative mood. “Blaxploitation” hooks the strings back up comparing his music to the soundtrack of the titular genre of films while “Villains in the Field” has another mundane feature performance except this time it’s from Yowda even though I like the piano instrumental & the concept of who he’s with these days.
Continuing from there, “Parasitic” begins the final leg of the album gives off a more traditional west coast sound talking about not giving a fuck about anyone or anything while “The Bridge” featuring Joey Cool returns to the boom bap looking back on childhood memories. The penultimate track & 2nd single “Kal-El” gives off an eerier trap feel declaring he cannot be brought down no matter how hard you try & “Many Apologies” closes out the album some pianos talking about embracing the dichotomy.
As someone who considers Psycho Active to be a west coast classic & a Strange Music fan since high school, my anticipation was very high for these 2 parties to crossover & I can argue that it’s X’s 2nd best album right behind his debut. The production is incredibly consistent as are a good majority of the features & the tale of his dysmorphic relationship with time itself is profoundly well-told.
This is the sophomore full-length album from Atlanta, Georgia duo Homixide Gang. Consisting of Homixide Beno! & Homixide Meechie, they started turning heads a couple years ago after dropping their debut EP Snotty World & that led to trap trailblazer/rage pioneer Playboi Carti making them the 3rd act to sign to his Interscope Records imprint Opium Records following Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely respectively. But coming off their major label debut Homixide Lifestyle over the fall, Beno! & Meechie are now following it up with Snot or Not.
“ADHD” is a rage-inducing opener making it clear that motherfuckers better have they cash whereas “Homixide Language” takes the trap metal route so both of them can talk about how they can’t walk or hold the strap like them. “5!RE” returns to hypertrap turf stepping into the spot with the guys cautioning not to play with the blicks they’re carrying on the side leading into the futuristically bassy “Wants & Needs” produced by tana & thr6x asking their lovers what they need.
Moving on from there with “TNT”, we have the Homixide Gang blending trap with rock once more as they discuss letting them choppers ring with their necks on froze & “C4N” is a remarkable Meechie solo cut with an synth-based instrumental from Malay Raw attached to to it talking about coming from stacking bread every single day & even Comme des Garçons. “Snot Sh!t” declares themselves as real pimps & that their opposition hasn’t seen nothing over more rage beats, but then “Dive In” has more cloudier approach thanks to Dynox talking about not playing with them.
“Uzi Work” bombastically wants to see how the Draco works & that all of their friends are dead even though this ain’t no Lil Uzi Vert type shit while the song “2 da Face” has more luxurious yet vibrant quality to the instrumental reminding that they really about that slime life. The penultimate track “Block Work” speaks on hitting & selling them bricks over more hypertrap production at the helm of Internet Money Records founder Taz Taylor & Cxdy prior to “Flight’s Booked” sending off the album with them describing life touring overseas.
Now I couldn’t tell you if the grooming allegations that recently came out towards Beno! a couple months ago are true or not, but what I can say is that I think those who liked Homixide Lifestyle as much as myself will enjoy Snot or Not almost on the same level. They’re sticking to their signature rage sound, Meechie interestingly enough outperforms Beno! on a lot of these cuts & I like how they held it down on their own as opposed to the 50/50 guest list from last time.
The Homixide Gang are a duo from Atlanta, Georgia consisting of Homixide Beno! & Homixide Meechie. They started turning heads a year & a half ago after dropping their debut EP Snotty World, which led to trap trailblazer/rage pioneer Playboi Carti making them the 3rd act to sign to his Interscope Records imprint Opium Records following Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely respectively. Ken showed a more mature side to himself on his sophomore effort X with Lonely revealing himself to be the most versatile Carti protégé yet in the form of HIS full-length debut No Stylist, so it was only a matter of time until Beno! & Meechie stepped up to the plate with a debut album of their own.
“Lifestyle” starts off the album with a chaotic sample-woven trap instrumental from Outtatown talking about how nobody can’t copy them whereas “Guitars” works in some synths & hi-hats to slide on the op block. Biggavelli’s verse on “Can’t Go” is a bit underwhelming despite the rage beat & lyrics about being unable to go to the club without the Drac’ leading into “Tatted”, which is a trap/rock fusion showing off the Homixide ink that they got.
Continuing with “5 Ways”, where Beno! & Meechie over some hypertrap production both speak on being the realest leading into “V-Friends” keeping things in rage turf talking about meeting a bitch from out of town that’s fucking their homie on the low. “B.B. (Big Coat Balenci)” has more of synth-trap flare to it detailing the rockstar lifestyle, but then “Lif3” surprisingly fused acoustic with trap talking about going through this pain throughout their entire lives.
