Lmst

NOTE: PATREON SUPPORTERS RECEIVED ACCESS TO THIS REVIEW ON AUGUST 9TH, 2024.

This album was released on July 26th this year. I first started listening to Jamal Gasol around the release of his collaborative album with Vic Spencer. That album was really good, and I went on to enjoy his project with Flu & Evil Empire. I didn’t hear any of the stuff he put out this year until very recently. I enjoyed The World Is Piff 3 to some extent, but I sadly did not care for It’s Still a Dirty Game at all due to the lackluster production from 38 Spesh. I generally am not really into 38 Spesh’s production though, especially these days. This latest album right here is actually a massive leap in quality from the other stuff that’s come out this year in my opinion though. I really loved this project.

The album begins with Epitome.

https://youtu.be/OuanuXrvD9I?si=yTNcZXorGwR0InG3

The problem of underwhelming instrumentals thankfully wasn’t really an issue on this album. That’s the main reason I enjoyed it so much more than the preceding couple of releases. This beat in particular has a really nice electric guitar loop. It kinda reminds me of the opening track to Alfredo. I love it. Jamal Gasol is the type of MC who really delivers a great performance every single time he raps, so as long as the production is up to snuff you usually get dope material. This song is no different. He killed the first verse.

Big body Benz when I shook the lane
Ski mask strong arm took the game
When I'm done with it, it ain't gon' look the same
Time is money, this expensive pain
Smokin' piff, I know you never hit this strain
My hustle got this far, how much further to go?
I ain't wanna be a hood star, I wanted the dough
Wishin' I could be a kid again, was rushin' to grow
Most quick, and they was rushin' to blow off of they flows

I think I may have misquoted that last line, but the shit is still fire. I love the way he closed the second verse too.

Clean tape like the first time you put the cartridge in
Get a nice whip in the hood, the pigs target it
It's gon' be people who want you less than what you started with
And they beneath you, don't let they messiness could bother you
You ain't hear no music this good since Tha Carter 2

The song’s really dope. The following track is even better though. It’s called Chuck E, and it has one of my favorite beats on the whole album. It’s a melodic, kind of emotional-sounding beat. I love the instrumental, and the dark lyricism matches the tone of it really well.

Chuck E wasn't so lucky, I hope you get the message
Tongue sharpens the sword, I hope you count your blessings
Every time I record I know my words provide a vibe and essence
Haters have my pockets on contraceptives
Frequent sky glider so I fly domestic
Never failed a grade, no shade on your effort
But I know a expert who said say less than necessary
I know words get you hurt
Couple got a permanent nap in the dirt
Chuck E might've live if he ain't shoot first
Consequences of the curse
Live by it, die by it, always be a man of your word
So mean what you say, more respect come from your verbs

I even like the hook on this track, and the second verse is fire. Out of all the solo tracks on the album, this is probably my favorite. I think it’s dope as fuck, and honestly one of my favorite songs of the year. I love it. Track 3 is called The Rush, and it features an artist named All Hail Y.T. I know I’ve heard features from that artist in the past, but I’m not familiar enough with them to be able to recognize their voice. I actually ended up loving their performance here though. Their voice kinda reminded me of brainorchestra. a little bit. As soon as I heard the first couplet of the verse, I was hooked.

Do the speed limit when I drive 'cause it's drugs on me
Use the rearview, turn signal 'case the fuzz on me

The flow was really nice too. I’m definitely gonna check out the new album he dropped this past May now. The opening verse from Jamal Gasol was of course very great as well.

I seen niggas doin' it for looks never made it far
Colors gon' reveal for them people who try to play the movie part
In New York dunkin' on goats like John Starks
Y'all be cocky on the tracks, I love it 'cause I'm like that
Cooked a lil' just to get it right like a looseleaf wrap
Stick ya move, won't get no feelings attached

The song honestly grew on me as I listened to it more and more. I really fuck with it. It’s dope as hell. The following track is even better though. It’s called All I Know, and it definitely stood out in the track list because it features Skyzoo along with someone named SH4MEL.

https://youtu.be/HtZsHchL4gI?si=wt0nCgS5DEiwlZhK

It’s easily the longest song on the record, but it doesn’t feel like it lasts too long because it stays exciting. The production from Cedar Law$ is pretty nice here. I love how hard hitting the percussion is, and the opening verse from Gasol is fantastic. He sounds really great here.

I'm home watchin' Hulu, 'bout to book a flight to Honolulu
Mass appeal like Premier & Guru
I been into the square before you ever seen me on YouTube
Every year I improve, more and more strategic
These tapes droppin' just wasn't pleasin'
Weak bars like they flow anemic
You want me doubtin' my works, I know you not my mans
So if I go at your bitch, I hope you understand

I also love that line about how he prefers his money all blue instead of green. That was fire. Skyzoo sounds incredible over this beat too. I kinda wish his verse was a little longer because it did feel a bit brief. The final verse from SH4MEL is actually pretty nice too. I enjoyed his performance as well. The song is fire overall. The following track is called Temptation, and it features an artist named Aaqil Ali. I absolutely adore this beat. It sounds a lot like something 9th Wonder would make, and I guess I have a soft spot for that sound as a Durhamite. I can definitely imagine Phonte killing this beat. Jamal sounds phenomenal on the first verse.

Show love to my G's in the game
Who had to pick up hours 'cause the plug got took when it came
That's slow dough for sure, but it ain't feelin' the same
Y'all niggas don't wanna talk about pain
What you know about sittin' up in the hot spot with three grams
A landlord who don't give a damn to understand
He don't care how I get it as long as I pay the man
On top of that, still gotta provide for my fam

I really loved the second verse from Aaqil Ali as well. That’s definitely one of my favorite features on the album. His voice and flow sound excellent. He slaughtered this track.

