KanKan – “WAY2GEEKED” review

KanKan is a 22 year old artist & producer from Dallas, Texas who emerged in 2019 as a member of Slayworld & by landing production credits for a wide range of artists from Summrs to even Little Pimp. He’s also dropped an eponymous debut mixtape, 20 EPs & a full-length debut all in that short amount of time with the last offering being ##B4W2G this past summer. But as we enter the final quarter of the year, Kan’s returning in the form of a sophomore album.

“Groupiez” kicks things off with a rubbery, bell-laced trap instrumental talking about his life being a movie whereas “hat4hat” takes a grimmer route admitting that he’s way too geeked. “Over 200” has a more glistening quality to the beat showing off how fast his new whip goes leading into the intoxicating “Go Sit” confessing that one of my twins got caught for that body.

Meanwhile on the title track, we have Kan bragging that he got the racks on him over some minimal production just before the rowdy “No Photos” admits that he doesn’t like taking pics. “Off Roxy” has a cloudier sound to it talking about playing his cards right, but then “Richer Than Him” brings a rage beat into the cut warning that he isn’t afraid to whack a motherfucker.

Lucki tags along for the electronic tinged “##RR##EFG” to spit some some braggadocio while the airy “Fall On” promises that everyone he loves is gonna win. “Livefastdieslay ##4Kaine” is an incredibly profound tribute to Kan’s homie Kaine who passed away of a drug overdose while “New Seal” returns to the hypertrap zone continuing to boast.

Moving on from there, “Playin’ It Cool” blends some hi-hats & vibraphones together talking about maintaining while “X ‘Em Out” shoots for a more futuristic aesthetic reminding everyone that he got rich with no gimmicks. “Ok Kool” is a moodier cut expressing how a lot of these cats get zo’ed while “Can’t Cap” goes into a more materialistic bag lyrically.m with some plugg undertones to the instrumental.

“Figure It Out” has a more orchestral trap flare to it telling the cappers to go make some bread of their own prior to the rage-inducing “OMG” admitting that he doesn’t even give a fuck about the racks. The song “Stay to Myself (Schedule II)” blends acoustic with trap saying these rap motherfuckers ain’t his twin while the penultimate track “Fake 0pps” is a well-sequenced 2 parter about haters being mad ’cause he’s well off & dissing those pretending to be the feds. “High Tech” though ends the album by spitting some gangsta raps on top of some more hypertrap beats.

A lot of artists in this new wave of trap have been making big waves in 2022 ranging from Yeat to Autumn! & Summrs, so it was only a matter of time before Kan did so with WAY2GEEKED & that’s exactly what he does here. His performances are more hedonistic than they were on the debut & the production refines the rage/plugg sound with elements of pop rap & cloud rap.

Score: 3.5/5

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Yeat – “Lyfë” review

Yeat is a 22 year old rapper from Portland, Oregon who out in 2018 off his debut EP Deep Blue $trips. This was followed up with 2 mixtapes & 3 more EPs, but he began dominating the mainstream in 2021 whether it be him dropping a total of 4 projects (2 mixtapes, an EP & a full-length debut) or cosigns from the likes of Drake & Earl Sweatshirt. He just dropped his sophomore effort albeit major label debut 2 Alivë under Geffen Records during the first quarter of 2022 & is commemorating the 1-year anniversary of Up 2 Më this weekend by dropping his 3rd mixtape following the huge success of “Rich Minion” earlier this summer.

“Flawlëss” is an otherworldly trap opener produced by BNYX of Working on Dying with Yeat on the hook & a sole Lil Uzi Vert verse boasting their lifestyles whereas “Up off X” dives into rage territory talking about being wide awake at night due to taking ecstasy. “Out thë Way” has a more calmer vibe to it declaring himself to be the baddest, but then “Wat it feel lykë” works in some wailing synths & hi-hats to diss rats.

Meanwhile on “Got it all”, we have Yeat over a bass-line & snares to flex his wealth leading into “Can’t stop it” brings some rock undertones to the beat surprisingly refusing to quit going hard. “Krank” almost has a cinematic quality to the instrumental talking about geekin’ just before “Talk” returns to the hypertrap sound to deliver some braggadocious lyrics.

