By Alex P80 Parks

The Queens MC And Broken Home member drops his EP Old Morals New Ble$$ings full of nostalgia and witty rhymes. On his fourth official project, Aye Wun shares production duties with Matt Kuartz as the two create beats full of chopped, sped-up soul and doo-wop samples to take heads back to another era while keeping the lyrics current and sharp.

AW: “Ive always been making beats since young. I basically taught myself because i couldnt get no one to give me beats when i was first starting out so i thought fuck it ima learn myself.”

Along with some respectable beats, Aye brings plenty of punchlines and some comedic wordplay in his lyrics. He always seems to be talking slick about your girl or how you just don’t stack up to him in the arena. The overall tone of the EP is upbeat and nostalgic, maintaining a vintage New York sound, fully representing his native Queens. Aye Wun brings the stylings of a vet with a fairly polished sound to his joints. Aye discusses his Broken Home affiliation:

AW: “I connected wit Broken Home at a place in long island city, Queens called Goblin Music Studio. That place was like a rap dojo. Random nights you’d just be casually chilling with some of hip hop’s legends. If you were from NYC and you was nice wit that pen you was there at least once. But that’s where I joined forces with Broken Home and they will always be my brothers for life. Its deeper than music.”

“Renunciation (intro)” (prod by Aye Wun) through spoken-word, Aye breaks down some insightful and introspective shit:

AW: “The intro is something I got from a passage in a book called The Man Who Wanted To Meet God. My bro Tony sent me it on some random shit one day and I felt like it fit the theme perfectly.”

“Old Morals New Blessings” (prod by Aye Wun) Soul loops complete with a beautiful sped-up vocal sample set the scene for Aye to spit lines like:

“Apply yourself everyday, A. Y. E.

Gun-butt you with the French toast, c’est la vie

Ya bitch drier than a elbow in December

Ill since the placenta, kill for illegal tenders

Protect ya lady, I make chochas moist.

I’m like Pain in da ass, you know my voice”

AW: “I came up wit the slogan Old Morals New Ble$$ings without having a project in the works or in mind. It was just a phrase that I live and stand by. Basically it means you dont have to sell your soul to be successful, you can stick to what you believe in and still flourish in whatever you do or in just life period”

“Lo Siento” (prod by Matt Kuartz) An uptempo series of chopped piano, horn loops and short vocal samples all contribute to an inspiring vibe while staying tongue-in-cheek as Aye basically apologizes for being dope and keeping it moving.

Check the track here:

https://soundcloud.com/aye-wun-1/lo-siento

“United Nations” feat Joccusto (prod by Aye Wun) over strings and a wobbly resonating vocal sample, Joccusto delivers a smooth flow on this joint while Aye stays focused and precise with lines like:

“Ya baby moms wanna see me

Thinkin you nicer than Aye, you smokin heemie.”

“Can’t put a price on nice” (prod by Matt Kuartz) The beat features sped-up chopped vocal samples and booming drums with short piano, guitar and strings loops.

Aye spits:

“Learn from the legends, I got the cheat code,

Fuck the radio, I don’t need a Ebro

Take a fat chick, make her do a handstand

Tell her spread it wide, got her boofin hash plant

Take a bump of the butt of a parliament

Then listen to my discography, all of it

Soft shell crabs and RL bags.”

A solid display of some creativity in his rhymes show Aye’s respectable pen game.

“We All Go Thru It” (prod by Matt Kuartz) consisting of short piano chords and chopped vocal samples, Aye harmonizes on the hook, providing a wise-beyond-his-years perspective on this track.

“Add Da Lessons (RIP Half-A-Mill)” Over a beat from Half-A-Mill, this bouncing joint with drums that punch and background strings give this track a throwback feeling of remembrance.

Old Morals New Ble$$ings displays Aye Wun’s skills on the mic and also his ability to craft some dope beats as well. Sticking with the soul and doo-wop samples certainly maintains the intended reminiscent NY vibe as Aye Wun and Matt Kuartz stay within the eras that are clearly influential to them when creating their beats. Aye Wun has some talent on the mic and on the beats, so keep an ear out for the Queens Broken Home emcee as he continues to make some dope hip hop.

cop the EP Old Morals New Ble$$ings available on Christmas 2018 here:

https://ayewun1.bandcamp.com/

Eff Yoo enlists fellow Queens MC Fastlife, for this latest single off his Spicaso Dos EP. Both Queens lyricists flow effortlessly over a futuristic banger from Toronto producer The Kurse.

