B.A.R.S. – Self-Titled review

B.A.R.S. is an underground quartet consisting of V Sinizter, Zitro, Tierre Diaz & Clifton Derrell. One of whom is a Saginaw, Michigan native releasing his debut EP Hunting Season in 2003 under Psychopathic Records, Zitro is one of the newest members of the hatchet family coming straight outta Detroit, Tierre hails from Boston, Massachusetts coming fresh off signing to DJ Clay’s very own Armed Robbery Entertainment last summer & finally Clifton represents the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois as an overly smart punk who experienced his first electric moment when Eric B. & Rakim’s rhythm hit him. So considering their histories intertwining with juggalo culture, it only makes sense for all 4 emcees to form a supergroup & introduce themselves as a unit on their debut EP.

The title track is an incredibly rugged opener talking about everyone watching them with all hands on deck whereas the rowdy “On Sight” sets out to start riots in every club they hit up. “The Pinnacle” begins the 2nd leg of the EP by giving off a bit of a futuristic vibe instrumentally boasting that they’re in demand & ready to bring the pain, but then “Top No More” rounds things out by calling out those who’re envious of seeing the 4 on top over these guitar licks & hi-hats.

Anyone who considers themselves to be a fan of any or all 4 of the members of B.A.R.S. has to check out their eponymous debut EP together here & it makes me anticipate hearing what the underground supergroup has coming down the pipe from hereon out. The production gives off a different vibe for everyone & although everyone has stood out in their own ways previously, hearing them together is another level.

Score: 4/5

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Caarnivorz – “CaarnivorouZ” review

The Caarnivorz are an underground duo consisting of Detroit, Michigan emcee Zitro as well as Arlington, Texas emcee Claas. One of whom is an established veteran in the wicked shit scene ranging from his own solo output to memberships with The Underground Avengers & VLNC to name a couple who’s been making himself at home with Lyrikal Snuff Productionz for the past 6 years, the other has been growing in popularity as of late after being co-signed by the Insane Clown Posse to point where I caught him live at the 2021 Gathering of the Juggalos & they referred to him as “the newest member of the Psychopathic Records family” in the liner notes of Yum Yum Bedlam a couple months later. The following summer, Zitro revealed himself as the Nain Rouge of Detroit & is now forming like Voltron with Claas for a debut EP.

After the intro, the first song “No Problems” is a dark trap opener to the EP cautioning that nobody wants to catch heat from them whereas “They Don’t Want None” talks about catching a case over an eerie loop with some hi-hats. “Too Bad” explosively calls out everyone who hates them because they’re not in their positions accompanied by a bassy trap instrumental, but then “I Want the Smoke” works in a vocal sample & hi-hats talking about being ready to go to war. “Don’t Get Involved” draws near the end of the Caarnivorz’ introductory project angrily advising that you’ll end up missing if you don’t do as the title suggests & prior to the outro, the final song “Fuck Around & Find Out” on a chaotic note expressing their desire to leave ‘em all dead at the end of the day.

I’ve been following Claas for about a decade at this point & only got introduced to Zitro during the pandemic, but I am a fan of both artists’ music & found it interesting that they were forming a duo together since they’ve never worked with one another previously on top of LSP putting it out. Unsurprisingly: CaarnivorouZ has me anticipating what comes from the Caarnivorz in the future. The production’s more trap-centered & both MCs match each other’s intensities well.

Score: 4/5

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Zitro – “Nain Rouge” review

Zitro is a 33 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who started making music when he was in the 7th grade. But it wasn’t until February 2020 where he would put out his full-length debut A New Beginning & followed it up last summer with the debut EP Black Diamondz + Long Islandz following a set at the Gathering of the Juggalos, which eventually led the Insane Clown Posse signing him to Psychopathic Records a couple months later as announced the booklet of the 5th Joker’s Card in the 2nd deck Yum Yum Bedlam. So considering that the Gathering of Dreams is going down this week, it’s only fitting for Zitro to put out a sophomore album.

After the “Who or What is Nain Rogue?” intro, “The Arrival” is a bombastic trap opener threatening his opposition whereas the Bake Lo-assisted “God StatuZ” grimly finds the 2 declaring themselves as Gods. “Monster” shoots for a more demonic aesthetic talking about being a killer, but then “Thuggalo” is a sprightly ode to every single juggalo that grew up in the hood.

Meanwhile on “Becoming a Problem”, we have Zitro over a bell-infused trap beat calling out the haters who wanna be just like him just before “Here to Kill (I Ain’t Trick-R-Treatin’)” is a pop rap cut getting on his serial killer shit. “Look in My EyeZ” is a spacey trap banger talking about seeing the pain inside him just before “Long Dark Road” comes through as a favorite of mine on the album from Godsynth’s production to Zitro’s lyrics deciding whether or not to head into the light.

“Loco (Because of You)” takes a rubberier route talking about how deranged he is prior to Histio coming into the picture for “I’m Good” to chillingly describe the only way for them to cope with their depression is. “With the Tint” has a more cloudier vibe to it talking about everything being black while the keyboard-laced “Wicked Whippin’” with Tierre Diaz to get whatever’s on their minds.

The song “Nightmare Walkin’” with Geno Live & R.U.C.K.I.S.S. sees the trio over a sinister trap instrumental talking about their violent urges while the penultimate track “Move It” follows that up with an off-the-wall club banger. “Who You Want?” however ends the album with a Middle Eastern-influenced jam bringing the Demon out.

Compared to Black Diamondz + Long Islandz & A New Beginning, the amount of creative growth provided throughout Nain Rouge is pretty impressive. I really like how the production happens to be more versatile in terms of overall sound & the whole concept of Zitro being the Demon of the Strait in the living flesh is well-detailed.

Score: 3.5/5