Album Highlight: 2MM DON’T JUST STAND THERE!
By Sideshow (2023)
This album by artist Sideshow is an amazing piece of art from one of the best underground rappers, who has come up in recent years. His affiliation with MIKE and his 10K record label has helped to get his name out there, but nothing can take away from his performance and artistry exemplified through his album run and feature list in the last 5+ years.
This album in particular has some amazing high points throughout its 25-minute runtime. The tape consists of 14 tracks, almost all of which run for less than 2 minutes total. Some tracks consist almost entirely of skit-like talking or story telling interrupted by friends and close associates. The project has production from: Popstar Benny, Alexander Spit, ayochillmannn, Sexafterchurch (aka Niontay), Omari Lyseight and Alex Dugdale. All of which bring different sounds and styles, while still somehow making the album sound very rounded out and complete.
The project starts off with production from Alexander Spit, frequent collaborator with Sideshow, on the track “2UNCHI MUSIC”. The vocal chops on this one seem almost unfathomable. Layered with a bouncy bassline underneath, whilst Sideshow raps about his drug use and women issues with a depressing undertone meanwhile flexing his status with a smooth buttery flow.
Next up is “JIH LIKE MORANT”, comparing himself with somewhat controversial NBA figure Jah Morant. He keeps the flows going over another bouncy vocal-heavy production from Alexander Dugdale. Continuing the NBA references to the king from Akron (Lebron James), while popping his shit heavily and flexing the freedom of his long-time friend with a phone call at the end giving him a sneak peek of the record.
“WHITE FANS” is the next highlight I want to give recognition to, one of the more emotionally and historically loaded tracks on the album. He starts the song of with a chorus about presumably white fans (like myself), asking him when he is going to drop new music. Meanwhile he’s busy “Sipping lean”. Sideshow immediately drops into his verse by representing his ancestry from Tigray, a region on the border of Eritrea and Ethiopia, fighting for independence. Continuing the song, he goes on rapping about his addiction to medication, various trauma and the support of his family in his military-like rap endeavours.
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The genocide and war crimes committed in Tigray are a fact and it’s a very difficult situation, which I will not touch upon too in depth. Just understand the ideas of liberation and genocide. Being able to stand up for those who can't and for things which seem important to you, in this case the perspective of 'Sideshow'. These themes are not only highlighted on this album but its representing for Sideshow's entire discography and "WHITE FANS" makes this especially clear.
Immediately following this track comes maybe the most light-hearted track featuring Valee, with a super catchy killer hook from the featured artist over a great beat from ayochillmannn. This 2 minute 56 second track is the longest track on the entire album with an amazing performance from Sideshow on 2 verses with even time for a moment for Lil Wayne to spill his cup. Almost halfway through the song, while Sideshow references fleeing the scene with his cup.
The album continues with more great tracks with the outro of “THICK LIQ” for example. Sideshow really strikes with more drug talk transitioning into “SHELL IN A GHOST”. Both tracks produced by Alexander Spit, which I cannot give enough high praise for his work on this project. Sideshow also continues giving great performances especially on a track like “NOWHERE 2 HIDE”, with production from fellow 10K artist and rapper sexafterchurch aka Niontay.
The last track I wanted to highlight is “MR COULDN’T HURT A FLY” with a relaxing serene guitar loop from Omar Lyseight, Sideshow puts on one of his best performances of the album. With a more muted and low-effort delivery fitting perfect with the bars he raps on this song.
Saying stuff like “Tired of preaching need me a weapon”
and
“Not the police can’t cuff these bitches, I fell in love with codeine”. While playing out a sample halfway through the song a clip from Ocean’s 11 gives instructions on how to not get caught.
To conclude this short album within only 25 minutes you're met with a crazy variety in styles and beats. Complemented with great flows and bars from Sideshow, who delivers a ton of character, struggles and fun.
If you have never heard of Sideshow at all, I’d really recommend listening to 2MM DON’T JUST STAND THERE! This album is a great way to get into his style and explore further into his discography from here on out. However, you can also just jump into the deep end and purchase or stream his entire catalogue in order to really get to know him. Sidenote: as previously mentioned, this album has amazing variety in production and in my opinion, some of Alexander Spit’s best work to date.
-III.