Crimeapple – “Hanzai” review

Brand new full-length LP & the 19th overall from Hackensack, New Jersey lyricist Crimeapple. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that next spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec, Sin Cortar, the Preservation-produced El León, the official Aguardiente sequel Bazuko, the Mello Music Group-backed This, Is Not That produced by Apollo Brown, Rose Gold & more recently the V Don produced Bulletproof Chicken. Almost 3 months since the latter, Hanzai has arrived in time for Black Friday.

“Mastery” kicks the door down by hooking up a drumless beat recalling a time where he was deemed more than worthy following a performance in Tokyo, Japan & with by the blade whereas “Cocainerose” cloudily talks about rising out the coke game to having his neck froze. “14hrflight” takes the boom bap route instrumentally going to get what’s his right off the payload just before “Talmbout” featuring RLX go at the throats of the type of people who have no business discussing smoke.

As for “Forever” produced by Billy Loman, we have Crime ominously talking about traveling around the world doing the most trying to motivate leading into “Zipfile” ruggedly making guap with the ziplock bags of dope that he’s been whipping up where his homie’s girlfriend stays at. “Bajo” strips the drums again lighting a black & mild over some sumptuous piano chords but after “Sayonara” reunites with DJ Skizz talks about leaving a hoe who loves toxicity way too much, “Madamewoo” advises to picture him running the game without using his legs.

“MetroPCS” starts the final leg of Hanzaiexplaining that raising fingers at his crew isn’t the way he does things around here while “1,000,000 Miles” talks about running laps around the entire city. “Brownbutter” including an uncredited feature incorporates a drumless soul sample clarifying that they only bang bitches & bank accounts while the V Don-laced closer “Tippytoes” sends it all off talking about doing his time acting humble, advising one should’ve taken advantage at that point.

Can’t say I came away from Hanzai enjoying it on the same caliber as Rose Gold or Bulletproof Chicken, but the 4th & likely final project from Crimeapple this year excluding the Escama collaborative EP with Primo Profit contains plenty of highs that make it worth your time. Some of the production may not stick out to me as much as his last couple albums & both guest performances were passable, although his lyricism remains gratifying.

Score: 3.5/5

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Crimeapple – “Bulletproof Chicken” review

Hackensack, New Jersey lyricist Crimeapple tapping in with V Don for his 18th studio LP. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec, Sin Cortar, the Preservation-produced El León, the official Aguardiente sequel Bazuko, the Mello Music Group-backed This, Is Not That produced by Apollo Brown & more recently Rose Gold. Over 3 months later & Bulletproof Chicken has arrived only a few days into September.

“Scrape the Pot” sets the tone with a drumless piano sample flexing his knack for customer service resulting in fiends coming back for more whereas “Railroad Avenue” goes for a jazzier direction talking about his neck being like an arcade. “Victor Charlie” takes a luxurious boom bap approach getting in his mafioso bag lyrically & “4.99 Special” divides itself into 2 halves with a beat-switch in the middle asking what you have to floss after getting on his dignity.

T.F. & Crime link up on the drumless “Groundhog’s Day” talking about getting money repeatedly leading into “Brazil” featuring Primo Profit returning to the boom bap to show off their strict policy of keeping their potencies high. “Wings” featuring Bruiser Wolf eerily unites the 2 to talk about needing the chicken & needing to make the pay while “Ocean Drive” finds himself hitting the district to show what the wrist do.

The title track begins the final leg of Bulletproof Chicken by stacking bread to the ceiling over an exuberant boom bap instrumental while “Clientele” goes off-the-dome for 105 seconds sampling soul music & spitting mafioso lyrics on top of it. “Fluegame” rawly talks about not being bestowed from his position in the underground & “Scooby Sweaters” caps it all off with a boom bap beat mixed with vocal harmonization in the background getting real serious with it as if he already hasn’t been.

