Album Review: Salamander by Deeq x Farma G

 

Salamander

By

Deeq X Farma G

 

This week we have one of the latest releases from the UK label Gold On The Mixer and also sees the return of Deeq to the blog who I first featured way back in 2021 as part of Flooded Hallways alongside Nemrot. This time we find Deeq partnering with the legendary figure of Farma G (Task Force) to bring us the album Salamander.

Salamander sees Deeq taking on Vocal duties as well as recording and artwork, with Farma G providing the production. There are vocal features from EF Knows, Farma G, Evolucian, and FlowTecs, with the whole project mixed and mastered by Zatoichi’s Ears.

Released at the end of February this year, the album is ten tracks deep and has already seen the vinyl version sold out here in the UK. So, the best thing I can do now is to take you on a trip through the album and give you my thoughts…

We begin our journey with Porcelain, The intro to this one has you mind spinning for a few seconds, wondering where its gonna take you but, soon enough the heavy beat kicks in with these organ notes and your head gets to nodding. There is a depth to this one too, and as you listen to Deeq’s words, you realise why it has the title it does, because this one seems to refer to the fragile nature of things, from everything that you build, to society around you and the very nature of the planet you live on. From those thoughts of the fragile nature of things, we move onto English Malady, and from the title you get an instant feeling as to where this one might be going. Farma’s beat incorporates strings into a heavy drumbeat, this brings a vibe that has a weight to it, something seeps into the core of your being. As you listen you really get the feeling this is a heart felt message that speaks on the state of this island we live on. A tiny island but, a superpower on the world stage where the powers that be will do anything to maintain that, even at a cost to those who live here. In fact, the message is so deep here that you could talk for hours about the ramifications of what truly ails this country. With your mind still spinning, it’s time for EF Knows to make his first appearance on All That Burns in Not Consumed. Here Farma brings Strings and harpsichord as the main sound over the nice head nod beat. This gives this one a more relaxed feel which eases the heaviness somewhat and takes the things a bit more upbeat. Deeq and EF Knows bring vocals that bring an uplifting edge as you get the feeling this one speaks on the fact that no matter the fire that burns in any aspect of your life, there is always something left to build on, to help you rise from the ashes once again. It is a reminder that you are always stronger that you realise, even if you do hit rock bottom, you are still here to climb up once more. As those thoughts rise in your mind, it’s time to more forward as Deeq is joined by Farma G, EF Knows, and Evolucian on Grey-Sky Thinking. Horns, strings and keys all merge over the beat to create a sound that has this big, almost soundtrack kinda sound that brings an energy that seems to form in your heart centre and then fill your entire being. This one has the posse cut vibe about it and is one of those to sit back and enjoy, because here its all about the electric wordplay being demonstrated by each emcee, something that just leaves you buzzing when the time is up. We have reached the end of side A, for those listening on the vinyl, and we do that with Pyrrhic Victory, Stings and keys all come together on a pounding beat, bringing a sound that, once more, has a heavy vibe to it. As you listen to the lyrics, the deep aspect that is infused in the sound and the words really hits home and you get this sense that everything feels like a hollow victory and you research the meaning of the title, and this makes you understand things more as a Pyrrhic Victory is one where cost to the victor means it is more like a defeat. This makes you listen more intently, and you realise that life does seem to go this way, especially in the current state of society, there always seems to be something that takes away from the happiness you feel each day. I feel the message here is to not put yourself in that position and do your best not to allow things to get to you…

So, for the vinyl heads among you, its time to flip to side B, and for the rest of you; next up is Guilty, where the sound is far more uplifting, with guitars and keys coming together with the beat to get you moving and listening intently. Deeq brings us a track that speaks on life, love and personal experiences that lay open all the things he is guilty of, good or bad. There is a real sense that this one is something we canal relate to in some way and fills you with a knowing that we can all change and find our best way forward. Next up is the albums title track, Salamander, which sees Deeq joined by EF Knows and FlowTecs. This one has a heavy beat with horns and electronic sounds that merge to give us a mind bending sound. Listening to this might take you a while to get a feel for what the track is about and there is a good chance you might get something different to me. I really felt there was this aspect that was all about constantly reinventing yourself, shedding your old skin as you are constantly bombarded by the energy of the world around you. Never let that negative energy seep to far into you before you shed your skin and begin to face the world anew. Madame Guillotine has the final feature from EF Knows, and final feature of the album. Here the beat continues to uplift us with strings and vocal samples bringing a sound that really lifts you up. However, the lyrics have you questioning if you should feel up lifted here as it almost feels like a love song to Guillotine itself. However, my thoughts drifted to all the moments when you come face-to-face with the outcome of your own actions, facing up to the choices you made and that you have to come to terms with that in some way. Its interesting where music takes you sometimes. As we move into the last couple of tracks, the penultimate track is Alone With Everybody which has infectious sound of drum beat and piano, which is one of those sounds that has an emotive quality that just seems to touch you deeply. Sometimes when you here an emcee talk about how they see themselves, there is a certain amount of braggadocio involved; and to a certain extent it appears so here but, as you listen, it almost feels like you are listening to a story of a legendary emcee who is just trying to do there thing and be at peace. It made me think of the move John Wick, except here we have an emcee who others will come for but, id one you really just want to leave alone, because if pushed they will do what needs to be done. The final track here is Godhead, the beat is heavy and laced with guitars, strings, and piano notes. The outcome is another sound that can be felt through every ounce of your body. With the references to Romeo and Juliet here it took me a little while to understand what I was feeling on this one. But, one I had listened a few times it felt to me like there was a lot here about the battle of good and evil, love and hate, but, also there was something that kept saying to me the battle of constantly looking outside for validation and the answers when your own validation should come from within and the answers depend on the questions you ask. It was a great way to end the album leaving you with so much to think about.

 

So, overall, this is an extremely good album and one that you should give the time to and properly listen to. Now, I could end it there but, aside from what I have already written above, what makes this album that good?

First up you have Deeq who crafts his lyrics and wordplay with a deep intellectual ability that makes you want to listen and to understand and feel what is being said. But it is not just about his crafting of the words but, also his delivery; and you really get the sense that there is a lot of heart and emotion put into every word of every verse, and this gives a depth to every track, regardless of the subject matter. He brings you words that not only twist and turn in the mind but, also elicit an energetic response that you feel, showing you the conviction he has in his craft and the message he seeks to bring with it.

