A longtime Aftermath affiliate finally delivers his album, even if not under the label’s banner. The raw honesty and straight facts on ‘The Heretic’ grab attention immediately and stand as the project’s peak. ‘The Realest Shit’ follows with a classic west coast vibe, and ‘Shoot Em Up’ keeps the momentum strong. After a string of heavy, aggressive cuts, ‘Razor Blade’ offers a welcome switch-up, with Kokane and Warren G joining Bishop for a track that works well. The first half is consistently strong.
On the other hand, ‘Lost’ falls flat, weighed down by Sinead White’s whiny, grating vocals. In contrast, her shorter notes shine far more on the hook of the next track, ‘Dream Big’. Unfortunately, much of what follows doesn’t reach the heights of the opening run. At 80 minutes, the album could have benefited from trimming, as the production (sounding like early 2010s Dre house beats) starts to feel repetitive. Still, the highs are undeniably high, and while the back half doesn’t quite measure up, the overall quality never drops too far.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆
Hooks: ★★★
Best Tracks: The Heretic, The Realest Shit, Shoot Em Up, Life or Death, Razor Blade
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