Album Highlight: Super Tecmo Bo
By Boldy James & The Alchemist
Super Tecmo Bo marks the 5th official collaboration tape with The Alchemist on production and Boldy James’ raps. This short but sweet project combines their styles perfectly within the 27-minute runtime, giving a nice variation of beats from Al which grant Boldy more than enough space to shine. From the joyful sounds of “No Laughing Matter” to the grimy sound of “Hot Water Tank”. Boldy sounds inspired and refreshing with his signature style of rapping and really shining on tracks like; “No Laughing Matter” where he says things like: “Was under a microscope, staring at life through my rifle scope.” Combining his street-life rapping with bars that not only sound tough, but make you envision and think about his life in ways few other rappers can emulate. Thanks to Alchemists’ seamless transitions between tracks the entire project flows into each other with some movie and tv samples helping to transition songs in the project.
ICECOLDBISHOP is the only listed feature on the entire project, he really thrives on the dark beat where his energy and delivery really add something to the track. Boldy continues the project with great flows and hard-hitting lyrics, slowing down a bit towards the second half of the project to turn more reflective on tracks like “300 Fences” to tell a captivating story about his lifestyle and being on the run tying back into the name of the song. The drumless loop on “Guilt” lays the perfect foundation for Boldy to lay down his signature lyrical style, reminiscent of some of his other projects in collaboration with Nicholas Craven. Ending the project with the song “Francois”, one of the more straight-forward boom bap sounds on the album, Boldy shines with different flows and an interesting hook listing off indictments regarding blue collar criminals.
A short album with crazy highlights from one of the leading rapper/producer duos in the game worth revisiting any time you get the chance.
Personal Favs:
- No Laughing Matter
An Alchemist stand out beat with crazy Boldy quotes: “Was under a microscope, staring at life through my rifle scope.”
- Hot Water Tank
As the only feature on the album ICECOLDBISHOP brings some crazy energy on a fitting grimy beat from uncle Al.
- 300 Fences
Story telling raps about lifestyle and being on the run
- Bumps and Bruises
One of Boldy’s more impressive lyrical showcases on the album with a catchy ass hook.
- Great Adventures
Boldy’s most streamed tracks for good reason, a joyful beat with a soulful flow in less than 2 minutes mark the perfect combination of forces.
- Guilt
Drumless loop reminiscent of some of Nicholas Cravens work with Boldy.