Secondly, you have the quality of production from Farma G, who just seems to be able to bring this stunning musical depth to everything he touches, and here it is no exception. Every track displays a sound that mirrors the emotive aspect of the lyrics, providing the perfect platform for Deeq to deliver. What this does overall, is create Hip Hop music that has a soul to it and one that is firmly rooted in a way that allows you to feel it with every inch of your body and not just in your mind.

So, together these two work so well together and it seems like this album was meant to happen. It brings both a pleasurable listening experience and one that is easy to associate with. Plus, if you really take the time to listen in depth here, you might just find that it touches you in ways you did not expect.

In my opinion, Salamander is a solid Hip Hop album that brings an emotive aspect you simply can’t ignore. It might say different things to you than it did to me but, then that is the pleasure of good music as it speaks to you in the moment, whenever that moment is you need to hear it.

Salamander by Deeq X Farma G is out now on Gold On The Mixer.

My huge thanks to Deeq for the chance to bring you this one.

Peace Out,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy of Salamander Here:

https://goldonthemixer.bandcamp.com/album/salamander-gotm068

Deeq Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/deeq.dark.imagery

https://www.instagram.com/deeq_darkimagery/

Farma G:

https://linktr.ee/farmag

Gold On The Mixer Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/goldonthemixer

https://www.instagram.com/goldonthemixer/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNPqi3H0XjUaWcDG7wUSBQ

VIDEOS

English Malady

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review: The Wreckage by Create-A-Mess

 

The Wreckage

By

Create-A-Mess

 

The Wreckage is the hot new album on AE Productions out of Bristol and is brought to us from Create-A-Mess, otherwise known as the UK’s own, Jonny Cuba (Dynamic Syncopation, Soundsci).

Jonny’s pedigree as a producer on the Hip Hop scene, knows almost no bounds and has seen him work with the likes of Mass Influence, Chill Rob G, Apathy, EV.ON, Juice Aleem, Phi Life Cypher and a great many more besides. He formed Soundsci in 2009 with Ollie Teeba (Herbaliser) and Audessey aka Jack Jones (Mass Influence), and over time the crew would expand and see Oxygen and U-George come onboard for the releases like Soundsational (Ubiquity Records) and My Boosey Weighs a Ton (Cavendish Library). Emcee Supastition would also join the crew for their final LP, Walk The Earth (Fresh Pressings).

It was following this final release from Soundsci that Jonny would go on to help his Soundsci crew mates U-George, Ollie Teeba and Jack Jones on their solo projects. As time went by it was only right that Jonny should release his own solo project, and under the moniker of Create-A-Mess he has done just that. Utilising his bold and intricate production style and wealth of unheard beats, breaks and samples; plus, a stunning line-up of Emcees that include, J Scienide, Eddie Meeks, Ghettosocks, Nilla, Emskee, Jesus Mason, and his Soundsci brothers: Jack Jones, U-George and Oxygen, with all cuts and sctratches coming from Ollie Teeba.

Now, with all that considered, there is only one thing left for me to do, and that is to get into this one…

 

This album is eight tracks deep and kicks off with Clues which features Jesus Mason and Emskee on vocal duties. This one gets your head nodding from the get-go as the drum beat mixes with bass and other elements to give you this sound that you don’t just enjoy as Hip Hop but, it does seem to have this almost hypnotic edge to it. Jesus and Emskee trade verses and provide a solid display of wordplay that, as you listen to the metaphors and more, give you some clue as to their pedigree on the mic. Next, it is the turn of J.Scienide and Eddie Meeks to step up to the mic for Denmark Hill. Here we find Create-A-Mess getting funky with a slick mix of bass, keys, and strings over a nice drum beat that continues that unconscious desire to move to the sound. As you listen to the vocals on this one, there are plenty of references to driving, motion and just the passing of everyday life, which does make you think of the title and how this all works? Denmark Hill is a place in Camberwell, London, and the lyrics really put in that place, watching the world go by or being part of that rat race. From being rooted very much in the now, we wonder what’s next as Planet People, with Oxygen and Emskee, could keep us rooted here or take us elsewhere?  The deep sound that has guitar vibes taking the forefront over the beat, brings a sound that takes us beyond the confines of the planet but, leaves us observing from above. Oxygen and Emskee skilfully spin vocals that conjure up visions in your head of the past and present of the human race, or should that be the human races? This one makes you think of the good and the bad humans have perpetrated across its existence as the planet people. As those thoughts float around your mind, Thaddius III sees Thaddius Brown (U-George) join us on our journey. This one takes the beat down a few notches in pace as the beat, bass, keys, and Maracas, create this sound that takes your awareness down deep, while keeping just enough of your mind in the now to oak up the vocals. Thaddeus Brown spins metaphors around in your mind taking you to places you never thought you’d go but, its all rooted in the streets. Is this just one persons experience or a conglomeration of many, you decide or maybe Thaddius has already told you, you just need to listen a bit more…

Now, if you are listening to this on a physical copy, this will be the moment you flip it over to the B-Side, and if you are listening on digital, well just keep on listening because Fly Humans is up next with Canadian emcee’s Ghettosocks and Nilla. This one bursts into you ears with cuts and the kind of beat and sound that immediately gets your head nodding and your adrenaline and energy levels rising, quickly. It’s good to have Ghettosocks and Nilla back as they take us off into dark parallel dimension where its hard to know if this is where monsters dwell, or if this is just a description of your own mind. What is apparent is that this is Hip Hop of the highest order ya feel. Its now time for Jack Jones to make his first appearance on Pull Ya Card. The Beat, bass, cuts, and sonic vibes on this give it this funky sound that takes you out the atmosphere. While you are bouncing to the sound Jack Jones schools you to the finer points of wordplay, showing you how it should be done by a true emcee. So, sit back and enjoy this one, because right now its not about where you are, its where its at, and this is where it’s at. As we move into the album’s penultimate track, Emskee returns for Listen Son! Where the beat is funky, the guitars are funky, and the cuts are razor sharp. This one keeps the motion in body and the needle to the groove. Emskee has this voice that just takes you back to the old skool, and here he uses it to great effect as the Hip Hop elder who is offering up pearls of wisdom to the younger generation of up-and-coming emcees. The album ends with Grammaticals, which features Jack Jones and Eddie Meeks on the mic. This one keeps that deep funk vibe with a deep drum sound, alongside horns and bass. It really helps you focus on the vocals here with a vibe that puts you in mind of sitting in a smoky speakeasy, relaxing as the sounds pound and the lyrics infiltrate your mind. Here its all about how the words flow with all the metaphors and similes merging and creating the grammaticals.

