Queens Emcee Grafh backs up with 38 Spesh for his 4th LP. It comes in 2003 from his debut mixtape The Bang Outhe went on to release 7 more tapes before releasing his first full length album Autograph just a few years later, following up with a total of 10 mixtapes and an EP. The sophomore effort Stop calling content art produced entirely by the late DJ Shay and released through Benny the Butcher's own MNRK Music Group imprint Black Soprano Family Records as well as his TCF Music Group debut Art of words it would become his most acclaimed material to date, so I expected nothing less God's Time.
“Language” kicks off by jazzing up those who aren't gangs like they say they are, while Method Man's “Fight for Love” takes the soulful boom-bap route with instrumentals and lyrics to their hardcore shit. “Rock, Paper, Scissors” reflects on his days on the streets, accompanied by a hard beat just before “Roc-A-Fella Chain” featuring Freeway, Memphis Bleek & Peedi Crakk turns jazz rap influences paying homage to Roc La Familia Dynasty.
Papoose joins Grafh on the grimy “Straight Shooter” reminding you that you're either legit here or you've never had a loss leading up to “Take Risk” with Dre Island & Vado aggressively explaining that one has to take risks where they are. from. Wretch 32's “Glory” has perhaps the weakest hook on the album despite the mature subject matter, but then Jim Jones' “Remember Who You Are” incorporates a talking instrumental to keep it real.
“Coolin'” has a sweeter vibe to the beats providing a calm and charming smoky anthem, while the legendary “Poetry” touches on the more intense theme. Talib Kweli's “Right Now” returns to booming without making a fuss if the radio plays them because of their bad style, while the rhythmically produced “Bullet Proof” with Don Paul & Dope Gang Porter talk about running this the shit “Give Praise” ends the LP with a dusty gospel twist that talks about praising God.
Even if I came away enjoying this a little less than I did Stop calling content art & Art of Words, I can still say that I enjoyed a lot of what I heard and I hope that Spesh will continue to work with Grafh as much as possible. Only some of the guests miss the mark, but most of them throughout God's Time keep the landing & match Grafh's level of artistry set by the mostly traditional boom bap production that made Spesh as big as an underground beat mix.
Rating: 8/10
