Hatch Wiseguy is a 37-year-old emcee from Detroit, Michigan who debuted 20 years ago with “Wise Guy” and later released an EP called Likely. He later collaborated with local veterans like Royce da 5’9″ and Trick-Trick, as well as established icons like The LOX and the late DMX, and even formed a duo with Pony Evans called Role Idols. I also think he contributed the best songs on Blizzard’s debut album, Duel with Death, the best of the trio, so hearing him return for a sophomore effort feels long overdue in my personal opinion.
The Foul Mouth-produced “To Whom It May Concern” opens with a piano-based boom bap instrumental alongside 2 Magnum’s Inferno, while Astray & Paradime’s “Pop Off” sees the trio find the sound they need in chief doctor over a jazzier, soulful instrumental from Blizzard, because they’re so crazy. Before “Foreigner” gushed about going abroad with his Gs, “Prolific” went on to show off his status with a pen sample of Foul’s ear.
38 Spesh joins Wiseguy for the filthy boom bap collab “Yikes,” which doesn’t care what those pussies look like these days, before moving into “Snakes,” where Astray reunites the two over a dusty beat to expose those conspiring behind the scenes. In “We Outside,” starring Marv Won, Bizarre’s “We Outside” come together to deliver raw shit to the audience. On “Leap Frog,” Marv Won talks about the two of them spanning all of these bitches, with Hatch mentioning WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, as well as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
KXNG CROOKED’s “It’s Not Ok” kicks off the second half, with both artists wishing they had angels by their side whenever they go out because the devil will follow them, while the drum-less “Make You Proud” talks about having to learn a lesson the hard way and seeing his father die in front of him. “Seeing Is Believing” brings back the kicks and snares, humbly living his dream until “Chill” mocks the bunch for being like bitches. Astray’s “Bare My Soul” explains that he made this album because there’s not enough love being spread around right now, while “Nincompoop” wraps things up with some bullshit.
Intentionally crafted as a niche boom bap project for those who truly appreciate lyrical and hip-hop craftsmanship and artistry in the most traditional of ways, rather than the casual rap listener or sing-a-long crowd, Dirt & Diamonds checks all the boxes, making its triumphant return from a very personal moment to rock, story, lyrical exercise and some good old bop. From feature films to production and even playing live, he’s behind the scenes with some of the top talent in the genre, and it’s like he’s catching up with us all to learn about everything that’s happened to him and how he’s grown since his last retirement.
Score: 8/10
