This is the third mixtape from J Reno, a host/producer from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Introducing himself over twenty years ago on his debut album Ground 0 as well as his full-length debut Unleashed and second album The Lunatic’s Back, he put out 6 more Dirtcore Music albums before Crossworm signed him: Lost in the Dark, Politone Bap and Me & My Demons. His debut album for Grand Rapids label The Dirttape was released a few months ago, and the transitional part of the trilogy has arrived.
After the “Press Play” intro, the first song “Consume” starts off with this bloodthirsty boom beat about the consequences of playing a haunted tape, while “Fuck It Up” starts off with a trap vibe about how he’s not here to save souls. ZOT’s presence on “It’s Hip Hop” doesn’t do much for me, even though talk of the culture runs through their veins, while “All In” seriously talks about the rap game being like a casino.
“Catch a Body” continues the trap influence at the end of the first half, explaining that today’s social media will be the new way to give yourself a lobotomy, leading into “Smoke,” which finds Dr. Gigglez teaming up for a generic stoner ballad. “In a Box” featuring Madd Maxxx would be my favorite collaboration of the four, about people trying to categorize themselves over a beat created by horns, and then “Eat You Alive” brings some orchestral influence to the picture, warning that the struggle will consume everything.
JxmesLxmb’s song “No Compromise” closes out the third, talking about how no one has the ability to be convinced of what’s real without a check big enough for them to sell out, while “Do Something” skips some piano and takes aim at someone who is nothing like him and has absolutely no respect. “Step Back” ends on a thematically introspective note, feeling like you can’t make life easier for the people you love than the one you came from.
Now with only a few months left until the final chapter is released, Dirttape 2 is definitely my least favorite of the entire saga, although the good moments outweigh the bad ones. He brought up the concept that the original series revolved around the Tape Keepers, and the increasingly diverse production are two of this sequel’s greatest strengths, but the guest list didn’t impress me as much as it did on previous Dirttape, save for a few of them.
Rating: 7/10
