Anchorage, Alaska emcee Duckman releasing his debut mixtape via Black Soprano Family Records after making a name for himself in the Alaska hip hop scene with his debut full length A Bag Boy Story: Welcome to the East in the summer of 2016, the second year's effort followed A Bag Boy Story II: Back to da East just 11 months later and his 3rd album The Slim Show Christmas after that. He would then release 3 more LPs The Adventures of Quack Popa, Off grid & Off grid 2 until he signs to B$F in early 2024 and exits BARS Murre's comeback attempt Shootings at the jewelry store introducing himself as o Black Eskimo Soprano.
The intro kicks us off with a symphonic snare that says to those who've never been to Alaska, haven't experienced 20 hours of darkness, and aren't the average $1 million man, while “Ghetto Gospel” featuring Elcamino works in a fictional specimen with hats to talk about being on the verge of being heirs to the throne. “Karma” follows the trap inspired route instrumentally talking about trying to make some paper leading into the heavily boastful “Cost to Be the Boss”.
“I Did” has a little Detroit trap blast, admitting that he's not proud of a lot of the shit he's done, even though he was working just before the tape's only single “MCM (Money Counter Music)” featuring Skilla Baby is a dignified ode to counting your bread. Sauce Walka's “Cullinan” continues the soul-sampling talk of losing it all only to get it back, while the cloudy trap fusion “Vlad TV” featuring Bonni Drip keeps it running by advising to stay out of the mix .
Fuego Base & Heem both join Duckman for the penultimate track “High Noon” which tells a true story of violence and brutality revolving around the real Sopranos, but then “Locked” with Benny the Butcher & Rowdy Rebel concludes correctly. Black Eskimo Soprano with the trio over that exuberant Brooklyn drill talking about knowing people who ended up behind bars to make that dope money with Butcher's verse in the middle being my favorite of the 2 guests.
Perhaps the most exciting artist I have ever heard from the Alaska hip hop scene has to be Duckman by far and his official B$F debut here takes himself to a higher level as an artist. Black Eskimo Soprano has a bit of a prominent trap sound with added elements of Detroit trap, Brooklyn drill and a hint of boom bam discussing where he is now as well as his life involved in the biggest cocaine bust in Alaskan history.
Rating: 7/10