Producer Samil and rapper Wills Piff have been doing their thing respectively in the underground hip-hop scene and now as a duo, they deliver their collaborative project Lineage of the Cloth. The 14-track body of work is a culmination of hard work from these artists as they weave together gripping soundscapes with intricate and engaging storylines that stand the test of time.

“After School Special (Intro)” starts off the project with a dreamy and psychedelic soundscape that changes into a solemn piece underpinned by Wills Piff’s intense performance. Armed with his commanding vocal tone and vivid lyrical schemes, he brings listeners closer to the action with a blend of bravado, insight and a touch of hard-hitting social commentary. He wraps it up with the following lines “Sometimes I think I’m crazy, I think I need treatment/The devil is alive I can feel him breathing/That is another reference I rock a pair of Yeezy’s” a candid look into his psyche. “Nomad” is the next track that helps continue the theme and here, Wills shares with the listeners a tale that encompasses the interconnecting lives of several characters in a summer. Some went on to do great things, others fell to the devices of their desires Next up is the aspirational track “Gotta Want It” where Will teams up with AlfieDaGreat/A.D.G. Over the solemn soulful flutes and warm pads, he talks about the daily struggles and strife he had to overcome to get to where he must. Not far off is AlfieDaGreat/A.D.G, who adds his own 2 cents to the record with lines like “I’m in the trenches where they blast Blicks/Flip grams and watch they mans snitch/ Take aim, let off rounds watch the van flip/Sure shot like D. Brooke, lately it seems I can’t miss” before acknowledging that hard work will eventually pay off.

Watch “After School Special (Intro)” visual below

“Doom Patrol” has a melancholic and sad vibe with its downtempo drum groove and gloomy pads. Here, Wills reflects on the journey and how he had to change some of his past ways in order to progress. He also pontificates on loyalty when he spits “Real friends won’t let you compromise your integrity or act as an accessory to shit that hurts your destiny”. This is followed by another touching tune titled “If It Don’t Kill You”, where Wills talks about his artistic integrity and why he only puts his energy into things he is passionate about. He also addresses the detractors but most importantly he shows us why he is mostly focused on his grind and the positive sides of life. “Extra Mile” sees Wills and Samil teaming up with Mikey The Don for a solid collaboration that showcases pure lyricism and relatable themes around urban decay, social commentary on the effects of our immediate environment and having the right guidance and mentality to push through the noise. “Just Be Ready” is a laidback and sombre tune with R&B aesthetics and dives into a  love tale where we follow Wills as he pursues a particular lady who has caught his eye while “Last Drop” is a smokey tune that captures the aftermath of being faded and the atmospheric feeling of being under the influence.

Watch “Doom Patrol”  music video below

The project closes out with 3 tracks that see Wills and Samil teaming up with a range of artists. The cinematic “Extraordinary Gentlemen” has a blaxploitation scenic vibe and features Darus Clark who adds his own stylish touch alongside Wills’ bravado raps. On “Necessary Game”, Ghetto Gov shows up with Wills and the two give us some tips in the much-needed game of life and the ups and downs of it all. Lines like “When does the story of a gangsta have a happy ending/When does a working man retire and not get a pension/The Revolutionary stories ended with a bullet/Be who you are and live your purpose out to the fullest” sum things up and reminds us that we all just have one life to live. The final track “G Raptilians” brings together a host of emcees ranging from M.I.C Book, and dpmnSCNTST, to Philo and the result is a solid posse cut that blends distinct rap styles that remind us that dope lyricism still exists.

Overall, Lineage of the Cloth, provides a mix of sound palettes that lovers of hip-hop can appreciate. Samil’s extensive and dynamic production style is brilliant and helps give each song its own distinct feel while Wills’ commanding vocals and expressive lyricism also help raise the ante.

Stream Lineage of the Cloth on all DSPs here.

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