Loveboat Luciano – “Parole” review

This is the sophomore full-length album from Buffalo emcee Loveboat Luciano. Emerging in 2018 off his debut EP Yung 4 Eva, he would go on to expand his discography by putting out the full-length debut Probation & a sequel to the Institutionalized by the Streets mixtape before signing to Black Soprano Family Records. But coming off Fuego Base’s debut Biggest Since Camby on 4/20 & then Heem’s sophomore effort From the Cradle to the Game over a month ago, Loveboat’s stepping up to the late on Parole

The intro is a gritty boom bap opener taking y’all where he came from whereas “2nd Strike” featuring Benny the Butcher fuses these synths, hi-hats, kicks & snares together courtesy of Rick Hyde letting it be known that there’s a storm coming. The title track hooks up what sounds like a whistling kettle pot dedicating this one to all the homies that be living raw to this day just before “Exonerated” goes into a more piano-driven territory talking about having nowhere to go but the block.

“Piss Test” featuring Ricky gives off a bluesier vibe thanks to Jahlil Beats calling out those who were hating while they were counting their stacks leading into “Detainer” featuring Dave East shifting gears into crooning trap turf discussing being about their business. “Warrant” featuring Heem & Dappa angrily disses those who turned witness ratting on the gang, but then “House Arrest” brings in another trap beat encouraging everyone to get used to B$F if you aren’t by now already.

Meanwhile, “Sentencing” starts the last leg of the album by returning to the boom bap promising to not let any of the hard times change him that is until the song “Loretto” featuring Conway the Machine has a more delicate instrumental venting over these demons that they be battling. The penultimate track “PSI” featuring Che Noir takes an atmospheric approach talking about situations that done turned them into bosses & the outro is a sample/trap crossover refusing to be on some extra shit.

Probation gave B$F fans a glimpse at the hardships that Loveboat was going through when the label started blowing up & expanding it’s roster, but Parole really offers a new perspective of where he’s been at in his life since then. The production choices have improved, the feature performances are more consistent & brings his undeniably rejuvenated passion that he’s received ever since coming back home to the mic.

Score: 3.5/5

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Black Soprano Family Records – “Long Live DJ Shay” review

This is the 2nd showcase compilation from Buffalo independent hip hop label Black Soprano Family Records. Founded in 2016 by Benny the Butcher of Griselda fame, the roster has significantly grown throughout the years with the likes of Duffel Bag Hottie to Rick Hyde & even battle rap icon RJ Payne. The label has maintained a distribution deal with MNRK Music Group since everything was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic a couple summers back & put out an eponymous debut EP hosted by DJ Drama not too long after, but is following it up in the form of Long Live DJ Shay.

The intro kicks it all off with a sinister boom bap instrumental from the late DJ Shay himself & Fuego Base popping in during the last minute or so after a spoken word piece from Westside Gunn going at B$F’s opposition whereas “Shay Face” by Benny & Rick Hyde works in some piano chords to remind everyone of their authenticity. “297 Parkside” by Elcamino, Rick & Stove God Cook$ brings a high-pitched sample to the fold thanks to Camoflauge Monk paying homage to the titular street in NY prior to “Danger Zone” by Heem, O.T. the Real & Ricky grimly talking about spending many nights in the titular space.

Meanwhile on “Pandemic Flow”, we have Conway the Machine & Cory Gunz accompanying Rick Hyde over some spooky Uncle Al production to brag how crazy they go leading into the Heem solo cut “Bastard Child” declaring himself as such over a flute-tinged boom bap beat. After the “Sit Down with Preemo” skit, Benny returns alongside Heem & Ricky for the dusty “Times is Rough” laced by none other than DJ Premier confessing they’re running out of reasons to sympathize just before “Mustachios” by Boldy James, Chase Fetti & Heem brings a guitar & hi-hats into the fold talking about the mafia lifestyles they live.

“Li-Lo” by Elcamino, Krayzie Bone & Loveboat Luciano comes through with a summery love anthem that Ill Tone helped put together & the song “Bigger B$F” by Armani Caesar, Benny, Heem & Rick following the “Respect to Shay” interlude sees the quartet ruggedly bragging about their increasing profile. The penultimate track “Brody” by Elcamino & Heem has a more soulful tone to it confessing that the streets made them who they are today with “Mr. Pyrex Man” by Benny ending the album with a glistening trap instrumental spitting that hustler shit.

If you enjoyed the self-titled EP that B$F put out a couple years ago, then you’re probably gonna like Long Live DJ Shay even more. The production has improved, everyone on the label roster sounds even hungrier than last time, the features are all well-picked out for a good majority of the album & I think it would all make Shay more than proud.

Score: 3.5/5

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Black Soprano Family Records – Self-Titled review

Black Soprano Family Records is a Buffalo, New York-based independent record label founded in 2016 by Benny the Butcher of Griselda fame. Their roster has significantly grown throughout the years with the likes of Duffel Bag Hottie, Rick Hyde, Loveboat Luciano, Joneszy & even battle rap icon RJ Payne. The label just inked a distribution deal with E1 Music a couple months back & are releasing a DJ Drama-hosted collective effort to celebrate.

The EP kicks off with “Quarantine”, where Benny the Butcher promises his homies currently locked up that he’ll be rich when they come home over a violin-inflicted boom bap beat from Chup. The next song “Grams in the Water” by Benny, Loveboat Luciano & Rick Hyde of course talks about pushing coke over a dreary instrumental while “Da Mob” finds Benny, Heem & Rick talking about the crew being impeccable over a grimy beat from DJ Shay.

The track “In Love with the Streets” by Heem & Jonesy talks about what makes the hood so special over a boom bap beat with an alluring vocal sample while the song “Rick & Fonz” is a Rick Hyde solo cut about how he can’t go broke again over some synthesizers & some twinkling keyboards. The track “Paulie & Vito” by Heem & Rick goes at those who disrespect their names while the song “Valarie” is a Heem solo joint about what it was like growing up in Buffalo over a dark beat. The closer “It’s Over” by Heem, Rick & Benny then talks about wealth over a soulful Don Cannon instrumental.

Not a bad showcase effort from the Black Soprano Family. I was expecting it to be a little bit longer than just 8 tracks & 27 minutes, but everyone on the label stands out in their own way & does a fine job of giving the listeners what they’re capable of doing.

Score: 3.5/5