Pressure (EP) is the second collaborative project between Prolific West Coast emcee Showtime Ramon and Brooklyn, New York producer ProjectPorter since their first outing early last year with the hard-hitting Speed project. The 5 track EP continues Showtime Ramon’s offbeat flow, pop reference-filled lyricism and untamed bravado that bothers between playful and nihilistic tendencies.
The project starts on a high note with adrenaline-pumping action-packed tracks. The aptly titled “Car Chase” sets the tone with a scenic, energetic scene which sees Showtime Ramon in his element, kicking up dust with lines like “Lyrical Mark McGwire, got her shaking like I’m Eddie Money and she’s mad wired/I’m a rare breed, goat form like Satyr, now they want a verse but I’m supercharged in a Jaguar” that underscore his devil may care demeanour. The next track “Back Seat” flips an 80s R&B tune into a hard-hitting rap track that sees the rapper recruiting Hempstead, New York rapper Gustavo Louis, aka “The Grappler,” known for spitting drug-laden raps while wearing a Luchador mask. The production here is particularly insane as a repeating stab-like sample punctuates the verses and the chorus has a smooth melodic sample that gives a smooth balance to the raw unfiltered raps from the duo.
“Madonna” is another James Bond-inspired tune that often appears on Showtime Ramon’s catalogue. The soundscape is experimental and devoid of drums. This is underpinned by a barrage of boastful and graphic bars about his female conquest, his verbal proficiency, and much more. Here, he avoids any gimmicky hooks and delivers straight bars uninterrupted for close to 3 minutes. The following track “Mitch Green,” is an homage to the boxer and it’s another lyrical exercise from the Sac town rapper who uses several references from Golden Eye, boxing legends and much more. The final track “Pipe Dream” helps close things out with a cinematic soundscape and a classic Bond sample. The beat here is majestic and Showtime Ramon delivers a solid performance as he flows effortlessly over the atmospheric and dreamy soundscape.
Overall, Pressure (EP) is a cohesive body of work that captures Showtime Ramon’s edginess and knack for penning hard-hitting underground rap tunes. His word play, overall rap imagery is intact and cemented on this one
“Pressure” is now available on all DSP : Spotify / Apple Music
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