
Dillon & Batsauce are equally elite in “What Have We Done.”
STREAM
TOP 3 SONGS
3. Cannonball (Ft. Grand Puba)
This made me wish you were there in the ’90s?
Honestly, my favorite instrumental on this album is featured in “Cannonball.” It has this slick, House Party 1/2, Ninja-like vibe that I absolutely love (That was the hardest explanation I’ve ever given a beat). However, I also love the song’s extra catchy hook and how Dillion keeps up with the frantic beat, delivering slick bars about his history with Tekken, destiny as a rapper, and interest in capital gains. The icing on the cake is Grand Puba (Yes, the legendary Grand Puba), who contributes a free, fun, and colorful verse (Damn, Puba still raps better than 90% of the game today).
2. Make History
Let’s take a brief trip down memory lane…
In “Make History,” Dillion sounds determined to leave a lasting legacy by focusing on what he needs to succeed, reflecting on his journey, and experiencing a sense of awakening. In his verses, he pays homage to everyone from Biggie Smalls to family members who keep potato salad free of raisins (God bless him).
Dillion sounds like a brainiac in this track (I mean this as a complement). His remarkable wordplay, effortless flow, and well-crafted lyrics are amazing. Meanwhile, Batsauce provides an impactful beat with powerful horns that will either make you feel like a lion or as if you’ve been warned to run from one.
1. Mind Made
This is how you open up an album, folks.
For those who don’t know who Dillon is, you’ll quickly get acquainted with him shortly after pressing play on this album. In “Mind Made,” the second track on the project, Dillon speaks on his unflappable, competitive mindset toward making music. He also reflects on his major come-up, recalling the days when you could hear faucets dripping in the background of his recordings.
“Mind Made” features a somewhat gentle yet slightly hard-hitting jazz-hop beat that invites you to half-dance. While Dillon’s bars exude a competitive edge, they are delivered effortlessly. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was clipping his nails while laying them down.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
1. What Have We Done (Intro) (N/A)
2. Mind Made (5/5)
3. Quiet as a Library (4/5)
4. Eddie Farah (4.5/5)
5. Make History (4.5/5)
6. Cannonball (Ft. Grand Puba) (5/5)
7. Banana Republic (4.5/5)
8. Accolades (Ft. Reef the Lost Cauze & Jay Myztroh) (4.5/5)
9. Wakin’ Up Hungry (Ft. Headkrack) (4/5)
10. Goin’ Viral (4.5/5)
11. Ready On The Left (Ft. Kool Keith) (4/5)
12. What Are We Doing (Interlude) (N/A)
13. Watercolors (Ft. Quelle Chris) (4/5)
14. Speak Easy (3.5/5)
15. Isiah Thomas (5/5)
16. Rock Bottom (4/5)
17. Yoga Flame (4/5)
RGM RATING
(B+) (87%)
Listening to Dillon and Batsauce collaborate reminded me: with ample experience in a field comes a flood of creative inspiration, heightened confidence, and a deep understanding of its intricate nuances that make it truly special. That said, What Have We Done is a masterpiece.
I give the production on this album an A+. I literally think it’s perfect. Batsauce hooks his good friend Dillon up with beats that are refreshingly jazzy, feel extra organic, boast old-school hip-hop elements (including DJ scratches), and are multi-layered. While a young whippersnapper might not appreciate the production, as someone who grew up loving soundtracks from the ’90s, this album made me relive some of my fondest hip-hop memories.
Dillon is one of the most entertaining rappers out there. While mainly sounding like a competitive battle rapper, he delivers verses filled with excellent flows, clever punchlines, unbelievable wordplay, great storytelling, and what I think are relatable/down-to-earth/grown-man lyrics. Rapping sounds easy to him, and that’s so impressive to me.
I absolutely loved the guest appearances on this album. Everyone from Grand Puba to Quelle Chris was on similar time as Dillon, showing great chemistry.
If you call yourself a hip-hop enthusiast, you need to have this project in your rotation.
What Have We Done is available now via Full Plate. In addition to digital retailers and streaming platforms, the album is also available on vinyl, CD, and cassette, with various merch available including T-shirts and collectable keychains, through both their website and Bandcamp.
• Linkfire: https://soulspazm.ffm.to/fp032
• Website: https://fullplatefam.com
• Bandcamp: https://fullplate.bandcamp.com/album/what-have-we-done-fp032

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.