Over 3 months since Rose Gold completed the trilogy that Wet Dirt started & Breakfast in Hradec bridged, what has already been a prolific year for V Don continues since he can now add Crimeapple to the growing list of names he’s produced for after Boldy James & Estee Nack respectively. What the New York producer cooks up here is a healthy mix between boom bap, drumless, jazz rap & chipmunk soul to back Crime’s mafiosi pen-game.

Score: 4.5/5

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Crimeapple – “Rose Gold” review

This is the 17th studio LP from New Jersey lyricist Crimeapple. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec, Sin Cortar, the Preservation-produced El León, the official Aguardiente sequel Bazuko & the Mello Music Group-backed This, Is Not That produced by Apollo Brown. The latter 3 have all become the most I’ve enjoyed Crime’s music in a while to the point where I didn’t expect any different out of Rose Gold.

“Taste Like Butter” samples “O-o-h Child” by The Stairsteps suggesting you take a look at how he went from being broke & down to an icon within the modern underground hip hop scene whereas “Oro Rosa” strips the drums to talk about spoiling himself rotting after giving it everything when he had nothing left. “Paradigms” hooks a boom bap instrumental with some horns coming at the throats of these lame & strange muhfuckas leading into “Discounts” finding him living his best life.

Estee Nack & Eto both team up with Crime on “World Famous” bringing the trio together so they can talk about being well known all across the globe prior to the lead single “‘97 Tape Master” likening themselves to ghetto celebrities. “Easy Enough” flexes that he’s the embodiment of the term MC regardless of his eventual demise settling in on him just before the dusty “Congratulations” talks about taking his foot off the gas to take advantage.

“Paulie” begins the final leg of Rose Gold gives a middle finger to being competitive & becoming more confident in peddling death itself while “Pastor’s Whip” shows a religious side to himself & the gospel sample really couldn’t have fit the overall aesthetic any better. “Trifecta” hops over these stellar pianos to call out the individuals in his life who’re envious of his success while “Crystal City” ends with prominent synthesizers feeling like his bus riding days were yesterday.

Wet Dirt was the very 1st time that I’ve ever reviewed Crime & in light of Breakfast in Hradec celebrating it’s 3-year anniversary next month, Skizz taps back in with the east coast underground vet at this point completing a timeless trilogy by embarking on a journey built on sound matched with storytelling & consistency that those who’ve been following from the start will find themselves enjoying as much as both predecessors.

Score: 4.5/5

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Crimeapple – “This, Is Not That” review

New Jersey lyricist Crimeapple enlisting Apollo Brown to produce 15th full-length album. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreamsalong with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec & Sin Cortar. El León produced by Preservation from the beginning of this year became the most I’ve enjoyed Crime’s music in a while & the official Aguardiente sequel Bazuko was a tad bit better, which raised the stakes for the Mello Music Group-backed This, Is Not That.

After the titular intro, the first song “Mercy” is this rap rock opener telling everyone who wants to take a portion to take precaution & to press your luck since you wanna press buttons whereas “Superstitious” takes the boom bap route instrumentally talking his passport lookin’ like a part of a prison gang. “Wonderful Feelin’” featuring Willie the Kid works in some strings detailing the mafioso life while “Know No Better” soulfully talks about a select few needing to stay inside.

“The Problem” goes for a drumless yet crooning vibe to the beat enjoying the fruits of his labor when he started & being in the tropics these days just before “Pitiful” ominously talks from a distressing place for roughly 3 minutes. “Almanacs” featuring Sonnyjim brings the pair together over pianos with some kicks & snares addressing those who need more than help, but then “Coke with Ice” strips the drums & keeps the keys in tact to talk about the way it be crackin’.

To begin the final leg, “My Own Good” has this atmospheric boom bap approach admitting that he still rides through his old hood time to time when he really shouldn’t be while the drumless “Favoritism” talks about being around the world & not seeing any other fix like his babies. “Mis Amigos” nears the conclusion of the LP clarifying that he’s the biggest in the county & “New Dreams” ends it with a guitar comparing it to the blind leading the blind.

