ΠΔV – “Emergency Tsunami” review

This is the 5th mixtape from 30 year old Toronto, Ontario, Canada rapper, singer/songwriter & producer ΠΔV. Coming onto my radar in 2016 after signing to The Weeknd’s Republic Records imprint X♥O Records along with his feature on “beibs in the trap” off of Travis Scott’s sophomore effort Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, he would go on to release a total of 4 mixtapes as well as 3 full-length albums & an EP. Now I personally haven’t been the biggest fan of ΠΔV’s music up to this point because of his monotonous delivery, insipid lyrics & generic production choices. But once I found out Wheezy was producing Emergency Tsunami from top to bottom, my morbid curiosity got the best of me & I decided to go into it with an open mind.

After the “Breaking News” intro, the opener “Friends & Family” is a surprisingly compelling rags to riches story backed by a triumphant beat whereas the next track “Young Wheezy” with Gunna sees the duo paying tribute to the man behind the boards himself over a nondescript instrumental. The song “Nasty” of course gets raunchy over a buttery beat while the track “Repercussions” with Young Thug finds the 2 warning their opposition that they don’t want the smoke over a wavy instrumental.

The song “Vetement Socks” talks about how everything he buys is expensive over a tropical beat while the track “Don’t Need Friends” with Lil Baby sees the 2 talking about feeling relieved now that they’re getting money over an atmospheric instrumental. The song “Make It Right Back” over a woodwind-infused beat while the track “Trains” with Lil Keed finds the 2 talking about sleeping with hoes over an instrumental that sounds like it was made for Playboi Carti.

The song “Do Ya Deed” with SahBabii is a HIDEOUS ode to getting head despite the piano-inflicted production while the track “Droppin’ Tears” boasts over a wavy beat. The penultimate song “Modest” talks about being humble over a symphonic instrumental & before the “Breaking News” outro, the track “Turn & Twist” talks about going full throttle on top of an instrumental with some synthesizers & GORGEOUS background vocals.

Even though I don’t care for this mixtape, it’s actually safe for me to say to call it a cut above anything he’s done since Reckless. The features are cool & Wheezy’s production is top notch as is Mike Dean’s mastering, but I’ve come to terms that ΠΔV just doesn’t captivate me as a rapper. I mean I think his performances have improved a tad bit, but the songwriting is still pretty subpar

Score: 2/5

TR Dee – “Trapped in My Bag” review

TR Dee is a rapper from Ypsilanti, Michigan notable for being 1/3 of the ShittyBoyz alongside Babytron & Stanwill. Signing to Detroit music executive Lando Bando’s own The Hip Hop Lab Records as a group & as solo artists, the time for him to become the 3rd & final member of the trio that co-founded the Dog $hit Militia to branch out on his own has arrived with him releasing a debut mixtape a little over a couple months since Stanwill became 2nd at bat with his highly acclaimed debut EP $camwill.

The title track starts with some 808s & bells talking about nobody else from the city being able to fuck with him whereas “On a Boat” hooks up a more uptempo Detroit trap instrumental to admit he hasn’t been the same since Kobe Bryant’s death. “Wakanda” featuring Kasher Quon talks about their only fear being going broke while “Groove” suggests glasses for those who ain’t seeing the Ws they’re catching.

“Me vs. Me” goes for a cavernous Detroit sound talking about himself being the only competition while my 2nd favorite song “Big Show” by the ShittyBoyz produced by Danny G references current AEW performer & commentator as well as former 7-time WWE world champion, 11-time WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion & 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion Paul Wight.

Danny G sticks around for another standout track “Run To” promising that he’ll ball until he can’t anymore while the funereal “It’s Not Easy” talks about living today up because he might not see tomorrow over more 808s & bells. “Malice at the Palice” refers to the most infamous NBA brawl of all-time but once the 2 & a half minute “Party Pooper” bodies a Stanwill instrumental pulling from electro, “Billie Jean” ends by sampling the hit Michael Jackson single of the same name.

Similarly to Bin Reaper last Halloween season & $camwill a few months earlier, Trapped in My Bag counts down the 4th quarter of what’s been an unbearable year for many others by proving that TR Dee has as much of a promising solo career as Stanwill despite Babytron becoming the most popular ShittyBoy of the 3. In terms of the production, we’re still getting some creatively used samples brought into the fold & the Ypsilanti native holds his own weight to warm up for Sleeve Nash this Halloween.

