THE SALAMANDER

Looks like it’s the serpent’s turn to tackle the salamander! (A sentence I never thought I’d be able to type.) Anyway, this is an exciting day for me because it consists of a duo I’ve been having fun with since I heard them! A combination of MC’s and a beat maker that make hip hop entertaining again! A chemistry that I feel is far too underrated. Nonetheless, they are back, and we are about to light the culture up once again! This is the brand-new 11-minute EP by MC’s Mike Martinez & Jezus Borgia, and with production by Mike himself, they present an epic 5-track offering that is short but ever so sweet! Let’s start with the production side of things. I haven’t heard a subpar beat by Mike yet. Across the various stages of his 2026 run, I’ve heard many different influences from him, and he seems to be back on his smooth, classical, and soulful take on an underground sound that is oh so delicate yet powerful! Whether you’re talking about that opening track -Hall of Mirrors, as you hear that damn near lucid soundscape with those droning chord progression loops combined with that methodical drums and ominous piano keys that help make a rather adventurous track that makes you go ‘hmmm’. Track two -Stress Ball, we get into a more orchestral representation with those glorious violin strings in that gorgeous loop combined with those plucked strings and what sounds like some deep horns that all come together in this old-school atmosphere that I loved! Track three -The Salamander, we get the jazz influence section of the EP! This one has those beautiful jazz horns on the forefront that’s combined with those delicate piano keys and hypnotic drums! Somehow, with just a few layers, he’s able to create magic! On track four - World of Strangers has this beautiful Classical/Soul fusion that I fell in love with instantly. First, those chipmunk-style vocals that are ever so angelic! That being combined with those heavy drum beats, powerful chords, and that subtle chorus switch-up where it goes quiet with those vocals doing their thing. Might be a strong contender for my favourite beat! The finale track, we hear a more sombre sonic approach with what sounds like those persistent flute notes combined with those fluent chords and acoustic strings topped off with mesmerising drums! It does feel finale-worthy, so it’s smart they used that as the last song! On to the MC side of things, and if I’m being honest here, completely transparent. The whole time I was listening to Jezus’s flow on this thing, I was racking my brain thinking ‘who the hell does he remind me of?!’ It’s like he’s channeling a legend that I can’t put my finger on. Either way, getting to the actual technical side of the review, this duo once again has found that culture sweet spot between the perfect chemistry, ongoing passion, and eccentric performances that feel lively! These two have such different ways of rapping that it feels like you’re getting two separate sides of the same coin over the same beat, which is an experience I loved! From Mike’s swift, sharp, and fluent verses that are filled with emotion and impressive utilisation of the English language to Jezus’s deep, raw tone filled with brash and witty one-liners and puns that will leave your head spitting by the end of each track! It’s this dynamic synchronisation that makes each of their EP’s feel exclusive and a MUST LISTEN among the hip-hop community because no one is doing it like they are! I also love how (for the most part) they don’t bring forth features! Nothing but each other, their own production, and verses strong enough to outshine anyone else. So why taint it with features who aren’t needed? They are more than enough, and they prove it time after time! If you ain’t on their wave yet, then PLEASE let this be the first one to get you on that train. It’s an experience you won’t be able to ignore or find elsewhere!