 

The first thing that strikes you about this album is just how much of a pleasure it is to listen to. From top to bottom, every track has that vibe that just makes you want to move to the music. Not only that, but when an album has this kind of vibe about it, it just makes the whole reviewing and writing process a pleasure to as everything you want to say seems to flow, just as the music and lyrics flow.

Now, I might not have written so much about this but, that’s the beauty of this one, it is one of those albums where I simply need to set-up the listening experience for you and the album does the rest. You might say that about most, if not all albums but, there are those times when more just works and the times when less is more, and this is the latter of those two.

Every beat that Create-A-Mess has produced here has that pure Hip Hop sound. Yeah, there are elements of our sounds that come in but, that has always been the beauty of Hip Hop, in that it can incorporate elements of many other genres of music and then make it its own sound. It is plain to see that Jonny Cuba draws on his years of experience to produce something that has to be one of the stand-out Hip Hop albums of the year so far. Every guest emcee here are on their A game, dropping some incredible verses that highlight just how much of an enjoyable experience it must have been to write and record to these beats.

This gives The Wreckage an overall vibe that is well crafted and polished, plus takes the bar for 2025 and sets it at a high level and invites anyone to do better. Now, it might not have been meant that way but, it simply is just that good.

There is a saying that says, ‘You can never get enough of a good thing’, and that applies to The Wreckage. Across the eight tracks, this one clocks in at a little under twenty minutes, a runtime that feels more like an EP. Having said that, it is the shear quality of this release that sticks out. All eight tracks come packed with the kind of Hip Hop that makes you feel every once of the pedigree that comes from Jonny’s experience on the scene, and the same can e said of all those guest emcees, as everything here flows with vibe that says everyone worked together in perfect harmony on this one.

I can honestly say that this one should be on turntables, tape machines and playlists for a good while to come. It is also worth pointing out that Jonny Cuba also provided the Photography on the project with the sleeve design coming from Mr Krum.

The Wreckage was released at the end of January this year on Limited Vinyl, Cassette and on Digital. So, if you have not already checked this one, then I suggest you do so now.

My humble thanks to J at ae Productions for giving me the chance to bring this one to you.

 

See ya next time,

Steve

LINKS

Grab you copy of The Wreckage Here:

https://www.ae-productions.co.uk/shop

or

https://aeproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-wreckage

Jonny Cuba Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/jonny.cuba/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086574421297

ae Productions socials:

https://www.instagram.com/ae_productions_uk/

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Dead Earth 1.0 by Dangerous Creatures

 

Dead Earth 1.0

By

Dangerous Creatures

 

Dead Earth 1.0 is the latest release from Weaponize Records and comes from the hot new collective known as Dangerous Creatures.

The Dangerous Creatures are an “Open Universe collective of musical creatives” were founded by the legendary emcee and producer from the UK King Kashmere, and Essen (Germany) based producer Mimski. It is worth just dropping a short piece about each of them before I go on.

King Kashmere has been a huge figure on the UK scene for over twenty years, and during that time it has seen him create some of the most innovative and boundary-breaking UK Hip Hop with his distinctive wordplay and descriptive lyricism. Much of his work has been heavily influenced by his love for Sci-Fi, comic books and Off-beat Culture.

Mimski literally exploded on the scene in 2021 with her unique Lo-Fi production. This brought her an instant link with UK Hip Hop and has since seen her work with most of the Uks top emcees. She always seeks to ‘push the envelope’ of music production utilising ‘experimental techniques’ that bring a somewhat ‘bone-crunching’ production style. Dead Earth 1.0 will be her first produced work to be released on vinyl.

With Dangerous Creatures being a collective, there are some incredible features on the album in the form of Joker Star, Alecs DeLarge, Dan Peter Parker, Broomman, Ty Healy, Ramson Badbonez, Jazz T, Cappo, and Bigg Jus.

Dead Earth 1.0 has been on pre-sale but gets released digitally today, 7^th March with physical copies shipping as well. The album clocks in at around 43 mins and is comprised of 13 original tracks and 3 remixes. Aside from the remixes all production comes from Mimski, and all features aside, all lyrics come from King Kashmere. Cover art and design is by the renowned US Graffiti and Poet-Graffiti artist Dalek aka James Marshall.

Now, with all that said, there is just one thing left for me to do, and that is to take you on my take of what could well be a musical journey through and beyond what you currently understand as spacetime…

We start our journey with Existence, a sonic masterpiece that in underpinned by a solid beat. As you listen to this one it seems to mess with your mind, taking all your thoughts about what existence might mean, ripping them from the depths of your mind, shaking them up and then casting them back again like some weird multi-universal game of Yahtzee. Welcome To The Future brings us more of a head nod beat that backs a wealth of electronic vibes which merge to easily carry your awareness along to vocals. King Kashmere brings a bleak dystopian vison of a future that, once on a time, might have seemed to be taking place in a parallel universe but, now we realise that it’s not that far away and is only too real for us in the moment. Next, we find Joker Star and Alecs DeLarge featuring on ZPM. The beat and its elements hit you in a way that tweaks your nerves with a pulse, like heartbeat, which is strangely engaging but, at the same time almost has you bringing your hands to your head to keep your mind from exploding. The wordplay here causes your perception of reality to implode, sucked into a blackhole, and spit out on the other side into a reality you struggle to conceptualise. Now, if that wasn’t enough, Dan Peter Parker joins proceedings for CTHULU. Sonic and electronic elements combine with cuts and orchestral elements as Mimski takes us into a space that opens your awareness to a reality that might be inhabited by Lovecraftian entities. The vocals from Dan Peter Parker and King Kashmere take you further into this dark reality, filling your awareness with mind numbing visions of timeless entities that exist in a place you are now open to; these creatures seek not to take your body but, to invade your mind and stretch it a point that never quite breaks it, and just leaves you there…

