Brooklyn, NY Emcee Josiah the Gift returns 6.5 months after his self-titled debut The Glorious Si to release his 6th solo LP. He started in the late 2010s releasing his first 2 EPs Jack Johnson & Roughlater burst onto the underground in the summer of 2020 from his acclaimed debut album Iron Mic. His profile continued to rise with his debut mixtape Stay Rawthe sophomore effort Stronger than the Sword as well as the sequel, the production True Cipher TOGO & his previous album The kind of God. A year and a half after the lager, Gift of The Umbrella returns to say so Rich Language.
“Rep” starts us off with an instrumental beat talking about the reputation that's going on, picking up and focusing on his goals by showing, while “Hommy” works in some backing vocals suggesting you should lay low if you catch a body because the case will be closed if they find it. “Wolvez” embraces the boom bap sound organically, letting everyone know who you're fucking with before “Mulsanne” keeps those kicks and snares going by refusing to introduce themselves since they should know by now.
The guitar/boom bam hybrid 'Take II' finds him walking out of the butterys wondering where all his friends tripped up musically and his mum hitting the streets in the '80s, but after the exuberantly dusty 'Karhu Sneakers' he talks about never disrespecting him. since it was the reason people even on the guest list are showing off his name brand kicks. “Florence Cathedral” featuring HooksArthur samples soul music that wants their flowers giving them love just before “True Story” takes it back to the underground with an instrumental talk about being the one to call for peace.
“Lavish” featuring Bless Picasso takes a more fearsome approach to the beat by comparing the chef in the kitchen cooking the drugs to Guy Fieri, further suggesting that the root of evil is essential and love is secondary while “Patra” returns to the boom bap tells the story of a host who ends up getting shot dead. “The Glory” talks bluntly about being content with life despite not being a millionaire, while “You're Gonna Die” strips down the drums detailing another friend who moves without fear of death.
Pushing towards his final moments Rich Languagethe instrumental in “The Filth” gives me a cozy vibe, highlighting the fact that everyone comes from nothing and is tired of seeing others struggle or their minds still attached to fooling around, that is until the “The Chosen”. to LP soulfully feeling his spirit letting him fantasize about owning a Benz' & jet ski seeing his future in different directions.
5 years in the making and what Josiah the Gift presents us stands out differently from what he has done in the past, participating Iron Mic & The Glorious Si album as one of the 3 main standouts in his discography. Bishop cooks up some of the most thorough beats of his career, the 2 guests contribute strongly to make their verses hold their own weight, and Josiah's performances maintain the laser-focused hunger of both full-lengths I mentioned earlier.
Rating: 8/10
