This is the eighth mixtape from Buffalo, New York emcee Jae Skeese. Starting in 2010 with his debut mixtape WACK (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks), it wasn’t until ten years later that he and 7xvethegenius became the first signees to Conway the Machine’s own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group, earning broad exposure. Third EP Authenticity Check and second album Abolished Uncertainties produced by The Big Ghost Ltd. have both increased Skeese’s popularity over the past few years. Five months after the publication of The Times, produced by his superiors, he began his quest to rise from the ground to greater heights.
The Beat Butcha-produced “Brick After Brick” is a successful trap opener that makes it clear that he can’t calm down about this and the flames can’t be contained, while the Malizah-featuring “Peter Parker” radiates with help from Statik Jazz boom bap vibe. Big KRIT and Sauce Walka’s “Situated” connects the trio, crafting more traps so they can put in the work to get to the top, but then “Lost Puppets” hooks up with kicks and snares to remind him that there’s no flow for a certain way.
Dave East and Jay Worthy join Skeese on the pop-rap/trap hybrid “Sara Lee,” talking about wanting to hit women from behind, while “EKIN 4” is my favorite quartet from Ski Beatz and MIKE SUMMERS aka Seven rough instrument. “Ohana Means Family” gives off a summery trap glow, telling his partner she’s his source of muscle, not his rock, but then “Glory” goes on to trap talk about setting up on behalf of Buffalo and Griselda set expectations.
“Wic Coupons” approaches the end of the tape on an atmospheric note, pulling it out of the mire, while “E4W” reunites F1RSTCLASS back to the land of prosperity, allowing the duo to pay tribute to those who started from scratch. “02 Yale Cup Champs,” featuring Che Noir and Smoke DZA, takes the trio through a dusty five-and-a-half-minute bar rave, while “Fruits of the Labor,” featuring Project Pat, The ground ends with a soulful trap shit grind.
If anything, this mixtape is a testament to Jae Skeese’s evolution as an artist who blends raw emotion and storytelling with cutting-edge production. Additionally, he depicts where he is today and the highs and lows of his journey that will shape and inform the artist, pun-laden. As a fan for four years, I’m excited for him to come out of the basement and take the next step on the foundation he’s been building since being under Conway.
Score: 7/10