“Comë on” shoots for a more electronic aesthetic to it thanks to BenjiCold going for the necks of his competition while the song “Systëm” has a more darker tone sonically talking about the drugs hitting right. The penultimate track “Holy 1” is a cloudier cut detailing his mob ties & “Killin’ ‘ëm” sends off the album on a wavy yet deadpan note talking about coming from that dirty.

Considering that Geëk Pack was just a decent collection of microwaved 2 Alivë leftovers, I had no doubt that Lyfë was gonna expand on what made the predecessor the fun major label debut it is. Lo & behold, that’s what happened here. It’s refreshing to hear Yeat dabbling with some new sounds than last time & his knack for catchy songwriting remains unmatched.

Score: 3.5/5

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Autumn! – “Golden Child 2” review

Autumn! is a 24 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Lafayette, Louisiana who made he got his start by dropping 16 EPs & a full-length debut on SoundCloud since 2018 prior to signing to Victor Victor Worldwide & Republic Records following Not Much Left this past fall. He just put out his sophomore album albeit major label debut Antagonist! few months back to positive reception & returned to his plugg roots a month ago with ##B4GC2, but is steadily grinding by putting out his 18th EP.

The intro sets it off with a glistening instrumental talking about being up now whereas “Inside My Head!” takes a more atmospheric route thanks to Goyxrd refusing to let the industry take his soul. “Can We Talk!” goes pluggnb responding to everyone who said he fell off prior to “Golden Child!” confessing about lying that he’s fine when he’s really not over a tranquil instrumental. The song “Jay n Bey!” works in a guitar comparing his love for his partner to that of The Carters while the penultimate track “Should Know Me Better!” spaciously talks about needing to relax after moving too fast & that he’ll always be here in the scene. “Myself!” though is a fun send-off to the EP telling this hoe not to deny that she’s like the rest.

As a sequel to one of the best projects in Autumn!’s ever-growing discography, it certainly lived up to my expectations. Much like the prequel & the predecessor, the actual follow-up itself picks up where things left off with it’s well-crafted pluggnb production that helped blow him up & the subject matter all comes from a unique perspective that he continues to bring to the table. He & Weiland are definitely holding it down for Victor Victor right now.

Score: 3.5/5

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Autumn! – “##B4GC2” review

This is the surprise 17th EP from Louisiana rapper/producer Autumn!. Making a name himself in the plugg scene, he got his start by dropping 16 EPs & a full-length debut on SoundCloud since 2018 prior to signing to Victor Victor Worldwide & Republic Recordsright after his last EP Not Much Left last fall. He just put out his sophomore album albeit major label debut Antagonist! few months back to positive reception & now surprise-dropping ##B4GC2 ahead of Golden Child 2.

“My Collection!” is a spacious opener talking about letting Keisha think that he’s the one that needs her while the self-produced “I’m Doin’ Fine!” takes a pluggier route assuring everyone that it’s all good on his end. The penultimate track “Know You Hear Me!” has a more psychedelic edge to it delivering a message to the higher power & “Wait Yeah!” closes out the EP with a fun trap banger produced by Maajins confessing that he doesn’t know who he’d be without the power of music.

Golden Child is still a favorite of mine throughout Autumn!’s catalog due to how personal he got on there & this prelude has me anticipating the sequel highly. The production is a lot more plugg-influenced than Antagonist! was & the introspection that made the first Golden Child so special happens to carry it’s way over here.

Score: 4/5

ssgkobe – “RELAPSED” review

This is the 15th EP from Louisiana rapper ssgkobe. Emerging out of the SoundCloud scene just a few years back, it wasn’t until earlier last spring when he was featured on a bonus track off of BROCKHAMPTON’s final album to date ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE where I was introduced to him. His major label debut albeit 12th EP overall KO. that came out a couple months later wasn’t the best place to start diving into his discography at all, but I was genuinely intrigued by Night Before once I started listening to his earlier work. That being said: I went into RELAPSED hoping that ssgkobe would redeem himself.

