Here is a brand new LP & the 5th overall from Queens, New York emcee Grafh. Emerging over 2 decades ago off his debut mixtape The Bang Out, he went on to release 7 more tapes before dropping his first full-length album Autografh only a few years later continuing that with a total of 10 mixtapes & an EP. The sophomore effort Stop Calling Art Content produced entirely by the late DJ Shay & released through Benny the Butcher’s very own MNRK Music Group imprint Black Soprano Family Records as well as his TCF Music Group debut Art of Words would become his most acclaimed material to date, coming off God’s Timing to explain how Sometimes Money Cost Too Much.
“Word Up Son” represents his home borough over a horn instrumental produced by 38 Spesh to open up shop whereas “Squeeze 1st” featuring Benny the Butcher finds the 2 talking about asking questions after initially firing shots over a bloodcurdling boom bap beat from Mike & Keys. “Outside” featuring Mitchy Slick & Styles P brings the trio together so they can let everyone know they’re still out in the streets leading into “Documented” talking about everything with him being kept on record.
Tech N9ne appears on “Suicide” explaining that crossing either one of them will result in the death of those doing the backstabbing while “Better with Time” featuring Bun B goes for a cloudy trap vibe instrumentally talking about improving as they get older. “Big League” featuring Joyner Lucas was one of the weaker singles teased fusing rock & trap to speak of being in the majors when Grafh’s the better lyricist of the 2 until “Brick by Brick” decently continues talking about the gangsta lifestyle.
“Rollin’” featuring Don Paul & Dope Gang Porter experiments with a more nervous sound encouraging the listeners to look at him & his squad now while “Twin” incorporates a sped-up soul sample to get more romantic on the lyrical side of things. “Lil Vybe” was another single that I wasn’t head over heels for continuing the sensual subject matter over a cloudier beat while “Some Wounds Never Heal” finishes with a drumless outro where we get hit with gut-wrenching introspection.
The last 3 albums we’ve gotten from Grafh within almost 5 years have been some of the most important material in his entire 2-decade career & that alone has raised my anticipation for Sometimes Money Cost Too Much. However since it’s finally out following some delays within the past couple months, I’m a little torn by it although there are certainly more highs than lows. He does his thing on the mic as do a great deal of the guests, but some the production left me underwhelmed & the 2nd half feels weaker than the 1st.
Score: 6/10