Killa Kyleon - Blessed To Raise Hell (2016)

Unapologetic Houston gangsta rap, from one of the city's most natural lyricists. Much like featured guest Kevin Gates, Kyleon brings a welcome sense of humanity to his otherwise ice-cold tales of life in unforgiving streets. Beats here vary between sturdy, melancholy (if slightly pedestrian) trap, and more traditional Houston soul fare, a juxtaposition undeniably passed down by former mentor Slim Thug. Whilst his voice may not carry the same gravitas as Thug's, he has a confident mid-range drawl, and is able to spit rapid-fire, multisyllabic rhymes that are dripping with pathos. This album forgoes the sense of fun that punctuated his last mixtape proper, 2013's Lean On Me, and it could be argued that it suffers somewhat for that, but he still soars when paired with a decent hook-man over polished, cinematic, Southern soul beats, with particular highlights coming in the form of 'No Ordinary Thug', 'Swear to God', and 'The Grind' (though everything here bumps). Any Kyleon full-length featuring all original production is a blessing, and this one is no different. One of my favourite releases of the year so far.