Check out the joint here:

https://soundcloud.com/effyoo/eff-yoo-saks-fifth-avenue-ft-fastlife-prod-by-the-kurse/s-FXwLu

Check out the full review of Spicaso Dos here:

https://deeplyrootedhiphop.com/2018/11/27/spicaso-dos-eff-yoo-x-the-kurse/

by Alex P80 Parks

The Long Island emcee is back again with another full-length LP. Rock Season shows more growth and versatility in Bub’s skills while bringing in a balance of established veteran producers and some newer cats on the rise.

Bub Rock doesn’t only confine his to rhymes to drugs and the trite lines of success and wealth. But rather, Bub holds realistic views and a relatable persona while maintaining a vault of thoughtful and intelligent rhymes involving everyday life. Bub’s wild references are broad but pointed and applicable. There’s far more than superficial lyrics with Bub Rock. Like many skilled writers or poets, he has a special relationship with his words to convey a feeling, a mood or in taking the mundane and just making it sound extra fly.

“Intro” (prod by Fith) Coming in strong over a series of haunting piano loops Bub spits lines like:

“Right to carry, Shoot like Barry, Rick or Brent

All intense predicaments

It’s in the air, gotta watch them n***as over there

Curve shit, curveball, knack for baseball caps.

N***as that pitch in the field, cut my verse on like, yo you heard him?

While they working

You know me too well, though n***as have to hate

I’d rather sell merch while you n***as fabricate”

“Deja Vu” feat Codenine (prod by JLVSN) The Strong Island and Lynn, Mass emcees connect on this joint, bringing their elite raps over a JLVSN beat consisting mainly of Masterpiece’s “Love is what you make it.” Both spitters ride the smooth slow-tempo with a warm, confident vibe.

“RockSeason Freestyle” pairs Bub with NY producer The Artivist. The track sports a robust loop with guitars, strings and drums. The Artivist selects a rhythmic loop with decent tempo for Bub to spill out his lyrics onto.

Bub rhymes :

“I wish you health and wealth,

A hundred years of success.

Even if you wish me the opposite

Under ya breath, Poppin shit.

Pillow talkin with devious women,

Let’s not..

Same exact sheets i fucked on

She slept in the wet spot

Get ya spot wet…”

Check the track here:

https://soundcloud.com/kingbubrock/bub-rock-rockseason-freestyle-prod-by-artivist

Bub brings his witty rhymes, both visceral and intelligent on joints like this.

“Titos” (Produced by The Historian) is a vibrant loop with a steady flute and bongo percussion, with enough energy to keep the ladies’ hips swinging.

With rhymes like:

“I got a chick for every bump on ya face

I don’t follow, you n***as swallow, wipe that cum off ya face”

It’s evident that he’s not taking anybody serious as threat to his skills in the game.

Bub clearly has an affinity for the 70’s/80’s soul and R&B samples like “Nah“(prod by ECTO-84) where he sways back and forth over the airy vocals and light guitar loops. Tracks like “The Rock 2” (prod by Seth Silensir) and “New Century” (Produced by The Standouts) feature chopped up horn and string loops coupled with a vocal soul samples.

“Familia” ft. Broz (Prod By Giallo Point) Bub is sharp on this cut over a thumping Giallo beat with beautiful strings loops and repetitive acoustic guitar riff. Bub’s flow just pours out on this joint. Bub’s homie and a solid emcee in his own right, Broz, delivers his lines with ease.

“The Kill” (Produced By AP) On an uptempo throwback joint, over 80’s r&b vocals and resonating synths, Bub brings the heavy street soul here. We don’t hear Bub talking about shooting cats amidst some beef, instead he rides solo, dropping gems about his son, the constant annoyance of dealing with women and his perspectives on life.

