KXNG CROOKED – “West Coast ‘96” review

Eastside, Long Beach, California emcee KXNG CROOKED releasing his 6th solo LP & the first in 7 years. Originally signing to Virgin Music & Death Row Records without making his debut, he would go on to become a member of Slaughterhouse until their disbandment dropping a total of 17 mixtapes as well as 10 extended plays & his last 5 full-lengths. My favorites include the relevant Good vs. Evil, it’s sequel & Gravitas produced by Bronze Nazareth. The latter being the last time Crook has given us a proper album of solo material since he focused on doing H.A.R.D. with his Slaughterhouse brethren Joell Ortiz, taking it all the way back to West Coast ‘96.

After the “Dayz of the Past” intro, the title track kicks things off reflecting what it was like around his parts 3 decades ago over a ghostly boom bap instrumental prior to “West Coast ‘26” carrying that same energy over on some g-funk shit pretty much bringing us to the present day. “7 Day Theory” smoothly celebrates 2 whole decades since he founded the Circle of Bosses a.k.a. C.O.B. just before “Safe” sends a prayer to God asking to be protected from those who want him smoked.

“Po No Mo” already hits the midway point of West Coast ‘96 talking about becoming wealthy after struggling with poverty for a period of time while the trunk-rattling “For the Love” explains the only reason he began making music when the game was dangerously grimy. “Retire You” gives off some heavy Zapp vibes so he can tackle more romantic subject matter leading into “Makin’ Playaz” instrumentally whipping up something The Neptunes would’ve made back in the early 2000s.

The track “Changez” winds down the last few moments of the album eerily talking about how he used to be a fool at a younger age & cherishing life nowadays, acknowledging some want to see him fall off in addition to the necessity of legitimate ones evolving if they wanna maintain & “Last Song” spends the remaining minutes appropriately taking up the closer giving it up to all the people in his life who’ve since passed away because he doesn’t know when his time’s coming.

Originally set to drop back in July, it would turn out KXNG CROOKED delayed West Coast ‘96 a little more & would consider it a worthy comeback for the Long Beach veteran although I wouldn’t put it above the Good vs. Evil saga or Gravitas. The production has more of a consistent west coast sound to it compared to the last 3 albums Crook put out by himself, refraining from any guest appearance to test whether or not his love for making music has faded.

Score: 3.5/5

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Statik Selektah – “Round Trip” review

Statik Selektah is a 41 year old producer, DJ & radio personality from Boston, Massachusetts widely considered to be one of the most consistent & hard-working producers in all of hip hop for over a decade now whether it be his output as part of the producer/MC duo 1982 alongside fellow Boston native Termanology or entirely producing projects for the likes of Action Bronson & Paul Wall. Even his 9 solo albums have a chockfull of bangers on them, most notably Extended Play & #WhatGoesAround…. But as the 3 year anniversary of Statik’s last full-length outing The Balancing Act approaches in a couple of weeks, he’s making a Round Trip with the 10th.

The title track by Posdnuos is a heartbreaking boom bap opener paying tribute to the late Dave of De La Soul who tragically passed away 4 months ago of congestive heart failure whereas “Historic” by AZ & Ransom finds the pair delivering coming together for a jazz rap banger talking about this latest run. “Different League” by Benny the Butcher & 1982 gives off a spookier atmosphere making it clear they’re a different breed just before “Can’t Stop” by Stove God Cook$ & Symba is a more motivational boom bap joint talking about keeping it moving with Nina Sky on the hook.

“Unpredictable” by the greatest hip hop group of all-time Wu-Tang Clan pays homage to that old RZA sound as Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Raekwon spit 4 lethal verses leading into “Ain’t Too Much To It” by Ab-Soul, Bun B & Conway the Machine is a somber boom bap ballad with the title saying it all conceptually. “Life & Times” by Joey Bada$$ blends these rich keys with kicks & snares talking about being perfect even though he’s not always right, but then “Droppin’ Bodies” by Millyz has to be one of my favorite songs of his yet with the smooth boom bap instrumental & lyrics displaying his cinematic lifestyle.

Meanwhile, we have Cormega & M.O.P. linking up on the warmly produced “It’s Different” with some jazzy undertones making it clear that this is business while “Lion Hearted” by Boldy James & eLZhi finds the 2 motor city wordsmiths over a more spacious boom bap beat justifiably talking about having flows like no tomorrow. “The New Joe” by NEMS is more sample-based as the Fuck Ya Lyfe general dropping some cutthroat battle raps while “1 4 Ages” by Tha God Fahim whips up a colorful instrumental so the Dump Gawd can talk about not slowing down to chase greatness.

