What Have We Done is the fifth project from rapper/producer duo Dillon & Batsauce who have been charting their unique path for over 2 decades. The 17-track project merges jazzy soundscapes with punchy grooves and unfiltered lyricism that pulls from life experiences with a dash of dark humour, wit and style.

 

The title is a testament to the years of work behind them and a culmination of their lived experiences as musicians going against the grain. Audiences get a sense of the direction as well with the playful opener  “What Have We Done (Intro)” followed by the groovy “Mind Made”. Dillon gets candid with the audience, sharing bits and pieces of his musical adventure and the twists that got him to this junction. “Never fold yo I won’t be the one/ Lo and behold, there ain’t No label that would loan me the funds/The unsigned hype column wasn’t calling my phone/The only offer on the table, pack it all and go home”. We see a resilient individual pushing through the white noise with ease. “Quiet as a Library” takes us into the grey areas with Dillon having an open-minded discussion about loyalty, detractors and being accountable for every decision made. At the same time “Eddie Farah” is a masterclass in lyricism. Backed by Batsauce’s jazzy backdrop, Dillon pays homage to his city with subtle legal references while name-dropping some of his favourite emcees to drive home his message, which is unpredictability. This leads to “Make History”, a reflective piece that sees Dillon employing urgency in his daily actions. He threads the past with the present and how deliberate actions shape one’s future and drops more than a handful of gems for us to rock with.

 

“Cannonball” set the tone for the next set of features. The upbeat groovy jam taps into a mix of 90s jazz boom-bap with a cinematic feel that gives audiences a sense of nostalgia. Here, Dillon and Batsauce call up the legendary Grand Puba to join the fray and together, they rock the party from the ground up. “Banana Peels” is as playful as they come and it comes with an animated visual inspired bySpy vs Spy and uses a lot of motifs and funny elements that bring Dillon’s lyrics to life. Next is “Accolades” featuring Reef the Lost Cauze and Jay Myztroh who all share their perspectives on life, loss and the raw resilience that makes them triumph in an unforgiving world. The scenic “Wakin’ Up Hungry” features Headkrack and “Goin’ Viral”, two tracks that blend fiery bravado raps with thoughts of success and fame in what we call the algocracy.

 

Watch “Banana peels” below

 

 

 

The duo recruited Kool Keith for“Ready On The Left”, a mid-tempo cinematic piece underpinned by vivid storytelling from both emcees while Quelle Chris for “Watercolors”, a conceptual track about painting verbal portraits. The track is sandwiched by the “What Are We Doing” (Interlude) but the fun is far from over as the duo switch up the energy on tracks like “Speak Easy” with retro funk/R&B sample chops and off-beat groove. “Rock Bottom” is a sombre reflective piece on Dillon’s trepidations on life while the final track “Yoga Flame”, has a folk-ish guitar lick with shuffling rhythms that give off a live feel. This plays into Dillon’s engaging tale about his rendezvous with a mysterious lady. Another heartfelt tune is “Isiah Thomas” which explores Dillon’s relationship with his dad and how it connects to NBA player Isiah Thomas. The track has a warm and nostalgic feel but the kicker is Dillon’s story that would keep audiences engaged from start to finish. There is a little twist in it and I won’t spoil it so go listen to it.

 

Overall What Have We Done is a complex and cohesive project that pushes the musical ceiling for Dillon & Batsauce. The production from Batsauce is layered, dynamic and off-kilter while Dillon’s versatility as a rapper doesn’t go unnoticed.

What Have We Done is available now via Full Plate. In addition digital retailers and streaming platforms, the album is also available on vinyl, CD, and cassette, with various merch available including T-shirts and collectable keychains, through both their website and Bandcamp.

 

Keep up with Dillon | Spotify: Instagram

Keep up with Batsauce | Spotify: Instagram

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