Score: 4/5

Da Cloth – “Da Fixtape” review

Da Cloth is a hip hop outfit from Rochester, New York consisting of Mooch, Rigz, M.A.V., Rob Gates, Times Change, Illanoise, Symph & Speed. They first started making noise in the underground in 2016 when the group put out The Fixtape & then Broad Day Kidnaps the following year, but their profile grew as each member starting putting out projects of their own. Whether that be Mooch’s Boss Sauce, Rigz’ Roach Gutta Slums, M.A.V.’s Hoodlum, Rob Gates’ Rob Like Get Robbed as well as their respective collab albums The Only Way Out & The Dark Side of Nature (the latter of the 2 both feature Big Ghost Ltd. production front to back). But to continue their prolific year, everyone’s getting back together for another collective mixtape.

The tape starts off with “Last Dose”, where Da Cloth paint some vivid street imagery about over a deadly instrumental. The next song “Count Us In” is a Mooch solo cut about how his crew is gonna be winning over a boom bap beat while the track “Back Door” talks about the block being hot over an eerie instrumental. The song “Ask Me Why” opens about the ugly shit they’ve been through over an weepy loop provided by Nicholas Craven & after the “Hardest Out” skit, the track “When the Studio Talked Back” sees Rigz going solo to demonically attack wack rappers over an gritty boom bap from Chup.

The song “Shake ‘Em” gets violent over a chilling sample while “Speaker of the House” sees M.A.V. on his own talking about turning nothing into everything over an instrumental with a depressing atmosphere to it. The song “All About the Money” lyrically needs no further explanation with spine-tingling beat from Eto while the track “Role Models” celebrates their success over a boom bap beat with a killer guitar passage throughout.

The song “Hobbies” is a Rob Gates solo cut about busting his gun for fun over a grim instrumental from V Don while the track “Too Much” with Tekk 9 talks about there being enough nonsense & bullshit over a beat with a somewhat whimsical feel to it. The song “31 to 62” gets on their hustling shit over an electrifying instrumental while the track “Stretched” gets back with Tekk 9 once again to call out the rats over a boom bap beat with a bleak piano loop.

The closer “Ready” shows how ambitious they are over a rock-flavored instrumental while the first bonus track “Da Big Fish” talks about being top dogs over a desolate beat. The other bonus cut “Made Me What I Am” then discuses how they became the men they are today over some icy keyboards.

We all know Griselda have been the current Kings of New York for quite some time now but if you ask me, Da Cloth is right behind them. Each member continues to stand out in their own unique way & given how much all 8 of them have evolved in the last 3-4 years, hearing the crew together again in full effect has made them stronger than ever before.

Score: 4/5

Tee Grizzley – “The Smartest” review

Tee Grizzley is a 26 year old rapper from Detroit, Michigan coming up as a member of the quartet ASBH. However, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he would blow up off his first solo single “First Day Out” & earn a contract with 300 Entertainment. His profile would continue to grow by dropping projects like My Moment, Activated, Still My Moment & the Timbaland exec-produced Scriptures. But just a few days ago, it was announced that Grizzley would put out his 3rd mixtape just in time for Juneteenth.

Things kick off with the title track, where Grizzley talks about family over a DJ Mustard instrumental with some luxurious keyboards. The next song “I Apologize” takes a look at the real side of him over a ghostly beat from Hit-Boy while the track “Trenches” with Big Sean sees the 2 talking about people praying on their downfall over a piano-inflicted trap beat. The song “Rap a Lot” makes a bunch of clever references to famous hip hop icons over a intergalactic-sounding beat whereas “The Funeral” talks about ratchets & I really dig the atmosphere that longtime collaborator Helluva provides in the instrumental.

The song “Lions & Eagles” with Meek Mill finds both MCs flexing over a gritty beat while the track “No Witness” sends a warning to people not to play with him over a bouncy instrumental. The song “Picture of My City” talks about growing up in The 313 over a more West Coast instrumental from none other than Scott Storch instrumental while the track “COVID” with Lil Baby sees the 2 talking about being quarantined over an energized beat

The song “Timeless” continues to brag over yet another instrumental with a West Coast feel to while the track “Slime” with Lil Keed discusses brotherhood over a spacious beat. The song “Everything” reflects on his younger days over an eerie instrumental while the track “Double Standards” talks about catching a bad bitch over a moody beat.

