New York emcee and Jamla Records signee The Musalini is running it back with 9th Wonder for his 14th studio LP, marking the conclusion of the highly anticipated The Don & Eye 3 trilogy. Since emerging in 2018 with his debut mixtape Musalini Season, the artist has cultivated a reputation for consistent, high-quality underground output. Following a string of successful projects including In God We Trust with 38 Spesh and Pure Izm with Khrysis, this latest collaboration serves as a definitive statement on his artistic evolution over the past four years.
The album opens with the “Musalini’s Stroll” intro, leading directly into the funky, collaborative effort “Lay Low” featuring Le$. The project navigates through various sonic landscapes, from the soulful, synth-driven “2 Letters” to the gritty, boom-bap aesthetic of “Shrimp Lo Mein.” The track “Can You Stand the Rain?” featuring Silent Snipers, Swank, and Sweata adds a layer of collaborative depth that defines the project’s mid-section.
As the album progresses, tracks like “Game Cold” and “Pocket Full” showcase a polished, groovy production style that complements The Musalini’s lyrical delivery. The transition into “Off the Books” and “Memories” highlights the seamless chemistry between the emcee and 9th Wonder, blending classic soul samples with modern boom-bap sensibilities.
The second half of the record maintains this momentum with “Salt Box” and the Swank-assisted “Pretty Lady,” which leans into a classic chipmunk soul sound. The project concludes with a series of strong tracks, including “Premium Plush” featuring Jaewon and Smoke DZA, and the soulful finale “Time Travels.” Ultimately, The Don & Eye 3 succeeds by allowing The Musalini more space to command the microphone, resulting in a project that stands as a significant improvement over its predecessor and a highlight of his 2026 catalog.
Score: 7/10