Denzel Curry – Strictly 4 The Scythe (Album Review)

Denzel Curry proves the power of collaboration by assembling a fearless collective on ‘Strictly 4 The Scythe.’

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TOP 3

3. HOOPTY (Ft. TiaCorine & Smino)

“HOOPTY” feels like someone bottled a chaotic house party and pressed it onto wax. The production carries gritty “Nice For What” energy, loaded with bounce and attitude, while TiaCorine storms through with an unrestrained verse packed with the exact kind of “shake your ass” bars the beat demands.

The chorus sounds like either a triple-layered Denzel Curry or Denzel backed by a pack of rowdy voices that clearly don’t give a damn, turning the hook into a full-blown chant. Then Smino slides in to close things out with a playful, silky verse, sounding like the type of smooth operator who can talk his way out of buying a drink and still leave with someone’s number.

On the surface, the track hits like a straight-up club banger, but the layering is clever enough that each replay reveals some new little detail. It also stands out as one of the most unique cuts on the entire project.

2. LIT EFFECT (Ft. Bktherula & LAZER DIM 700)

“LIT EFFECT” feels like the kind of track that would’ve had more elbows flying than a ’90s NBA playoff game back in the day. The production carries a chaotic, almost Mortal Kombat-like energy, the kind of sound that practically invites flying kicks and dramatic uppercuts.

Interestingly, Bktherula approaches the madness with ice-cold composure, gliding across the beat like she’s completely unfazed by the sonic brawl happening around her. LAZER DIM 700 keeps that loose energy rolling with a drowsy, carefree verse where he talks about pulling cards and throws jabs at soft dudes who apparently enjoy bubble baths (What’s wrong with bubble baths?).

Denzel Curry then storms in to close things out, sounding powerful and commanding, weaving through a few tricky flow switches while injecting the exact level of aggression the beat calls for. In the end, the main reason to keep spinning this track is Bktherula’s chorus, which lands as the real standout moment.

1. MUTT THAT BIH (Ft. 1900Rugrat & Key Nyata)

“MUTT THAT BIH” thrives on pure charisma, with Denzel attacking the beat with sharp intensity while 1900Rugrat glides between melodic rap-singing and carefree flexes on his lone verse and the chorus. Key Nyata then seizes the dramatic beat switch to show off versatile flows without ever losing his cool. Lyrically, the record leans heavily into chasing money over fragile friendships, celebrating loyalty to day ones, dominance, success, and an unshakable competitive edge.

Behind the scenes, BNYX stitches everything together with Southern-inspired drums that knock with authority but still glide smoothly, thanks to softer undertones, while the mid-track switch injects a cinematic jolt before snapping right back into the song’s infectious groove. For a track so ignorant, this was great chemistry between everyone.

Saying you’re going to “mutt a b*tch” is diabolical.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. THE SCYTHE (Ft. TiaCorine & A$AP Ferg) (4/5)

2. LIT EFFECT (Ft. Bktherula & LAZER DIM 700) (4/5)

3. PHONY (Ft. Juicy J, Key Nyata & A$AP Ferg) (3/5)

4. MUTT THAT BIH (Ft. 1900Rugrat & Key Nyata) (4.5/5)

5. HOOPTY (Ft. TiaCorine & Smino) (4/5)

6. YOU AIN’T GOTTA LIE (Ft. 454 & Luh Tyler) (3.5/5)

7. TAN (Ft. Bktherula & TiaCorine) (3.5/5)

8. UP (Ft. Rich The Kid, A$AP Ferg & SadBoi) (4/5)

RGM RATING

(C+) (76%)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there simply aren’t enough hip-hop supergroups in rap. With The Scythe, Denzel Curry assembles a squad of like-minded artists who sound more than ready to cause chaos on every track they touch.

While Denzel appears frequently throughout the project, he often steps back and lets the rest of the cast cook. Bktherula and TiaCorine shine the brightest, bringing bold personality and commanding moments, while A$AP Ferg storms in with outrageous bursts of energy whenever he pops up. Key Nyata also delivers a few impressive verses, and guest appearances from Juicy J, Luh Tyler, 1900Rugrat, Smino, and others add extra seasoning to songs that already feel vibrant and unpredictable.

The project’s biggest strength is the energy that pulses through nearly every moment. The choruses hit like fireworks; the verses come in loud and confident, and the production rarely lets the momentum slow. There are also some pleasantly experimental turns sprinkled in, particularly on tracks like “HOOPTY” and “UP,” which show the crew isn’t afraid to bend sounds and try different textures.

If there’s one thing I would change, it’s the length. With all the variety and personalities packed into the project, it almost feels like it ends just as things are really heating up. Still, even with that small gripe, the release stands as a fascinating and entertaining body of work that proves how exciting a well-built hip-hop collective can be.

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