Marduk brings a pounding beat that soon gives way to a mixture of sonic sounds that surrounds your mind creating a clean slate which is soon splashed with new visions for your mind to comprehend. Here, we are opened to Babylonian gods and their voyages among the cosmoses. Could there be possibilities of these gods being ancient astronauts who came to earth millennia ago? Who knows but, here we are once more, opened up to new ideas and visions of a past that impacts the future. Next up is the album’s title track, Dead Earth which sees Broomman and Ty Healy briefly join us on our journey. Mimski grabs our attention with another mind twisting sound scape of sonic sounds that have you closing your eyes and allowing the words to focus your mind. The wordplay drags you into another bleak view of the future; one where you can only see though closed eyes and the visions the words paint in your mind. The Dangerous Creatures Theme is brought to us in the company of Ramson Badbonez and Jazz T. The bass is heavy as are the keys, the beat is gritty and gets your head nodding and your adrenaline pumping. Here it’s all about complex wordplay with similes and metaphors that seem to be born from a time before the universe existed but, somehow encompass the present moment we inhabit. Perhaps the Dangerous Creatures exist in the now but, are born of the energy that birthed the universe in its current and other forms? Depending on how you are listening to the album, Collapse is either the ending of the first part of the journey or just a stepping stone on its continuation! This short sonic interlude is comprised of a multitude of electronic elements that merge, twist and expand, in a way that pulls you towards flipping from one side to the next or just puts you into freefall for what’s about to come next…  

Our journey continues with Entity which has this electronic which seems to bring you back to earth in one moment, then in the next you’re still floating among the stars; which one it is, is down to you the listener and where you are in the moment, you are the entity. Oblivion 4000 features the legendary Cappo on a beat that has a definite boom bap feel but with elements that give this a soundtrack vibe too that brings the adrenaline to the surface once more. There seems to be two parts to this track as King Kashmere gives us a look at the world around us and how that effects and impacts our now and our future. The second part sees Cappo focus more on the individual and how focusing on the self is more important that allowing yourself to be affected by what come from the world around you. Bigg Jus joins us on Nekron; the beat here has this boom bap element but, Mimski spins these streams around it that pull and stretch your understanding of the musical element you are hearing. We see comic lore deep in this one as Nekron is a DC super villain who is the personification of death. This one is like putting a comic book into musical form but, as you listen there are so many elements to this that could so easily be reflected in situations we see unfolding in society. Pranging out is another musical interlude that has Mimski skilfully bringing a banging beat and then almost softening it into the background as the electronic elements come to the forefront and bring this sound which could find you travelling the depths of space or traversing the depths of your dreamscapes…

Dead Earth (O.R.K.O Click Remix) is the first of three remixes on the album. This remix is a heavy bass vibe that is tinged with tubular bells, this creates a more oppressive air to the sound. This makes the whole idea of a dead earth, that you can only get a vision of though the words you hear, take on a far more desolate feel. The next remix is the Oblivion 4000 (Kashmere Remix ft Jazz T & Cappo) taking nothing away from the message within the original, the beat here is fused with organ notes and keys that give it a slightly darker edge; this gives more weight to the impact of energy from the world around us and cements the idea that looking within is critical for each of us. The final remix is the Welcome To The Future (Alecs DeLarge Remix). This brings another edge to the vibe of the track; where has a more chilled edge to things but, the use of the high paced cymbals and explosion sounds, gives the whole thing a darker edge with something of Lo-Fi Grime sound too. The album ends with Dead End, this is less of an outro and more of a sonic / electronic vibe that seems to echo the very title of the track. It feels very much like you find yourself at an impasse, wondering if there is any way forward or if you should, in fact, go back the way you came…

 

Making your way through this album gives you a very real sense of traversing different versions of reality that not only make you question the notion of spacetime but, also give you a glimpse at the real possibility of how music, words and frequencies could have an effect on your perception of reality.

Dead Earth 1.0 is, without a doubt, a genre bending album that takes the notion of Hip Hop to a very different level. Some might even say it is not Hip Hop at all. However, the influence of Hip Hop is only too clear to see here. Yes, it is true that Mimski brings a whole new depth of production value to project, one that merges and fuses many different sounds in that Lo-Fi way, creating an overall sound that has a dark, heavy edge to it. Creating a sound like this works so well when it is the backdrop to what King Kashmere brings in the way of vocals. What King Kashmere does here is to merge all those eclectic influences and deliver something that seems to be as far away from reality as it is close to reality by the use of extremely clever wordplay and the use of similes and metaphors rooted in ancient mysticism, comic book lore and stories from minds of classic authors. He then merges all that with a deep knowledge of what is going on in the world around us, twisting the narratives to take us beyond the now and throughout time.

This is definitely going to be one of the standout albums of the year, not just because it has that genre bending sound but, also because it has an experimental vibe that keeps you root in the now while allowing you to drift off into other versions of reality. This is a very cleaver album that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

My advice here is to grab a copy now while you can, and get a handle on where it might take you. The release comes in classic Black vinyl as well as Yellow vinyl and Ltd Cassette too. So, don't sleep as they won't be around forever.

I give my humble thanks to Guy at Weaponize Records for bringing this one to my attention.

 

Now it’s back to reality and I’ll see you next time,

Peace out.

Steve

LINKS

Grab you copy, while you can, on Bandcamp:

https://weaponizerecords.bandcamp.com/album/dead-earth-10

Social Links

https://www.instagram.com/kingkashmere_official/

https://www.instagram.com/mimski_beatz/

https://www.instagram.com/weaponize_records/

Weaponize Records on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551812373834

More Links

https://mimski.bandcamp.com/track/sea-watch-donation-mix

https://kingkashmere.bandcamp.com

VIDEOS

Welcome To The Future

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Triple Piragua by Mic Mountain

 

Triple Piragua

By

Mic Mountain

 

Having been away from the music for a couple of months for personal reasons, it feels only right to kick off my eighth year of reviewing by clearing up some projects that I did not get round to doing in 2024, and to kick of 2025 I am bringing you an emcee from Washington D.C.

