Patreon supporters received access to this review on November 15th.

I struggled a lot with deciding how to start off the preamble for this review. There are a lot of things I have to say about both SeKwence and Killer Kane. The latter has become one of my favorite producers of the 2020s ever since he first landed on my radar at the beginning of the decade. SeKwence’s BLOOM album was the first project I heard these guys work on, and I was immediately sold. That specific project was part of my introduction to the particular scene I’ve tapped into in the past four years, so it’s a really important album to me. As I’ve grown with these guys’ music, I’ve just become more and more of a fan. I feel like every year they put out a project that I like even more than the last. Just based on the way SeKwence was talking about this EP, which came out on July 8th, I knew this was probably going to be another one of his best releases yet, especially because he already put out my favorite album of his this past January. It’s been really awesome to witness the improvement. Musicians I discovered at the beginning of the 2020s are starting to grow into my favorite artists period. This EP in particular felt like a victory lap, while simultaneously functioning as an appetizer for SeKwence’s upcoming opus, SURVIVING OUTTA SPITE.

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The project begins with a major highlight called 6ix, and it has two phenomenal features from Defcee & Lord Juco. The instrumental here from Kane is legitimately amazing to me. It has Kane’s signature chill, melodic, soulful soundscape. It instantly became one of my favorite beats from him as soon as I heard it. It kinda reminds me of the cows in the Moo Moo Meadows. Every time I hear it, I see this cow’s giant, goofy smile…

I really love SeKwence’s writing on the opening verse too. I get the sense that he does a lot of reflecting on his own experiences. I’ve been in the same mindset lately, and I have to say it is quite inspiring to hear someone who is so proud to be who they are.

I keep it low just like she taught me, keep it rolled, I gotta spark it
All these pills done made me nauseous
On the verge of some new beginnings if I make it out the darkness
But if I make it, I'm a target; I'm a martyr—down to die for all these causes
I break the curses, see the silver linings
I never fucked with churches, all them people lying
Most these people really love to hate me, but that's the type of shit that really made me
So I ain't holdin' no regret, I'm too collected in my thought process, it's crazy

I also love the hook, and how Defcee kinda had his own variation of it. It’s like SeKwence created the template, and then Defcee made it his own. His verse is really beautiful. I’m sure there’s a word to describe the feeling it gives me, but I’m not sure what it is. Basically, Defcee kinda describes what it’s like to be a caring teacher of the youth in a dystopian world. It’s very dark, but not in a scary or messed up way. Well, it’s only messed up because the world is messed up, ya know? The verse has a sense of sobering realism due to the subject matter. I guess this isn’t really normal in other countries though. At least, I hope it’s not. Defcee uses this feature as an opportunity to delve into gun violence in schools in America.

Kids were brought into this world, no option but to exist
Now they're caught up in the mix, they gotta know I got their six
And if it's ever not a drill, I know the final shield will be my body
Just like security taught me

These lines connect back to SeKwence’s references to martyrdom in a really cool way. The way Lord Juco comes in after Defcee sounds so good too. His voice works over this beat perfectly.

Pardon my French, but it's fuck y'all, pay him
Pardon my stench, but the kush Canadian
No games, no Palladium, yeah I'm on the radio, and I ain't even payin' 'em
Competin' with payment plans, it's no wonder the laymans can't do those numbers
Dollars changin' hands, boss make demands
Can't make amends, money don't make us friends
Let us not pretend, not for a second
Catch me in the South with SeK', he the secret weapon
Deer hunter, dear summer, shine bright
I will take the fear from her limelight
Time's right, can't do no wrong
If you so strong just get your mind right

Every single verse on this track is excellent. I think Defcee’s verse will probably end up being the most memorable for me just because of how haunting it is. That’s the word I was looking for earlier I guess. Anyway, I think the song’s amazing, and definitely one of my favorite tracks SeKwence has ever made. Actually, I’ll take that even farther and say this is one of my favorite songs of the year. It’s really stellar.

