This is a brand new collaborative EP between Krizz Kaliko and Vin Jay. One is an MC, singer/songwriter and voice actor from Kansas City, Missouri, known as one of the first people Tech N9ne signed to Strange Music along with Kutt Calhoun and Skatterman & Snug Brim, while the other is a rapper of New York emerging in 2019 with the release of the single “Mumble Rapper vs. Lyricist' to widespread negative reception. Krizz left Strange in the spring of 2021 after LIFE (Legend Immortal Forever Eternal) to form his own record label Ear House Inc., making his 3rd EP Wrapped up the inaugural release through its imprint. He and Vin Jay have worked closely, worked closely together in the past, resulting in Vin opening for Krizz on tour and eventually Steak.
The title track is a decent trap opener produced by ex-Strange Music producer MIKE SUMMERS aka Seven who goes back and forth talking about working together so they can cut anyone who comes near them, while “Champ” turns. the bass boasts that it is bigger than all the others. “Famous” then works on a vocal and hi-hat sample ignoring fame and Vin Jay saying that there's no debate that he's one of the greatest, other than the fact that his discography up to this point has generally panned.
“Bussin” kicks off its other half Steak has another one of my favorite instrumentals on the entire EP, switching out the sample from the previous track in favor of freaky piano chords, and “BDE (Big Dick Energy)” has to be easily my least favorite track on here if not because of the chaotic beat trap , but rather because of their take on the slang phrase of the same name that sounds like crazy instead of bragging. “Ball Out” wraps up the EP with 1 more trap joint hitting a high streak and Vin Jay calling himself a legend, which is true in the sense that “Mumble Rapper vs. Lyricist” is literally one of the worst singles of the previous decade.
Being a longtime fan of Krizz Kaliko since his Strange Music days, I've continued to support him since he left to go his own way, as evidenced by how much I enjoyed him. Wrapped up A few years ago simply because he always stood out as a highly skilled MC and an undeniably exciting singer/songwriter responsible for crafting some of the most memorable hooks in Tech's discography. But Steak unfortunately marks a step below the Wish You Would collaborative album with Tres Aurland almost two and a half years ago. One half of Seven's production is more detailed than the other, and Krizz's performances are significantly stronger than Vin Jay's, since Kali to me is a much more natural chopper than others who have played this style in recent years.
Rating: 3/10
