Buffalo emcee Jae Skeese joins forces with Superior for his fourth full-length studio record. His debut mixtape WACK (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks) kicked off his career in the fall of 2010, and it wasn’t until a decade later that he and 7xvethegenius gained widespread exposure as Conway’s first signees. Machine’s own EMPIRE Distribution imprint Drumwork Music Group. The Big Ghost Ltd.-produced third EP Authenticity Check and last album Ablished Uncertainties have both boosted Skeese’s popularity over the past few years, so Testament of the Times can only amplify it.
To get us started, “Union 2’s” skips the guitar-backed boom bap instrumental and talks about the dangers of going low, and I think his last two projects have proven that, which I titled “In Me” at the end of the previous paragraph In Hands” has a jazzier approach, designed to stay focused. “Cement 4’s” played on some pipe organs, asking what you guys think he was doing this for, since he’s been playing on pipe organs his whole life, culminating in the flute-tinged “2Cents” referring to the real game that’s priceless .
“Cantonese Characters” featuring Rome Streetz and Ty Farris come together for nearly 4 minutes of lyrical assault before talking about staying hungry and blessed with lush keyboard flourishes on “Preguntas.” “Ksubi Tags” isn’t actually an interlude, with Jae waking up to a sample-filled booming bap beat that feels like a threat, but “Risk & Reward” draws inspiration from rap-rock, talking about having to work hard to earn Success is as good as he is now.
OT the Real appears on “Sign of the Cross” with serious advice about letting problems build up, while the well-crafted “Broken Mirrors” talks about how he sometimes overthinks things in his head. “Mothers & Gods” clarifies that he was never loved by anyone but his mom and takes on higher power over simple piano chords until “Skycraper” ends the piece on a drum-less note Records, continue to put in the time and labor from the ground up.
Released almost a year ago this month, the introspective storytelling of “Abolish Uncertainty” was Jae’s personal way of introducing herself to a wider audience, but I think I might prefer “Witness of the Times.” Superior remains one of the most interesting German hip-hop producers and with an even tighter guest list, Skeese is here to encourage everyone to push themselves to new heights.
Rating: 9/10