Biggavelli returns with Destroy Lonely for “TF!” asking what motherfuckers are gonna say when they pull up with the blick over a rage beat with Lonely’s verse outshining Biggavelli’s while “Notice It” keeps things in hypertrap territory talking about how they really be running shit. “None 2 Some” however laced some hi-hats & synthesizers speaking on going from nobodies to where they are today while “Scale Stretcher” with Biggavelli has a wavy vibe to it talking about moving weight.
Following that, “Tripping” touches on getting to blastin’ & whackin’ in this bitch prior accompanied by a monstrous rage beat prior to Ken Carson coming through with my 2nd favorite feature on the album on “Stunt” getting on the more braggadocious side making more money than Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder, Neuralink founder & Twitter owner Elon Musk. “Drakon!” goes full blown trap metal spitting that gun talk while the song “CV” brings back the rage talking about being on drugs as of late. The penultimate track “Wings” swearing that they don’t give a fuck over an alarmingly blaring beat & the 5unna-assisted Shots Off” rounds it out with some quirky synthesizers as the trio talk about pulling up on the gang in the southside.
I’m well aware of the flack that Opium has been getting recently due to Anthony Fantano’s harsh reviews of both X & No Stylist over the summer, but Homixide Lifestyle is just as solid in my personal opinion. I’ll even say it’s right in the middle behind Lonely & above Ken’s latest efforts. With all respect to the Melon because he’s the one who actually inspired me to write reviews myself to begin with & I’ll die on that hill, Beno! & Meechie both sound 10x hungrier than they did on their debut EP whilst refining their style for a wider audience.
This is the 3rd mixtape from Atlanta, Georgia recording artist Destroy Lonely. The son of former Disturbing tha Peace Records signee I-20, he’s released a total of 11 EPs since originally breaking out through SoundCloud a couple years back & has even signed to Playboi Carti’s very own Interscope Records imprint Opium Records to surprise drop No Stylist in light of his ongoing tour with fellow label-mate Ken Carson.
“JETLGGD” is a futuristic trap opener that Zodiac of Vanguard Music Group cooked up talking about switching up his swag whereas “BERGDORF” takes a more triumphant route detailing the crazy life that he lives going off the top rope like former 3-time WWE world champion Rey Mysterio. “<3MYGNG” is a dance/trap hybrid expressing his love for his crew leading into the bassy “VTMNTSCOAT” showing off some new drip over an electronic-flavored instrumental.
The title track works in some retro video game like-synths bragging that he’s fresh as fuck, but then “FAKNGGAS” shoots for a more futuristic aesthetic talking about the wankstas. “SOARIN’” gives off a bassier tone admitting he doesn’t get fly no more just before “TURNINUP” is a colorful trap banger that Cxdy of Internet Money Records hooked up talking about getting lit.
“LNLY” dives into cloudy territory thanks to Clayco going into detail as to why they call him that prior to the rubbery yet atmospheric “PRSSURE” talking about how he knew he was special. “ONTHETABLE” is a bombastic ode to the bread while “SWGSKOOL” samples the Deftones joint “Beauty School” confessing that he done lost his motherfucking mind.
Following that, the vocal sample throughout “CRYSTLCSTLES” is hypnotic as fuck with Lonely comparing his girl to Alice Glass while “DANGEROUS” brings back the trap/rock combination to detail the side of Atlanta that he’s from. The guitars throughout “MKEITSTOP” are a bit more punk-inspired talking about making it all the way to the top while “ONTHEFLOOR” is cloudy trap rock crossover Y3rip fused together confessing the shit he’s seen at 20 years old.
The song “PASSAROUND” has a more quirkier feel to it talking about his preference to face his hoes while the penultimate track “OTW” rattles off some hi-hats with more mellow backdrop detailing the things that’ve been coming his way lately. “VETERAN” with Ken Carson is a rage-inducing closer as 2 Carti protégés put the lifestyles that they both live on wax while “BLITZ” starts the deluxe run psychedelically talking about being off the meds.
“HAVINMYWAY” discusses knowing what he wants from this life & already having all the secrets. “ALLURE” might be my favorite here from the cloudy beat to the bars of being in dreams like Freddy Krueger while “LOUVRE” turns the rage up again to talk about a Paris trip. The final bonus track “NEVEREVER” has to be right behind “ALLURE” for the best one serving as the theme if you ’bout that cash & them figures.
At the end of my review of Ken’s solid yet overhated sophomore album X, I said that I respectfully think Lonely is the best Opium signee yet & this new tape of his pretty much proves my point. He has more versatility than Ken as proven by the production, his vocal performances & songwriting. Very excited to see them both when they come to town.
Legends Will Never Die 