“Ball Playing n***as” (Prod by Historian) Bub drifts off on this one over a delicate jazz sample from the Historian with a sped-up vocal loop highlighting the somber and introspective mood of the track. It’s a gorgeous loop full of rich jazz instrumentation as Bub floats effortlessly.

“Seasons” (prod by Wavy Da Ghawd) is a grand orchestral loop with a choir sample in the background. Bub brings his perfected flow with lines like:

“What better time for a victory lap

Look back on the year

I bomb this Cup of pineapple with clear

Out-rapping you, back to back it’s no fear

That’s a fact, should be under the cap on the Snapple.”

“Cold Summer” feat Rome Streetz (prod by The Historian) With a smooth 70’s vibe, a subtle guitar riff and rising strings, both elite NY emcees bring their best.

“Pink Lo Mein” (prod by Artivist) Over chopped vocal loops and punchy drums, Bub rhymes:

“We coin quotes for quotas, watch the come-up

Couple features bout to come out and you know I’m talking

Cuz Being real don’t cost you nothing, N***as cant afford it

And when you real they big you up cuz n***as can’t ignore it.

I like to chill and play the cut, my aura, the cloth I’m cut from.”

“Memories” ends on a sentimental yet inspiring note. Don Carrera crafts a poignant soul beat full of heart. Bub Rock dives into the past to share his stories.

Rock Season has the peaks and valleys tempo-wise, while also varying mood from the melancholy to the more uplifting; Bub brings the cuts that appeal to the ladies, and then delivers the tough emcee-duo tracks along with the smooth soul joints, all throughout the course of this sonic journey. Regardless of a concept or a collection of songs, memorable albums are born from contrasting and differing tracks juxtaposed and sequenced in just the right way.

Bub sounds as smooth as ever on Rock Season, spilling his rhymes into one another, maintaining a dope cadence. Bub always brings the fly, creative wordplay. Never catering to a particular style or attempting to broaden his appeal, Bub Rock displays a range of flexibility with his flows on Rock Season. Certainly his best and most comprehensive work to date. No stopping Bub Rock as he continues to rise and create polished projects, further enhancing his body of work and his place in HipHop.

Cop the album here:

http://bubbarock.bandcamp.com/album/rockseason

West Philly emcee King Shampz drops the first single off his upcoming debut album Road to Peru. “Half a Bricc” produced by his younger brother, Azzan, sports a vintage east coast sound with layers of chopped samples and plenty of head-nodding thump. Shampz brings his raspy commanding flow on the track, spitting menacingly:

“Plant bombs in ya vehicle, Ya baby mom’s buick

Kidnap ya brother, have him drinking car fluid.”

Check out the track here:

https://m.soundcloud.com/dead-wrong-records/king-shampz-half-a-briccprodby-azzan

And keep watch for his upcoming album Road to Peru coming soon.

By Alex P80 Parks

With Noise Kandy 2: The Re-Up, Brooklyn’s Rome Streetz quietly drops off his latest bundle of audio dope for the fiends. Just like Street Farmacy and the first Noise Kandy, Rome stays consistent in keeping with his drug-themed titles and content. On this project, he dishes out 6 bumps of audio coke here, each one different enough, while still showing his consistency.

Rome Streetz has taken his place amongst hip hop’s elite underground emcees. He continues to show an unparalleled skill on the mic, with his witty and clever rhymes, always pushing his creativity and varying his word choices. He continually surprises with some crazy bars, even after a few listens.

For both Noise Kandy projects, Rome Streetz certainly didn’t shy away from the cocaine-related artwork. The first was cover was even considered so much of a glorification of drug use that Rome was unable to use the image for streaming/digital sites.

“DMT Vape Pen” over a crackling NCL-TM loop, Rome breaks everything down. He tells you exactly what’s gonna happen to you and your bitch and how he’s gonna spend your money after he robs you. The gentle loops cascade into each other with light industrial percussion in the background

The Historian lays a 70’s-style flute groove on “Piss Moet” as Streetz bodies the track, spitting double time:

“Ayo, All I do is exhale cookies and piss Moet

Count blue Benjamins, rock Lo with a gold neck

You hoes pose no threat, My shit jamming like a old tec

Crown holder like the logo on a Rolex

Need presidents to represent like Hova in that old Lex.”

