NOTE: PATREON SUPPORTERS RECEIVED ACCESS TO THIS REVIEW ON AUGUST 23RD, 2024.

This song was released on August 23rd this year. It’s the first single from SB11’s upcoming album, Heavenly Unknown. I am familiar with SB11 through their work with artists such as Lukah & Pro Zay. SB11’s also a member of Lupara, which is arguably my favorite collective of producers out right now. To be fair, the only competition that comes to mind at the moment is Mutant Academy, who are also incredibly talented. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical prior to pressing play on this track because a lot of times producer albums end up being pretty lackluster to me. This track actually has me looking forward to the full project though. This shit is awesome.

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The first verse is performed by Josiah the Gift. I’ve been aware of him for a couple years now. I started listening when he dropped his Mightier Than the Sword project in 2022. The main thing that really stands out about him as being super unique is his flow for me. Well, it’s a combination of his flow and rhyme patterns. I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s like, he’ll start a rhyme, and then jam a shit ton of words in before he finally says something that completes the rhyme. He’s not the first rapper ever to do that, but the way he does it just feels really unique in my opinion. I can’t explain why. He just really keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering when and where the rhyme will land. I have personally really grown to appreciate that style from him. He doesn’t really do it as much on this song, but he still killed it.

From where they did a lot
To gettin' the kind of money to bid on yachts
Still got it in them to kick a door when they hit a spot
Niggas at Kennedys pullin' grease outta chicken boxes
Detoxin' from that kinda behavior was a reach
The reverends here, they don't preach a lot
See it as forbidden fruit, give it time, you gon' see it rot
Sweep the block or leave it shot
You immortalized through a moral if your meanin' definitive when you leave the nest, flee the spot

I think one can understand what I was saying about his flow and approach to rhyming just by reading those lines. It’s also just really cool to hear him over this beat from SB11. I feel like this production is much more off-kilter than the type of stuff Josiah normally raps over. It’s really fitting at the same time though. It’s like a less conventional spin on the type of production he likes to use. It sounds kind of spacey and animated, while still maintaining that sense of grit that typically accompanies Josiah’s music. It’s also really jazzy too. The bassline that comes in at certain points sounds very Thundercat-esque, and the percussion is very impressive. This is the kinda song that would be dope even without any rapping. It’s very dynamic and energetic. I’ve heard a few features from SUBSTANCE810 in the past, and they’ve all been pretty good, but this is the first one I’ve heard from him that’s made me wanna check out more of his material. He really killed this track.

They never betted on me 'til I upped the ante
Ante up, I gotta bitch I call my Orphan Annie
I don't understand it, all these standup niggas ain't standin' up
They duck from the cannon, the blast is uncanny

The closing verse is performed by Shottie, who I am not as familiar with. I have definitely seen his name floating around social media for a while though. This was just my first time actually hearing him rap, and I have to say that I came away pretty impressed. He definitely earned his spot on this track because he sounds just as excellent as everyone else.

Y'all remember when bitin' was faux pas? Well now it's en vogue
Remember when Michael was 45? Well, he ain't win though
Now it's 23 and about to bring a ring home
A rando in the end zone handling the indo
No vandalism, but the cat is in a trenchcoat

I think I misquoted that last couplet, but I don’t know for sure. Anyway, the song’s fire overall. The production is superb, and each verse is super well-written and performed. You can tell just by listening that these guys have been doing this for a while. This isn’t the work of a bunch of amateurs, ya know? Anyway, give this track a listen and let me know what you think of it in the comments below. I think it’s dope as hell, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it grows on me even more by the time the full album releases on September 20th.