ovrkast. – “Striking” review

New sophomore effort from Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. in the midst of my favorite duo of all-time OutKast filing a ridiculous trademark infringement lawsuit between him a few weeks ago. For over a decade now, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of 13 EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. KastGotWings produced by Cardo became my favorite EP of his even if some might still disagree, coming off his full-length studio debut While the Iron’s Hot a year & a half ago to drop Striking.

After the Ant Bankx intro, the self-produced “Windo” blends jazz rap & boom bap talking about finding himself in many situations he can’t control whereas “Static” featuring Joey Bada$$ finds the pair discussing the only thing they saw growing up around them over another jazzy beat. “Pane” takes a smoother approach instrumentally talking about indignation just before “WashedOut” wakes up thanking god for the storm & advising not to get washed.

“Home” soothingly up the 1st act of the album talking about usually resting on the edge of the studio instead of being on the wrong side of the bed when getting up in the morning while “ActTransit / Lemme at ‘Em” featuring DAVIDTHETEAGIC links up for a 2-parter with a soulful beginning until switching into trap territory. “Knock” featuring MAVI & Samara Cyn returns to the boom bap calling for people to cut the bullshit while “Heroes & Villains” featuring Ben Reilly & Marco+ plots world domination together.

The lead single “Wata!” featuring Niontay experiments with a jerk sound talking about not having time for everybody since they all want some shit & boasting that they got hotter every time they rap while “Hopecore!” hooks up a crooning soul sample so he can take a joint to the face along with trying to get through on his own. “Phree (Swing)” spends the remaining minutes of Striking talking about stitching up his wings, tryna break free.

Never in my life have I heard anyone get ovrkast. confused with OutKast & that’s a huge reason why many people are against this ongoing suit, but I digress. Striking however still comes out after some presumed it would get pushed back for a solid half hour although I don’t love it as much as either KastGotWings or While the Iron’s Hot. His jazzy production incorporates more live instrumentation & the abstract penmanship conveys the message of acting decisively & becoming comfortable with failure in the midst of pursuing personal evolution beyond traumatic situations.

Score: 3.5/5

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ovrkast. – “While the Iron’s Hot” review

Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. with his official full-length studio debut album. In almost a decade, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of 13 EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. KastGotWings produced by Cardo became my new favorite EP of his last fall even if some would say it’s too early since it’s the most recent one as of me writing this & he’s finally striking While the Iron’s Hot for an LP.

After the jazzy “HOT!” intro, the first song “truth?” is drumless sample-heavy intro talking about shaking shit up and originally came away from “Small Talk” featuring Samara Cyn a little mixed on it even if I appreciate it more in the context of While the Iron’s Hot. “I’m On” shows a boastful side of kast with a laidback instrumental backing him just before the groovy “Stumblin’” talks about clumsiness showing when he’s trying to get a way.

“MAVKAST!” featuring MAVI after the “NewPowers” skit marks the official formation of a duo comprised of 2 of underground hip hop’s biggest artists in recent memory while “Spike Lee homages one of my favorite directors ahead of A24 Films putting out Highest 2 Lowest next month. “6AM” radiates intoxicating energy from the beat melodically talking about staying up late leading into “Strange Ways” featuring Vince Staples addressing the type of crowd with those uncommon tendencies.

The song “New Era” continues to travel down the final moments of ovrkast.’s debut hooking up a woodwind & a high-pitched vocal sample entering a new chapter in his life similarly to the way I myself did last summer while “Dog Days” featuring Frsh Waters & SABA talking about the hottest time of the year on top of some cumbersome piano chords. “On TIME!” closes the album with more keys wanting everyone to know he’s arrived exactly when he should’ve.

Going through an immense amount of change alongside loss & again to receive the clarity & focus in order for this day to come, ovrkast.’s debut feels refreshingly modern as a result of it’s contemporary & referential approach. Taking its cues from the sample-based production & lyric-centric approach that defined hip hop’s golden age, it’s not hard to blame him for having this as his favorite body of work ever.

Score: 4/5

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ovrkast. – “KastGotWings” review

Oakland, California emcee/producer ovrkast. enlisting St. Paul, Minnesota producer/rapper Cardo behind the boards for his 13th EP. In almost a decade, he’s been making waves by releasing a couple mixtapes on top of the last dozen EPs in his discography later landing production credits ranging from MAVI to Earl Sweatshirt & even Drake. Coming off the 1-year anniversary of the predecessor Reset! over the summer & is ringing in the final quarter of 2024 by shaping KastGotWings up to be the most exciting entry in his discography yet.

The opener “UP” gets the ball rollin’ with a rich trap instrumental feeling on the verge of erupting working the hardest he’s ever had whereas “PAYMEAGRIP” works in more hi-hats & a mellow backdrop advising to cough up the dough since they tryna erase the hood he came from. “CUT UP” fuses jazz rap & trap asking what the business is just before “BEAT IT UP!” talks about going harder than muhfucka.

“FREE UP SUM’N” starts the other half of the EP going for a minimal sound wanting to know what’s up with it taking 1 for the team while “SLOW MONEY” shifts into boom bap territory so he can talk about staying golden. The closer “BIPPER’S JOINT” ends KastGotWings by hooking up these piano chords & hi-hats feelin’ like he could possibly make a scene.

When you look at the handful of EPs that ovrkast. has put out since 2015, this new one here unsurprisingly takes the cake as his best one thus far & increases my anticipation for his full length debut studio album whenever that comes. Cardo’s production mainly has a trap vibe with additional elements of boom bap & jazz rap, allowing the Oakland lyricist to drop his most passionate performances.

Score: 4.5/5

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