This joint brings the energy and crazy flow from the BK emcee. The loops deliver, with just enough low-end rhythm to pair with Rome’s hyper-flow.

“Colombian NeckTie” feat Illa Ghee and Agallah prod by Illah Dutch. A chopped doo-wop vocal sample with punchy snares and bass lets all the emcees shine. The 2 OG’s, Illa Ghee and Agallah bring their own unique cadence and deliveries to the track. Rome again, brings the clever references rhyming:

“All you n***as garbage

Ya bitch face, my cum target

Free my n***as fighting gun charges

My Gucci garments is flawless, leather and ostrich.

Hit you marks with everything I got in the cartridge, Ya wig on the carpet.

You could never fuck with our shit, ya just a novice

My camp exterminate you muthafuckas like Aushwitz.”

“Deadface Notes” prod by Vinyl Villain and Loman is an eerie track. Vinyl Villain and Loman remarkably, created this joint with bacon sizzling for the snare along with a cash register sound. Rome works as well on these types of murky tracks as he does the orchestral sample tracks.

“Master or Servant?” Prod by Vinyl Villain is a snake-charmer banger. Rome coaxes the serpents to bend to his will, coming clever with lines like:

“Ya days are numbered like a rapist on death row

Only conducting conversations concerning escrow

Turn my street dreams to reality like Esco

Now I’m droppin music for the masses like Depeche Mode.”

The beat bangs with dusty drums and sufficient bass.

“Foaming Out The Mouth” prod by Wavy Da Ghawd is an excellent closer to the EP. Wavy lays a sinister loop full of apprehension; with horns rising, piano keys heightening the tension.

“New York streets made me cagey

Trustin’ too much then you crazy

My scripture paint a vivid picture like Scorsese

My boy Wavy laced the track, I spit the arsonic.”

On Noise Kandy 2, Rome continues bringing the ill references and visceral rhymes. Rome remains one of the top spitters in the game. Working with these talented producers on this album continues to add to Rome’s resume of high-quality HipHop. Rome Streetz keeps coming with heat in 2018. This project is no exception, as he wraps up the year with another dope project.

Cop the album here:

https://romestreetz.bandcamp.com/

The mad genius Fortes comes to bless heads with his second installment of his No More Words Instrumentals albums. Volumes 1 and 2 each feature 20 instrumental beats. Both volumes are packed with a diverse array of top-notch production. Fortes masterminds the beats from the more simple loops all the way to the heavy bangers filled with booming bass and slapping drums.

The tracks are often perfect to zone out to, just hitting the right mood. Fortes has the innate ability in uncovering samples from so many genres and incorporating them into his beats to formulate such rich and warm beats.

I’m certainly partial to a few of these gems, like “Respect the Recluse” and “Y’all Talk Too Much,” after witnessing the creation of these and several other joints when we linked earlier this year. Other standout cuts include “A Lotta Ways to Die,” and “Profit Margin” amongst others.

A great collection of beats for those into instrumentals or for a rapper looking to sharpen their own pen over some exquisitely-produced tracks.

Cop the albums here:

https://realfortes.bandcamp.com

And check out my in-depth interview with Fortes here:

https://deeplyrootedhiphop.com/2018/07/27/exclusive-fortes-interview/

The Long Island spitter hits us with his fiery street flow on “Talk.” Wavy sets Spoda up with a bouncing bass groove, subtle percussion and repetitive guitar loop. Spoda lays down his tough “talk” on this joint, rhyming:

“It’s time to eat, where’s my dinner plate?

The energy that they give me, I reciprocate.

I don’t do the fake, if you a snake then I gotta snip you..”

Check it out here:

https://soundcloud.com/dopeflow631/talk-produced-by-wavy-da-ghawd

By Alex P80 Parks

Caliginous means misty, dim, dark or obscure. All of those words could easily describe Evilldewer’s beats. Over 19 tracks, the Boston-area producer takes us on a gloomy jaunt of spiritualism, while transcending HipHop sub-genres with moody and emotive soundscapes.

This collection of beats captures larger ideas and themes such as mysticism, spirituality, afterlife, the occult, amongst others. This album brings listeners through an adventure, highlighting all of those concepts through the tone of Evilldewer’s music.

