Shoreline Mafia – “Back in Bidness” review

The Shoreline Mafia are a Los Angeles, California duo now consisting of Ohgeesy & Fenix Flexin’. Originally a quartet, their debut mixtape ShorelineDoThatShit resulted in them signing to Atlantic Records for their next couple tapes & EPs as well as a full length studio debut. They would temporarily disband following Mafia Bidness so its members could pursue their solo careers, reuniting with half its members in 2023 & returning to Atlantic in tandem with 300 Entertainment for a sophomore effort.

The title track fuses hyphy & trap to get the ball rollin’ talking about their return whereas “Touch Down” puts a bigger emphasis on hyphy thanks to DJ Snake including a reference to The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy on the Discovery Global-owned Cartoon Network. “Back 2 Back” morbidly demands to know where the cabbage at & showing ‘em the money just before the ratchet “Too Often” talks about not fucking with broke bitches at all.

“Watch That Hoe” blends trap & hyphy once more advising for everyone to stay on their toes leading into “Broski” swaps out the hyphy influences in favor of Mobb music asking what you’re in the game for if you ain’t even tryna do it. “No Makeup” vibrantly references former IWGPヘビー級王座 as well as a 10-time WWE world champion & former UFC Heavyweight Champion in both TKO Group Holdings divisions Brock Lesnar while “Fast & Furious” gets back with DJ Snake for another hyphy heater.

As for “Rubbaband Man”, we have the Shoreline Mafia going for a nervous direction paying homage to T.I.’s most popular single while “Shoreline Twins” homages the Ying Yang Twins down to Mr. Collipark handling the co-production. “Work of Art” feels like a bit of a traffic music/g-funk crossover asking what the salary of these women are since they belong in galleries & want them by their sides, but then “Yoga & Pilates” shouts out all the bitches who do those 2 things.

“Go for Me” gets the final leg of Back in Bidness started by throwing guns in the building taking shots at everyone who be acting like they got cash & don’t actually show it while “Tusi” talks about a follow-up being guaranteed if it’s really beef with them. “Set the Record Straight” cautions that you have to have a resume in order to be near their presence & the gospel flip DJ Paul does on “Top Notch” saves the best beat for last talking about still being high quality after 5 years off.

Returning stronger than ever, Back in Bidness is a testament to the Shoreline Mafia’s brotherhood & proving that time apart hasn’t dulled their signature sound. From the hard-hitting production reclaiming the throne of the nervous scene following Drakeo the Ruler’s murder to unfiltered lyrics, Ohgeesy & Fenix Flexin’ team up for a triumphant homecoming for the group that helped define a generation of underground rap.

Score: 4/5

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Ohgeesy – “Paid N Full” review

Ohgeesy is a 31 year old rapper from Los Angeles, California notable for being a member of the seminal nervous group the Shoreline Mafia now consisting of him & Fenix Flexin’ as of me writing this. Following their hiatus as a unit, Ohgeesy has since put out 2 solo mixtapes GEEZYWORLD & GEEZYWORLD 2 under Atlantic Records to mixed reception. In light of him signing a new deal with 300 Entertainment though, his official full-length solo debut is coming in time for Valentine’s Day although it’s not lovey dovey necessarily.

The title track begins with this sample-driven trap intro talking about getting the money, flipping it & stacking it higher whereas “Keep Goin’” produced by Hit-Boy is a highlight for me personally advising to not give up & move forward on top of what I consider to be amongst the strongest instrumentals. “Fa Real” brings more of a bouncier flare to the table boasting that he’s the one calling shots while “What It Iz” featuring Lefty Gunplay highlights their success & relentless hustle in the street & music.

Charlotte Hornets player Miles Bridges has one of the weaker guest appearances on the song “Digital” referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 3-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 9-time WWE tag team champion, 8 time WWE Cruiserweight Champion & アイアンマンヘビーメタル級王座 Rey Mysterio fresh off staring at the newest Monday Night RAW superstar in former AEW World Tag Team Champion, AEW World Trios Champion, HoG Tag Team Champion, TNA World Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, the longest reigning 3-time AAA Mundial Parejas Campeon, AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeon, AAA Latinoamericano Campeon, The Crash Pesocrucero Campeon, The Crash Parejas Campeon, MLW World Tag Team Champion, PWG World Tag Team Champion & ROH World Tag Team Champion Penta to start this year’s Royal Rumble leading into “Cuttin’” featuring Saweetie making up for it as they talk about making it rain in the west coast today.

“Cropped Out” kinda gives off some Mobb vibes altogether assuring that he ain’t on some middle man shit at all & he loading up with the chopper with his gloves on prior to the Shoreline Mafia reuniting for “Heat Stick” including a reference to 16-time WWE world champion, 4-time WWE tag team champion & 5-time WWE United States Champion John Cena who recently put over former WWE Intercontinental Champion & 10-time WWE Tag Team Champion Jey Uso at this year’s Royal Rumble that is until “Tell Me Something” featuring Kalan.FrFr boasts about them doing drank in the club.

Meanwhile on “Let It Be Known”, we have Ohgeesy telling his girlfriend the name of this very album we’re dissecting start to finish in advance & it’s her world while “Novio #2” featuring Jr. H tells their ex-girlfriends that they completely understand of them moving on to new men. “Babygirl” hits on a woman who’s been looking for a thug in her life while “Wanna Fuck” by Jeeezy, Kalan.FrFr & the Shoreline Mafia shows a sensual side to them.

The BlueBucksClan & Wallie the Sensei get together for “Wet” continuing the themes of list while “Work” feels more like an Ohgeesy solo track with Fenix Flexin on the hook than a Shoreline Mafia joint. “Refrigerated” featuring Luh Tyler boats they both of them stay ice cold out in the streets & “Yacht Master” addresses not taking credit for every time his brother slides homaging the titular brand of Rolex watches.

Geezy has always being a personal favorite member of the Shoreline Mafia & regardless of the divided responses both GEEZYWORLD tapes got, he really takes it up a couple notches for what he’ll even tell you himself is the official debut album in his discography. The production refines the nervous elements of both of those mixtapes & the guest list isn’t really all that bad either.

Score: 3.5/5

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