This is a brand new collaborative EP from Boston emcee/producer Estee Nack & Toronto emcee/producer Raz Fresco. One getting his start as a member of the Tragic Allies & the other garnering my interest in 2011 when short-lived Odd Future member Ace Hashimoto formerly known as brandUn DeShay had him featured on “Why Bother?” off All Day DeShay: AM. But as the Nackman comes fresh off his Griselda Records debut & one of his best albums of his career Nacksaw Jim Duggan couple months ago, Raz is now teaming up with him & the hottest producer in Montreal right now Nicholas Craven to take us through Gia…À La Carte.
“Cinque Campi” kicks off the EP with a bare drumless loop as both of them are masterfully mackin’ prior to “Roll Up the Rim” incorporates some strings & crooning background vocals showing y’all some shit. The song “Fleece” goes for a funkier groove getting the bread to bless those below them with crumbs whereas “Whirlwind works in some flutes talking about seeing his shadow on Groundhog’s Day yet pushing it because they’re fearless. Jimmie D, Mike Shabb & The 6th Letter all join Estee & Raz for the climactic 6-minute closer “Born King” discussing being born for greatness.
Both of these dudes have crossed paths with one another before on tracks like “God’s Better” or “Mad Scientist”, so to see them come together knocking out a whole EP after a whole meal at Gia Vin & Grill is something that fans of each artist would want to check out. Nicholas Craven’s production is rooted in his signature sound with both MCs taking their chemistry to a new level.
Score: 8/10