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New Jersey emcee Crimeapple enlists New York producer Preservation for his 12th studio LP. He became a fan in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet dreams together with Big Ghost Ltd. produced the full debut Aguardiente the following spring, his underground profile grew exponentially from there. The discography that stands out is the production of DJ Skizz Wet dirtproduced by DJ Muggs Medal, Carthage, Breakfast in Hradec & Sin Cortar. However it comes from a continuation of it Kilometers EP a few months ago, El Leon for me personally it was already destined to be the more I've enjoyed Crime's music for nearly a year and a half.
The title track kicks off the LP with heavy horns and piano saying he doesn't care if they got him for your tastes or not, while “Don't Mention It” features Sadat X keeping it drumless talking about how this shit is not funny to them at all. “Lion vs. Panther” has this crazy vocal beat comparing himself to a lion and everyone else in his path as panthers before “Hunting Methods” brings this infectious drumless loop that bends that he doesn't expect in queue.
“Melena Dorada” features RLX talking about how abundant the blessings are on certain chords just before “Fumemos” goes into a stripped down direction dedicating this one to all smokers. “Camino Solitario” talks about traveling a lonely road over a boom bap instrumental, but then “Vida Mantequilla” ties those kicks and snares with heavy horns having fun with a blonde Friday.
The song “Paw Prints in the Sand” wants to know how someone can deal with him in a nocturnal beat, while the penultimate track “Quanto Te Quiero” shifts into more subtle territory by talking about a romantic interest. Finally, to end the album, “Bulevar” is a leaner stress to catch fish in a boat and might even give you some play if you ask it right.
It's been a while since I've personally covered a project of Crime's, as his discography tends to be a bit hit or miss at times, but El León definitely lived up to my expectations and became the most I've enjoyed a project of his in a year and a half. Preservation's largely drumless production is more consistent than much of his 2023 work, and we have a metaphorical beacon for the unrelenting hunger the lyrical predator has always displayed.
Rating: 9/10