This is the 2nd EP from Syracuse, NY emcee Stove God Cooks. A protégé of Roc Marciano, the latter produced Stovey's award-winning debut Reasonable Drought in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 lockdowns began. He signed to Griselda Records shortly after and released his debut EP If these kitchen walls could talk a year and a half later. However, it does surprise Stop calling me, I'm cooking before his Griselda debut Stove Jesus & even a Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind produced album.
“Earl the Pearl” is a soulful boom bap opener that talks about dead rappers gaining more life when their eyes are closed, while “E$co Chipper” continues to cut soul samples showing disdain for his competition. “Marvin Yeh” repeats the kicks and snares likening himself to a cross between Marvin Gaye and Kanye West, while “The Glove” after the “$ocrates” sketch continues to talk about being among the sickest . “Ba$eline Hov” has that chipmunk soul to his beat and “Chapo Phone” lavishly talks about being a don.
Stove God to me is a great generational talent and I am sure he will have a sequel Stop calling me, I'm cooking sometime in the near future, considering the fact that this is only Side A, but what we have here nonetheless has to be one of the best EPs I've heard this year. Roc Marciano's drumless/boom bap production combined with Stovey's flawless Coke raps raise the anticipation for Stove Jesus & the Stoupe-produced album, as well as Side B.
Rating: 9/10