“The Awakening” slowly activates the senses. The listeners acclimate their ears to the thump of the deep bass and punch of the drums. Guitar riffs trail into the air with high-pitched synth effects bringing about full consciousness.

Beats like “Energy/Shift” begin fairly simple but take on an entirely new identity when ED flips the beat at approx 1:30. What was a initially feelings of slight skepticism and doubt turns into full-blown dread and fear from imminent danger from the orchestral sample.

On “Occultism” chopped wind instruments and horns blare, with the track creating a rising, unsettling feeling. The pulsating bass, and stumbling drums pulls the listeners in. Undoubtedly another dope and unique track on the album.

“Countdown til chaos” is symbolic with distant church bells echoing far beyond the present moment. Similarly, in its ability to convey an entire setting through the music, “Catastrophic Event” comes in with the somber melancholy of a lone violin over the beat.”

Macabre and eerie tracks like “Purgatory,” “The Seance,” as well as the title track all contribute to the tense moments with a sense of spiritual awareness of the afterlife.

“Muerte No Preparada” is a unique blend of bell-sounds and tinkling xylophones. The mood is mystical here, using tumbling piano keys, short, chopped guitar chord samples, dusty drums and deep bass that thumps. One of the standout beats which breathes and has an arc all its own.

Phantasmagoria” is most definitely a standout banger. Using a unique series of samples from one record, ED hits the splashy cymbals for a live drum sounding set. The apparitions are coming to life here, haunting the listeners, yet too intriguing to pull away. The sample even includes a dope sax interpolation towards the end.

Tracks like “Transcendental” and “Cloaks and Masks” provide a futuristic excursion with synth organs and resonating, pulsating frequencies of filth, taking the journey into a different time and dimension.

An outlier on this trajectory is the funky groove of “Exploration.” Listeners slip into a sort of smoked-out funkadelic spaceship, cruising through the astral planes.

On “Sacrificial grounds” Evilldewer leads a path through a primitive third world village where the local shaman frees minds, giving way to a euphoric state with punchy drums and climbing harp strings. The psychedelic effect is apparent on this track.

“Manifestation” is a woozy and drunken end of the excursion as the listener stumbles from the surreal state back into reality.

Perhaps this album is even darker and ominous than his previous works overall. It certainly possesses a binding concept of things that are considered dark, mystical, peculiar, and spiritual. Providing conceptually-varied atmospheres rich in texture, Evilldewer delivers a sonic experience to truly captivate listeners. Another singular offering from the Wave Scientician, Caliginous Sky is an enjoyable adventure that appeals to your senses and grabs hold of your soul.

The album is available here:

https://evilldewer.bandcamp.com

By Alex P80 Parks

The Chicago-based producer has a passion for creating beats a bit outside of the norm. Beginning his career under the moniker Earmint back in the early 2000’s and then officially entering the scene back in 2015 with his Raw Exotic EP, Spectacular Diagnostics has a way of uncovering rare and unique samples. With his latest offering, Raw Studies, the beats are original and unorthodox, yet melodic and rhythmically fulfilling. Spec recruits all the hitters for this project, each emcee a force on the current underground revival.

Maybe it was more apparent to me after marinating in his music for awhile, but it seemed as if many of Spectacular Diagnostics’ beats often originated from 2 distinct genres: industrial and jazz. From there the beats would take on new life and blend with other elements, losing sight of genre and just becoming part of the overall track. While that has certainly been done before, there’s a unique character that inhabit his joints. Regardless, I had to inquire about those influences and samples.

Spectacular Diagnostics:“I only use a samples that aren’t readily recognized, lots of Eastern European records from the 60s, 70s, 80s ..I definitely sample jazz, wether it’s foreign jazz or some more known for hats, drums, and little blips of sound, not loops. Industrial? Amusingly enough, yes, I use to be really into late 80s, early 90s industrial while simultaneously listening to hip hop. They both have roots in sampling, which I love.”

DRHH: How did this project with all these cats come about?

