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All too often, collaborations between singular rappers and producers can end up feeling slightly underwhelming. They frequently end up feeling like two separate artists merely working on the same project, without any true collaboration or interplay. In recent years, the best of these projects like Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s Piñata (2014) or Playboi Carti and Pi’erre Bourne’s Die Lit (2018), see rapper and producer support each other, bringing the best out of each other’s work.
As a producer, Kenny Beats is no stranger to this kind of collaboration. Just last year he released projects collaborating with both Rico Nasty and 03 Greedo, with each album seeing him tailor the trap sound perfectly to complement the artist’s energy and style. His YouTube series The Cave gives us insight into the process of making some of these songs, as well as the truly incredible Zack Fox single Jesus is the One (I Have Depression). His process is strongly rooted in a sense of fun. Nothing is to be taken too seriously which shows on UNLOCKED.
UNLOCKED is a project that screams of artists truly enjoying themselves. Both Denzel and the beats he spits over have a spirited energy which has never been showcased on a full Denzel project before. The self-proclaimed “patriarch” of Carol City has always had a sense of humour and a nerdy side. In the past he’s usually swung between a sleepy, almost sing-song delivery or a highly manic aggression but on this record, he comes off as effortlessly cool, with his flow exhibiting more dynamism than ever seen before.
It bears mentioning how the album seems in some part inspired by the MF DOOM and Madlib modern classic Madvillainy (2004).This extends beyond the superficial elements such as the frequent use of old TV dialogue snippets and superhero references. Denzel seems to take on some of DOOM’s clarity and bouncy flows. His pen game is impeccable as ever, but follows in DOOM’s footsteps by not really being about anything in particular. Instead of the more personal introspection that we’re used to from Denzel, we instead get an ocean of one-liners, similes, brag raps and endless quotables. Some truly inspired production flourishes such as the seamless combination of voice clips into Denzel’s bars really accentuate the brilliance of some the wordplay, and the beats as a whole match Denzel’s energy perfectly. Kenny displays a Madlib-esque level of restraint, with smaller touches on top of seemingly messy beats lending them a clarity they would lack otherwise. Producers all too often fade into the background, but this couldn’t be less true here. The project coalesces the personalities of both artists, making it truly distinct, something especially apparent in the charming animated film released to accompany it.
If anything, the project leaves the listener wanting more. The project is much more consistent compared to any of Denzel’s longer projects, which frequently found themselves padding out space with a few duds. The line between album and EP in the hip hop sphere has become increasingly blurred as of late, but I can’t help but feel UNLOCKED gets lost somewhere in the foggy middle ground between the two; with the record flying by in a snappy 17 minutes. The project’s aesthetic consistency and ambitiousness leave me wishing it was longer or more developed in places (some tracks such as ‘Pyro’ or the two interlude tracks show so much unrealised potential). Denzel has exhibited the capacity to create a truly great project but has always come just short of delivering on that. It is encouraging to see the fruits of this experiment. This shows Kenny Beats as one of the most exciting producers in the mainstream right now and the undeniable successor of Madlib. Denzel’s seemingly endless potential has been shown to be even more deep than we ever thought. Should either of these two create an all-time classic in the next few years, I would not be surprised.
tl;dr best tracks – ’ Cosmic ’ .m4a, DIET_, Pyro (leak 2019)