This, Is Not That marks the rebirth of smoke-stained bars with Crimeapple playing both poet & philosopher by flipping bilingual manteca rhymes with a chef’s precision as well as stirring up the street grime & serving it with a side of sharp wit to remind the audience that there’s still beauty to be found in the decay over Apollo Brown’s dusty yet soulful sound built as if it’s ancient architecture.

Score: 4.5/5

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Crimeapple – “Bazuko” review

Big Ghost Ltd. reuniting with New Jersey lyricist Crimeapple for his 13th full-length album. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec & Sin Cortar. El León produced by Preservation from the beginning of this year became the most I’ve enjoyed Crime’s music in a while & the official Aguardiente sequel Bazuko here raised the stakes considering how essential the predecessor is to his catalog.

After the “Introducción” intro, the first song “Laugh Now” is a jazzy starter to the album telling a bitch to throw some salt over her shoulder staying in his zone roaming around the world whereas “Re-Rock” takes the boom bap route instrumental talking about the jeweler hitting him with the water. “5000 Degrees” ruggedly reminds everyone that Crime has the ability to melt you on the mic just before “Chemical Imbalances” works in more kicks & snares getting in his hardcore bag lyrically.

“Trust Issues” has a grimier tone to the beat setting out to tie up loose ends while “Pretty Girl Who Can Rap” goes into a soulful direction instrumentally thinking about all the dimes he wants to sex who so happen to be skilled MCs. “Higher Learning” has this organ-laced boom bap beat explaining it’s just him & a pair of fiends on the block, but then the grisly “Smoke Signal” talks about having PTSD from past missions.

Starting the last leg of Bazuko, “The Tropicana” turns the jazz influences back up to work on a master plan while “Las Trompetas” gives off a groovier vibe talking about hanging with the honeys. “Motorcycle Sicario School” featuring Mickey Diamond, RLX & T.F brings the quartet together over a vocal sample discussing the friends they have who come to Colombia for their g fix & “Die Later” ends the album with guitars, kicks & snares talking about someone getting balled like aluminum.

If El León was the most that I enjoyed a project from Crime in a year & a half, Bazuko here has already outdone it 5 months later. Everything about Aguardiente whether it be Big Ghost Ltd.’s distinctively raw production or the gritty hardcore lyricism from the New Jersey emcee is being recaptured & elevated to display how much both of them have grown over the course of these past 6 years.

Score: 4.5/5

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Crimeapple – “El León” review

New Jersey emcee Crimeapple enlisting New York producer Preservation for his 12th studio LP. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec & Sin Cortar. However coming off a sequel to the Kilómetros EP few months ago, El León to me personally was already destined to become the most I’ve enjoyed Crime’s music in nearly a year & a half.

The title track starts the LP with heavy horns & pianos saying he doesn’t care if he was acquired for your tastes or not whereas “Don’t Mention It” featuring Sadat X keeping it drumless talking about how this shit isn’t a joke to them at all. “Lion vs. Panther” has this crazy vocal flip comparing himself to a lion & everyone else in his way as panthers prior to “Hunting Methods” bringing this infectiously drumless loop flexing that he doesn’t wait in line.

“Melena Dorada” featuring RLX talking about how blessings are all copious over some strings just before “Fumemos” goes into a stripped-back direction dedicating this one to all the smokers. “Camino Solitario” talks about traveling down a lonely road over a boom bap instrumental, but then “Vida Mantequilla” hooks up these kicks & snares with heavy horns having fun with a blonde on a Friday.

The song “Paw Prints in the Sand” wants to know how anyone is qualified to go up against him over a nightly beat while the penultimate track “Quanto Te Quiero” shifts into more delicate territory talking about a romantic interest. Finally to end the album, “Bulevar” is a deadpan closer dodging stress in favor of catching fish on a boat & might even give you some game if you ask him correctly.