Mic Mountain is an Afro-Latino emcee and producer who comes from Native American decent. From a young age he spent time in local studios in the Washington area, honing his craft. His inspirations come from the likes of RUN-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, and Redman, to name just a few. He blends his multi-cultural heritage with clever wordplay and striking metaphors that span Hip Hop’s past and Future. He already has three mixtapes and eight solo albums to his credit, including the one I will be reviewing here, with another in production and slated for release later this year. Along his journey he has collaborated with some of Hip Hop’s greats, including Mellow Man Ace, Psycho Les, Prince Po, Thirstin Howl The 3^rd, Tame One, Pace Won, Shabaam Sahdeeq, and many more.

Triple Piragua is his seventh solo album and was released back in August 2024. It boasts a Puerto Rican flavour throughout with a mixture of Boom Bap, Reggaeton and Latin Trap. The Album features production not only from himself but a wealth of other top producers including Domingo, Mr Scratch Hook, Rkitech, Hanzo Bladez, Joey Dynomite, DJ Eldermayne, Yo S Elf for TrakLite Productions, Starseed Beats, and A.J. Throwback. There are also a number of notable guest artist appearances including Psycho Les (Beatnuts), Chilo, 8ch2owens, Muñeca MC, The Microphone Prince, Thirstin Howl The 3^rd, godhead the General, Jigsama Bin Rhymin, Aïda, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Nujericans, Fantazma, Kalashnikov Red, and Daso AfroCaribeño.

This album is some eighteen tracks deep so, its time for me to get into this one and bring you my thoughts…

Triple Piragua is the third album in a series from Mic Mountain (the former being Piragua and Mas Piragua) and gets its title from the name of the Puerto Rican shaved ice desert. The album kicks off with the Triple Piragua Intro (La Rhumba), Bringing in elements that celebrate the classic dance, Mic Mountain drops a mixture of native Puerto Rican tongue alongside the usual English rap vocals. Domingo provides a banging boom bap beat that, alongside the vocals, immediately gets the blood and adrenaline pumping, making want to move in an infectious way. Psycho Les of the legendary Beatnutz joins Mic Mountain (who also produces) for Mucho Swing. This one brings a horn heavy vibe over a solid drum beat and cuts which brings a smile and more movement to your body. This one really gives you a huge party vibe as Psycho Les and Mic Mountain go all in bringing you that Hispanic vibe, showing that these guys are as at home swinging in the club, on the mic, and will also get to swinging should you get out of line. Next up is Pastelones which features Chilo and 8ch2owens with production from Domingo. Now, if I have got the translation correct here, then this one translates to Paving Stones. The beat has a heavy boom bap feel, some solid cuts, with the horns and percussion than gives it that Puerta Rican edge. The pace of this one fuels the adrenaline levels once more as the track celebrates life, honing your craft, and making that money. Walking the path of life means there are a lot of stepping stones you need to negotiate, and you can do it with a little heart and confidence in who you are.

Puñetazo sees Muñeca MC feature with production from Domingo. This one translates to Punch, and you can feel that vibe in the way Domingo has crafted the beat and the horns, all of which have a punchy feel to them. This one is all about those who act up, thinking they are more than they truly are. The message here is that if you gonna act all macho, then you better be able to back it up because the punches that follow don’t always come from a fist. Calle Soul is produced by Domingo and sees Mic Mountain on the first of several solo tracks. This one has a real infectious vibe fuelled by piano, horns and wealth of percussion, all of which come together into club infusion. If you look at the translation of Calle, it means Street, so this one brings you that Street Soul. When you truly listen you feel that come directly from personal experience, something that adds that feel of authenticity to things. The soul of the streets means many things from country to country and this one brings you a glimpse into that life through he eyes of Mic Mountain. Next, we have the short Prince Po en La Casa (Interlude) (or Prince Po in The House) which features production from Mic Mountain. Double Bass, castanets, and a funky beat provide the backdrop for Prince Po to drop some knowledge on you.

Bacardi (PR Rum) features The Microphone Prince and Thirstin Howl the 3^rd alongside production from Mr Scratch Hook. The beat takes the forefront here and is heavy, alongside the cuts and horns, as the other samples seem to be in the background. It gives the beat a laid-back live sound that you can’t help but nod to. Here you are treated to three emcees demonstrating their craft in two languages and showing just how accomplished they are, even if the fuel is that Bacardi rum. No Guantes (or No Gloves) features godhead The General and Jigsama Bin Rhymin, alongside Domingo on production. The horns take the forefront here in frantic style, firing up the adrenaline levels once more, as do the pace of the vocals. Here the gloves are well and truly off as these three emcees continue the in the vein of the last track as they display their rhyme styles with aplomb. Just watch out cos if you duck the jab, you’re gonna get hit with the hook. As we approach the halfway point of the album it’s time for Aïda and Shabaam Shadeeq to step up while Rkiteck takes over production duties on El Pasito (The Step). Once more the horns take the forefront here as the beat has a more relaxed edge to it. As you listen to this one you realise that its all about the steps you take, not just on the dancefloor but also those you take through life. Just as you need to learn and be precise in the steps you take on the dancefloor, you need to be just as precise with the steps you take in life. Can it be that simple a message? Listen and see if you agree.

Sickologia features 8ch2owens with production from Hanzo Bladez. The beat here is heavy but, there is the horns and keys underpinning it that give this one an almost entirely different vibe from the rest of the album with a far eastern edge. This departure from the album’s vibe works well here with the focus taking a look at mental health, a subject that needs to have more of a light shone on it and the more we see this, the more we are likely to open up about our own struggles. After that brief departure from things, it’s back to proceedings with What We Look Like? Where Joey Dynomite provides production and the Nujericans feature alongside Mic Mountain. This one is more upbeat boom bap with an almost orchestral edge to the sound of the horns. This one is all about another solid display of wordplay, similes, and metaphors. For me, here, its not about what you look like but, what you sound like, and this sounds fresh all day long. Mountain Time (La Fin De Noche) or, if my translation is correct, Mountain Time (The End of the Night) features production from DJ Eldermayne brings in that Latin trap sound, which for me anyway, gives this one a bit of a nerve tweaking sound. This track focuses on Mic Mountain noticing a beautiful woman and his feelings and observations about her and how he sees things going by the end of the night.

