DC’s United: Pen-Ultimate
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“Game Changer” is the opening salvo and serves as a statement and a reinforcement of H.E.M. Steel’s legacy in the game. Against a hard-hitting, bass-heavy, bouncy backdrop filled with dark and brooding textures and synths, he flows with ease, reminding listeners of his pedigree with bars like “I’m feeling the hype, just know this victory gonna be real/You’re thinking I’m slight, I’m thinking I’m like Mahomes on the field/When I’m shutting it down, you gotta admit your boy is legit.” The next track, “Carpe Diem,” is an uplifting piece with themes of gratitude and self-contentment in a world where constant validation and distraction are the norm. The production by GsharpBeatz is laidback and soulful and fits perfectly with the positive lines like “I’m feeling so clean and so fresh, every day a breath means that I’m blessed; that’s why I’m saying carpe diem”
This leads into “Feeling Stronger,” an anthemic cut that highlights H.E.M. Steel’s lyrical dexterity and vivid storytelling. He embodies the spirit of a go-getter who has a laser-focused drive and refuses to back down even when the chips are down. Once again, he candidly states his claim with bars like I love making that green, but I won’t let it take over me/My crack bars got potency, and I sale that shit openly, on any audio with the hardest flows, music fans they’re gon’ OD.” The project moves into the sentimental and vulnerable territory on “Ready 2 Luv” featuring singer/songwriter Ainae. The track finds H.E.M. Steel ruminating on blossoming love and making a life with that special someone, while on “The World Could Be Yours” featuring LBee, he delivers a brilliant aspirational cut while paying homage to his city. He is quite descriptive with the storytelling and drops listeners deep in the mix with vivid lines like “And if you even lying bout where you reside/Them hitters gonna catch you lacking ’cause they won’t let it slide/Downtown luxury, uptown culture, Southside grit mix it up, and I’ma bolster/My city’s profile, when they asking who’s the best/I’ll tell ’em that we are one, I put on Unifest.”
The final track “Break Bread” has a bouncy Timbaland-esque track and features Jeck Da General and Crank Lucas, who all come with their A-game. The result is a solid closer that brings the project full circle.
Overall, the project feels like a quick tour round the city with H.E.M. Steel at the steering wheel. He shows us bits and parts of his life without going extremely deep but just enough for listeners to understand where he is from and what makes him tick.
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