Album Ratings (05/14/2023): Keke Palmer, Chinx Drugz & Russ

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Keke Palmer is the first new mother to get busier after giving birth. I’ve seen her at parties, on commercials, and now she just dropped her first album in a while.

In Big Boss, Keke Palmer actually sounds like SZA vocally. Content-wise, Keke comes across as confrontational, ready to go, and like someone who knows exactly what she wants out of her partner. Though you get passionate singing performances throughout, the majority of the tracks are energetic and bouncy. I mean this in the most respectful way possible: This is an unoriginal R&B album that has some decent bangers.

RGM RATING

(C)

Chinx – Cocaine Riot 7

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Chinx (Formerly known as Chinx Drugz) was a fantastic rapper. Unfortunately, it’s been eight years since the New York rapper’s untimely death. Since then, we’ve gotten a few posthumous releases from him. This past Friday, a new album featuring Chinx’s vocals hit streaming services.

Cocaine Riot 7 boasts a blend of modern and outdated beats. I think it’s pretty clear that the flows Chinx uses in his verses are aged, but at the same time, the street-related things that he raps about feel as fresh as ever. While I can clearly tell that this project was put together with scraps, I do think enough good happens in it to make you say that Chinx had next.

RGM RATING

(C)

Russ – Chomp 2.5

I really like Russ’ CHOMP series. Yesterday, he decided to release CHOMP 2.5, a short but sweet follow-up to his very impressive CHOMP 2 mixtape.

As expected, Russ talks about bossing up, spending serious cash, and being better than his competition throughout CHOMP 2.5. What I find interesting is that he does his thing over a bunch of subdued and soulful beats by producers such as Bo1da, Statik Selektah, Havoc, and more. If I’m being completely honest, the beats make the EP sound a little boring. Also, the punchlines that Russ hits us with sound a little on the corny side (I feel like he forces s**t a little). All in all, CHOMP 2.5 definitely sounds like some preseason s**t.