Long Island emcee and producer Roc Marciano returns with his 11th full-length studio album. He began his career as a member of Flipmode Squad in the late 1990s before going solo in 2008 and releasing some classic albums, paving the way for the likes of Griselda like Marcberg and Reloaded. He began to focus on producing projects for other artists, such as Flee Lord and Bronze Nazareth, which followed Marcy Mountain, but after recruiting Alchemist to make Like a Man’s Bone (which I give full marks to), we’re learning Marcy .
The self-produced title track serves as this ominous opener, a reminder that he’s brought game to the rap game, while “Goyard God” works its way through these luxurious piano chords thanks to Animoss so he can play on everything Shit on. “Gold Crossbow” maintains a booming rhythm that boasts his little toes have more style than your entire torso, while “True Love” dives deeply and soulfully into a devotion to all his ghetto brethren.
“BeBe’s Kids” brings a funkier, instrumental way of talking about other people not liking your style because shit sucks, while Larry June croones “Bad JuJu” would take away Uncle Al’s drumming and break up the rich lifestyle they both lived. “Tapeworm” brings a symphonic vibe to the beat, talking about being too high-class to work with a wallet-grabber, which if we’re being honest with ourselves here, he is, but then “Killin’ Spree” starring Crimeapple ” A sample painting of gang life that brings these two men together on a rock.
At the same time, in “Went Diamond”, we asked Marci to teach more strings, teaching those who still don’t know that their biggest enemy is their own pride and ego. In “Higher Self”, we collaborated with Flee Lord and TF “Higher Self” once again talks about making bullets fly through your grandma’s room, based on operatic samples. “LeFlair” crashes violently, from brawling to pimping and pandering, while “On the Run” features Jay Worthy flipping talk about always being the lamb with infectious vocals.
“Larry Bird” by GREA8GAWD and Knowledge the Pirate brings our Marciology class to a close, these jazzy woodwinds are featured throughout, referencing the iconic Boston Celtics player of the same name, until “Floxxx” ends with Marci’s best ever One of the beats ends the album. Talk about never losing his touch, which he didn’t.
Whenever Mark puts out new music, he always makes the right choices, and while “Marciology” isn’t as flawless as “Like a Human Bone,” anyone familiar with his discography should know what they’re doing right now What. The production is mostly drumless, with extra booming bap and jazz-rap undertones, much like its predecessor spitting out its famous pimp shit with gusto.
Rating: 9/10
