Darius

So, it’s been almost a year since this man’s last massive album. After seeing the traction he was getting online, I had to be part of it. From there, I was locked in and waiting to see what he’d do next, and after he dropped his leading single - Bass Out The Fortress, and since then, I was on a next-level hype. Now that day is here! And he’s not alone on the production! Alongside one of the other prominent names on the beats, we get the next offering that is even more impressive than the first! Let’s talk about it! This is the brand-new collaboration effort between beat makers - DJ Mirage & Loui$ Menance, and together they brought with them 13 tracks and the likes of - ETO - Flee Lord - AZ - Flu - Block Forever - Yah Sin - Al Fresco - O Finess - JRoberts - Jamal Gasol - Jae Hussle - G Fam Black - Hus Kingpin - Daniel Son - XP The Marxman - Reek Osama - Mook Da Truth - Terrence Wood - DJ Looping - Blaze 5th - Oba The Great In a similar fashion as the first album, with a roster of heavy spitters coming together under one banner to create pure hip-hop magic, the likes that only DJ Mirage (and now Loui$) can create. If we start with the production side of things first. How often do you hear an album with TWO producers at once? I can tell you, in the amount of time I’ve been doing this, I think I’ve covered maybe 10. (Maybe) it’s not common and for a reason. Trying to sync two different styles and brains together under one project can be challenging, but it seems on this occasion, we have a harmonious rhythm that increases the quality of each MC involved! From tracks like - 1 of 1, this one reminded me of the early 2000s Kanye off his first album type shit. From those chipmunk vocal loops to those elegant plucked strings, booming bass, some sharp synth chords, and super minimal drums. This one is the type to lay back and kick to over a nice relaxed day off types hit! There are tracks like -Brain Spill which flips the vibe completely with this hard and abrasive, powerful feel with those engaging keyboard tones, hypnotic drum sets, as well as these ambient chord progressions in the background that cause a divine atmosphere towards the whole track! The track -Lost At Sea is an example of delicate boom-bap excellence. From what sounds like the wind of trees blowing that evolves into those lively drum streaks, glistening piano keys with some distorted synth chords that are reminiscent of Griselda-style influence. This is one of the hardest instrumentals on the album with some of the best killers you could ask for on the track! Speaking of, I don’t know how you could contend with the level of talent on this one! You’ve got a legendary line-up of names from all around the world who are here to outdo themselves across these incredibly structured beats that feel the listener with a mean mug unlike any other! I mean, how do you START an album off with the likes of -FLEE LORD X ETO X AZ? That’s how you fucking start the album? If that ain’t legendary, I don’t know what is! Hearing Fludust on -Surviving was a treat! A man who I live close to, one of the dopest lyricists and beat makers in his own right. He went off! The track -Brain Spill was a trip hearing the fluency of Hus Kingpin. A man who has made himself a household name in the culture and absolutely destroyed the beat with his surreal performance and extensive wordplay! What about Reek Osama on -Move? EVERYTHING SCUMMY, and that includes his verse on this album. He was vicious, cold-blooded, and bringing to life his vivid street poetry that makes you feel personally immersed in the grime unlike any other MC is capable of doing! On the song -The Storm, the chemistry between JRobertz and Jamal Gasol? Was better than I was expecting? Across that smooth instrumental, these two men placed their best food forward in an uncanny chemistry filled with charisma, strong cadence, and a penmanship that outshines most! The track -Lost At Sea not only had one of my favourite beats but hearing both Daniel Son AND XP on the same track going bar for bar? Nah that’s a fucking wrap. Two powerhouses in the underground working together sounds illegal and came out as filthy as expected! The point being. You’d be hard pressed to find a project with a better projection of talent than this one. If you don’t believe me click the link below and find out!