Baile Conmigo (Translated as Dance With Me) features Muñeca MC and is produced by Mic Mountain. This track has far more of the native tongue rap than other tracks on the album. Now I’m not going to say that I’m in a place to be able to translate every word but, from the title, I can guess that this one is all about seeing someone you like and asking them to come dance with you. It’s an upbeat track that has an infectious vibe and is one of those times that makes you realise that its all about soaking up the energy of the music even if you do not understand the lyrics, you can just feel it. Oye Nena translates to Hey Baby and features production from Yo S Elf for TrakLite Productions. The beat is heavy on this one and backed by this mix of flute and guitar, which, at first, seems a little like it does not work, but as the vocals come in it all just works as one, getting you bouncing and nodding along. Mic Mountain gives us an insight into what it is to truly love someone and what you do for the love of that special someone. Que Bonita Bandera, which translates to What A Beautiful Flag, features Fantasma and Kalashnikov Red joining Mic Mountain (who also produces the track). The sound of this one has horns, keys and more that reflects the sound of Puerto Rico. Its very energetic and upbeat, giving you this feeling you just wanna move to it. Again, this one has far more native tongue in the vocals but, there is a lot here about being proud of where you are from as you move through life, doing what you can to life your best life and be the best expression of who you truly are.

As the we move towards the last few tracks of the album, next is the albums title track Triple Piragua. Produced by Starseed Beats and featuring the harmonies of Daso AfroCaribeño, this one has that Latin trap sound and sees Mic Mountain reflecting the flavour of the Puerto Rican shaved ice desert in his lyrics. The penultimate track is Traviesa which has a number of meanings when you look for a translation but, one of those is Naughty, which does seem to fit here. Produced by A.J. Throwback this one has a more soulful edge to it and sees Mic Mountain speaking on all the women he sees around him. There is that playful side to this one, especially as I said the translation is Naughty, which would kind of relate to the naughty side of those women. I might not have this totally right here but, it does seem to fit but, forgive me if I’m wrong here. The final track is the Triple Piragua Outro Erex Remix (Bonus Track) which is produced by Mr Scratch Hook (aka Erex). Back to the boom bap feel this one sees Mic Mountain wrap up the album in style with short little outro with plenty of energy that will either leave you wanting a rest or wanting more…

 

Overall, what can I say about this album?

Unless I am mistaken, this is the first time I have come across Mic Mountain, that I can remember anyway but, after listening through this album there are times you get a sense of the inspirations of the some of those great names that I mentioned at the start but, there are also moments when you a feel that the spirit of Big Pun is also in the house.

Mic Mountain is one of those emcees that has a way with words, similes, and metaphors. He uses his multi-cultural heritage to get effect and in such a way as it makes this album a very easy listen, even if you are not multi-lingual. Apart from the incredible wordplay, there was a lot of great references to his own personal experiences, something for me that is invaluable as it allows you to connect to him through his words and gives those words far more relatability.

Now, there are some musical styles that I’m not a personal fan of, and I did find the Latin trap to be a little outside my comfort zone. However, when you are an accomplish emcee and one of you aims is to bridge eras of Hip Hop, then branching into other styles of rap is something you will do. It might not be to everyone’s taste but, that’s not to say that the production or wordplay suffers in anyway, it does not and I am sure that there will be plenty who find that style to their liking as it does have an energy about it.

With the majority of the album having a boom bap quality to it there is something in Triple Piragua to appeal to a great many ears. The energy and sound have an uplifting quality about it from top to bottom with the energy that is fused with the sound getting you moving throughout. If you are one of those new to Mic Mountains work, then this one will give a cracking introduction to the quality of his craft, definitely leaving you hungry for more of his work and more Piragua.

The other thing about this album is something that I have said a number of times but, it shows just how multi-cultural Hip Hop is. Not just that it shows the versatility of the Hip Hop sound, in that you can incorporate music from many cultures, and it always brings new depth to the sound. Here Mic Mountain keeps that Puerta Rican Hip Hop fusion alive while encompassing the newer sounds that keep the music new and fresh for the younger ear.

 

My huge thanks to Mic Mountain for reaching out to me and giving me this chance to review his work. From our conversations, he truly is a stand-up guy and someone I have respect for off the back of this, and I for one am looking forward to hearing more from him in the future.   

A cracking way to kick off 2025.

 

Be seeing you all soon,

Peace out,

Steve.

 

Postscript:

I have decided to add an extra observation here to give you all a little more depth.

Having had some brief email conversations with Mic Mountain, it became apparent that some of the translations were not on point. Now, this did not necessarily change the interpretation of those tracks but, one is worth noting here just so you can see part of the process I go through and how the research has something of an impact on my reviews.

For the track Pastelones, Mic Mountain gave me this “Pastelones translates to Puerto Rican Lasagna made of fried plantains instead of Noodles or Pasta. It’s a metaphor I made up for stacking Cheese or Cash”. I did pick up on the metaphor of cash, maybe not in exactly the same way though. Had I got this prior to the review then it might have changed my interpretation slightly, but it would not have changed by much.

When I am reviewing music with song titles etc, in another language, I always do my best to research the meanings of those titles. Because it is important to get the best understanding of what I am hearing and how I then interpret that. It does not always mean that I nail the exact meaning of a track as intended by the artist but, what it does do is allow you to see how your own interpretations can be influenced by what you are hearing, especially once you get a better understanding from the artist and their basis for each track.

Steve, Infinite Sounds UK

February 2025

LINKS

Grab your copy of the album Here:

https://micmountain.bandcamp.com/album/triple-piragua

Mic Mountain Websites:

https://micmountain.com/home

https://triplepiragua.com/

Mic Mountain Socials:

https://twitter.com/micmountain

https://www.instagram.com/therealmicmountain

https://www.facebook.com/micmountainmusic

https://www.youtube.com/@therealmicmountain

VIDEOS

Triple Piragua

Pastelones

Mucho Swing

Calle Soul

Mountain Time (La Fin De Noche)

Album Review: Self Confidence by Can't Be Copied

 

Self Confidence

By

Can’t Be Copied

 

I don’t always know which review will round off the year for me, sometimes I do get to plan ahead but, 2024 has come with a lot of challenges towards the end with some cancelled reviews, and so it came down to the last two and the first that I receive of those was Self Confidence from Can’t Be Copied aka K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC and Mr Roka. It is a pleasure to round off another year of reviews with these guys.

