The self-titled project is a dazzling display of two gifted artists at the top of their game. Lyrically, iLLBLISS commands attention with an authoritative voice and beastly bars. The immediacy of his rhymes is complemented perfectly by Teck’s sharp production that gives Golden Era boom-bap a modern twist.
While ILLYZILLA seems like a project that was painstakingly crafted for months and months, it was in fact written and recorded in less than a week. The duo's chemistry fuels the energy of the EP, from the aspirational imagery of “Be Great” (“Show love even when they show you hate/ That’s why God made you great”) to the confident, raw vibes of “We Are Not Mates” (“Always knew my DNA was different”).
ILLYZILLA also nails it when experimenting with R&B on “Queens,” a heartwarming ode to iLLBLISS’s wife, featuring some dope cameos from singer Uzezi and emcee Phlow. The warmth of “Queens” extends to “DON” as well, though this Phlow-assisted cut is less romantic and more an anthem for those who control their own destinies.
Slide on over to your preferred digital retailer or streaming platform to peep out the rest of the tape, which is available now via Str8Buttah Productions. And don't forget to connect with these cats below for a full taste of their respective discographies.