Track 2 is a solo cut called Universe. Once again, I really love the production here. In fact, I think I like this beat now even more than I initially did. I feel like DOOM would’ve fit over this instrumental pretty well. SeKwence sounds perfect over it. The opening lines almost sound like fantasy. It reminds me of Nas‘ If I Ruled the World. The one major difference? Ain’t no ifs in this song. SeKwence’s writing gives me the sense that he’s reached nirvana.

I'ma take over the world, and get it faded
Make the call and tell the homies that we made it
No more struggles, no more worries, no more waitin'
This life is practice, seen it all, and always faced it
I never shied from confrontation
I'm playin' David when I swing and knock Goliath into the pavement
I bear the weight and wear it well
Plus I can take you back to basements and the basics on the scale
And then we graduated, thousand dollar plays through the mail

SeKwence just keeps getting better and better as a rapper, man. Two qualities that are omnipresent in SeKwence’s music are hope and optimism. It’s really inspiring how he’s always able to see the beauty in every aspect of life; the dedication and assurance comes through in the music in a really pleasant way. The song ends with what sounds like a clip from somebody’s stand up special. It’s actually a famous speech from mixed martial artist Chael Sonnen though. I had to Google it. I have never really been into MMA personally because I was raised to be a pacifist, but that’s a whole other story. I see the parallel in SeKwence’s music and the confidence it takes to be an MMA fighter and deliver that kind of speech though. Overall, this is another one of my favorite SeKwence songs.

The following song is called Say My Name, and it features FLLS & $uff. I’m pretty sure I was in the room when this was being recorded in Greensboro. I know I sat in for the recording of at least one track from this EP, but I can’t remember exactly which one it was. It was either this one or track 5. Maybe it was both of them. That was back in January, so my memory isn’t the greatest. Anyway, the beat here is pretty dope. It sounds like something a street rapper from New York or New Jersey would spit over. I could definitely see The LOX spitting over this instrumental. Ransom too. The drums aren’t as boring as the stuff they typically rhyme over though. This beat is a lot less dry than a lot of the stuff Ransom rhymes over these days. The percussion is nowhere near as stale. The first verse from SeKwence is excellent. As always, he exudes determination on the mic. One thing that stands out about this verse in particular is his vocal delivery. His voice doesn’t sound anywhere near as raspy as it usually does when he raps on this track. It sounds more authentic to be completely honest. I feel like I’m getting the man behind the SeKwence persona.

This life done got me jaded, got me faded
I'm losin' patience tryna find the rope to save me
And help to pull me out this hole
Tryna bring me back to life, I'm tryna save my fuckin' soul, woah
I ain't trippin' on the fall, I'll make it back and take it further than I ever did before
I scale the mountains, take my claim
Carve my name inside the stone, they know my motherfuckin' name though

The verse itself is super short, but it hits. FLLS spits the second verse on this track, and I feel like he had the longest performance. He might’ve had my favorite verse on this track. I guess you could say I’m biased because we’re both from North Carolina. The Bojangles reference definitely resonated with me.

When I leave they ask me when I'm comin' back
I tell 'em bring it down south with they aggy ass
Street niggas in the country shootin' nines at grass
Bojangles with the munchies had 'em goin' mad

That’s so fire. If you know you know. Anyway, the final verse is performed by $uff, and it might actually be the best one on the whole song. Much like SeKwence’s verse, it is very short. It hits really hard though. His writing is really great.

Court cases, more traces of my prints
They want me in a box, but I can't be locked in
Learned my lesson from within
Any man who said he made me didn't make it on his end
So how he make a man?
I never shadowboxed I had to really use my hands
Palm trees and warm springs in my bullet-riddled breeze
A brutal living, yes, but the struggle made me mean
Tried to stay up out the way, but I was in it for the cream
A cold dream

The lyrics are really cool, and $uff is definitely proficient with the flow. I also enjoyed the relatively reserved vocal delivery. Overall, this track actually grew on me a lot. I thought it was dope before, but now I’d consider it another highlight on this project.

The next song is called In Ya Mind, and it has a quite substantial feature from Barry Marrow. That dude is a really great rapper, so I hope to hear even more from him soon. My favorite line as of November 14th at 11:29 PM EST is the one where he says he has dirty money and he’s tryna be filthy rich. That was dope. SeKwence’s verse at the end of this track is excellent. He killed this one.

