PiRo — Great Adventures of Piro...

Second studio album released by PiRo, Masta Killa's son. The production is made by Shaka Amazulu the 7th of School of the Gifted. Guests on the album include Popa Wu, Young Dirty Bastard, Intell, School of the Gifted, Kinetic, Shaka Amazulu and Masta Killa.

Statik Selektah — 100 Proof: The Hangover

Fourth album in four years for the producer Statik Selektah, on his third solo effort. It should be the album that definitely launches him among the most popular underground producers in the industry, on the third attempt: braggadocio lyrics, hardcore and battle rap, on East Coast boom bap rhythms.

Dueling Experts — Dueling Experts

The bandcamp of the group, which publishes through Mello Music, one of the labels that have become a reference for the underground hip-hop circuit in recent years, just below the tracklist it places a long sort of laudatory review on what you just listen to, so, in case you are satisfied with the music proposed by this duo, I would have nothing to add to that text.

Curren$y & Harry Fraud — Bonus Footage EP

Bonus disc, which completes an interesting triptych of albums by this duo in 2020, with "The Outrunners" and "The Director's Cut". It consists of five tracks for a total of a quarter of an hour of listening: two original cuts ("Everyday", "Light Switch") and three remixes, two from "Outrunners" ("Riviera Beach", "Seven Seas"), and one from "Director's Cut" ("1 Luv"). Conway, Boldy James, Gunplay and Cordae are the guests of the tape.

Elcamino x 38 Spesh — Sacred Psalms

Third studio album for the Buffalo rapper Elcamino in 2020, ninth studio album for the Rochester rapper/producer 38 Spesh in the same year: second collaboration between the two artists, after "Martyrs Prayer", released in early 2020.

Flee Lord — No More Humble Fashion

Lord Lord continues his unstoppable run and reaches his eleven project this season.

Lil Wayne — No Ceilings 3: Side A [mixtape]

After his latest studio album and some collection of Spotify playlist-style songs in the form of an EP, Lil Wayne is also offering a tape in 2020. Third episode of the "No Ceiling" series, inaugurated in 2009.

Statik Selektah — The Balancing Act

Ninth album producer for Statik Selektah, released by Nas' Mass Appeal. On the rhythms chosen by the boy from Massachusetts, there are Black Thought, Nas, Joey Badass, Conway, Killer Mike, Dave East, Method Man, Jadakiss, Styles P, Termanology, Benny the Butcher, Rome Streetz, Haile Supreme, Evidence, Blue, Lil Fame, Smoke DZA, Rim da Villin, Sean Price, Bun B and Havoc, among others.

Kinetic 9 x Shogun Assason x Sticky Ricardo — The Truth Is Even Darker

It matters little whether this effort precedes or succeeds to C.I.A., it should be noted that this is another collaborative project between rappers Kinetic 9 & Shogun, both part of Killarmy, who make an EP with producer Sticky Ricardo. The two MCs are also protagonists of the two-headed dragon C.I.A., a direct branch of the Wu group. This tape consists of seven tracks, one skit, solid rapping, effective production, there's only one questionable rhythm and the rest are quite correct. Maybe it doesn't hold the same strength and cohesion as Criminals in the Army, yet it still sounds competently.

B.EN.N.Y. — Benny Best Ever [mixtape]

Almost the same name of one of his other mixtapes, "B.E.N.N.Y. (Best Ever 'N New York)", a sort of compilation that collects several tracks from the "American D Boy" series, this effort unites some of the rapper's longtime collaborators, including Johnal, Hottest, Rick Hyde, Westside Gunn, Jimmy Conway and DJ Shay.

Shogun Assason — Target Practice 3

Third chapter of the Shogun Assason trilogy that credits Killarmy as Presenter, whatever this lemma means. Fifth effort by Jamal Alexander since 2018, when Black Stone of Mecca Records started releasing material by the rapper serially, here named Hue Glockmen for the last tape of the trilogy.

Cappadonna — Show Me the Money

"Show Me the Money", let us realize, homies, even the album itself hid for months before coming out: from the day of its release until yesterday, I just didn't understand how where when who and why someone could have listened to it, I don't think it was possible. Suddenly, probably three weeks ago, at the beginning of November 2020, it was released on spotify. It's the album number twelve for Cappadonna, «the Wu-Tang Clan member easier to insult and denigrate by fans». The main news that comes to us from this thirty-minute, nine-cut overall product, is the fact that the beats aren't as bad as they might seem and they're all pretty decent. Not good, not enough to allow producers to be credited: the beatmakers enjoy mixing trap and jazzy boom bap randomly, sometimes even on the same track, adding decent, poor and soulful samples, a slow drum continues to beat in all the record and the rapper allows himself to perform with a slow and effortless style, even coming out with sung hooks. Not at his career best, but not at his worst either: the guests help him drag himself towards the end of this tape, between reggae-sque fillers and a semblance of ballad, I guess, just before the only surprisingly good rhythm, in the final song "Out Of My Mind", with a male soul sample too tight. Overall, there's a little bit of everything here: only bars are missing, and then it would be a complete album.

