PRhyme "PRhyme 2" (2018)

I always suspected there would be a sequel to PRhyme, a collaborative effort between DJ Premier and Royce Da 5"9. Casting my mind back, it was only a few months into this blog that I covered there first album together over four years ago! Time flies and the absence has yielded a follow up record twice the length yet lacking much to talk about. The original never made a big impact but showed promise however four years later I can barely remember a hook, beat or rhyme from it.

The same will be true of this record too, its unfortunately a tiresome record that starts of with a bang. Black History has a quirky instrumental, a cut without a kick or snare! Its like a clock ticking down with a string section dancing around it and then the song erupts into a bright uplifting gleam as the drums drop in. With that and the intro song the duo set a stage, stating their return and then Royce painting a picture of his birth and leading on to brief us on some Hip Hop history, giving shouts out to Guru of Gang Starr and some others too.

Following it up with a self affirming braggadocio track the album swiftly falls into a routine of reasonable beats and reasonable rhymes thats all so reasonable it forgets to be inspired or challenging. A string of obvious and atypical rhymes boasting status and lifestyle drown out spurts of impressive rhyming and topical substance. Its in there somewhere but on a lengthy album clocking in at over an hour the record tends to drone on. Hearing old rappers moan about modern trends and how it used to be done becomes tiring even if your a fan of that era. Its an all to common trend from the old heads it seems. Not a bad record, just something I couldn't really get into.

Favorite Track: Black History

Rating: 3/10

PRhyme "PRhyme" (2014)

PRhyme is a collaboration project between legendary producer DJ Premier & Rapper Royce Da 5"9 who is known for his early association with Eminem. This mini album consists of 9 tracks and the opening track "PRhyme" focuses on the idea that the pair are in their creative primes, It sets the tone for an album of solid raps and beats that would certainly indicate both are in a creative warm spot. The two have a decent chemistry that gives the project liquid cohesion and defined character.

Premier's production is as finely tuned and crafted as you'd expect from such a veteran, bringing forth that 90s feel through approach as these tracks are littered with scratches and vocal samples from fellow 90s stars like Nas, Method Man, KRS-One & Gang Starr. The beats themselves are generally urban and darker in mood, taking a subtle roll providing backing for Royce to shine. These beats, although solid, sit in a comfort zone that sees little experimentation, taking on only a few modern aesthetics and ideas. Its not a negative point, but if your looking for something new and progressive this isn't that.

Royce is consistent and vibrant on this record, bringing an enthusiastic and motivated flow to each song as he narrates some stories but mainly delivers a boasting array of raps with a musing touch. Consistency would be a key point for me, there was no point where Royce failed to hit the mark, yet none where he really goes beyond, his best lines where from referencing Notorious BIG, "Kick in the door, wavin the four four".

The record as a whole is short and enjoyable, solid and flavorful, but perhaps lacking a depth to keep me coming back. After a few listens I feel like I got all the record had to offer and there were only two tracks I wanted to come back for. The 90s vibe was welcome but didn't really add to the body work thats already out there, one of the better beats was "Microphone Preem", utilizing a loud harsh snare and giving it something a little more unusual which could of made this project a little more. Overall a great listen to digest, but a lack of anything special.

Favorite Songs: You Should Know, Microhpone Preem

Rating: 5/10