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| Cover Art (slightly customized) for Mozzy's "Spiritual Conversations EP" |
Mozzy. Mozzy is a rapper from Sacramento, California. Mozzy has been bubbling locally in the Sacramento hip hop scene for quite sometime (he actually went by Lil Tim back in 2004 for a little while before changing his name to Mozzy in 2012) but his hype seemed to have really increased ten fold in 2015 when he released multiple projects, both solo and collaborative. But the most prominent album being "Bladadah". With the release of "Bladadah" Mozzy gained buzz worldwide. So much buzz that notable magazine Rolling Stone ranked Mozzy's "Bladadah" as the 22nd best rap album of 2015 . Complex magazine, another well known publication, published an article stating that Mozzy had the best run of any rapper in 2015. So, with all these accolades as well as new attention, Mozzy continued dropping project after project. Whether it be a solo project or a collaborative project. Mozzy released a whopping 11 projects in 2016.
In 2017, Mozzy dropped two collaborative projects with two prominent street oriented artists (Carol City Rapper Gunplay, and Vallejo rapper and member of SOB X RBE Yhung T.O.) in addition to locally known Bay area rappers Yowda and Lit Soxxx. This is on top of dropping two solo albums, one of which I reviewed called "Fake Famous" and the well put together "1 Up Top Ahk".
What's special about "1 Up Top Ahk"is that, in addition to being one of the best music releases of 2017. It also housed a song called "Sleep Walkin". That song "Sleep Walkin" would end up in the critically and community acclaimed film "Black Panther" (which I think is due to the director, Ryan Coogler, being from Oakland, a place where Mozzy's music is being played routinely).
Couple that with the fact that Mozzy was also featured on the Kendrick Lamar curated soundtrack for the film "Black Panther" (not to mention that Kendrick shouted out Mozzy at the 2018 Grammy Awards, which WAS the coolest thing that happened that night) and 2018 is raining blessing upon blessing on the Sacramento based rapper and the best part, he isn't slowing up at all.
On March 2nd, 2018, Mozzy released his first solo project since "1 Up Top Ahk" back in June 2017. Perfect timing too as more and more people are starting to find out about Mozzy since "Black Panther" came out...
Anyway, is Mozzy showing signs of slowing down, or is he keeping his music consistent in terms of quality? Let's find out
1. In My Prayers
Damn, it's no celebration here. Keeping true to the "Spiritual Conversations" title. Mozzy raps like he's talking to his dead homies in a confessional booth at church. As he raps, you can't help but feel his pain in his rhymes. The rhymes about how, through all of the adversity that he and his loved ones go through, he keeps God in his prayers. The delivery in which Mozzy delivers each lyrics are like verbal tears manifesting themselves as like a hood therapy session. The instrumental is lowkey and relatively unobtrusive, providing the perfect landscape for Mozzy to spit his truth. Good opener.
2. Remember (feat. YFN Lucci & E Mozzy)
Continuing with the downtrodden atmosphere of the first song, popular Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci arrives lends Mozzy a hook that describes a longing of the past which is pretty good, even if Lucci's voice is a little bit on the whiny side. Mozzy and E Mozzy verses are pretty straightforward, the acquisition of wealth via illegal substance production, distribution and commerce AKA drug dealing and making lots of money off it. Not my favorite Mozzy track or anything, but it keeps the momentum of the EP going nicely but it isn't exactly a memorable or standout song save for the hook by Lucci. Okay song in general.
3. No Choice (feat. Rayven Justice)
Moving right along with more melancholy gangster raps, Mozzy recalls snitches in his circle during his verses. One thing I've always appreciated about Mozzy is how it feels like his raps are based in reality that just so happen to be about the street. Mozzy isn't necessarily glorifying the street as he is giving the real events that he went through, that coincidentally was street oriented. Even if Mozzy was some suburban grown guy, his music, I think would still be as introspective as it is on this EP.
The song itself, musically speaking, isn't anything to write home about, but does make for good music to soak in once through, as the music IS good, but not like "10 years from now" good.
4. Interlude (feat. Phora & Terrace Martin)
When I saw the credits for this song, I got excited. A Terrace Martin vocal and production feature? Sign me up. Terrace Martin has had a very big helping hand in crafting Kendrick Lamar's albums, as well as a whole other host of legendary hip hop music. Anyway, his presence is definitely felt here as the beat is ever changing, jazzy and most of all filled with soul. I NEED a Terrace Martin produced, full Mozzy project, that would be fire. As Mozzy spits about his observations of the outside world, Terrace Martin keeps it interesting with added saxophone samples and his signature vocodor jazz type sound. Definitely a favorite song of mine off this EP. Also Phora's verse was dope. Yeah, good song.
5. Who I Am
This EP is truly music for the gangster soul. It feels all the production on here was made for Mozzy to exercise his demons over it, and you know what? It's great, I'm here for it. Lyrically speaking, Mozzy retreads familiar territory, you know, "I struggled, but now I ballin'" trope that rappers love to speak on. It doesn't get tiresome at all, as Mozzy's flow is way too easy to get lost in, that Northern California accent provides just the right amount of grit in his voice to make his words compelling from an emotional perspective, rather than from a technical, "lyrical miracle" perspective. You would find this in a LOT of street oriented rappers. Cool song, but again, nothing super duper memorable.
6. Nobody Knows (feat. Jay Rock & Dcmbr)
TDE's most undervalued member, Jay Rock, arrives to assist Mozzy on the closing track of "Spiritual Conversations". Both MC's show up, talk about their hood rivlaries and bounce, and the EP ends with Dcmbr's "We made it" type crooning outro. Short, sweet, and to the point, not bad. The beat on here is definitely the most memorable on here, so that's a plus. Also, it was kind of cool how Jay Rock refused to say "they don't love you till you hmmhmm" instead of saying "die". I wonder if he said that because he believes in the "speak it into existence" mantra or maybe his fear of death runs deeper than the general public would know...probably the former, but that doesn't matter. Solid song, and a good way to close out this short and simple EP.
OVERALL:
My reaction Mozzy's 'Spiritual Conversations'
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| Thug tears were shed during this EP. |
On Mozzy's "Spirtual Conversations EP", his pain is palpable, every word rapped, sung or otherwise, is something that you can tell Mozzy really lived and felt at one point in time. This music isn't just for a check, this music also doubles as therapy for a guy who survived long enough to tell his and his friends stories through introspective, bass heavy instrumentals. It may not be for everybody, as Mozzy keeps the theme of the reflective, pensive gangster throughout most of the six song EP, but guess what? It's not supposed to be for everybody, Mozzy knows his lane and he's going hard in it, I'm just glad he's finally getting some recognition now in mainstream outlets like movies (i.e. "Black Panther").
So yeah, it's more of the same from Mozzy lyrically, but the conviction in his words, coupled with the gloom laden instrumentals make this a nice listen that doesn't overstay its welcome. Mozzy isn't trying to overwhelm you here, but rather keep his fans satisfied with new music while remaining true to himself and his lyrical content. I dig it.
Favorite Track(s): In My Prayers, Interlude, Nobody Knows
Least Favorite Track: No Choice
Score: 6/10
Listen to Mozzy's "Spiritual Conversations" EP here.
written by Joseph Sanker II on 3/7/18
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Until next time! Peace out! One.
Written by Joseph Sanker II
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