Now, it has been a while since this one came my way and so it gave me a chance to just check out their website before I got into this. CBC note that the album is a “declaration of the confidence in our ability to create new and meaningful Hip Hop”. Now, I have to say that the guys never disappoint in the music they create and messages they give, and they do all that without the need for offensive language or cursing.

So, I won’t keep you hanging around but, get straight into this album, which is some 19 tracks deep, consisting of ten full tracks and nine skit’s, so let’s go…

 

The guys kick it off in style with a heavy pounding beat and these electronic background sounds which get you head nodding from the get-go on Flowcresent. This one goes in hard looking at gun violence while also being a huge statement on the confidence that the guys have together. In fact, just as an after thought here, there could be an analogy here between the power that a gun has and the power of words and music. Guns give some confidence but, here CBC show that you don’t need that, use the talent’s you were born with and crafted from hard work to bring you that confidence. Next up is Skit 1, where we find K.A.O.$. speaking on how CBC does everything themselves so there is no need to wait on anything, this gives them more freedom to create their vision. Mr Roka provides wicked backdrop with cuts, a dope beat, and this synth vibe that has a John Carpenter feel to it. There is no time to dwell to much on that thought as more synth vibes, cuts, and another sweet beat drop in, getting you bouncing for Can’t Take It. This one really seems to define how having that self confidence can really boost the steps you take on your life’s journey, and when that happens there will be many around you who simply can’t take that energy. It’s all about keeping that confidence and cultivating the drive it gives you to succeed in life.

Skit 2 takes us backstage with K.A.O.$. Da Rowdy MC checking that everything is ready for the live show while Mr Roka is setting up on-stage and providing a little background bass notes to keep things moving. Now that everything is ready for the show, its time for CBC to give you What The Crowd Like, as Mr Roka drops some funky bass infused beat, with some slick background cuts, to get you rocking. K.A.O.$. gives us exactly what crowd likes, with a dope display of lyrical wordplay as he spins bar after bar to get your adrenaline levels pushing into the red. Skit 3 brings a pounding beat from Mr Roka as K.A.O.$. lays the cards on the table. This is CBC and this is that real Hip Hop boom bap sound and not just some average sound; this proves one thing, which is that CBC has No Competition. The beat hits hard getting you moving while Mr Roka’s cuts keep sucka’s at bay. K.A.O.$. brings the bars as hard as the beat hits, unloading the kind of lyrical flows that scream that real Hip Hop vibe from the roof tops, that’s it, this is the realness…

Skit 4 has this almost LoFi sound that just drifts through your awareness as K.A.O.$. reinforces the importance of self confidence by telling you not to let others on the outside influence what you do. You can listen to what others have to say but, when it comes down to it, it is the strength of your own convictions in your own talents that will win out. Just go with what you feel inside, that’s the key. Shouldn’t Have brings a banging beat with organ sounds and so much more it gets you fired up right out the gate. The message here is pretty simple when it comes down to it, as the focus is one things that shouldn’t have been done and a few things that should be done. This is the kind of thing that we go thought life experiencing, knowing that there are so many thing people shouldn’t have done to us, and its not just those close to us or around us but, those who govern or sit in a place of power, and at times the shouldn’t haves seem to out weight should haves. Skit 5 has this funky little beat where the bass and synth really pop out. This has a real tongue-in-cheek feel to it too looking at an artist trying to be something they aren’t and not being authentic.

Talking of being authentic its time for CBC to show their level of authenticity with Ready For Me. Mr Roka brings us this real funky vibe that has these piano and organ vibes that really tweak at your nerves. All the while K.A.O.$. is dropping bars that go hard on those who don’t perform with any level of real authenticity. There is not much more you can say here except, being authentic brings a different energy and allows you to create something that your audience will always remember and that breeds your confidence on so many levels. With Skit 6 its all about the fact that CBC do what they do, that’s it plain and simple, and straight from mouth of K.A.O.$. Mr Roka provides this electronic vibe that just sits in the background, giving you a light level of anticipation for what’s next; which is Only Here. This track sees Mr Roka bringing a guitar infused sound, using sampled guitars to create this energetic sound that fuses with the beat to be strangely infectious. Similes and metaphors about here as K.A.O.$. spits some venom on the mic. It’s all about the fact that CBC are here to do what they do, bring the real Hip Hop sound; its not about making a name or being one of the greats, but if that comes to pass, it’s all good. Really its more about the music that the rewards.

Skit 7 a nice funky beat that gets your head nodding along while K.A.O.$. notes that something does not feel right and time to step back for a bit. Giving yourself some time to kick back allows you time to Visualise, and here Mr Roka brings a proper boom bap beat that is mixed with bass, and keys to give you this chilled space to sit in. K.A.O.$. speaks on some different stories that might be happening anywhere right now, and as you become aware of what is going on around you, it makes you think about how things might affect you if you were there. When you visualise these things, it often gives you a different sense of perspective on your own life too. Skit 8 brings a sound that has this percussion sound that has an echo vibe and a deep feel to it. This one is just about inviting someone to come backstage and speak on their view of CBC.

Mic-ful brings to life that backstage chat about CBC and K.A.O.$. speaking on lived experiences alongside more on what CBC is all about. Mr Roka drops a heavy drum beat that is backed by piano and guitar notes with a sound that feels like all this information is slowly drip-feeding into your mind as to listen along. The penultimate track here is Skit 9, with a LoFi background sound that seems to mirror the ambient outdoor noise, we find a tired K.A.O.$. waiting for a bus which leads us into our final track Observation. The drums pound heavy here with an electronic element that gives this one a subtle electro vibe. This one continues perfectly from the previous skit as K.A.O.$. speaks openly on his observations on Hip Hop and its impact on the world around him. I have to echo so much of what is said here and I think that any real Hip Hop head will agree with me…

 

 

There is always a pleasure and flow when I am writing to what I hear from the CBC boys, and this album is no different. The notion of this album encompassing their self confidence in their crafts and Hip Hop in general is only too apparent here. It flows in true abundance and that dedication to bringing the listeners a form of Hip Hop that is deep and says so much but, is also a form of Hip Hop that you can play anywhere strikes a different chord. It speaks to you on many different levels with intensity but, a different level of intensity that you might feel when explicit language is used. Not that I have an issue with the use of course language but, sometimes it is just a breath of fresh air to hear Hip Hop on this level without dropouts or rewinds to cover up certain words.

