Nowaah the Flood – “The Anomaly” review

Dallas, Texas emcee Nowaah the Flood surprise-releasing his 23rd EP on Bandcamp. Breaking out in the summer of 2018 by releasing his first EP Trill Life Mathematiks around the same time as Nas’ 11th album NASIR fully produced by Ye or the Nazi formerly known as Kanye West, he would go on to drop 21 EPs along with The Nowaah & the Dewer’s eponymous debut album and roughly his last 6 proper full-lengths. Standouts for me personally include the DirtyDiggs-produced Private Stock, the Estee Nack collaborative effort Planted Seeds, The Infallible, the Stu Bangas-produced Respectfully, the Giallo Point-produced Right Over Left & it’s sequel, the DJ D-Styles-produced Crème de la Crème, the Kyo Itachi-produced Sudan Samurai Scrolls & recently Plans of the Diligent last Thanksgiving alongside Beluga roughly a month ago. Giallo Point coming back for The Anomaly caught my attention & I had to give it a listen.

“Afwaan” is this drumless intro reflecting on Ye biting the Trill Life Mathematiks artwork for NASIR similarly to how Maxo Kream has accused Ye of biting the Punken artwork for Bully whereas “The Mental” takes the boom bap route instrumentally talkin’ that science to each & every one of us. “Hate to Be You” works in some tubas & bagpipes admitting the state of sickness his mind is at while “Sazon” hits everybody with the Shaman flow.

To begin The Anomaly’s final half, “Fortune 500” ruggedly talks about being a certified art stealer who’s hard to figure out & has never fronted putting it on God leading into the aptly-named “Menace Anthem” darkly fuses hardcore hip hop & boom bap both aesthetically & lyrically. “The Meek” suggests that there won’t be an overtime for anyone trying to take him on making it clear to stay catching Ws in rap battles & the final song “Revelation of the Sundanese” feels a little unfinished after starting it off with a verse attached onto an half baked outro.

Aside from that, I don’t really have any other complaints about this EP since a vast majority of the material here during the 20 minute run turns the back-to-back caliber of quality underground hip hop that Plans of the Diligent & Beluga both had to offer into a 3-peat. Giallo Point’s production is a consistent blend of drumless & boom bap with Nowaah handling all the performances by himself instead of having only 1 feature like he did last month on Beluga similarly to Plans of the Diligent not having any guests.

Score: 4.5/5

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Nowaah the Flood – “Beluga” review

This is the 7th studio LP from Dallas, Texas emcee Nowaah the Flood. Breaking out in the summer of 2018 by releasing his first EP Trill Life Mathematiks around the same time as Nas’ 11th album NASIR fully produced by Ye or the Nazi formerly known as Kanye West, he would go on to drop 21 EPs along with The Nowaah & the Dewer’s eponymous debut album and roughly his last 6 proper full-lengths. Standouts for me personally include the DirtyDiggs-produced Private Stock, the Estee Nack collaborative effort Planted Seeds, The Infallible, the Stu Bangas-produced Respectfully, the Giallo Point-produced Right Over Left & it’s sequel, the DJ D-Styles-produced Crème de la Crème, the Kyo Itachi-produced Sudan Samurai Scrolls & recently Plans of the Diligent last Thanksgiving. Almost exactly 4 months later, DJ D-Styles is returning for Beluga.

After the intro, the first song “On Sight” kicks it all off perfectly from the grimy synth-driven boom bap instrumental to Nowaah’s lyricism promising the way it’ll be to those who wanna front whereas “7,000°” ruggedly talks about turning the heat up on everyone. “Big Wheels” keeps it in the basement making a reminder of his murderous reputation, but then “As I Walk Out My Door” featuring DNTE speaks of being weight watchers on the way to a weight house suggesting Planet Fitness can’t even catch a cardio case now.

“No Safehaven” starts the 2nd half of Beluga with a beat feeling reminiscent of “Back Down” by 50 Cent taking no prisoners & showing no mercy while “Willie Bobo” remembers the late Latin jazz percussionist of the same name. “The Sleeping Giant” strips the drums comparing his bars going straight to your brain to blow while “Never Expected” returns to the boom bap for a 3 & a half minute lyrical attack. “Rent Due” wraps things up by waking up the snakes in the grass with a pistol.

Crème de la Crème remains one of the most beloved entries in Nowaah’s catalog & this sequel nearly 2 months after the divided reception of Smash & Grab (Vanglorious Vandals) was what he needed, myself personally annoying it as much as Plans of the Diligent last fall. He’s significantly more focused, DJ D-Styles’ production is stronger, the songs feel more fully structured out in contrast to the rushed state of Smash & Grab (Vanglorious Vandals) almost 8 weeks ago.

Score: 4.5/5

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Nowaah the Flood – “Plans of the Diligent” review

This is the 20th EP from Dallas, Texas emcee Nowaah the Flood. Breaking out in the summer of 2018 by releasing his first EP Trill Life Mathematiks around the same time as Nas’ 11th album NASIR fully produced by Kanye West, he would go on to drop his last 19 EPs along with The Nowaah & the Dewer’s eponymous debut album and roughly 6 proper full-lengths. Standouts for me personally include the DirtyDiggs-produced Private Stock, the Estee Nack collaborative effort Planted Seeds, The Infallible, the Stu Bangas-produced Respectfully, the Giallo Point-produced Right Over Left & it’s sequel, the DJ D-Styles-produced Crème de la Crème and finally the Kyo Itachi-produced Sudan Samurai Scrolls. However, he & Stu Bangas are celebrating Thanksgiving by laying out Plans of the Diligent.

“On King David” is this hardcore 86 second intro talking about being the one to rumble with & saying fuck the humble shit since others be clockin’ his style whereas “Don’t Get Spooked Now” takes the uncanny boom bap route instrumentally cautioning everyone not to get frightened. “The Criteria” goes for a luxuriously raw vibe altogether likening the EP to 80s dope while “To the Chest” samples a piano to talk about lyrical devastation.

Meanwhile on “Wisdom of the Ages”, we have Nowaah soulfully disses all the false prophets in the game these days just before “The Hellfire”aggressively pays tribute to both 12 O’Clock & the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. “Breaking Day” acknowledges that he’s never taken an L when working with Stu leading into “1 Chance” brings the keys back in the equation to talk about still having his distinct grit. “Keep a Banga on Me” finishes by keeping a heater on him even if he’s locked down in cellblock 3.

Tinted with Biblical references throughout in time for the holiday season in Nowaah the Flood’s inimitable fashion, Stu Bangas provides the antidote to drumless beats & quiet lo-fi sounds for the faithless to find solace in the gritty stories of the streets Nowaah so expertly tells on behalf of those who’re either dead or locked behind bars doing life sentences & unable to tell their own tales as a result of the statutes of limitation not passing yet.

Score: 4.5/5

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