The collaboration between Detroit MC Boldy James and Montreal composer Nicholas Craven bore fruit in the excellent Fair Exchange No Robbery published in 2022. We therefore welcome with open arms Penalty of Leadershipwith its rhythms full of soul as Craven usually prepares them, James having found inspiration in these last eventful years – a year ago, the MC was seriously injured in a car accident, of which he recalls the consequences in songs like Brand New Chanel Kicks, Straight As And Speedy Recovery. The chemistry of its prosody and musical productions produces the same captivating effect, tense but melodious, between the verbose and conscientious rap of the MC and the grooves made of sampling of the composer — delicate and intuitive on the excellent Evil Geniustasty and gently funky on Soccer Mommore percussive on Early Worms Get Birds, a duet with James’ sister, Double Dee. The approach brings us back to the essence of hip-hop dominated by drill and trap.
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