Long Island emcee/producer Roc Marciano is back with his 11th full-length studio album. Starting out in the late 90s as a member of the Flipmode Squad, he went solo in 2008 to release classic albums that would pave the way for the likes of Griselda, such as Markberg & Reloading. He would start focusing on producing work for other artists like Flee Lord & Bronze Nazareth after that Mount Marcy but after recruiting the Alchemist for the production The Elephant's Bones which I gave a perfect score, we are taught Markology.
The self-produced title track is this ominous opener that reminds you that she brought the game to the rap game, while “Goyard God” works in those sumptuous piano chords courtesy of Animoss so she can blow things up. “Gold Crossbow” keeps the exuberant boom bap vibes and boasts he's got more style in his little toe than your whole torso leading into “True Love” which takes to a packed lawn for a dedication to all his ghettos .
“BeBe's Kids” takes a groover approach by talking instrumentally about others not digging your style because it's foul, while the mocking Larry June-featuring “Bad JuJu” bares the drums thanks to Uncle Al crumbling into the rich lifestyle that they both live. “Tapeworm” brings a symphonic vibe to the beat talking about being too high level to work with wallets and that's if we're being honest with ourselves here, but then “Killin' Spree” featuring Crimeapple brings the 2 together over a rock sample painting images of gangsta life.
Meanwhile, on “Went Diamond,” we have Marci on more strings teaching the uninitiated that their worst enemies are their pride and ego just before “Higher Self” with Flee Lord & TF builds again in opera sampling talking about running away from a bullet flying even through your grandmother's room. “LeFlair” breaks down hard doing everything from scrabble to pimpin' and panderin', while “On the Run” featuring Jay Worthy has that infectious vocal clip that talks about always being on the lamb.
“Larry Bird” featuring GREA8GAWD & Knowledge the Pirate is coming to an end Markology lesson with those jazzy woodwinds throughout the reference to the iconic Boston Celtics player of the same name until “Floxxx” closes the album with one of Marci's best beats ever talking about never losing touch, something he doesn't have.
Marc is always right when he releases new music and yet Markology it is not flawless as The Elephant's Bones was, anyone familiar with his discography should know what he's up to by now. The production is mostly drumless with added tones of boom bam and jazz rap that sounds a lot like it's charismatically spitting predecessor that famous pimp shit.
Rating: 9/10
