Locksmith, the legendary artist from Richmond, California, has given the hip-hop world another major salt dump with his seventh studio album, collaborating with New York-based production duo The Heatmakerz. This record, called “Wine & Circus,” builds on his previous work like his debut “Embedded” and subsequent masterpieces like “1,000 Cuts” and “Lofty Goals” that translated youthful enthusiasm into mature ambitions. So the wait for many was great to see if he could again bring such a salty experience that characterized his earlier work.
The album pops right in with an intro in which the familiar chipmunk soul sound of The Heatmakerz, known from Thrilla's rise in the early 2000s, sets the tone. Locksmith welcomes us here on “The Greatest Show on Earth,” while “Death by Temptation” tells us honestly on a boom bap beat with a gospel sample about the challenges honest people face today.
A next-level salty moment comes when on “Culture,” Styles P raises his middle finger to the two-party system - an issue that many would rather not talk about, but as Styles and Locksmith do, consider important. “Beautiful Day,” on the other hand, is a positive track that celebrates the beauty of life, something we can all look up to.
Joell Ortiz doesn't let up either, adding his soulful boom bap vibes on “Closed Caption.” The message is clear: It's too late for excuses for those who once lied about their intentions. “Cons & Prose” takes us further into the zone of consciousness, with the follow-up track “America” reviewing the political situation of this tumultuous decade. The song strikes a sensitive chord, especially with the recent shocking events surrounding Charlie Kirk, a quirky addition to the social dialogue, even if South Park parodied him only recently.
Moving toward the conclusion of “Wine & Circus,” we are reminded on “Under Pressure” with pianos how important it is to confront your own demons, even when power goes to your head. Moreover, the title track emphasizes the power you possess when you know yourself. Mysonne ends the album with “Culture 2,” which continues the politically charged themes of earlier with a drumless vibe, truly a smash hit.
It is clear that Locksmith is at his best when working with a single production group as he did on “No Questions.” “Wine & Circus” gives us perhaps one of the saltiest moments of his career. The Heatmakerz' sample-driven production brings a breath of fresh air, while Locksmith's wise words, in light of recent events, come in even louder. We predict we'll be talking about this record for a long time to come, and perhaps consider it his best ever. Score? A big 9/10!
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