Album Review: Masta Killa

Just like the producers, the songs have a mix of well-known emcees along with some unfamiliar names. The blend of artists and the timing of their appearances were very well arranged and provides additional flavor to the album. For instance, the incredible song “OG’s Told Me” which features Boy Backs and Moe Roc, comes right after “Therapy” which has Method Man and Redman on it. There are also great verses from the late Prodigy and Sean Price on there. Not to mention guest spots from fellow clan members Cappadonna, GZA, and Inspectah Deck.

With those features and production, Loyalty is Royalty has elements of the Wu vibe but sounds more like vintage 90’s New York Hip Hop music.  At the same time, it doesn’t sound nostalgic, or like an attempt to bring “real Hip Hop back; ” it just sounds dope. I would be better off telling you the songs I don’t like as opposed to the ones I do like. Because with the exception of the last two songs, I enjoyed the whole album. I did have some favorite songs like Loyalty is Royalty, OG’s Told Me, and Calculated.  Overall, I have to say Loyalty is Royalty was one of the best albums I heard this year. It is a shame that more publicity hasn’t been circulating around the release of the album. Probably the main reason behind that is that his album came out right before the whole clan dropped their album Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues.  (Check out my album review of Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues here) Second of all within the crew, Masta Killa doesn’t have the same type of cache as the other members such as Rae, Ghost, or Meth. Also, he doesn’t have a deep catalog of songs like those other members I named.

He talked about how he has slowly built his skills and resume in an interview with Hot 97’s Rosenberg.

Based on his sometimes limited role in the Clan, I was surprised on how good Masta Killa’s album was. Not that I didn’t think he had skills, I was just unfamiliar on how his solo projects sounded. From my grade board, I going to give Loyalty is Royalty a A-. I put a link to the album at the bottom, check it out and let me know what you think. 

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