Kota the Friend & Marco Plus hop on top of some kicks, snares & sumptuous pianos for “Right Here” making sure they have shit on lock & even though the vibraphone-inflicted boom bap production on “Limbo” is gorgeous, Russ sounds like a Great Value J. Cole even though I genuinely appreciate him discussing trying to evolve like he did on CHOMP 2.5 last month as decent as that EP was. “The Code” by Lukah, Reuben Vincent & Rome Streetz talks about living & dying by exactly that over a cozy jazz hop beat while “Got 2 Give” by redveil speaks on giving everything that he has with a catchy sample & his infectious performances.

“Vanilla Sky” by G-Eazy has a bluesier boom bap flare to it saying it’s been a minute since he’s decided to chill having a dream of living wealthy while the song “Factory” by IDK has a groovier vibe to it telling y’all not to disrespect him with all that talk. The penultimate track “In the Pocket” by Logic goes chipmunk soul comparing his lyrics going at your dome like an 8 ball prior to “Full Circle” by the Showoff Crew ending the album talking about having their best friends in the end over another vibraphone heavy instrumental.

As someone who’s been listening to Statik since his adolescence, I have a strong feeling that Round Trip will quickly become one of my top 3 solo albums of his because I find myself really enjoying this more than his last few even though they most certainly had their highlights. The Boston veteran’s production gives off a more summer vibe to his signature jazzy boom bap sound & the guest list is incredibly tight although a couple punched under their weight.

Score: 4/5

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Statik Selektah – “The Balancing Act” review

This is the 9th full-length album from Boston producer, DJ & radio personality Statik Selektah. From his output as part of the producer/MC duo 1982 alongside fellow Boston native Termanology to entirely producing projects for the likes of Action Bronson & Paul Wall, this dude has really made his presence known as one of the most consistent & hard-working producers in all of hip hop for over a decade now. Even his 8 solo albums have a chockfull of bangers on them, most notably Extended Play & #WhatGoesAround…. But as the 3 year anniversary of Statik’s last full-length outing 8 approaches in a couple of weeks, he’s joining forces with nas’ Mass Appeal Records to bring you The Balancing Act.

The opener “The Healing” by Black Thought talks about crooked cops over a haunting instrumental whereas the next song “Keep It Moving” by Joey Bada$$ & Nas finds the 2 trading bars back & forth with one another over well-flipped sample of “Walk On By” off of Jonathan Davis’ 2018 solo album Black Labyrinth. The track “Play Around” by Conway the Machine, Killer Mike & 2 Chainz sees the 3 talking about how they’re the real deal over a boom bap beat with some somber keyboards while the song “Hard Living” by Dave East & Method Man finds the 2 talking about what it was like for them growing up in the Big Apple over a melancholic beat.

The track “Time” by Jack Harlow talks about how life’s too short over a mellow instrumental while the song “Watch Me” by Joey Bada$$ talks about being the illest in the city over some keys & live drumming. The track “America is Cancelled” by Jadakiss, Styles P & 1982 addresses corruption in our government over a jazzy instrumental while the song “No Substitute” by Benny the Butcher & Paul Wall talks about pursuing the cash referencing former 2-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones over a boom bap beat with some horns.

The track “Off My Mind” by Fly Anakin & Rome Streetz sees the 2 talking about the trials & tribulations over a soulful instrumental while the song “Welcome to the Game” by Kota the Friend & Marlon Craft gives some advice to those setting their foot in the music industry over a luxurious beat. The track “Soul Custody” by Blu & Evidence finds the 2 getting romantic over a perfect instrumental to get you in the mood while the song “No More” by Lil’ Fame, Rim da Villin & Smoke DZA sees the trio spitting battle bars over some churchy background vocals.

The track “Ralph Laurens” by the late Sean Price & Thirstin Howl III sees the 2 telling the listener to believe the rumors over an operatic instrumental while the song “Balance Beam” by CJ Fly, JFK & Nick Grant finds the 3 talking about being on a tightrope over a boom bap beat with some horns. The penultimate track “Way Up” by TrillStatik & Havoc finds the 2 paying tribute to Pimp C & Prodigy respectively over a mournful instrumental whereas the closer “Immortal” by Bobby Sessions talks about being just that over a quasi-jazzy boom bap beat.

Pretty good way for Statik Selektah to kick off his 2020s output. Couple of performers I could’ve done without, but I really dig how he used more original compositions on here rather than sampling & it does a good job at executing a concept documenting the times we’re currently in.

Score: 3.5/5