Shogun Assason — Target Practice 2

Second tape of a trilogy presented by Killarmy and made by one of the members of the historic New York hip-hop group, Shogun Assason aka Bastard Swordsman. Rapping, mixing and production are handled exclusively by Shogun. It's similar to the previous project, continuously interspersed with skits that occupy half the disc, and it has only two tracks in a row. The performer's choice of boom bap is watered down and his rap is not as good as it used to be, far from his top years with the Wu group. As for the previous one, the cover is excellent, but it's not an essential listening for the followers of the Shaolin doctrine.

Shogun Assason — Target Practice

First tape of a trilogy made by Jamal "Shogun Assason" Alexander aka Mr. Pistol in this project presented by Killarmy. The rapper is also the sole producer, while the guests are Dom Pachino & Kinetic 9 of Killarmy, Shaka Amazulu the 7th, Demon, Shorty Killa, Airwave Justo, Ho2Fa aka H-Hustle, Kells aka Marque and Yung Ki. The proposed music does not stand out in the current panorama and is clearly below average, with the rapping of the Killarmy emcee which is not completely convincing in these twenty-five minutes. The first flavorful piece with Dom Pachino and Kinetic 9 is honest, none of the following songs feel they can be close to it.

Shogun Assason — Tha Grind: Bad Brakes = Friction

The cover catapults us into a combative atmosphere of this mixtape with a commercial appeal created by rapper Shogun Assason and branded Royalsunn, a label close to Killarmy, a group of which the emcee is a member. Guests are Born Jus, Midaz, Tha Trickaz, Shabazz the Disciple of Sunz of Man, Frukwan & Poetic, credited as Gravediggaz. The rhythms are created by 4th Disciple, True Master, Falling Down, Alchemist, Tha Trickaz, DJ Swift and Shogun, who produces half mixtape. A competent boom bap production and the help of some guests allow the first quarter of an hour to flow easily, then the tape cracks on more commercial choices around the middle, starting with "KV Baby". This track has a difficult and bad rhythm, the only one made by Alchemist on the tape, and precedes two other disappointing tracks. The second half is acceptable, without having extraordinary moments, and keeping the best production in "Whos Eyes Can See", directly from 4th Disciple, which also produces "47 Secondz". To sum it up, it's not a recommended listen for Killa Beez fans.

Capone-n-Noreaga — The Reunion

Released from prison, Capone records the duo's second studio album with Noreaga. Behind the keyboards several soldiers are enlisted to the cause of the duo: L.E.S., The Alchemist, DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Havoc, Dame Grease, EZ Elpee, Rush, Kyze, Nokio, Kenya, Jewellz, Tony Aviles, Mike Fortunato, Omar Glover, SPK and Chris Liggio. Guests are Foxy Brown, Nas, Mobb Deep, Musaliny & Maze, Carl Thomas, Complexions, Algado & Shoballotti, Goldfingaz and Troy Outlaw. Now that Capone is out of jail, the two no longer need the third unofficial member, Tragedy Khadafi, which curiously isn't present even a single time in these 20 songs of 70 minutes, despite being the main host and the clear driving force of their previous work, and that much of the success and quality of that CD was due to his talent.

French Montana — CB5 [mixtape]

Six years after the last edition, French Montana returns to propose its mixtape series "Coke Boys", which has reached chapter number five. The production is made by 26 people, including French Montana himself and Harry Fraud, who makes 4 beats. Guests are Jim Jones, Lil Durk, Pop Smoke, Jack Harlow, Chinx, Rafi Malice, Max B, YoungBoy NBA, Benny the Butcher, Zak, ASAP Rocky, LGP Qua, Lil Mosey and Currensy.

Yo Gotti — Untrapped

Tenth album for Mario Mims, the ninth under the name of Yo Gotti. The veteran trapper builds one of his best works ever: the album is mostly braggadocio, with some sexual and political excerpts, but his lyrics are more mature than usual. In addition, it's helped by a good production, mainly done by Ben Billions, Streetrunner and Tarik Azzouz.

