Yo, josiah The Gift is back on the scene with his seventh studio album, and this man is once again sprinkling a big load of salt over the hip-hop world. This emcee from Brooklyn, New York, has made his mark in recent years, and with his latest project, "The Happening," he more than makes that clear. Josiah began his musical journey in the late 2010s with his first EPs, and then really broke through with his debut album "Iron Mic" in the summer of 2020. Since then, he has established his name with strong releases such as "Remain Raw," "Mightier Than the Sword," and "God's Gracious." Last year he released "Lavish Language," and now he is back with his next masterpiece.
The release starts strong with "Jeux," in which Josiah teams up with Vega7 the Ronin to create a raw, drumless atmosphere. They reflect on life and the setbacks they have experienced. "Honor" featuring Willie the Kid shakes you up with a hard-hitting boom bap vibe, with Josiah and Willie doing some psychological damage with their razor-sharp lyrics.
"Guess Who," with a feature by Eddie Kaine, reminds us that Josiah and his crew are always ready for drama, still standing tall despite the chaos. Then "Thor" comes around the corner, without drums, but asking what you actually want.
Along with M.A.V., Josiah explores the idea of wealth and success on "Royalties," again against a boom bap backdrop. Next, "Teflon" shows that Josiah has become a legend thanks to his unique style and sound. He goes hard for what he wants on "The Lord is My Shepherd," while "Heroes" shows what it's like to be a hero, without the political stuff.
With "When the Pen Hits," Josiah's lyrical talent comes to the fore again. The track brings a boom bap rhythm mixed with woodwinds, a feast for the ears. "The Reality" featuring Jamil Honesty explores the difficulties of being trapped in a system you must adapt to in order to survive. And the album ends with "Trivial," where Josiah showcases his skills and demonstrates that he is definitely not joking.
His collaboration with Machacha takes this album to the next level. The balance between drumless and boom bap is sublime, and the guest appearances only enhance what Josiah has to offer. We can say with certainty that "The Happening" is one of Josiah's best projects to date. His pen is sharper than ever, and his story is saltier than ever before. Josiah the Gift shows that he is a force to be reckoned with.
What makes the hip-hop scene salty for you? Are you already a fan of Josiah the Gift? Hit us up and share your thoughts!
#hhz #houhet salt #hiphop #nlhiphop #rap #theGift #josiah