It’s been quite some time since I personally have covered a project of Crime’s as his discography tends to be a little hit or miss sometimes, but El León unquestionably lived up to my expectations becoming the most I’ve enjoyed a project of his in a year & a half. Preservation’s predominately drumless production is more consistent than a lot of his output in 2023 & we get a metaphorical beacon for the unyielding hunger that the lyrical predator has always shown.

Score: 4.5/5

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Crimeapple – “Breakfast in Hradec” review

This is the 9th full-length album from New Jersey emcee Crimeapple. Catching my interest in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with his Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, he profile began to grow after dropping the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt & the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo the next year. His output for the next couple years would be hit or miss until Cartagena picked up right where Medallo left off & Jaguar on Palisade 2 was alright too, but I was hyped for Breakfast in Hradec given that Wet Dirt is a top 5 Crime project for me.

“In Flight” is a luxurious opener talking about making rent off someone’s uncle whereas “Penthouse Suite” works in some creepy organ melodies declaring himself as the villain. “Scissorhands” throws in a crooning vocal sample to tackle concept of “it ain’t where I’m at, it’s where I’m going” leading into the soulful “40 Days, 40 Nights” talking about coming a long way.

Meanwhile on “The Count of Monte Cristo”, we have Crime delivering a classy song to his baby just before “Rezamos” instrumentally throws it back to the 80’s talking about praying for those who’d give a kidney to be in his shoes. The song “Wonder Years” incorporates a bass-guitar reflecting on how dirty he used to be while the penultimate track “La Lluvia” is a beautifully smooth ballad about how lovely life’s been lately. “Currency Exchange” ends the album on a boom bap note detailing him landing in JFK with more racks.

Coming away from Breakfast in Hradec, I happen to like it just as much if not more than Wet Dirt. Skizz’ production is a bit more varied compared to the predecessor being more rooted into boom bap & that matched with Crime’s wordplay is what makes it not only a big improvement over Jaguar on Palisade 2, but also one of the best albums of his career.

Score: 4.5/5

Crimeapple – “Cartagena” review

Crimeapple is a 35 year old MC from Hackensack, New Jersey who came onto my radar in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with his Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring. His profile began to grow after dropping the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt & the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo the next year, but his output since then has been either hit or miss with me personally. However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to hear that he was re-enlisting Muggs for his 7th album right here.

“Grey Skies” is a glorious opener about him waking up feeling unstoppable whereas “Bathtubs Full of Veuve” takes things into boom bap turf spitting that fly shit. “Tony 2C” goes into a drearier direction reminding us he got that dope on demand leading into Stove God Cook$ tagging along for the battle rap piano ballad “Mermaids”.

“Meanwhile on “Papas”, we have Crimeapple jumping on top of a Daringer-inspired boom bap instrumental talking about getting a bag just before “Cheap Work” has a bit of a dark industrial sound letting us know he’s in that getting money stage. “Designer Label” has an unsettling atmosphere in the production detailing how it is from the cradle to the grave back to the cradle, but then “Reputation” has a more celebratory vibe saying he don’t care about the bullshit.

“Some More Paper” has some chilling organ harmonies confessing that’s all he really needs at this point whereas “Kleenex” brings in a guitar saying he’s been to shit since seeing TGIF on Fridays. The song “Swish” continues the rock vibes proclaiming the throne to the rap game while the penultimate track “Peligrosisimo” grimily flexes his Spanish. “Fly Shit” with RLX then ends the album by going at those who envy them.

From the moment Muggs initially announced Cartagena, I knew he was gonna give Crime what his last couple projects have been lacking & am more than satisfied with the end results. He’s been one of the nicest lyricists to come out of New Jersey in recent memory & that hasn’t changed at all, but the production on here in comparison is like night & day.

Score: 4.5/5