producers: diverse, dj revolution, m-boogie

guests: born allah

He's back. The self christened Hitchcock of Hop Hop is returning with an appropriately called "The Second Coming". However, will we have to dig out the label of 'sophomore jinx', or is this album coming correct, maybe even more correct than the first release, that wasn't immune to shrugs and frowns? And the answer to that question is a comfortable yes, as we can tell that this means business, already with the second track (the first one is the "Intro"), that at the same time is also the title cut: "The Second Coming". A cat called Diverse is handling the production on this track, as he does on many other ones too, and while his name has been unknown to this reviewer (that might be forgetting previous appearances), it's one to put in the back of your head, as his beats can hang with the likes of DJ Revolution, who does the production on the next cut "Killing Spree The Sequel". This is rather intense, with some sounds, equivalent to a slam shut door, that are providing the right feel, for Mykill's often violent verses, or thoroughly violent like on this track.

Revolution is also doing the beat on "Raw Shit", that's even better than the other one. Lyrically we remain in similar waters, with more threats being spit in our way, that stick to us like the color in those capsules that explode when you try to remove a piece of clothing outta certain stores. Going for the bragging and boasting content, "The Flow" is some straight flowing (who would have guessed?), over a forward pushing Diverse beat. More punchlines can be heard over another cool Revolution beat on "U Know The Name", before on "1 For The Treble", the same producer is digging out a blues flavored offering, that is the third track in this series, that is keeping the braggadocios lines coming. Diverse then returns for "Die From This", and he combines a flute with an interesting shuffling drum, but he's also hiding the voice somewhat within the track. But it's biggest struggle is the rather annoying chorus, that's sung, and sounds drunk in an unfunny way.

We are then moving into "Dowhatyougottado", that's one of our favorite tracks on here, mainly due to the beat, as lyrically there's little distinction between the tracks on this album. However, Diverse is making this a spacey and creeping offering, that mingles well with the lyrics, making this the calm lunatic, that's scarier than the loud one. There's more to the beat on "Can't Take It No More" than first meat the eyes, as Revolution is putting little details and sounds here and there, actually having it continuously build. And without all this, the beat would have been kinda boring, and so ill matching to the once more rather rough rhymes by Mykill. Again Diverse is coming through on "Something To Prove" and "Crazy (Chic)", with the latter being real nice, as it's recapturing some post-late-70s shaker type vibe, with Mykill finally changing the topic at hand, as he's talking about them crazy chics, and what happens when you meet them.

The beat that Diverse did for "Get It Right" is giving us more trouble to enjoy it, while finally M-Boogie steps to the board to do "Gone Too Far". He only did one track for this album, but the one we are treated with is definitely a worthy one, as he comes through with some sounds that have been used before, but definitely not in this combination. On this album there's only one guest emcee, and he appears on "The Bash Brothers", and he's Born Allah. Both cats are doing their verses in an aggressive manner, with the same emotions found in the content, over a rather harsh Diverse beat. Now finally, there's "Payback", that is Mykill giving us a story telling rhyme, over some imperial and dramatic production by Diverse, who is able to pull this off as well.

It's kinda hard to say if it's a bad thing, that the lyrical content is one dimensional. Certainly to write about it in a review is rather hard, as it is keeping things to say within one pond. However, braggadocios lyrics are the essence of hip hop, and Mykill is known for the battling rhymes, what makes it if that is to criticize. So it shall just be mentioned, to let you know what to expect from the lyrics. And it shall also be mentioned, that with the beats being of the boom bap, that hard bounce, we are treated to more of that Ill Boogie way of doing things. And in our books, that's a good thing.