M.O.P. Ft. MAINO - "Welcome 2 Brooklyn"

It's been over three years since The Mash Out Posse last released an official album, so it's great to have the duo finally returning with a brand new project again. "Street Certified" consists of only nine songs, clocks in at around 32 minutes and is officially labeled as an EP. However their latest previous album, "Sparta" (with The Snowgoons), was just as short and about half as good so I'm a bit hesitant to call this an EP, but rather a mini album or something like that. We've heard the three singles and if you dug them, you are definitely in for a treat here. This is dark, hard, and agressive music for the streets with beats that'll make neck hurt - but as is always the case with Danze and Fame, there's a lot of humor thrown into the violent lyrics. Between the stripped down, funeral marsch hip-hop of "Broad Daylight", the vintage M.O.P. sound of "187" (complete with a mix and scratches by DJ Premier), and the somber piano and guest singer of "Hustle" there's enough variation on here to never get boring or repetitive. But most of all it's a true M.O.P. record, and Billy Danze and Lil' Fame once again proves why they are one of the most potent duos hip-hop has ever seen - and the answer is a mixture of impeccable chemistry, terrific voices and flows plus very well written lyrics. In other words a return to form after the somewhat lackluster Snowgoons collaboration in "Sparta", "Street Certified" (which is out now) comes highly recommended. Only downside is that it seems to be digital only, at leat for the time being. Take a listen to the opening song "Welcome 2 Brooklyn" up top, featuring a solid verse from Maino.

M.O.P. - "STREET CERTIFIED" @ iTUNES