My past decisions, I promise to see the future well
The walls can talk, so a silence, that's what we used to sell
All these niggas is blinded, they better use the braille
My son Gasol is on fire, he let me use the trail
These other niggas is liars, I see the proof in sales

The song’s really great. The following track is yet another highlight called Esteban, and it features Rico Tellem. The production on this track is pretty fucking awesome. Gasol killed it too.

Rockin' Pradas in Managua
Silk Supreme in the middle of Guatemala resort, top dollar
Pop collars, drinkin' champagne on the rooftop
Feel like Esteban, it's a rush when the roof drop
Cruisin' through the city gettin' loot in a 2020 coupe
New shoes, I don't work well with groups
I ain't into losin', so I won't recoup
Y'all boys won't blow like a broken flute

The guest verse from Rico Tellem solidified this as one of the best songs on the album for me. I love this track. Rico Tellem killed it.

They threw dirt, then it rained, so now it's mud there
Niggas see me up, it's a shame 'cause it's a grudge there
I started savin' club fare for my plug fair
Me and bro invested in work, now I got drug shares
They say the pack just landed, I'm on my way back
And the powder's so clean, you could stamp it and call it Ajax

Both of them slaughtered this track. I love it. It’s dope as fuck. Track 7 is called Self Discipline, and it’s the only track on the album I probably won’t be returning to. I just am not really into this production style that much. I believe the intention was for the beat to be chill and perhaps somewhat relaxing, but to me it’s just kind of boring. However, the song’s still enjoyable to an extent thanks to Gasol’s rapping performance. I don’t really care for the hook, but the verses are very good.

Gotta have rules and morals, the structure to live by
Create a good report that follows you 'til the day you die
Seen kings on the rise get stopped through the homicides
Other 25 to life, five in the mountain skies
Honor the type of guys who wasn't on sucker time
Come through when it's crunch time, eat like it's lunch time

It’s definitely a solid track, but it lacks replay value for me. The following track is another highlight called Roswell, and it features Vic Spencer. Once again, the production here is fantastic. It sounds icy and slightly distorted in the coolest way possible. The opening verse from Gasol is great.

Piff letterman coat with all the rare patches
No closed casket, go to the forest and dump my ashes
My flow acid, oozin' out the headphones
Peek at the time, now I keep my boy in sucker free zones

Vic Spencer sounds so amazing on this beat too. I didn’t look at the track list before my first listen of the project, so I got pretty excited when I heard him start rapping.

I'm in the hood all the time, a true city boy
Westside, drive 290, that blood is in me, boy
Reckless, served mad ounces during recession
Served hella albums during the pandemic blessing
Was dealin' with the Hoover crips, nigga, I got blessed then
My time on the Northside was crime that shines right on the skyline
When you play games, nigga, it ain't no scorin' match
Beat up bitch niggas, and get no points for that

Vic probably had my favorite feature on the whole album, but I guess I’m biased since I’m a big fan of his. This collab was boiling hot fire though. I actually think this is my favorite song they’ve made together to be honest. I really love this one. The penultimate track is called Everyday, and it features an MC named ToneyBoi, who also had a really great guest verse. Damn. I guess every single feature on this project really came through for Jamal Gasol. They didn’t phone it in at all. This might be the most consistent set of features I’ve heard on a project all year to be honest. ToneyBoi killed this track. The production is pretty jazzy and soulful. It’s not one of my favorite beats on the project, but I definitely like it. I certainly appreciated the autobiographical lyrical content from Gasol.

Disrespect got you respect in my hood, all the girls want a bad boy
I ain't really start to see some paper 'til I linked up with Troy
Had to get it out the mud 'cause I wanted my own
I started runnin' through them minute phones, couple things I did alone

The song’s really dope overall. The closing track is called Forever 31, and it has a really nice, jazzy, saxophone-driven beat. The vocal sample sounds really cool too. I also really like the way this track is structured. He just spits one really great, kinda long verse, followed by a hook/outro.

Tried to shake the game, I thought about it many times
Every time I start to write a rhyme somebody hit my line
I be grindin' where they don't go, in the part of the hood the movies don't show
My concrete will never grow a rose, I'm from where they send you if you need a ho

I think this track works really well as a closer. I fuck with it. It’s a dope song.

This album is dope as hell. Like I said, it’s a pretty sizable leap in quality from the preceding couple of projects in my opinion, so that’s pretty cool to see. It’s sequenced and produced very well, and it’s just a very cohesive project in my opinion. There’s not a single bad song here. One thing that I pointed out in the body of this review is that every single feature on this project really delivered a stellar performance. I was thoroughly impressed by every guest on this release. The production for the most part is very great, and Jamal Gasol himself doesn’t let up throughout the whole record. Every single verse on this project is worth spending time with and digesting properly. The more you pay attention, the more you’ll appreciate it. This is not only my favorite Jamal Gasol project now, but also one of my favorite releases of the year. Check it out. I think it’s exceptional.

Favorite Song: Chuck E
Least Favorite Song: Self Discipline

Grade: A-

https://focushiphop.com/2024/08/12/jamal-gasol-cedar-law-fresh-31-album-review/

#AaqilAli #AllHailYT_ #CedarLaw_ #JamalGasol #RicoTellem #SH4MEL #Skyzoo #ToneyBoi #VicSpencer

#Skyzoo

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