The song “Daylight” talks about trappin’ over a somber instrumental while the track “Winning” talks about going for yours over an abrasive beat. The song “Satish” is a tearjerking tribute to his aunt/manager JB & even though I found the George Floyd tribute “Mr. Officer” to be decent at first because literally everyone’s doing it right now, it does stand out a lot more to me in the context of the album.

Tee Grizzley is one of the best MCs to come out of my hometown in recent memory & I really think this could be the best thing he’s ever put out. The production continues to get better overtime & we get to hear the man at his most mature yet.

Score: 4/5

Rome Streetz – “Noise Kandy 4: The Relapse” review

Rome Streetz is a 33 year old MC from New York who broke out in 2016 with his debut mixtape I Been Thru Mad Shit. This was followed up with Streetz Keep Calling Me, Street Farmacy, the Noise Kandy trilogy, Headcrack & Joyeria. He just dropped an EP earlier this year entitled The Residue but as we approach the halfway point of 2020, Rome is continuing the grind with the 4th installment of his Noise Kandy series.

The project kicks off with “Relapse”, where Rome talks about being the new Benny Blanco over a cavernous organ instrumental. The next song “Prophet & a Pusher” talks about being on a level no one can fuck with over a demented boom bap beat while the track “Higher Self” with Estee Nack sees the 2 talking about elevation over a killer flute instrumental. The song “My Destiny” talks about hip hop being in his blood over a peaceful Futurewave instrumental while the track “Mommy’s Seed” shows off how he kills shit over a jazzy instrumental.

The song “Favorite” with Bub Rock sees the 2 getting romantic over a sensual instrumental while the track “My Reality” talks about how he lives over a cavernous beat. The song “Sell Itself” talks about pushing drugs over a nightly boom bap beat while the track “Toxic” tells the story of Rome breaking this woman’s heart over a suspenseful instrumental from DJ Skizz.

The song “Normal Shit” talks about having the world in his palm over a chimpmunked-soul sample while the penultimate track “NY Fitted” talks about how authentic his crew is over a symphonic beat. “The Ugliest” ends referencing lucha libre popularized by the Lutteroth family-owned Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) & it’s rival promotion in the Peña–Roldán family-owned Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA).

The Noise Kandy trilogy contains some of Rome’s best material & this is a fine addition to the series. It’s a lot more well-produced than The Residue was & Rome continues to prove that he’s one of the illest spitters out of New York right now.

Score: 4/5

Ouija Macc – “Resistance II: Hell’s Holotape” review

This is the 3rd mixtape from Las Vegas, Nevada rapper Ouija Macc. After the Insane Clown Posse took Ouija under their wing & signed him to their label Psychopathic Records in 2017, Ouija’s full-length debut Gutterwater that came out the following year saw him putting his own spin on the SoundCloud aesthetics & has consistently been grinding since with videos as well as mixtapes like Waterdamage & Resistance: The Walk to Wasteland. But with his sophomore album Wasteland on the way, Ouija is preluding it with a sequel to Resistance & is enlisting longtime collaborator Devereaux to produce it in it’s entirety once again.

The tape kicks off with “Wake Up!”, where Ouija Macc talks his shit over some creepy yet vibrant production. The next song “Fall Thru da Floor” is a bombastic crowd mover while the track “Skin” pretty much gets suicidal over a cavernous trap beat. The song “Platinum Skeletons” talks about having a lot over a ghostly beat while the track “All Blue” of course shows off his racks over an unsettling instrumental.

The song “Poison” gets back on the suicide tip over a misanthropic instrumental while the track “Open Wide” finds Ouija bragging so charmingly on top of a perilous beat. The song “Do the Math” once again talks about his wealth over a nocturnal beat while the track “Princess Ouija” talks about being a demon as well as “the biggest piece of shit of them all” over a gruesome instrumental.

The song “Therapist” is a psychotic trap metal fusion that actually works a lot better than “Dead Diary” off the first Resistance did while “Da Plague” gets apocalyptic over a lethargic beat. The song “Stain” is an absolutely flawless moshpit starter while the track “Sorted” talks about how he had suffered in the past & that he had to figure it out paranormal-sounding instrumental.

The song “Put It Down” talks about how he can’t stop now over an instrumental with a hypnotically dismal atmosphere to it while the track “Discuss Me (Disgust Me)” is him saying he wouldn’t be here today if he cared what others say about him over a trap beat with a prominently somber piano loop. The penultimate track “Die Alone” talks about how he doesn’t want leave Earth with no one by his side over a demented yet roomy beat & then the tape ends with “Where I Belong”, where Ouija talks about being happy with the place he’s at currently over a mystical trap beat.

