Your Old Droog - Packs [CD]

2017 release. After seemingly coming out of nowhere, Your Old Droog set the internet aflame in 2014 with his self-titled debut EP, catching the attention of bloggers all over the web from New York Magazine's Vulture to NahRight. Droog flexes his narrative muscles both comically ("My Girl Is A Boy") and dramatically ("G.K.A.C") on this new album. For instance, the single "You Can Do It (Give Up)" is an ode to practicality over fantasy told in three vignettes. Co-produced by Edan, and Y.O.D. himself "You Can Do It (Give Up)" is almost the bizarro version of Biz Markie's "Vapors." The reclusive Edan also produces and appears on the raucous posse cut "Help" with Ratking frontman Wiki. The three MC's trade bars over an explosive beat that is as inspired psychedelic rock as it is hip-hop. Droog also shares mic duties with fellow rap iconoclasts Danny Brown ("Grandma Hips") and Heems ("Bangladesh") and, for good measure, comedian Anthony Jeselnik lends his dark humor to skits between songs. Besides the return of Droog's go-to production partner El RTNC, PACKS also features production from platinum producers ID Labs (Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller) and 88 Keys (Watch The Throne, Action Bronson, Mos Def). The sum of it all is an album that stands out from the predictable offerings of mainstream rappers today. PACKS is a project for fans of hip-hop's fundamentals and those who are interested in the progress of the artform. Finally, an album from a new artist that rap fans can truly believe in.