The word “rejuvenation” comes to mind when one thinks of Roc Marciano. The monotone street orator was once signed with Busta Rhymes. After that didn’t work out, he reclaimed his career by dropping the underground gem “Marcberg”. Instead of going for admiration through trend following, he chose to sound like he has been stuck in ’95. With the new album, it is more of the same: throwback sensibilities masterfully done over dusty samples.

 

Marciano has the knack for the “simple, yet lyrical” tactics that made NY rap so worthwhile to listen to. “Not Told” is a pure street gem reminds us the game “is to be sold, not told”. The lyrics rarely waver from the usual subject matter. Yet, it shouldn’t have to. It is safe to say that Roc Marciano brings high grade street parables.

 

The lyrical street jewels given to us are only made greater by the soundtrack that supports them. The evolving and sample heavy “Thug’s Prayer 2” only gets better as it continues through its phases. The feminine croons on “We Ill” only add to the ominous feeling given by Marci’s lyrics. “Death Parade” does the same thing: enhance the lyrics of “wounds and bandages, food and cannabis”. What occurs is this: there is a beautifully conceived holy matrimony between words and sounds.

 

In summary, Reloaded is an extremely dope album that could have possibly been a classic if it was released years prior. However, many hard rocks and “Golden Era Holdovers” will revel in an album like this. Simplistic in flow, yet engagingly verbose, Roc Marci paints pictures over a (mostly) self-produced sound bed that attaches to the listener’s brain. Reloaded is just another chapter from an emcee bringing that “old school NY rap” back to the forefront.