To me, Resistance II is just as great as it’s predecessor. Ouija Macc’s songwriting has gotten more catchier with each new project he puts out & the sound palates that Devereaux brings to the table continue to fit his lyrics like a glove. Really looking forward to see what both of these guys do next on Wasteland.

Score: 4/5

Lil Uzi Vert – “Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2” review

This is the surprise 5th mixtape from Philadelphia sensation Lil Uzi Vert, who solidified himself as a forefront in the modern trap scene with his 2015 mixtape LUV is Rage & then Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World the year after. Since the release of his 2017 debut album LUV is Rage 2, Uzi had been entangled with a nasty legal battle with his label & it was just earlier this month that he was able to put out his sophomore effort Eternal Atake with the help of Roc Nation. Fast forward to a week & here we are with Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2.

The album kicks off with “Myron”, where Uzi talks about biters over a joyous Oogie Mane & Supah Mario beat. The next song “Lotus” shows off over a trap beat from Don Cannon with what sounds like an old video game sample while the track “Bean (Kobe)” with Chief Keef sees the 2 of course paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant over a signature instrumental from Pi’erre Bourne. The song “Yesssirskii” with 21 Savage sees the 2 charismatically getting materialistic over a blissful instrumental while the track “Wassup” with Future sees the 2 talking about winning over an atmospheric instrumental.

“Strawberry Peels” with Gunna & Young Thug sees the 3 talking about partying over an abrasive Wheezy beat while the track “I Can Show You” energetically flexing over an orchestral trap beat. The song “Moon Relate” talks about how women are all the same over a cavernous instrumental from Danny Wolf while the track “Come This Way” talks about how fly he is over a calming beat.

The song “Trap This Way (This Way)” talks about his crew over a cloudy instrumental while the track “No Auto” with Durkio Krazy sees the 3 getting confrontational over a grimy instrumental from none other than DY. The song “Money Spread” with Young Nudy talks about their current lifestyles over a Pi’erre beat that sounds like it was made in the year 3020.

“Got the Guap” featuring Young Thug sees the 2 talking about being rich over a ethereal Outtatown instrumental & then there’s the closer “Leaders”, where Uzi & ΠΔV of all people compare themselves to Jim Jones of the People’s Temple over a psychedelic trap beat from Brandon Finessin’ of Working on Dying.

Honestly, this is better than Eternal Atake. It sounds more focused, the songwriting has improved as have the performances & production choices have improved, almost all the features really come together & Uzi recaptures the aura that made the first Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World so special.

Score: 4/5

$uicideboy$ – “STOP STARING AT THE SHADOWS” review

This is the 9th mixtape from New Orleans, Louisiana duo the $uicideboy$ consisting of Ruby da Cherry & $crim. The founders of G*59 Records have been releasing a plethora of EPs & mixtapes since 2013, but it wasn’t until 2018 that they made their full-length debut with I WANNA DIE IN NEW ORLEANS. Last time we heard from them was last May with the Travis Barker produced Live Fast Die Whenever EP & now 9 months later, they’re hitting fans with Stop Staring at the Shadows.

The opener “All Dogs Go to Heaven” finds the duo getting bloodthirsty over a bass trap beat with some Atari-esque synths & then the next song “I Wanna Be Romanticized” talks about being on the verge of killing themselves over a moody beat. The track “One Last Look of the Damage” talks about making it to 30 over a cloudy beat while the song “[whispers indistinctly]” talks about death over a woozy beat. The track “MEGA ZEPH” gets apocalyptic over an frightening trap beat while the song “Putrid Pride” speaks on time moving fast over a dreary beat.

The track “That Just Isn’t Empirically” talks about losing their minds over a bleak instrumental while the song “What the Fuck is Happening?” thematically picks up where the previous joint left off over an abrasive beat. The track “Bizarro” is a horrifically delivered drug anthem backed with an intoxicating beat while the song “Scope Set” talks about murder over some sirens & loud bass. The penultimate track “Fuck Your Culture” is a dedication to 2 of their late homies that appear on the refrain over a spooky instrumental then the closer “…& to Those I Love, Thanks for Sticking Around” reads off as a suicide note backed with a cumbersome instrumental.

While it’s not a cut above Eternal Grey & I WANNA DIE IN NEW ORLEANS as hyped up to be, this is still a solid tape from Ruby da Cherry & $crim. It’s a little too short running at only 26 minutes but both of them still go hard in terms of delivery, lyrics & their Three 6 Mafia-influenced sound.

