The Magnolia Mixtape

As I mentioned briefly in an earlier review I did I came to the realisation that I’m blessed to be provided Hindsight. I tend to review a record of someone and go backward through their discography for review sake and so I get to experience the past tapes after all the attention is passed which I feel is the best non biased way to do so! With that in mind it’s time for me to travel back one year from now and cover this tape! This is the 2025 record by MC -Memphis Reigns and Producer -Remshot and the pair come strapped with 14 solid tracks, almost 50 minutes of content with the likes of -Tantrum -Wordsworth -Azuma -Rising Asterisk -Memph -Cross Eyes -Intellect -Noah-O -Clockwise -D-Adobe Shift -L And that’s another aspect of going through several older records is discovering even more talent that I haven’t heard prior! It helps me expand my horizon in the underground game and this album is expected to do just that! The first thing I can say about this record is that Memphis ain’t no one hit wonder. His smooth and distinguished style I heard on the first record I covered is back in full force on this one! Being able to blend his passion, conviction and hunger for perfection across these soulful instrumentals in a strong way! I love how regardless of his topic matter or length of verses he always sounds so laid back and easy going as if these bars just roll off his tongue and mind as if his thoughts all just rhyme naturally! I love the fact he separates himself from the current landscape of ‘Gangsta/Drug Wave’ and does his own thing! Stands out in his own way with a more general approach to his lyricism that can change depending on the track. He honesty just sounds like a hip hop scholar having fun with the time in the booth! Reminded me of the late 80’s or early 90’s style of rapping of cats like -Kid ‘N Play’ who just rapped for the love of the game! Same can be said for the features. There’s plenty of artists involved and I feel they all understood the assignment of bringing their own special performance to the table that not only stands out but helps provide ultimate chemistry with Reigns and the production involved! Literally like a house party of epic hip hop proportions! Now the PRODUCTION aspect is a whole different beast entirely. While I appreciated and supported the production done on his most recent work I can’t lie this line up of beats was my favourite by far! I mean it was like listening to the purest essence of soul infused into hip hop to create a sub genre of lush music that you’ll be left thinking about long after it’s done! I mean literally you could pick any track out of the line up and find gold. Why not the track -Let’s Burn? Talk about a gorgeous track. You’ve got that wholesome intro with what sounds like a family snippet with kids playing and environment sounds scattered throughout that just makes you smile with its natural vibe. When the song progresses you’ve got that beautiful vocal harmony that has two different note layers one for the chorus aspect the other for the main track! This song also has some plucked bass, rhythmic drums and some synth style chord keys! This track just hits different! We can talk the track -Made Up! Which feels right ripped from the early 2000’s era rap. That beautiful vocal track that opens the song up with that second layer subtle vocals that has a hint of chipmunk tone to it that’s blended in with some thick and infectious bass, lively drums! Synth style keys and some glistening keys in the background! This track is summer in a can turned rap song! What about the song -Lemonade? Talk about surreal bliss. This one has this methodical pacing that makes you unwind and reminisce on when times were good! As they said -When comics were only $1 and this nostalgic memories come with a smooth instrumental packed with another angelic vocal harmony Subtle chords, infectious strings and slow but powerful drums! I feel like the various choice of vocal harmonies on the different songs is what gives all these tracks a high potency to them that I just adored, Remshot killed it with these ones! I advice everyone to check this one out because i guarantee you haven’t heard an album like it!