Big Twins — Still Here

2021 saw a conspicuous number of promising releases in the hip-hop genre, coming from the 2020 which had seen an overwhelming amount of projects.

One of the most inexplicably overlooked records of the '21 season is the new Big Twins LP, which isn't your typical eight-track, twenty-minute rap album, is authentic: The Infamous Big Twins emerges with a gas mask from a urban scene where everyone is succumbing after some sort of apocalypse. Production is entirely handled by DJ Woool, guests come mainly from Queens and Rochester, whose thriving hip-hop scene is represented here by Mooch, Rob Gates, Eto, M.A.V., Rigz, Illanoise and Times Change. Flee Lord and the other rappers of the Infamous Mobb G.O.D. Pt. III and Ty Nitty are from Queens, then Ransom, Man-u-iLL, Slumz and Street Genius are also present.

The album opens with the title track, a gem founded on a fresh and genuine drum pattern and a bright female melodic soul loop, the perfect carpet for the rough flow of Queens MC. The celebratory "Cannoli" follows, in which DJ Woool creates a Havoc-worthy rhythm by wrapping a magical violin loop along with a light drum. Big Twins intelligently lets the beat breathe for half a minute, then delivers one of his best songs. Ransom enters velvety, delivering flawlessly, dope flow. Mooch signs the third verse, icing on the cake of the best song on the album, good style.

The following pieces maintain a certain quality, with solid rhythms and notable joints: "Rose Gold" is another gem, beautiful jazz rhythm by DJ Woool, lacing violin and elegant piano, precise and regular flow of the veteran rapper from Queens. The second part of the record features other excellent cuts, such as "It's a Trap" with M.A.V., "Black Hoodies" with Rigz, the Infamous Mobb track "IM3" (acronym for the band) and "Evil", all of which boast competent production and good rap from the performers.

I think this is the best LP in the Big Twins discography and a great spot for Rochester rap: it's a crisp and fresh listening, with great production, great rap, enviable guests and there's enough replay value to come back consistently. I venture to say that it's one of the best works done by a veteran New York rapper in recent years. 7.5/10.