(DOLLA $IGN DIARIES)

I’ve counted many blessings in my career so far. From the support I’ve gained to the volume of artists willing to come to me for reviews to the growth I’ve experienced in just under a year’s time, but I’d count the opportunity to listen to this physical-only drop for a Serpent Tongue exclusive among my top honours, and with that, I’ll be persuading you, the audience, as to why not only has this duo not missed a beat, but somehow grown in their time apart. Let’s talk about it! This is the brand-new limited edition album by one of the most powerful and influential collaborators of the modern era. MC and Umbrella soldier, returning to the scene, Mickey Diamond! And of course, accompanying him is one of the most iconic producers we’ve come across in the last decade, Easy Big Ghost Ltd! Together, they reunite for another modern-day classic continuity from their legendary ‘Gucci Ghost’ series. 8 tracks, 24 minutes, and some of the most mind-blowing music I’ve heard all year, and that’s saying a lot. Across this album, this feels like the natural sequel to Gucci Ghost 4. As great as Gucci Gambinos was, I feel this one is superior as it’s more contained and structured to the original atmosphere of those 4 previous albums. In the opening track (and outro), we get this theatrical take on spoken word. The intro has a preacher’s speech, while the outro has more of a thug spoken word, like a night/day ‘yin vs. yang’ mentality to it. Both tracks feel lively, they feel cinematic, and gospel. As if they are speaking undeniable truth that everyone needs to hear. From there, we get that classic Diamond X Ghost chemistry that the industry has been missing the whole year. I’m talking about that heavy bass, surreal piano keys, ridiculous drum patterns, and even a touch of sharp violin that forces you to bop your head for the entire 24 minutes uninterrupted! I’m sitting here writing this in a restaurant and on my third listen, and I still can’t stop moving and mean-mugging the world (that’s the effect this record has on you!) In trademark fashion, Big Ghost presents a score that’s organic, mastered, and raw in every fabric of the score. He’s inherited the spirit of the original 4 and found a way to elevate, level up, and heighten every single aspect that made those albums memorable and raised it 10x fold. Even in the small things like the intro to the track ‘Meet The Dealer’ where we have a snippet of a parent finding out their son is involved in illegal shit and trying to tell him about the consequences and ends with the dad yelling ‘ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!’ To have that be the last line before the rapping makes it feel like a sickly tale of caution to the audience! Same said on the track ‘Plenty Of Money’ where we have an argument between a man and a woman which kicks off one of the more smooth tracks on the album with those plucked strings, soothing bass, and methodical drum patterns! This one feels more like a reflective track where Mickey can bare his thoughts and past on the song! And it’s core, this album feels like a direct expression to Mickey’s more matured, thought-provoking, and reminiscent lyrics, and Big has crafted each song to match his mood, emotions, and mental state at the time. That level of synchronicity is beyond rare these days, and the fact we got this type of connection even after years of experience together is phenomenal. Mickey Diamond. The man that has crafted a discography so mythical that it’s hard to believe it’s that good (but it is), and despite the endless stream of classics in his collection, this one might be his most introspective and raw lyrical performance I’ve heard from him. Don’t get me wrong, if we are talking straight ability, he hasn’t aged a day. In fact, like a fine wine, he’s only gotten more devastating in his ability to murder a beat; his one-liners are more creative, sharp, and smooth! There’s a song on here where he weaves in a line about ‘Good Burger’ and ‘Kel Mitchell’, and it had me trying not to scream on the bus when I first heard it! So, when taking ability, you should slap yourself if you think he’s lost any sense of skill. BUT there are so many verses where it sounds as if he’s baring his soul, he’s telling us what has been burdening him since he’s been gone, and I haven’t heard him being that brutally honest in a while. Across this album, he’s blending his trademark braggadocio bars with personal revelation, and it’s in that fusion that makes his verses stand out on this one! On his past albums, he sounded like the most charismatic and talented young and hungry MC in the game! Now he’s the Don. He’s the one calling the shots and instructing the new generation how to do this shit! With years, he’s matured and developed a sense of his own mortality while also continuing to confirm his rightful position as the top of the underground food chain alongside his Umbrella family, reinforcing REAL HIP HOP. And this newfound awakening of Mickey could be the most deadly form of him we’ve seen yet, and I’m excited to see what the future holds with his music! For those who have already secured a physical, you’re in for one hell of a time! For the rest of you. All I can say is hopefully this makes it to streaming because this is one of the most complete, structured, and quality albums I’ve heard from the man yet (and yes, I mean that!) shoutout to the duo dominating the culture one album at a time!