SL Jones and DJ Burn One have been putting in work for quite some time. SL was first introduced as part of Killer Mike’s Grind Time Rap Gang. On the flip side, DJ Burn One has been producing and hosting mixtapes for quite some time now. Linking up, they decided to do a full length project. With this new project, I now have a better understanding of what both of them have to offer.
Let me say this quickly: SL Jones is underrated. Either that or he is undiscovered. Then again, so is DJ Burn One.

 

SL Jones does not hold back, demonstrating all of his urban understanding and street influence. On “L.S.D.” he notes that he puts “repentance in every sentence like he’s praying to the lord”. Meanwhile, Jones validates his musicality by interpolating a “Candy Rain” like chorus in the song. “S.L.A.B.” presents his dedication to music that is “slow, loud, and bangin’”. “M.D.M.A.” explains his true addictions: money and drugs. Therefore, people need to understand that this is truly a street album.

 

What separates SL from the pack is that he lyrically takes his music seriously. Many other rappers entertain, while SL relays game. “Training Day”, with its underlying references to the movie, tells a story detailing a mentor-mentee relationship (of sorts). “Per Say” entices people to just, above all, be themselves. Even the elongated interlude “Organized Konfusion” finds SL serving his brand of game by talking instead of rhyming. As street as this album is, there are quite a few jewels encrusted in the asphalt.

 

DJ Burn One, a star player in his own right, truly cements his sound throughout the album. “Dope Man” interpolates a vocal sample on the chorus and a driving rhythm that matches the underlying bass. “Hella Trill AF” is so “screwed up” that the listener would mistake themselves for being drugged up off of promethazine, Sprite, and Jolly Ranchers. Even still, the extended beat on “T.H.C.” just further demonstrates his talent as keys pluck and the listener’s ears zone out into another realm. Clearly, DJ Burn One is taking all other producers to task.

 

SL Jones was telling the truth when he noted that “this is dope music/try not to OD on this/on a larger scale, you can weight a key (kilo) on this….” To be honest, this project is “all killer and no filler. This is dope music in both figurative and literal means. Figuratively, it is easy to become addicted to the conviction of his words and the entrancing detail of DJ Burn One’s production. Literally, this album is all about the streets, both positive and negative. SL Jones may not be a household name right now. Still, this mixtape should erase any doubt to whether or not he can come with a complete project.

 

 

Music review written by contributing writer, Mark A. Harris.