Flint, Michigan has once again given the game some extra salt, as emcee/producer Jon Connor has dropped his seventh studio album with the help of none other than KLC of the Beats by the Pound crew. For the real hip-hop heads, Beats by the Pound is that dope in-house production team from the legendary No Limit Records. Jon Connor has been steady for two decades, producing classics like The Calling and the Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies. He even spent six years with Aftermath Entertainment before Vehicle City was left unplanned on the shelf. And now, nearly six months after his last project Food for the Soul, he's back with the dope project 24.
The album begins with “1 Time,” a banging intro that tells the fake rappers who would rather chase clout than be real quite the truth. That track is for the real dudes anyway. Next comes “Where You From?” featuring Lil Wyte, in which the two take you to their hoods: Flint and Memphis. “Nothin’ Gon’ Change That” with Fiend & Mac is a throwback to that No Limit vibe, with dope horns to separate the realness from the fake. That leads perfectly into the funky tune “Get Right,” which has you wondering how you can pop bottles without your finances in order.
Then we have a sequel to “Story to Tell” from the S.O.S. II: The Road to Legendary album. MIKE SUMMERS, also known as Seven, gives this sequel a jazzy spin, totally different from the original's trap vibe. “Work” featuring DJ Paul is a dirty south banger about cashing in. “Kings & Queens” with Jay Allure recalls Mia X's dope collabs during the No Limit days, while “Motivated” with those stylish pianos and strings emphasizes why you need to stay inspired, even when the going gets tough.
In the last part of 24, we have “Wake Up, Go Hard” with Mr. Serv-On; an ode to the eternal hustle, deep in the dirty south roots. “The Biggest Flex” featuring Dee-1 is the quintessential single about who you're actually trying to impress. “Black Magic” featuring Enjoy Melody brings us back to the No Limit vibe à la Mercedes, and “Story Time” closes with an intense tale of tragedy and unexpected confrontations.
It's long been no secret that Jon heavily influenced by the No Limit days of the late ’90s. That he got KLC to produce a full album for him is a fat move for anyone who cherishes that nostalgia. You can feel KLC's mix of new and old vibes throughout the record, and for Jon, this is a full circle moment - the dreams he's had since he was 14 are finally coming to life.
Score? A big 9/10, easy. This album is salted and going rock hard for anyone who has love for those real hip-hop vibes!
#hhz #houhet salt #hiphop #JonConnor #KLC #NoLimit
