Here is the 3rd mixtape from Windsor, Ontario, Canada emcee/producer J Reno. Introducing himself over 2 decades ago off his debut tape Ground 0 as well as the full-length debut Unleashed & the sophomore effort The Lunatic’s Back, he would follow it up with 6 more albums preceding Crossworm signing him to Dirtcore Music: Lost in the Dark, Politikilla, Into the Fire, Welcome Home, Blood, Guts & Boom Bap and Me & My Demons. His debut for the Grand Rapids label The Dirttape came out a cool months earlier & the bridging portion of the trilogy has arrived.
After the “Press Play” intro, the first song “Consume” begins with this bloodthirsty boom bap beat talking about facing repercussions of playing haunted cassettes whereas “Fuck It Up” goes for a trap vibe instrumentally talking about him not being here to save a soul. ZOT’s appearance on “It’s Hip Hop” doesn’t really do much for me despite the topic of this culture running through their veins while “All In” somberly talks about the rap game being like a casino.
“Catch a Body” ends the 1st half continuing to embrace the influences of trap explaining that social media nowadays would be the new way of giving yourself a lobotomy leading into “Smoke” featuring Dr. Gigglez finds the 2 teaming up for an average stoner’s ballad. “In a Box” featuring Madd Maxxx would be my favorite collaboration of the 4 talking about people trying to pigeonhole them over a horn-inflicted beat just before “Eat You Alive” brings some orchestral influences to the picture warning that the struggle will consume all.
The track “No Compromise” featuring JxmesLxmb rounds out 3 talking about how there isn’t a check big enough for them to sell out & nobody having the power of being persuaded regarding what’s real while “Do Something” hops over some pianos for an attack directed at someone who isn’t anything like him & has no respect at all. “Step Back” ends by taking an introspective approach topically, feeling like a failure at wanting to give the ones he love an easier life than his own origins.
Now that there’s only a couple months left until the concluding chapter drops, The Dirttape 2 would have to be my least favorite of this entire saga although the good moments outweigh the bad. Him carrying the concept of the series’ original installment revolving around the Tape Keeper forward & the increasingly varied production are both 2 of the biggest pros this sequel has going for it, but the guest list doesn’t make that much of an impression on me like the previous Dirttape did other than a couple of them.
Score: 7/10