Score: 3.5/5

B-Side – “B-Side Wins Again” review

B-Side is an underground veteran from Detroit, Michigan known for being 1/2 of the duo Sidenotes. Last time we heard from him in a full capacity was his Vertigo 1.5 mixtape in 2013 but after a long hiatus, he’s following it up with a new compilation.

The opener “Righteous Anger” finds B-Side venting about being a best kept secret over a soulful boom bap beat from Foul Mouth & then the next song “We Don’t Fight Fair” is a lethal Sidenotes reunion. The track “Dangerous” with A.R.E.S. talks about being just that over a clunky instrumental while the song “Guillotine” showcases his sharp lyricism backed with a slick boom bap beat.

“The Funk” with Alius Pnukkl & Konphlict sees the 3 charismatically talking about how hot they are on the mic over an instrumental that suits the title while the next cut is a solid freestyle over Nolan the Ninja’s “Harvest”. The track “Don’t Say Shit” with Smoke the Motor City Menace sees the 2 talking about bums over a funky beat while “The Whole Crew” talks about knocking out his opponents over an instrumental with a vintage sample.

The track “Greyscale” with Faze Blue Le’Goon, Leif Erikson & Philosophy Cole is a deadly collection of witty bars over a jazzy instrumental while the song “Funk Worm” finds A.R.E.S. forming with Sidenotes like Voltron over a trunk-knocking instrumental from DJ Los. The track “Smash” flexes his prowess over a vibrant instrumental while the song “Burial” with Aztek the Barfly, Dadga & Foul Mouth sees the 4 talking about ending their competition over a gloomy beat. The album then finishes off with a dope remix of “The Vices”, which was my personal favorite song off The Vertigo 1.5.

This was a dope collection of tracks. The production is on point, B-Side sounds refreshed on the mic & the features add a lot into the equation. Really looking forward to his debut album The Essence at some point in the future.

Score: 3.5/5

Ketch P – “Gift Certificate” review

Ketch P is a veteran from Inkster, Michigan known for being a member of the quartet Street Justice. He’s released a few solo mixtapes in the past like What Happened? & Motown is Back but with the help of Middle Finger Music, he’s returning from a 6 year hiatus with Gift Certificate.

The tape starts off with “Welcome/Whatupdoe”, where Ketch reintroduces himself over a classy soul sample. The next song “313” is filled with witty battle bars over an beat from Chanes while the track “Doap Pusher” compares himself to a drug dealer over a vintage beat from Peace of Mind. The song “Kareem & Shaq” finds Ketch liking him & his Bad News Brown cohort Foul Mouth to the legendary Lakers players of the same name over an alluring boom bap beat while the track “Ode to the Roots” pays tribute to those that came before him over an instrumental from Jimbo Slice with these Godly background vocals.

The song “Back Outside” with Finale & Vstylez sees the 3 talking about shutting shit down over an uplifting instrumental from Blizzard while the song “Middle Finger Trophies” with Bubba Rock & Rim finds the 3 getting bellicose over a soulful boom bap beat. The song “Boom Bap Shit” pays homage to the titular subgenre over a soulful instrumental while the track “Get the Money” with Isaac Castor talks about making dough over some claps & a fitting vocal sample. The song “Street Justice Nigga” with Jypsy sees the 2 reminding their competition who they’re dealing with over a boom bap beat with some strings & horns while the track “Death Soup” with Guilty Simpson & Paradime finds the 3 talking about Detroit being untouchable over another soulful boom bap beat.

The song “Top 10s & Buffs” talks about Middle Finger Music being in the house over a Foul Mouth beat with some eerie vocals looped throughout while the track “Poured Up” of course talks about alcohol over a wavy boom bap beat. The song “Like This” sees the 2 getting romantic over a delicate beat then the closer “Fish Grease” takes the opportunity to showcase Ketch’s lyricism 1 last time & not only do I like how the instrumental switches from being organ-inflicted to something funky, but I love how he speeds up his flow during the last 30 seconds.

I’ve been waiting for this all year & at the end of the day, it’s easily Ketch’s best work to date. Middle Finger Music has been reminding me for the past year now that they’re one of the best labels in the underground right now & this is no exception, as Ketch P’s lyricism has gotten sharper with time & the production continues to be grimier with each release the label puts out.

Score: 4/5