I'd never heard of Superstar Quamallah before this and the main reason I got this album was because of the cover. For some reason seeing him holding an instrument made me want this thinking it would feature some nice jazzy production, and it does. The production by Clever Jeff (1 track), DJ Diaze (4), DJ Soulclap (1), Izznyce (4), Pawel G (1) and Superstar Quamallah (2) takes you back to the jazz rap of the '90s but it doesn't at all sound dated. A lot of it is also largely musically dark particularly some great tracks toward the end like '1993 Shit' and 'Do Win-Dis'. Vocally and lyrically plenty of it is conscious rap, talking about the golden age of rap and the state it is in now. He doesn't have the best voice or flow but he matches the feeling the production gives you. Overall it took a couple of listens but now apart from 'Black Shakespeare' which is the worst track on the album, it's a great listen.

A consistent collection of songs with two rappers trading bars adding to the feeling of authentic collaboration. A lot of dope songs with jazzy production. Best Tracks: Manhattan Reflections, Allahu Akbar, Guerilla Tactics, The Blues, Get 'Em, Cali Reflections

He has asked us to listen, proclaimed himself as the best, said he was known globally, was victorious, that his bestness will go on for eternity, told us to kiss his ring, and now, the man with the connections has come with his seventh album, and now all that success is a bit too much for him and he is suffering. No matter what the title though, after checking out the majority of his work, it won't surprise anyone that it follows the same formula as before. It begins with some reasonable trap bangers, falls into some trash-especially Future's choruses-how people enjoy his artificial voice is beyond me-and then when it gets more 'serious', for lack of a better word, like on 'Hells Kitchen' and 'Never Surrender', there are some songs that may get replayed. It is also a rare case for a Khaled album where the lead single 'No New Friends' wasn't really catchy at all, and basically a bore. A compilation of his seven albums would be something to hear, but there is never much originality in the production or the many rappers who are featured across the albums. Nicki, Wayne, Montana, Future and Drake aren't exactly at the top of my list. If you love those artists you'll enjoy this more than me. Best Tracks: Hells Kitchen, Never Surrender.

This runs out of a bit of steam toward the end but I really like everything until 'Mine In Thiz' at track twelve. From there, there are still some good tracks but this does feels a few songs longer than it needed to be. I'm not sure if it's because I've given this more listens or not but I'd say its comfortably the most I've enjoyed Royce song after song after song throughout an album. He is great on the mic, and while he does get criticised for his beat selection like his mates in Slaughterhouse, I find most of these mostly good hardcore hip hop beats. What I can put a negative spin on though are some of the choruses and sampling. It took me a few listens to not hate the hook for 'Gun Harmonizing', as while I was getting into it I did find that annoying. Having given it more time it doesn't bother me as much anymore though. The hook is also average on 'Soldier' and brings the song down a notch. For me, if I was spitting the lyrics that Royce and other artists do I wouldn't be having these soft choruses. Also on 'New Money' I find that sample used, repeating "New" annoying. I found it annoying also on Naughty by Nature's debut album (when they were The New Style). Overall though throughout the many listens I enjoy most of what's on offer. Best Tracks: Gun Harmonizing, Dinner Time, The Warriors, Shake This, Murder, Hood Love

Perhaps this is more consistent than his past couple of albums. There aren't the really poor moments, but the really high moments are also less frequent. He has so many songs like 'Black Magic' with a softly sung hook from Skylar that he's done before. 'Alfred's Theme' is a minute too long without any change-up in the beat. 'Tone Def' is a little better, but again, the beat isn't great by any means. The first couple get a touch boring and the beat change helps 'Book of Rhymes' be the first noteworthy song and one of the best on the album. The hook on 'Favorite Bitch' is good where Em personifies hip hop. 'Gnat' is enjoyable thanks to a vibey beat and with a topical Covid chorus. 'She Loves Me' sounds like something from Relapse and the final track 'Discombobulated' feels similar. 'Killer' has a bouncy beat as well. He still raps as well as anyone and is often a joy to listen to, but the beats aren't to my liking at any high level. I wish he'd just go back to rapping over beats from the Eminem Show era or get Premo or a more boom-bappy producer to produce a whole album for him. Best Tracks: Book of Rhymes, Gnat, Killer, Discombobulated