Richmond lyricist G-Mo Skee enlists Boston producer Stu Bangas for his 4th full length LP and first since returning to Majik Ninja Entertainment. He appears as a member of the Stampede trio & later the Inf gang. He would put out 2 official mixtapes Get the dirt & Got Filth II: The Great Adventures of G-Moindependently before Twiztid signed him to Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2016. His debut full-length My Filthy Spirit Bombcomes out that same winter to considerable acclaim, but I personally think G's sophomore effort Chaly & the Filth Factory it's his best work so far because of the incredible concept and accompanying orchestrations (mainly handled by former Strange Music producer 7). The previous LP The element of dirt celebrated his 30th birthday by proving he didn't need an MNE until he returned to The Dojo on 8 Bit Filth II: Hero Hunter last fall and now it's back Filth City from an EP to an actual album.
After the soulful intro, the title track kicks us off with advice not to come to Filth City as shit might be left over a boom bap instrumental while grimy single “Work Magic” explains that he's letting Filthnificent work his magic by simulating himself with Midas. with the golden touch when it comes to hard flow. “Jumped” incorporates elementally more kicks and snares that apparently speak to him not fighting fair with the people who run at him, while “Evil Plans” sounds like something out of a horror movie that keeps it dusty and at the same time advises that you'll see him act like an animal cleverly referred to The animal.
After the intermission, “Diamond in the Dirt” links to Inf Gang brothers Jae Harmony & Nobe, saying you'll have to travel back in time to beat them in a rhyming battle and find them hiding in the basement together as time goes by. to show them what they're worth over that eerie boom ass, while “All in Your Head” featuring Linzy & Jaylin Skee on the intro and TheArtLawd on the outro brings those colorful vibraphones into the picture discussing fatherhood, worrying about shit that can happen and does good out of the evil it represents. “Autistic” featuring Kvng Moses has these sick synths mixed with kicks and bendy snares that eat more rappers than ASTROWORLD Travis Scott's entrance when they walk in, but then the synths on “G-Mo University” feel like something out a Sega Genesis game since it's no secret that G is a gamer who talks about going down to get a Filthication.
“Story to Tell” organically takes a depressing approach telling a true story even though he can't say their names and it gets messy while the gritty single “Postcards from Hell” talks about growing up with all the killers and substance . the demons are in the forefront with everyone else in the nosebleed. “2 the Side” featuring Young Zee of the Outsidaz aptly advises everyone to fall to the side over Atari-like synths, kicks, and snares that typify your rap style more outdated than a payphone and stucker than bitches these days. And before the futuristic “Credits” outro, the album's final song “Escape” serves as a climatic finish by talking about the city at the point of no return and justifiably trying to get the hell out of there.
8 Bit Filth 2: Hero Hunter was a fun return to MNE for G, but I already knew that Filth City would stand out in his discography as his lyricism is unmatched and Stu Bangas is simply one of the best underground producers around of the seasons. However, after hearing that it was an actual full album after it was originally set to be an EP, my expectations were raised immensely and we definitely got one of the best albums of 2024. The Chainsmoker II from over two weeks ago, it was a great way for Majik Ninja to start the year. Conceptually, the dirtiest of all takes us on a trip to what it's like in Filth City, as Stu gives G-Mo some of the coldest production he's EVER murdered. I know it's been a tough time for his family right now and I'd like to send him my deepest condolences, but this album is a special moment for him and I couldn't be prouder of him. Be sure to catch him on tour with Ritz now and Attack of the Ninjas shortly after. I'm definitely looking forward to the second one.
Rating: 9/10