SD:”This album originally started out with the intention of being only a few rap guests with mostly instrumentals. It wasn’t working and I completely flipped it. Those early instrumentals were much more electronic and didn’t fit the vibe that the MCs were bringing. Maybe they’ll drop later on their own, even under a different moniker, I’m on the fence about it.”

On “En Garde” feat Estee Nack and Al Divino, Spec brings in a gentle and tranquil loop with resonating bass. The background contrast with the barrage of hard rhymes from Divino and Nack. Midway through Nack’s verse the beats flips into an eerie series of synth loops.

Check it here:

https://soundcloud.com/spectacular-diagnostics/en-garde-feat-aldivino-estee-nack

“Palace” feat Grandmilly is a jazz-influenced mellow joint, perfect for the quick, yet smooth flow of the Hempstead emcee GrandMilly. The vibe is laid-back but not sleepy, with chopped piano and sax loops.

“IknowUknow” feat Chris Crack is a bouncing slapper with compressed drums, and plenty of crackling from the sample. This is one of those particularly quirky joints, perfect for Chris Crack to spit his annoyances while telling his woman to “come roll my J’s.”

“Rats” feat Cousin Feo Over a hazy beat with piano loops and plenty of popping static, Feo stays in his lane of straightforward, no bullshit raps. The drums bang on this joint, showing that Spec isn’t merely a loop guy.

“Lawless” feat Rome Streetz is a bleak, jazzy thumper. The loop has a cold, sobering tone, while Rome heats it up with his flow full of gritty street references and distinct wordplay.

Rome comes in:

“I need a fortress, and Porsche’s with four hundred horses.

Fuck taking losses

So wrong corners where it’s lawless

Never trust grimy-ass New Yorkers.

Quick to hawk ya, pull ya bitch, I’m a slick talker.”

The jazzy trumpet, organs and bassline is balanced with some synth effects. This is a banger to stand amongst some of the bigger heaters in recent memory. The bass on this joint is enough to shatter the glass in your whip.

“The death of Billy Bats” feat K.Burns with a notable Goodfellas audio clip to set the stage, K.Burns makes it clear that he ain’t shining any shoes. Burnie spits a focused verse, giving warnings for those who wanna front.

“Far from Holy” feat Ice Lord and Sauce Heist Both emcees bring their slick flows over strings loops, guitar notes and rumbling piano riffs. Ice and Sauce do well unloading the street rhymes here; Sauce bringing his energy and Ice with his more chill demeanor.

“Refinement” shows AnkhleJohn at his usual shit-talking on this joint. This track feels like a cartoon, with AnkhleJohn and his larger-than-life persona over short chopped orchestral loops, canaries tweeting in the background.

Check out the track here:

https://soundcloud.com/spectacular-diagnostics/refinement-feat-ankhlejohn

“Mikta” feat DapZini shows an emerging emcee in the game with some witty and creative references. Dap is definitely a young talent on the rise. DapZini spits in his rhythmic flow:

“Rock salt in the shotty, For anyone try to stop me.

I toss ya body in lava just like Heihachi”

The atmosphere here is primitive with chopped tribal vocals and muffled jungle drums.

On “Palooka” feat Flashius Clayton and Don O the Team Frozen emcees rhyme over a droning chopped female vocal loop, strings and simple piano notes. Both Don and Flash deliver their crisp flows here to perfection, proving yet again to be an imposing duo.

“Guns in the Guitar Case” feat SmooVth Going full Desperado on this track, with his trademark delivery and unmistakeable voice, SmooVth rhymes with ease. Spec Diagnostics lays a single guitar loop and subtle percussion for SmooVth to do his thing and just shine.

“The Sound” feat Sleep Sinatra. Sleep Sinatra is one of those talented emcees who can spit the “Conscious” rhymes without forcing lyrics or trying to be overly profound. Rather humble, he always sounds quite comfortable. Despite the ease in his delivery, Sleep is never uninspired. The futuristic feel of the track, and the quick tempo, paired with the sonar effect, creates an arc to the beat, beginning on earth and eventually leaving the atmosphere. As the beat echoes deep into the cosmos, it repeats slowly in quieter increments until it’s scarcely noticeable.

This project showcases Spectacular Diagnostics’ talent at incorporating so many different elements and samples from varying genres. His beats don’t ever become too repetitive or stale. He finds quirky bits and often flips a beat halfway through a track, changing a whole mood in the process.

