Brooklyn, NY veteran Joell Ortiz returns with his ninth studio record. After rising to prominence in the Unsigned Hype column in the March 2004 issue of The Source magazine, he signed with Aftermath Entertainment for a while before leaving to release his official debut album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles, under MNRK Music Group 》. I also can’t forget to mention when Slaughterhouse rose to fame with their self-titled debut album, leading Eminem to sign the supergroup to Shady Records a decade ago. But sadly their major label debut album Welcome to: OUR HOUSE came out the next summer and unfortunately ended up being their last album and everyone has been doing their own thing since then. However, it’s been 3 years since Autograph and The Heatmakerz have been behind the scenes (IMHO) during the war.
I Born’s “WAR Welcome” opens with a bluesy booming bap instrumental that opens our minds and takes us to war with all respect, while “Mamma Loves Me” opens with a passionate tribute to his mother, who was her Help him go further. Fortune 500 keeps it 100 by talking about having 100 fewer friends because the more money you make the more problems arise, but then Death completely beats the drum and tells Death he’s had enough .
The atmospheric “So Lost” addresses the feeling of loss sometimes with more kicks and hooks, and just before “WAR (Worry, Anger, Resentment),” Styles P peacefully thanks God for all of us Give him a lot of debt. “Imagine That,” starring Ransom, lovingly flashes back and fast-forwards to the present, doing everything they dreamed of, while “WAR,” starring MOP, gets back to a booming beat and warns you not to fight with them.
“Please” brings back the soulful vibes of a ballad dedicated to his best friend/true love, and after the “My Childhood” skit, “All the Years” officially ends Yaowa’s career in HARD or HA rap. The first solo creation since being in the district.
I personally prefer L’Orange’s Signature remix for Autograph, although I appreciate the highlights of the original version. Nonetheless, WAR is (IMHO) undoubtedly my favorite Joel album as of Monday, and will arguably go down as one of the best albums he’s ever made. Heatmakerz’s production sticks to their signature, soulful boom bap and drum-less sound, and Yaowa’s performance is better than previous HARD efforts.
Rating: 9/10