Wu-Tang Clan — Masta Killa Presents: The Next Chamber

While U-God and Cappadonna are wondering if they are still members of the group, Masta Killa solidifies his position with a compilation. It's not your generic collection of average tracks, here you are on a real Wu-Tang Clan tape, Masta Killa knows how to do it. Production mainly by Mathematics, from the slums of Shaolin, bars of The RZA, The GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and the Masta Killa, plus affiliates Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest (both Sunz of Man), Timbo King (Royal Fam), Buddah Bless, and external guests Icarus, RA the Rugged Man and Pete Rock.

Statik Selektah & Termanology — 1982: The EP

First EP released by 1982, duo composed by Statik Selektah & Termanology, both from Lawrence, Massachusetts. And both born in 1982, the year from which the duo and the EP itself take their name, a prelude to their debut collaborative studio album.

Russ — Chomp EP

After releasing one of the worst albums of the year, Russell "Russ" Vitale redeems himself and towards the end of the season brings out a five-track EP with worthy guests: KXNG Crooked, Ab-Soul, DJ Premier, Busta Rhymes, Black Thought & Benny the Butcher. Production is handled by Russ himself, as well as DJ Premier, The Alchemist and 9th Wonder.

Roc Marciano — Mt. Marci

Twelfth studio album by Roc Marciano. The production is entirely done by the Long Island MC, except for "Downtown '81", produced by Jake One. Schoolboy Q, Action Bronson, Stove God Cooks, Kool Keith and Trenttruce are the guests of the edition.

Billy Danze & TooBusy — The Listening Session

At 46 y/o, Eric Murray aka Billy Danze of MOP makes one of the longest-running debuts in rap, making his first studio album after a 30-year career. The album is entirely produced by beatmaker TooBusy, while Lil Fame, Method Man, Havoc, Daz Dillinger and Cormega collaborate on rapping.

Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin — FlySiifu's

Collaborative studio album between Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin, rappers from Birmingham, Alabama, and Richmond, Virginia, respectively.

Goodie Mob — Survival Kit

When Goodie Mob's sixth LP dropped, audiences ignored it, although there were several reasons to check it out.

Salaam Remi — Black on Purpose

Fifth studio album by Salaam Remi, New York producer who collaborates with numerous artists on this project: Busta Rhymes, Mumu Fresh, Black Thought, Doug E. Fresh, Cee Lo Green, Bilal, Teedra Moses, D-Nice, Mack Wilds, Common, Case, Betty Wright, James Poyser, Stephen Marley, Anthony Hamilton, Syleena Johnson, B. Trenton, Chronixx, Super Cat, Nas, Jennifer Hudson and Spragga Benz.

Eazy-E — It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa EP

Second and final EP released by Eric Wright for Ruthless Records. Initially intended as an LP, it's a strong response to Dr. Dre's "The Chronic", released the year before. Eazy-E here is close to being at his best, he has one of his best flows, energetic, albeit still going out of time and with a style not far from amateurism, he has one of the best productions, albeit he's making fun of Dr. Dre by imitating the g-funk sound, and has one of his best lyrical content. To be a gangsta record: lyrically, he's aggressive to the core and to the ridiculous, he's ultra-violent, ultra-misogynist, without neglecting the typical topics of the genre such as drugs, sex, shootings and murders.

Ty Farris & Bozack Morris — Wired Different

Collaborative project between Detroit rapper Ty Farris and Toronto producer Bozack Morris, on album number three and one in 2020, respectively. Guests are MAV, Pahlavi, Rome Streetz, SmooVth and Melanie Rutherford.

Xavier Wulf & Idontknowjeffery — Bennington Forest

Joint effort for Xavier Beard (former Raider Klan) and Jeffrey Harper, rappers both natives of Memphis, Tennessee. Twelve-cut album, 29 minutes, looks more like something between a long EP and a short mixtape, rather than a real LP (it would be the first one for Beard, the third one for Harper).

Statik Selektah — Population Control

In 2011, Statik Selektah releases his seventh studio album, his fourth solo. He has several mixtapes and EPs to his credit and during the period between the previous producer album and this one, he worked with the LOX, Army of the Pharaohs, Freddie Gibbs, AZ and Edo G, launching the careers of friends Termanology, Slaine and Reks. The meaning of the title acts as an oxymoron to the record itself: here are forty rappers, nothing is controlled.

Darkim Be Allah x Endemic Emerald — Antediluvian King

Second album in two years for Killa Bee Donnie Banks aka Darkim Be Allah (A.I.G.), first collaborative, made with British producer from Nottingham Endemic Emerald, who lives in Brooklyn and in the previous decade collaborated with several Killa Beez.

Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich — Dust to Dust

When hip-hop group 3rd Bass disbanded in 1991, the three artists took off solo paths: Michael Berrin releases his debut album the following year, while the other two members, Pete Nash and Richard Lawson, stay together to release their project in 1993. The production is carried out by the two former 3rd Bass, Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich, together with KMD, Sam Sever and The Beatnuts, while the album is practically a solo record by Pete Nice. Technically, the guy doesn't excel at rapping, and he can't hold up an entire hour-long album (maybe with half the time it would have been an honest effort), there are few ideas in either lyricism or rhythm, typically East Coast, boom bap jazzy with a hard, syncopated and slow drum, some jazzy bridges, jazzy samples and functional hooks. Guests spice up a few tracks, but they are rarely noteworthy: there is also Cage's debut, uncredited with Benz on "Rich Bring Em Back".

Deprived of classics or bangers, the album goes on and on without giving too many emotions: it has little commercial success for being a major album – Def Jam / Columbia / Sony – and even the singles are very bad between marketing and charts, A&R understand that they have wasted too much time behind these guys and end their career in the bud.

Cookin Soul — Lofi Papi [remixes]

More than a tribute to Drake, it seems like the collection of his trap featuring. Cookin Soul chooses a lo-fi approach to accommodate Drake & Co.'s verses taken from trap songs: the choice falls on simple, essential jazzy rhythms, often with minimal and skeletal drum machines, which are not particularly fit with Drake's delivery.

"WalkIt" ("Walk It Talk It" mix) stands out among the best cuts thanks to splendid light, simple, essential, distant jazzy rhythm for the remix of "Walk It Talk It" with the Migos. Cookin Soul creates a rhythm that adapts to the syncopated, extravagant and confused delivery of the trio. The other choices simply don't sound adequately well, unfortunately, not even the worldwide hit remix "God's Plan".

Black Soprano Family — Black Soprano Family EP

Five years after the eponymous mixtape, Benny the Butcher bears the name of the Black Soprano Family, group, album and label. This is the debut album for the trio formed by Benny himself, Heem aka Heemer from Steemer & Rick Hyde, released by rapper Griselda's label. There is a solo cut each and two with all components. Production is handled by DJ Shay (RIP), Young World, Chup the Producer and Don Cannon, while rapping is provided by the group, and Black Soprano Family affiliated rappers Jonesy and Loveboat Luciano, while Dwayne Collins is the only external guest on the project.

Ill Bill — La Bella Medusa

Eighth studio album in William Braunstein's crowded discography, the fifth solo under the name Ill Bill, four years after the last one. It features a dark-sexual cover by Adam Padilla, and a light-hearted production mainly made by Stu Bangas, as well as Ill Bill, Scott Stallone, DJ Finn, Furio, Moss, DJ Skinz.

Gang Starr — Daily Operation

The third album by Guru and DJ Premier is better than the previous one. The Boston MC improves his flow and delivers political lyrics, braggadocio, festive and several battle rap tracks, but his lyrics are no better than the previous effort, albeit recited with a relaxed and effortless delivery. His rapping style here is simple, monotonous and fluid, often dope, thanks to DJ Premier's extraordinarily excellent production. While Guru spits out his bars, Preemo raises the game and everyone is forced to chase him to keep up with him, suddenly. The smooth and fluid jazz production is fantastic, as light as the previous one but darker, made up of great jazzy samples and wild scratches on the hooks. In "I'm the Man", Jeru the Damaja and Lil' Dap (Group Home) debut, Premier divides the rhythm into three different parts to adapt to the MCs, in one of the first examples of a song in which the rhythm changes constantly, before then few had tried. Jazz rap masterpiece album, one of the best records of the year.

Highlights: "Soliloquy of Chaos", "I'm the Man", "Take It Personal", "2 Deep".

Rating: 9/10.

Fred the Godson — Payback

Last album made in life by Frederick Thomas aka Fred the Godson, rapper from the Bronx who had emerged in the underground scene after a long period in the mixtapes circuit.

Idontknowjeffery — The Jeffery Compilation II

Compilation number II for Jeffrey Harper, aka Idontknowjeffery, rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. 33 minutes, 11 short songs, this sort of LP, which is actually a compilation with the addition of some unreleased tracks, includes a good set of solid beats and average hardcore bars from the rapper.

Daringer — Baker's Dozen

Made for the Baker's Dozen label series, here Daringer proves he's capable of making a good instrumental tape. It's a great noir effort, it recalls the NY boom bap of the mid-nineties, with jazzy and dark samples and a dusty drum. I think he managed to create an excellent soundscape for a noir journey, so the following will not be a "typical" review, but a sort of cinematic narrative of what I felt while listening to this tape, with some scattered hints to the songs.