Tag: SmooVth

SmooVth – “Project Near You” review

This is the 14th full-length album from Hempstead emcee SmooVth. Coming up as 1/2 of the duo Tha Connection alongside Hus Kingpin, he would also build an impressive solo discography for himself along the way with my personal favorites being just about everything that Giallo Point has ever done with him: Portrait of a Pimp, Medellin, the sequel to the latter Medellin II: Don Fabio & Amongst Wolves. But when it was revealed that Fredro Starr of the revered Queens duo Onyx was gonna behind the boards for Project Near You from beginning to end, my anticipation for it was very high considering that Q started making beats recently as well as Onyx vs. Everybody being the best thing that he & Sticky Fingaz have done together since the Snowgoons-produced SnowMads nearly 3 years back.

“Project” is a soulful opener vividly describing how it be in Hempstead whereas “The High” works in some pianos to talk about making a band. “That’z Us” brings some stellar vibraphones in the mix so that both parties can give it to you raw & uncut, but then Tha Connection links up for the piano/boom bap hybrid “Niggary” with both MCs spitting some gritty ass gangsta raps.

Meanwhile on “17 a Key”, we have SmooVth over a drumless loop getting on his pyrex shit leading into J.D. Era tagging along for the dreary “100 Up” talking about how no one can fuck with them even though J.D.’s verse has to be the weakest feature on the album with all respect. Fredro himself comes into the picture for the title track lacing some acoustics & dusty drums advising that they’ll be pulling up to a hood nearby just before “Straight A’s” brings back the keys looking back on being told he can’t get paid or laid.

The song “Imagine” shoots for a more tranquil aesthetic instrumentally providing food for thought while the penultimate track “Corner Pockets” returns to grimier territory talking about how ruff & rugged shit can get. “Sad & Blue” however ends the album with glossy beat & a sample of “La Di Da Di” by Slick Rick as SmooVth tells his audience that’s exactly how he’s feeling.

Now, if you happen to be a fan of both of these guys like I am, then I highly recommend giving Project Near You a listen because it’s one of my favorite SmooVth albums to date. The lyricism from him & nearly every feature takes you through the harsh realities of the Big Apple with Fredro’s continuing to refine his production game, as the shit he cooks up here is even better than what I heard on the last Onyx EP.

Score: 4/5

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SmooVth – “Amongst Wolves” review

SmooVth is a 35 year old MC from Hempstead, New York known for being a part of the duo Tha Connection alongside Hus Kingpin. But as far as his 11 solo efforts go, I recommend checking out Portrait of a Pimp as well as the Young SmooVth & Medellin duologies. The dude dropped something was the DJ Beanz-mixed rarities mixtape entitled Tha Conduit this past Christmas & now just a couple months later, he’s reuniting with Giallo Point for his 12th full-length album.

After the intro, the first song “Double Dutch” talks about using ice cream trucks to cover up them slanging dope over a dust boom bap beat with some glistening chimes while the track “Grey Heron” talks about his rapping prowess over some prominent string loops. The song “Rogue” talks about disappearing with his best friend on top of an overcast beat while the track “Nickel” talks about him & Hus “supersizing” over a funky bass-line & some opulent piano chords.

The song “Joe Blow” talks about sending “30 deep poppin’ on ya man” over a cinematic instrumental while the track “Bullet Holes” with Asun Eastwood sees the duo talking about being them dudes over a boom bap beat. The song “Boss” with Rigz finds the 2 literally talking about being mob bosses over a drumless, meditative instrumental a while the track “38 Corridor” talks about how no one’s fucking with him over a well incorporated soul sample.

The song “Real Me” talks about giving the listener a good look as to who he is over a sleek instrumental while “The Ave” talks about his family & I really dig the guitar licking in the beat a lot. The song “Mega” talks about gangsta leaning over some synths & finger-snaps while the track “Hillside” talks about not giving a fuck about a judge over a symphonious beat.

The song “Hieroglyphics” finds Tha Connection comparing their lyrics to such over some pensive keyboards glistening away in the instrumental while the track “Sparks Fly” with Big Twins sees the 2 talking about living it up over a foreboding beat. The song “Plates” with Stuyville finds the trio barring shut out for 3-minutes nonstop over a sullen instrumental & then the closer “War” talks about standing tall over some organs.

Whenever this emcee/producer duo come together, it’s always something special & their 4th outing together is no exception. Giallo Point continues to cement himself as one of the best producers that the UK has to offer currently & his sound continues to suit SmooVth’s razor-sharp lyricism best.

Score: 4.5/5