Obnoxious – “Sic Audio” review

This is the long-awaited sophomore album albeit Suburban Noize Records debut from San Diego emcee Obnoxious. Getting his start in 2009 off the strength of his debut mixtape As Seen on TV, he would then follow it up 7 years later by dropping his full-length debut Jamacha. But it wasn’t until Cinco de Mayo 2020 where it was announced that Kevin Zinger had signed Obnoxious to Subnoize, where he has since formed the trio King Klick with Chucky Chuck & Johnny Richter to put out their eponymous debut EP before quietly dissolving to join forces with Madchild on the incredible collab effort Mobsters & Monsters this past winter. However as the 3 year mark of OB’s record deal approaches, he’s finally releasing Sic Audio to celebrate.

“Be Someone” is an inspiring, feel-good opener with a high-pitched vocal sample throughout talking about being on top of every other rapper out right now whereas the blaring yet dusty “American Graffiti” advises to take it easy around him. “Maniac” blends some kicks, snares & piano chords describing just how crazy he can get leading into Sick Jacken tagging along for “Legendary” talking about being anything but secondary over a Jedi Mind Tricks-inspired beat

Meanwhile on “Honor Roll”, we have Evidence working in some angelic vocals & an ominous organ for Obnoxious to talk about smoking glints 365 days a year leading into the Termanology-assisted “Chapo n Gotti” returning to the boom bap comparing themselves to the infamously titular criminals. “Starstruck” hooks up some pianos with more kicks & snares getting in his battle rap back, but then Ill Bill comes into the picture for “You Don’t Like Me” over a boom bap instrumental with an Italian sample calling your favorite rapper a bitch.

“Step Back” has this crooning loop throughout as OB talks about keeping it moving while “Powerful Forces” with Rakaa finds the pair on top of a flute/boom bap hybrid comparing themselves to exactly that. The title track weaves some more keys, snares & kicks talking about smoking your dead homie like ganja while the penultimate song “Ain’t Changed” is a more emotional ballad making it clear that he’s still the same guy. “Lift Off” then closes the album with a vibraphone heavy smoker’s anthem.

We went through a lot of delays to get to this point & I’m happy that the moment is finally here because you can really hear how much Obnoxious has grown artistically & personally since Jamacha. A more than welcoming Suburban Noize solo debut. He’s the best he’s ever sounded on the lyrical side of things & I really think the overall style of this album would appeal to fans of Cypress Hill, The Psycho Realm, JMT as I mentioned earlier & The Alchemist like myself. This is only the beginning for the San Diego wordsmith.

Score: 4.5/5

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Madchild & Obnoxious – “Mobsters & Monsters” review

This is a brand new collaborative album between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada underground veteran Madchild as well as San Diego, California up-&-comer Obnoxious. One of whom rose to success in the late 90s/early 2000s with the trio Swollen Members & the other being one of the first new acts to join Suburban Noize Records since the label’s relaunch in the spring of 2019, forming the supergroup King Klick with Chucky Chuck & Johnny Richter. But as he gets ready to drop his sophomore album albeit Subnoize debut Sic Audio next year, Obnoxious & Madchild are joining forces for Mobsters & Monsters.

“Ambush” is a rugged trap opener with both MCs flexing their lyrical prowesses whereas “Black Out” dives into boom bap territory thanks to C-Lance getting mor intimidating with their performances. West Coast. veteran Sick Jacken tags along for the dusty yet inspiring “Work for It” to keep things in the basement as far as sound goes what you have to do if you desire the finer things in life, but then “Drop Off” advising to prepare for the worst with a gripping instrumental.

Moving on from there with “Lost Cause”, we have Madchild & Obnoxious over a unique vocal sample declaring themselves as the top dogs leading into “Fully Loaded Clip (Secret)” returning to the boom bal to spit that gun talk. Henry AZ’s verse on “Panama” is respectfully the weakest feature on the album despite the cavernous production along with the theme of receiving a package from a cartel in the titular country & counting hundreds until “Skull Mask” grimly describing having the strap in their laps.

The song “Talons” returns to trap turf to belittle anyone who wants to step up to either one of them while the headbanger of a penultimate track “No Trust” with Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records’ very own Ouija Macc finding the trio talking about being a problem & the instrumental here is absolutely electrifying in every way possible. The closer “Ugly” however truly finishes Mobsters & Monsters with a spacious beat acknowledging the fact that they’re both crazy inside the head.

Compared to the very few other projects that Suburban Noize dropped throughout 2022, this is easily my favorite of them all & it makes me ecstatic for the label’s 25th anniversary approaching in the coming year. The production has a primarily boom bap vibe that both MCs have employed with the past with some trap undertones & lyrically, Obnoxious continues to cement himself as one of the best MCs in San Diego right now & Madchild goes even harder than he did on his latest album Super Beast although I still stand on it being his best since Demons.

Score: 4.5/5

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King Klick – Self-Titled review

The King Klick is a West Coast supergroup consisting of Chucky Chuck, Johnny Richter & Obnoxious. 2 of the members have already made themselves household names with the Malibu-based independent powerhouse Suburban Noize Records by lending their hands in founding the groups DG@F & Kottonmouth Kings respectively, but the other is a bit of a fresh face to the label after signing to them about a year & a half ago. However with a few well received singles under their belts so far, the Klick’s finally dropping their eponymous debut EP after much anticipation.

“Throne of Spades” is a soulful boom bap opener reminding listeners how they do whereas “Subnoize O.G.’s” rightfully proclaims themselves as a such on top of a g-funk instrumental. “Everyday” is a epic 7 & a half minute posse cut showcasing a majority of the current Suburban Noize roster while the song “Who’s Next?” apocalyptically talks about slaughtering shit. The penultimate track “Spaceships” with Lil Saint & Underrated has a bit of a robotic beat getting on their weed shit, but then “We Want It All” with Madchild & M.C.U.D. ends the EP with a grimy trap banger getting at their enemies.

I’ve been looking forward to this EP from the very first time I heard that closer when they dropped it as the lead single over the spring & my God, did they deliver. The chemistry between the trio comes off as natural than forced, each member stands out in their own unique way & the production has a little something for everyone. Suburban Noize really gave their fans a true celebration of their legacy with this one.

Score: 4.5/5