“Hershey” is a rage-induced opener wanting to know what his purpose is whereas “Getcha” takes a symphonic trap route to start boasting. “Oh No!” goes into atmospheric territory reaching the epiphany that his bitch was a thot while the song “9” talking about walking around strapped over a misty trap instrumental. The penultimate track “Every Second” has a cavernous aesthetic to it brushing off those who’re bitter at his success & “Okay, What R U Saying?” ends the EP with kobe over a woozy instrumental calling out someone for capping.

Compared to KO., there’s no denying that Relapsed is like night & day in terms of quality. The production has improved sounding a bit more varied in comparison to the predecessor trying to reach an audience that doesn’t exist & I respect that ssgkobe’s wearing his heart on his sleeve a lot more this time around, but I’d love for U4EYA to be a melting pot of the new sounds he’s dabbling with now & his rage/plugg roots.

Score: 3.5/5

Summrs – “Fallen Raven” review

Summrs is a 22 year old rapper from Lafayette, Louisiana who cam up as a member of the Goonie-founded Slayworld collective. His presence has been known predominantly in the plugg scene by constantly dropping projects whether it be the All Summr trilogy or his last EP What We Have, the latter of which in my opinion I’d recommend going to if you’re unfamiliar with the kid already. Last we heard from him was 9 months ago when he dropped Nothing More Nothing Less & after countless delays, he’s returning with his 6th full-length album.

“Let da Birds Out” is a hypertrap-laced opener with a blaring instrumental & lyrics warning to take down anyone who plays him whereas “Wakeup” takes a more odious route talking about wanting new shit. “So Much Cheese” comes through with some decent braggadocio even if the rage beat on here sounds like it was originally made for Yeat down to the bells, but then “Catch a Kill” works in some synth-horns & hi-hats showing a malicious side to him.

Meanwhile on “FadaPhillipe”, we have Summrs on top off a bassy instrumental continuing to flex leading into “Twin did dat” getting back in his gangsta rap back except the production is just mild to me. The beat that “Swing Ya Pole” brings to table is very similar to that of “So Much Cheese” talking about waking up to money on his mind just before “Clear da Business” brings the horns back telling a pussy to get out of his feelings.

“Calico from Mehico” laces some synthesizers boasting once more while “Don’t Mean Shit” ends Side A of the album by mixing a flute & bells confessing that drugs are killing him. “5:35am” is completely stripped back in terms of sound talking about fighting his demons daily while “Vali, CO” takes a cloudier approach saying all he wanted was the bag.

Following that, “For you” goes completely drumless as Summrs confesses his love to an unnamed woman while “Ashes” weaves some glistening pianos in talking about needing another cup. “Cuts So Deep 2” produced by Goyxrd goes full-blown plugg hoping he’ll be forgiven once he’s passed while the atmospheric “FTW” talking about people moving the fuck out his way when he’s posted up.

“Perfect Timing” has a peppier tone to the beat detailing being in love while “Soulja Rag” returns to cloudier territory talking about how it’s supposed to be. “Bonnie & Klyde 2” shoots for a wavier aesthetic wanting to wife up his girl while “NSA” is a chill way to end Side B of the album talking about how it was all supposed to be no strings attached.

The first bonus cut “Dear Mom,” reverts back to drumless turf much like “For you” dedicating it to his mother while the penultimate track “Loving u’s a Sin” is a twangy trap ballad comparing his bitch to that of the devil. “Caused Envy.” ends the album with a guitar & snares calling out someone who switched up on him all just for pussy.

As far as Summrs’ full-lengths go, I think it’s safe for me to say that Fallen Raven is my favorite thus far. To me, it really shows his range as an artist with EVOLVED 2 (Side A) dabbling with rage beats & What We Have 2 (Side B) sticking to the PluggnB sound that he as well as longtime collaborator Autumn! helped popularize.

Score: 4/5

KanKan – “##B4W2G” review

This is the 20th EP from Dallas, Texas recording artist & producer KanKan. Emerging in 2019 as a member of the Slayworld collective as well as landing production credits for a wide range of artists from Summrs to even Little Pimp, he would also go on to drop an eponymous debut mixtape accompanied by 19 EPs & a full-length debut in that short amount of time. But to warm everyone up for his upcoming sophomore effort Way 2 Geeked, it’s only right for KanKan to give the fans ##B4W2G as a way to hold us over until then.

