This is a brand new producer’s album from New York’s Amityvillebeatsmith BP Infinite. Over the past 19 years or so, he’s found himself working with underground veterans, from K-Rino to Diabolic, Ill Bill, Black Market Militia and Uncle Murda. His first producer’s album, Timeless Music, was released in the fall of 2017, followed by an EP called The Supreme 7, so I was interested in “Kill or Be Killed” because it’s similar to the previous ones. Compared to Zhang’s solo work, the performer list looks bigger and more crowded.
After the “Tournament of Champions” intro, RJ Payne & Skyzoo’s title track sets the tone with an organ/boom bap instrumental explaining that in this game called “life” you either kill or be killed, and Nature & Tragedy Khadafi’s “Street Vengeance” sets the tone. Elucid and Gudda Vell’s “We Out of Here” unites the duo soulfully, before E Class and Nature’s “These Know Who It Is” finds them running on the final legs, keeping the soul sample intact, Compare yourself to Steph and Klay or Kobe and Shaq.
Redman’s “Kill Squad” has one of the hardest horn performances on the album, although my biggest complaint is that it’s shorter than I’d like, right after the vocals on Bub Rock, Eddie Kaine and J.’s “Love & War” before sampling regression. Bunchy Cartier’s “Raise Your Glass,” Shabaam Sahdeeq and 9th Prince beat the drums and toast, while Mooch & Tragedy Khadafi’s “Can’t Fuck with Me” brutally talks about how life is different now.
Gudda Vell and the Intelligence Hoodlum expressed their desire to be great singers on “No Replay,” further signaling pop’s return, but then E Murda & Shots’ “The End” skipped the croon sample to cash in , and left others in trouble. Dunbar’s “Screwface” is suspenseful and puts the listener in his shoes, while Cory Gunz, eLZhi and Tragedy Khadafi’s “Deep in My Heart” has a gospel twist Showcasing their lyrical abilities.
Eddie Kaine & Shots’ “I Survived” further drives the LP’s conclusion, with chipmunk souls looking to stay high where they live and seeing someone die in front of them at 16, while “Listen Up, Pt. Bunchy Cartier & Pillz’s “II” ends with work on the piano, clarifying that the only thing they care about is both their piles of money.
“Kill or Be Killed” is the hip-hop equivalent of a roundhouse kick to the face from Beat Smith and his incredible cast of collaborators, almost like a tournament for unique talents in the movie Bloodsport. To make this possible, BP spent 18 months fleshing out all the pieces he felt were a special match for the artists he wanted to work with, and it finally paid off.
Rating: 7/10
