Tag: P.A. Dre

Queen Herawin – “D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me)” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Bronx, New York emcee Queen Herawin. A member of the Juggaknots, she eventually went on to drop an EP The Space Between Things following her debut Metamorphosis & appeared on Vinnie Paz’ 5th album as above so below only a month away from the world changing forever because of the pandemic. Coming off the sophomore effort Awaken the Sleeping Giant distributed by Coalmine Records however, P.A. Dre’s being brought in to soundtrack D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me).

After the “Into the Water” intro, “Diver” featuring Helixx C. Armageddon spends the opening 7 minutes talking about the time of alchemizing the void finally arriving whereas “Torch” featuring Breeze Brewin’ embraces a cloudy boom bap vibe instrumentally so both of them can discuss the responsibilities of the rap game not being ready to passed down yet. “Lucid Dream” blends a flute with kicks & snares asking what it really means to be alive while “Daydreaming” mellowly reflects back upon a place she used to know.

“Big O” featuring Tef Poe brings some rock undertones in the picture telling a hood romance story leading into the guitar-woven “Fever” passionately singing about 2 souls who yearn to be closer to each other. “Criminal” asks if she’s lying to herself from an opportunity of shifting towards something bigger just before “Sage” featuring Bernadette Price ends the 1st half having both ladies over a trap beat suggests sitting back & watching shit get crazy when the negative energy’s cleared.

After the “Soft” interlude, “Full Throttle” featuring King Jnus finds the pair getting the 2nd leg going hopping over a soulful trap instrumental depicting a couple nobody can fuck with while “Manifesto” featuring Ruste Juxx returns to the boom bap so they can lay out their policy statements on wax. “Together” featuring Rhymefest was unexpected considering the latter’s lack of musical activity in recent memory although I appreciated both of them talking about their immortality combined.

Unlearn the World appears on “Cook” talking about plucking the feathers outta every single one of these culture vultures prior to roasting them at the cookout while “Burn” featuring Nejma Nefertiti ruggedly speaks of having money to light on fire, which is why they even came in the first place. The closing track “Phoenix” spends the remaining minutes of D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me) telling her late mother she doesn’t have to fight anymore.

Awaken the Sleeping Giant faced all the emotions that she had turned a blind eye to & in contrast, D.O.T.O.M. (Death Of The Old Me) embraces a new era of Queen Herawin’s career with what I consider my favorite full-length of the 3 she’s given us in a decade spotlighting this new version of herself. There’s most consistency within P.A. Dre’s production than the predecessor tackling themes of release, renewal, transformation & the beauty that can emerge in the space between letting go & becoming.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Inspectah Deck – “Dragon’s Breath” review

Here we have the 5th solo LP from Staten Island, New York lyricist & producer Inspectah Deck. A member of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan as well as 1/3 of CZARFACEwith 7L & Esoteric, he would eventually drop his solo debut Uncontrolled Substance in the fall of 1999 under Loud Records & Relativity Records. Which I found myself enjoying more than the MNRK Music Group-backed The Movement as well as Manifesto & Chamber #9, although The Resident Patient marking the launch of Deck’s own label Urban Icons Records & Cynthia’s Son both came pretty close for their own separate reasons. I was nonetheless intrigued by P.A. Dre being brought in to fully produce Dragon’s Breath.

“Never Fold” featuring Raekwon, Sauce Money & Skyzoo after the “Dragon’s Intro” finds the quartet over a murderous boom bap instrumental talking about their refusal of backing down whereas “H.E.C.T.O.R. (Hustle Everyday Can’t Trust Or Rely)” discussing the daily grind & trusting nobody. “Lighter Fluid” featuring Eto, Mickey Factz & RJ Payne links up over a venomous boom bap beat continuing to spit hardcore lyricism just before “Shaolin Rebel 2” hits us with a soulful sequel to the Chamber #9 joint.

Ankhlejohn & Brizz Rawsteen both pop out for “Between the Lines” soulfully talking about seeing the signs God’s trying to send you although Ankhlejohn had my favorite guest appearance of the 2 personally leading into “The System” taking a more intricately conscious approach topically. “Up At Night” featuring Peedi Crakk switches it up by showing a more sensual side to both of them which is alright, but “Day in the Life” soulfully talks about being thankful for every day because it’s a dream to him.

“1 of 1” featuring G4 Jag, KXNG CROOKED & M.A.V. comes together for an eerie boom bap cut filled with all 4 artists detailing their unique skills while “Flight School” reaches the halfway point talking about grinding for his own shine. “Burgundy” kicks off the 2nd leg of Dragon’s Breath incorporating guitars to not let Satan steal his joy while “Cold Case” featuring Gripz & Ransom jazzily yet dustily puts us inside the shoes of detectives.

Che Noir & Sa-Roc teaming up during “Divine Protection” was an exciting moment talking about aiming the firearm & blasting to protect what’s theirs while “Solitude” featuring BVNGS, Flee Lord & Hus Kingpin coldly flexes that they be rollin’ around the parts muhfuckas can’t even hit up. “Anointed” featuring 40 B.A.R.R.S., Bahamadia & 7xvethegenius fiercely demands everyone honors them like the royalty they are while “Possession” featuring Cappadonna & Hell Fire would’ve been more enjoyable without the latter.

“Funny Style” symphonically talks about muhfuckas acting weird hoping to catch him down & out while “Czariana Grande” by CZARFACE produced by none other than 7L boasts of taking over car speakers whenever INS Ya Highness & 7LES unite. The closing track “Explicit Material” also by CZARFACE officially sends off Dragon’s Breath spending the remaining 3 minutes having Esoteric accompanying Deck going full battle rap mode ahead of their upcoming collab album with Tom Hardy at the end of the month.

Exhibiting the razor-lyricism that’s made Inspectah Deck a cornerstone of the Clan’s entire 36 Chambers mythology, Dragon’s Breath acknowledges the connecting theme of his storied career from his Shaolin foundations to the comic-book-noir world of CZARFACE & back again. Excluding a select handful of mediocre features, I can appreciate one of the most technically gifted & underappreciated MCs in all of hip hop doing his thing over P.A. Dre production for this full-circle moment.

Score: 3.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!