“14” starts off the EP with a electronic/trap fusion talking about how the pussies can’t hit his za whereas “don’t @ me” takes a more uptempo route calling out those who think they’re better than him. The song “see u” shoots for a more atmospheric sound talking about treating every day like it’s a holiday while the penultimate track “after me” works in a rage beat confessing that he’s been geeked all summer. “taxbracket” closes things out with a fun braggadocio banger.

##RR was an impressive debut album for KanKan & for him to give us this in preparation for Way 2 Geeked, I’m really looking forward to hearing him continuing to artistically expand on there. I think the production of each cut gives off it’s own vibe & Kan’s songwriting is only getting catchier.

Score: 3.5/5

Autumn! – “Antagonist!” review

Autumn! is a 23 year old rapper/producer from Lafayette, Louisiana who’s made a name himself in the plugg scene by dropping 15 EPs & a full-length debut on SoundCloud since 2018. But in light of him signing to Victor Victor Worldwide & Republic Records following the release of his previous EP Not Much Longer last summer, he’s now returning with his long-awaited sophomore album & major label debut after teasing it for so long.

The self-produced title track opens up the album with some rage beats throwing shots at KanKan, SeptembersRich & Yeat whereas “STFU!” works in some Atari-like synths & some heavy bass talking about not wanting to hear shit unless it’s about the money. “STFU! 2” picks up right where it’s predecessor left off calling out those who backstabbed him, but then “I’m Him!” takes a ghostly route asking “Why these n****s keep playing like I ain’t him?”.

Meanwhile on “Everything!”, we have Autumn! returning to hypertrap territory declaring himself as a boss just before “Bentley Bentayga!” has a more futuristic flare to it talking about the rich lifestyle. “Bentley Bentayga! 2” is a bombastic follow-up to it’s predecessor asking how many bitches can fit in the titular car leading into the rage-sounding “Etiquette!” admits not knowing shit about protocol.

“Jumpin’!” goes into cloudier yet poppy territory thanks to Internet Money Records’ very own Rio Leyva reflecting on being destined for this music shit while “We Adapted!” returns to a more pluggier sound talking about feeling like a bastard & a pastor. The song “Free Bugga! 3” with Goyxrd is the 3rd tribute that Autumn! has made for his uncle Bugga in prison that’s just has touching as the predecessors while the penultimate track “Talk’s Cheap!” keeps the plugg vibes going talking about moving smarter. “1 Way!” eventually closes out the album with a contemporary R&B ballad addressing an ex.

Coming from someone who got put onto him last summer, I think this is a very impressive major label debut for Autumn! & some of the best work that he’s put out so far. The production is diverse in sound ranging from hypertrap to plugg & I admire that he didn’t go crazy for features to demonstrate his vocal/songwriting talents.

Score: 3.5/5

Yeat – “2 Alivë” review

Year is a 21 year old rapper from Portland, Oregon who out in 2018 off his debut EP Deep Blue $trips. This was followed up with 2 mixtapes & 3 more EPs, but he began dominating the mainstream in 2021 whether it be him dropping a total of 4 projects (2 mixtapes, an EP & a full-length debut) or cosigns from the likes of Drake & Earl Sweatshirt. But now with “U Could Tëll” appearing on one of latest Euphoria episodes & signing to Geffen Records, we’re finally being treated to Yeat’s long-awaited sophomore album.

“Poppin’” sets off the whole thing off on a cloudy note courtesy of BenjiCold boasting whereas “Outsidë” with Young Thug finds the 2 detailing the many benefits that come alongside their position as artists referencing 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair over an upbeat Supah Mario instrumental. “Rëal 6” takes a more atmospheric yet bass-heavy route with a clever homage to Nipsey Hu$$le in the hook, but then Trgc makes “Nvr again” sound something out of a retro video game as far as production goes & talking about his drug addiction.

Meanwhile on “Luh gëek”, we have Yeat over some prominent bass getting in his shit-talking bag leading into the Gunna assisted “Rackz got 2 më” talking about money consuming them over some somber bells. “Doublë” has a more futuristic feel to it detailing being “geeked out his mind” just before “On tha timë” talks about being the big dog & the instrumental reminds me a lot of Super Mario.

