Tag: Matic Records

Queen Herawin – “D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me)” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Bronx, New York emcee Queen Herawin. A member of the Juggaknots, she eventually went on to drop an EP The Space Between Things following her debut Metamorphosis & appeared on Vinnie Paz’ 5th album as above so below only a month away from the world changing forever because of the pandemic. Coming off the sophomore effort Awaken the Sleeping Giant distributed by Coalmine Records however, P.A. Dre’s being brought in to soundtrack D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me).

After the “Into the Water” intro, “Diver” featuring Helixx C. Armageddon spends the opening 7 minutes talking about the time of alchemizing the void finally arriving whereas “Torch” featuring Breeze Brewin’ embraces a cloudy boom bap vibe instrumentally so both of them can discuss the responsibilities of the rap game not being ready to passed down yet. “Lucid Dream” blends a flute with kicks & snares asking what it really means to be alive while “Daydreaming” mellowly reflects back upon a place she used to know.

“Big O” featuring Tef Poe brings some rock undertones in the picture telling a hood romance story leading into the guitar-woven “Fever” passionately singing about 2 souls who yearn to be closer to each other. “Criminal” asks if she’s lying to herself from an opportunity of shifting towards something bigger just before “Sage” featuring Bernadette Price ends the 1st half having both ladies over a trap beat suggests sitting back & watching shit get crazy when the negative energy’s cleared.

After the “Soft” interlude, “Full Throttle” featuring King Jnus finds the pair getting the 2nd leg going hopping over a soulful trap instrumental depicting a couple nobody can fuck with while “Manifesto” featuring Ruste Juxx returns to the boom bap so they can lay out their policy statements on wax. “Together” featuring Rhymefest was unexpected considering the latter’s lack of musical activity in recent memory although I appreciated both of them talking about their immortality combined.

Unlearn the World appears on “Cook” talking about plucking the feathers outta every single one of these culture vultures prior to roasting them at the cookout while “Burn” featuring Nejma Nefertiti ruggedly speaks of having money to light on fire, which is why they even came in the first place. The closing track “Phoenix” spends the remaining minutes of D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me) telling her late mother she doesn’t have to fight anymore.

Awaken the Sleeping Giant faced all the emotions that she had turned a blind eye to & in contrast, D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me) embraces a new era of Queen Herawin’s career with what I consider my favorite full-length of the 3 she’s given us in a decade spotlighting this new version of herself. There’s most consistency within P.A. Dre’s production than the predecessor tackling themes of release, renewal, transformation & the beauty that can emerge in the space between letting go & becoming.

Score: 4/5

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Queen Herawin – “Awaken the Sleeping Giant” review

New York emcee Queen Herawin returning ahead of her solo debut Metamorphosis turning 10 this spring with a sophomore effort. A member of the Juggaknots, she eventually went on to drop an EP after her debut The Space Between Things & appeared on Vinnie Paz’ 5th album as above so below only a month away from the world changing forever because of the pandemic. However after some recent singles, she’s teamed with Coalmine Records to help distribute Awaken the Sleeping Giant.

“Focus” is this spacious boom bap intro exploring the idea of resetting perspective until the aperture is properly set & allowing you to see things from a much more clearer perspective whereas “Anger” talks about time feeling like a ticking bomb to her occasionally through genuine angst. “Gluttony” featuring Breeze Brewin’ works in this crazy gospel sample venting that their people feel like straight meat sometimes just before “Denial” featuring Illa Ghee & Pretty Bulli finds the trio on a blink away from savagery.

Open Mike Eagle joins Herawin on the synth-heavy “Shame” delivering a relentless verbal onslaught over some additional organs leading into “Anxiety” produced by J. Depina somberly opening up about her struggles with the universal plague of anxiety & showing how her lyrical craft becomes her remedy. “Power” featuring Ke Turner hits y’all spiritual sound codes on top of these pianos & strings while “Arrogant” featuring Poison Pen ruggedly takes charge thanks to Johnny Slash.

“Love” featuring Aaqil Ali continues to go for a darker sound portraying 2 romantic partners wonderfully referencing to one another as their favorite monsters, but then “Manifest” featuring Apathy & Mickey Factz concludes the Sleeping Giant being awoken with them showcasing their elite style of lyricism each of them are known for in the underground & Supastition showing off some crazy sampling with the guitar flip he has to offer.

A whole entire decade after her solo debut, the Queen of the Juggaknots returns with a musical memoir of waking up to your true self, to your inherent power, embracing it & celebrating the entirety of who you are with a cathartic blend of stunning tales of her own personal growth addressing issues that she wanted to bring more awareness to with raw speaker-shaking production & consistent performances amongst the guests.

Score: 4/5

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