If I'm not mistaken, I believe this is the 8th proper full-length studio LP from New York underground veteran Hus Kingpin. In addition to being 1/2 of Tha Connection with SmooVth, he has also produced over a dozen mixtapes & EPs in his discography spanning over 15 years with my personal favorites being Cocaine Beach Produced by Big Ghost Ltd. & Portishead inspired Portishus. However, when it was announced that 9th Wonder would be released in full The HypergoatI had a feeling it was going to surpass both as his strongest album.
“Rewind” is a great kickstarter with a sumptuous sample that cooks up a sunrise song for those who slip into moms, while “King is Born” with the fucking Rosco P. Coldchain goes the incredibly jazzier route that likens the themselves with that of kings. The title track shifts into soulful territory telling everyone how to address him, but then “Friends” casts a more spacious instrumental glow showing a more sensual side to Hus.
Meanwhile, “Behind the Scenes” ties those strings together with kicks and snares that throw some behind-the-scenes sex into the set, just before “Famous Poet” blends chipmunk soul and boom bap, speaking not to be confused between to those who are baffled into thinking he would know. the. “What It Is” featuring The Musalini strips down the drums once again saying that everyone knows exactly what the hell it is leading into “The Waviest” which returns to an instrumental vibe boasting that it really is the waviest of them all.
“Chaos” continues the sampling of soul music telling a true story on wax, while Tha Connection's “Already” with a melodic hook from Sweata once again shows a sensual side to Hus, in addition to being accompanied by partner of SmooVth. To bind The Hypergoat Closer “Box Office” links up with Onyx's Fredro Starr for some big screen synth-funk/hip hop hybrid.
Cocaine Beach it's been my favorite Hus' LP for almost 7 years now, but I have to say this here The Hypergoat has now dethroned it for that point. Not only because 9th Wonder's production masterfully goes from boom bap to drumless & chipmunk soul, but there are fewer features in comparison and it's all incomparable to the waviest as he drops some of my favorite performances.
Rating: 9/10
