Cartoons For Criminals And Scum

It’s been far too long since I covered either of these men. Two men who in their own right created memorable projects that still stand with me to this day. One was a EP the other was an album and yet now I see them combine forces to showcase the best in each other! Let’s talk about it! This is the March 2025 EP by MC’s King Gus & Declan The Celebrity with Declan taking the role of Producer! and together they dropped this 5 track, 18 minute project with the sole feature of -Al The Punisher and I wasn’t kidding when I say this one highlights the strengths of both men as they compliment each others style better then most other duos! Let’s start with the MC work first because I can’t lie I was taken back at just how smooth, clear cut and precise these two were on these tracks. It’s like I’m listening to two brothers who share the same mind and values for how the EP should be played and executed. Their synchronicity is rare. If 50/50 was an actual human being it would be these two. I’m telling you, you won’t find a smoother transition verse to verse then you will hear on this! When one guy starts the track and passes it to the next? There’s no awkward energy shift or imbalance in the aesthetic just two dope MC’s coming together as one unit and utilising each track to its fully capacity. I was legit blown away listening to this fusion. I actually started to try catch the transitions in real time because I found myself all to often day dreaming of how good this EP was to actually pay attention to those little key moments! That’s how solid of an effort these two made! I don’t know how often or infrequently these two men collaborate prior to this but it needs to be a constant tag team move from now on because they are the perfect combination of vibes! As far as the Production goes, Declan has brought some of his best work to date. Making each of the 6 tracks feel unique, fun and god damn soulful! Take tracks like -Cartoons (The opening track) this one is godsend. You’ve got that beautiful vocal loop that runs throughout the track that’s accompanied by some infectious plucked strings some groovy chord progressions and rhythmic drums that make this not only an outstanding way to start the EP off but one of the most replay value songs they’ve made! There’s tracks like -Paco Ravenna which has this light feel to it with those stripped back piano keys in that angelic pattern that draws out all your frustrations and eliminates it! While that’s going on we have those organ style keys that blast off in the forefront of the track and some Jazz style drums that kind of reminds me of the type Miles Davis would use on some of his albums! Also love how AI’s verse blows the track up even higher! What about the track -Shangri-La (The Final) on this one we see Declan decide to utilise this absolutely gorgeous instrumental filled with this vocal harmony that sounds like it was recorded by angles themselves! We also have those lucid piano keys that have this methodical pacing about them that add so much texture to the track that it’s insane. Just when I thought this track couldn’t get any more satisfying that’s how they end it? Pure sonic bliss! Not to mention the last minute or so it ends with this groovy 80’s P-Funk style sample sounds! Too bad I didn’t hear this last year this would be strong contender for single of the year! Anyway this is a fantastic EP! Apparently this is a prequel for something coming soon. After hearing this I’m now completely in a state of anticipation because I have a feeling they’ll strike gold again! But in the mean time check this one out!