And then I stay up on your mind just like some acid
Shift it forward, catching traction
Spin these wheels, shit I be gassin' on this rap shit
I'm at your function in a black fit
I make the package backflip, I make these bitches' backs break
I'm never frontin', if I say it then I mean it
I need views that's really scenic, I need two for decompression
No question, I really got it, pull the blade from out the stone
I'm on the perfect pace to make it home safe

Kane’s instrumental here is fire too. Once again, I could definitely hear DOOM using an instrumental like this. I suppose you’d be hard pressed to find an underground producer who doesn’t have at least a little bit of Metal Fingers’ DNA in them. This beat could also work for artists like Masta Ace or MC Paul Barman. SeKwence & Barry Marrow sound nothing like those guys though, so this song has a completely different energy than what they would have made. Anyway, this song is really dope overall. I really dug the verses, and the production is great.

Track 5 is called Relays (Fuck 12) and it’s another collaboration with FLLS & $uff. This definitely feels like the most lowkey track on the project, and I feel like it could’ve used a little more time in the oven. I definitely like the song, but I am not as in love with it as I am with the other tracks. The beat’s cool, and the verses are all pretty good. I think I’d dig this track even more if I was still a hardcore stoner. The beat is super chill—the final verse from FLLS is the one part of the song that feels somewhat energetic. I could definitely imagine Curren$y fitting on this one quite well. I honestly think my favorite aspect of this one aside from the production might be the hook. It’s a pretty good song overall, but it’s not the kinda track that would win over any naysayers, you feel me? With that said, eff the naysayers. I dig this one.

The penultimate song is called Hour Glass, and it has another amazing, jazzy, piano-driven beat from Kane. This one sounds more like something R.A.P. Ferreira might use. Lyrically, this song has some of the best rapping I’ve ever heard from SeKwence. I love how personal he gets here.

I guess I struggle normal
That bank account—it got me stupid humble
At least I'm faded facin' problems
I'ma find a way to solve 'em
I'ma find a way to fix it
Just tryna break these curses and addictions
I put it in the lyrics
And if you real then you gon' feel this shit
I'm at the game, but if the price is right, shit, I'ma flip it
And shout to gang, I'm never switchin'
Got perfect aim with these missiles
Got perfect aim with this penmanship
Ten thousands hours, tons of practice, now it's crafted to perfection

I like how dynamic the production is too. It doesn’t ever feel too repetitive or dull at any point. I also really like these lines…

You need a light then I'ma motherfuckin' spark it
You need a light, I'll pull you in from out the darkness
You need a hand, then I'm extendin' mine
We really all we got, I'm in a race against the time

The second verse is even better than the first one. His breath control is really nice there. Again, this is another one of my favorite songs SeKwence has ever made. I think it’s fantastic.

The closer is an instrumental outro from Kane called Time Machine Outro. To be completely honest, this might actually be my favorite beat on the whole project. Part of me wishes SeKwence rapped over it because it’s that good. It’s not just a simple loop; this is a fully fleshed out instrumental. The guitar that comes in around the 53 second mark is breathtaking. This beat is amazing. I love it.

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^{This EP is superb. If you find it on DSPs such as Spotify or Apple Music, you’ll see that it is only available as one 20 minute long track. If you want them separated into individual songs, you’ll have to purchase it directly from Killer Kane’s Bandcamp page. I typically dislike when a project’s songs are “glued together” so to speak, but in this instance I don’t even mind because there’s not a single track that isn’t worth returning to in my opinion. There’s not a single bad or even mediocre song on this project, so you really can just let the whole thing play out. Kane’s production is just as fantastic as I’ve come to expect from him, and SeKwence just keeps getting better and better. I think both of these guys’ best projects are ahead of them, so I’m really looking forward to hearing even more and more of their work in the future. As I kinda mentioned at the end of the preamble for this review, this project serves as a really nice appetizer for the upcoming album, SURVIVING OUTTA SPITE by SeKwence. I can’t wait to tell y’all about that album, so stay tuned for my review, and check this EP out in the meantime. ✌🏽}

Favorite Song: 6ix
Least Favorite Song: Relays (Fuck 12)

A-