“Jus better” reincorporates some bells into an electronic backdrop speaking down on his competition while “Jump” reveals itself to be a vigorous moshpit anthem. “Dnt lië” follows it up by talking about going up on the list over a quirky instrumental whereas “Rollin’” shoots for a more chilled out vibe to flex.

Continuing from there, “Taliban” comes in with a more playful sound saying he’s always a geek while “Narcoticz” brings in Yung Kayo for a synth-laced drug theme. “Call më” follows that up with a decent love ballad & “Kan’t dië” picks brings back the synthesizers to brag.

Ken Carson tags along for the triumphant “Gëek high” talking about pulling up with the team while the song “Luh m” with ‎SeptembersRich is a cool little sequel to “Insidë out”. The penultimate track “Smooktobër” finds Yeat talking about fucking up the game over a spooky beat from F1LTHY of Working on Dying & “Still countin’” ends with the album with a hedonistic trap banger that Internet Money Records in-house producer Synthetic laced detailing the rich life.

“Big tonka” with Lil Uzi Vert starts the deluxe run with a euphoric, bell-heavy ode to Lamborghinis teasing a potential collaborative tape if that actually happens while “Kant rëlax” follows it up with a hypertrap banger about how ready he is. “No commënt” takes a more vibrant direction dissing Autumn! in the hook leading into Uzi returning for the futuristic yet uncanny “3G” talking about being the only ones outer space.

Meanwhile on “Nëw turban”, we have Yeat returning to hypertrap territory reincorporating some bells to spit some braggadocio just before “Hatër” claps back at those who don’t like him over a rubbery instrumental. The song “Way back” comes through with a more anthemic ballad talking about getting the cash while the penultimate track “Luv monëy” with Lancey Foux speaks for itself accompanied by a bass-heavy beat. “Dub” finishes the EP with an electrifying instrumental talking about his wins.

To see how far this dude has come within the last year has been incredible to watch because 2 Alivë has to be his best full-length yet in my eyes. It’s not as cloudy or pluggy as his early work, but he still displays a unique take on modern trap even on a major label.

Score: 4/5

KanKan – “##RR” review

KanKan is a 21 year old artist & producer from Dallas, Texas who emerged in 2019 as a member of Slayworld & by landing production credits for a wide range of artists from Summrs to even Little Pimp. He’s also dropped an eponymous debut mixtape & 14 EPs in that short amount of time, but all of that has but nothing but a pre-game & is ready to prove the world what he’s really capable of on his very 1st full-length album.

“Arcteryx” kicks it all off a fun little freestyle accompanied by a minimal yet joyous instrumental whereas “Red” is a bass-heavier cut speaking on his newfound fame. “Breakin the Bank” is a cool electro/trap fusion about his wealth, but then “Not da Same” feels like a leftover from Yeat’s latest album Up 2 Më given the lack of KanKan’s presence on it.

The title track brings in some hypnotic synth melodies celebrating the paper coming in by dropping it on a black Bentley & Roxis just before “Wreck” works in a blobby bass-line talking about walking in the club with that fire. After the acoustic-tinged “Oxy” interlude, “Milan” serves as a corny love ballad with an underwhelming Joony verse at the start leading into the cloudy yet monstrous “Dissin’” goes at his naysayers.

“Under Me” continues where the previous cut left off thematically albeit with a mistier beat while “Take It to Trial” serves as an underwritten shot at studio gangsters. The song “Fuk tha Clout” with Yeat finds the 2 on top of a mind-altering instrumental saying they don’t care about the fame while the penultimate track “Russian Shit” works in some piano melodies getting on his hardcore shit & “Demon Time” is a short yet grim finisher to the album displaying his recklessness.

Overall, #RR is a pretty respectable debut album & I’m curious to hear where he goes from here in the subsequent future. A couple songs seem like they’re unfinished & not fully realized, but KanKan continues to make his mark as one of the biggest names in the plugg scene today as he vibrantly details where he’s at currently.

Score: 3.5/5