An excellent producer project, Raw Studies allows all the top underground emcees to really shine over original and unique beats. This is certainly one of the best compilation albums of the year, bringing high quality beats with the underground’s finest lyricists.

cop the album here:

https://spectacular-diagnostics.bandcamp.com

by Alex P80 Parks

Step around the cracked Pyrex and broken vials strewn about. Trash is littered everywhere. A smoky yellow haze sits at eye level. Fiends lay across the ground. You’re deep in the New Crack Era, and your tour guide is Rochester’s Eto. Vinyl Villain handles the beats, bringing his brand of cinematic production to coincide with Eto’s tales of harsh realities.

Eto always balances his lyrical content. Painful and real, but full of heart and substance. He often rhymes of the loyalty, the values he holds high, and the treachery that ensues in criminal endeavors. Eto is always careful to note that those tribulations in life may often create a greater, stronger sense of self.

Vinyl Villain, the Marty Scorsese of hip-hop, complements Eto’s dark street stories with his own hazy, blunted production. The project, while polished and mixed perfectly by DPolo, remain filthy in feel and texture; a perfect match for Eto’s vivid street portrayals.

Eto has gained even more favor of late with his intense grind and frequent features on some of this year’s best projects. Vinyl Villain has also had a tremendous year, with huge placements with many underground elite emcees on some of the best albums this year.

“New Breed” Vinyl Villain lays muted horns and subtle string loops as Eto tells of the character of men today.

Eto comes out the gate on the opener:

“Menthol king, fiends with the fentanyl swings

Make em kiss death, step on rings

Nightmares of gettin shot, Teflon dreams

In the spot, no couches, I slept on things

Inhale a bump out the George wash.

Get ya door boss’d in, check my report card.”

On the hook:

“Whole ‘notha breed,

New timbs, old dungarees

Before I shoot, roll up the sleeves..”

Eto is probably the only person that can use the word dungarees without sounding like my grandmother. His delayed delivery coupled with his inimitable voice, make his flow that much more captivating. Eto has really emerged as an elite emcee; proving once again with this project, why he’s in the discussion for one of the best right now.

“Holes In The Desert” A standout banger amongst a project of dope tracks, Eto is as focused as ever rhyming:

“Drinkin like a ol Russian,

Timberland sole chuckin’,

ATF coke crushing,

Shit I had to grow up in,

Let’s get money god, now you wanna smoke sumthin.

You don’t wanna push those buttons.”

Vinyl Villain brings an excellent arrangement of well-chopped vocal samples, a vintage Italian guitar and plenty of drums.

“Perdition” Skeleton bones clink over a bumping beat, while west coast synth effects maintain a grim, futuristic feel.

Eto spits:

“I’m just tryna dodge perdition, with god’s permission

Speak without contradiction.

Can’t be considerate to the hypocrite.

Only the real players made the injured list.”

“Cleaning House” Villain Villain plucks a sped-up 80’s synth sample to pair with an r&b sax loop and rolling drums. Eto dishes out his wisdom and advice to avoid the pitfalls of crime.

“Carry On Tradition” Over echoing piano loops, drums and just enough bass, Eto is isolated on this bleak track. Eto indeed does some heavy lifting to maintain tradition, picking up the slack from those who failed or faltered sling the way.

Eto rhymes:

“Catch you on the other end,

These n***as’ll lie just to vent

It’s us against the one percent

That’s 99 n***as for every one them

I like my shot glass dirty and hands clean

Prolly got blood on the canteen

I know this song well but I can’t sing

these n***as told for C-notes.”

With the help of Producer Vinyl Villain, Eto paints vivid imagery within a desolate soundscape. Not post-apocalyptic or sci-fi, but reality-based, with a thick film of grime. All the tracks on New Crack Era thump with big drums and deep bass. This project links together two of the current best in their respective lanes. With the help of Vinyl Villain’s trademark cinematic beats, Eto gives us an awakening of the real and brings us straight into the New Crack Era.

Cop the album out 12/6 available on CD and digital here:

http://therealvinylvillain.bandcamp.com