Now, I know there are a lot of skit’s in this one and there are a lot of you out there who do not like these but, each one does lead into the following track and gives you a bit of breathing space between tracks. I’m certain that should you chose to listen to the album with or without the skit’s it will not change your listening pleasure but, I would suggest you give it at least one go in its original format.

All-in-All Self Confidence is another quality release from CBC and one that further cements their dedication to bringing that real Hip Hop music to the listener. Every track here has its foundations in the true Hip Hop sound and as such it brings a special vibe to those of us who grew up with Hip Hop and those whose love of Hip Hop has taken down a road of discovery through the history of the Hip Hop sound. CBC truly do keep live the heart and soul of that true Hip Hop sound; of that I have no doubt.

Self Confidence is available now exclusively from the Can’t Be Copied Hip Hop website.

Go grab it if haven’t already.

See you sometime in the New Year,

Have a good one.

Steve

LINKS

Get your copy of the Album exclusively from the CBC Website (All social links are here too):

https://cantbecopiedhiphop.com/home

Singles Review: Mind Melt (Prod Daniel Niles) & Still I Rise (feat WhoDat & Prod by Micall Parknsun) by AnyWay Tha God

 

Mind Melt – Produced by Daniel Niles

and

Still I Rise – Produced by Micall Parknsun featuring WhoDat

By

AnyWay Tha God

 

These two recent singles from AnyWay Tha God have been out since October so, I’m a little late bringing these to you. Now, I first heard AnyWay Tha God when I reviewed the Remix project he did with Daniel Niles for his album Allow God To Interject, way back in 2021. Since that time, he has had a string of releases, most of which have been released through the G.A.W.D.S & L.A.W.D.S imprint.

Sadly, for this review I have not had the time to detail AnyWay The God's background and perhaps that is something for another day? But what I have for you today are two singles, Mind Melt which features production from Daniel Niles and Still I Rise which features WhoDat with production from the legendary Micall Parknsun.  

So, I won’t keep you waiting here but get straight into the music.

Mind Melt has this heavy head nod beat alongside some bass and keys which all combine to merge with and twist your mind into looking at reality with a slightly different viewpoint. This fits perfectly with AnyWay Tha Gods lyrics which grab hold of your awareness and literally pull apart your current understanding of reality, opening you up to everything you thought you knew but, in a true assault on the senses. At times you might struggle to keep focused on what he is injecting into your mind but, perhaps that is the deal here? Hitting you with all this information in a way that you end up taking on in a more unconscious way. Just think about it, but not too much…

Still I Rise is produced by Micall Parknsun and features WhoDat alongside AnyWay Tha God, and was inspired by the poem by Maya Angelou. Parky brings a wicked mix of drum beat and keys that give this one a banging vibe that also serves to raise your adrenaline levels. As the beat fills your ears AnyWay and WhoDat bring vocals with a true sense of purpose; a purpose that instils strength and feeling in you. This one speaks on having that strength in the face of adversity and to keep walking forward when life seems to try to knock you down at every turn. There is also a spiritual side to this that speaks on drawing energy and inner strength from a higher power too…

What we have here are two tracks that, on the face of it, are almost opposites but, when you go beyond face value you see that they compliment each other. Mind Melt has this stance that speaks on society and the world we live in and how it all can turn your mind inside out but, then comes Still I Rise which gives you the integrity, focus and strength to find a way to keep going as you walk the journey of life.

Each very powerful in their own right, these tracks speak on a different level, one that you need to be open to, to really feel. Production from Daniel Miles and Micall Parknsun are just spot on, really capturing the essence of the message in each track. AnyWay Tha God brings us intelligent lyrics that are delivered with strength and conviction. He also shows that his flows can switch no matter the subject matter and what kind of deliver it calls for to reach the listener. The appearance of WhoDat also totally compliments the track and fits perfectly with the message alongside AnyWay Tha God.

 

These are two solid tracks from AnyWay Tha God, and I would recommend that you check out these and the rest of what he has to offer, You’ll not be disappointed.

Both tracks are out there now.

My thanks to AnyWay Tha God for putting these my way.

I’ll be seeing you.

Steve.

LINKS

One link for the singles and all things AnyWay THa God:

https://linktr.ee/anywaythagod

VIDEOS

Mind Melt

Still I Rise

Single Review: Shifty by King Dion

 

Shifty

By

King Dion

 

I first featured King Dion back in July this year with the Ed Koch EP alongside the Cut Beetlez. Now that EP went down pretty well so I’m interested to hear what the Atlanta rapper has for us on this follow-up single, Shifty which is produced by 3410 Sounds.

So, lets just get straight into it…

Shifty has this more modern sounding rap vibe from 3410 Sounds. The beat has this heavy, almost brooding sound to it which is broken up by the sharper sound of the programmed drums. This gives the whole track this vibe that has you almost on edge throughout. King Dion gives us solid flow that allows you to hear exactly what he is saying, which is always an advantage. The more you listen to this one, the more you get the feeling that this has an autobiographical feel to it. There is this feeling that King Dion is giving us a brief glimpse into life on the streets of Atlanta through the eyes of someone living it. You also feel that this is a bit of a statement, that King Dion is opening our eyes to where he is from and also where he is at.

Shifty is the kind of track that our friends across the pond will associate with a bit more than us here in the UK but, that is not to say that there are not some parallels between the two. The vibe of the track is sure to hit all the right notes for many and it is one of those that you should check out for yourself, just to see what notes it hits with you.

King Dion is definitely one of the upcoming rap artists to watch from the US. He also does not just restrict himself to the vocals but also dabbles in production and DJing too. For me though one of the things that stands out with King Dion is that his rap style has that flow that allows you to hear every rhyme, which is priceless, especially if you like to really get into what someone is putting across in their art.

Shifty is out on all the usual streaming platforms now.

My thanks to King Dion for dropping this one my way.

I’ll see ya next time.

Peace Out.

Steve.

LINKS

Stream the single Here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0jI8oJ6G7w2M61PTS3Ij2b

https://music.apple.com/us/album/shifty-single/1777881287

King Dion Socials and Links:

https://www.instagram.com/officialkingdion/

https://unitedmasters.com/a/king-dion

VIDEO