SPOTLIGHT #3: "Death Threats" by Mickey Diamond x SadhuGold
An album review by Brandon Kao
Back in April, we released an interview with Mickey Diamond AKA Diamond Dallas. That joint ended up being a two parter because, much like his music, he has infinite gems to drop. I watched it happen during our second Harvard Roundtable Interview and it is clear in his work ethic as well. “Death Threats” is the fourth full-length project released by Mickey Diamond in 2023 following nine full-length projects released in 2022, two of which were produced by the faceless Big Ghost Ltd. Fire projects, I definitely recommend checking both out. But this new project “Death Threats” is produced entirely by another legendary faceless producer, your favorite producer’s favorite producer: SadhuGold. Check out our interview with him as well. Two ghosts of the underground rap game linking up to make an album can only mean heat.
This shit is spooky, grave digging, hair trigger, heat under the pillow music. Just look at the album cover, masked up, pulling a snakeskin curtain back, serving crack rock on a machete. “What the fuck?” are the first words spoken on the album and my thoughts exactly when I play this shit. Sadhu went crazy on production as usual. The interludes feature recordings of death threats left on Mickey Diamond’s voicemail, straight up “When I see yo ass I’m gon’ smoke you and take your ski mask,” kinda shit that leaves you sleeping with one eye open.
The paranoia is real on the opening track “When A Stranger Calls.” Mickey Diamond raps, “Lately I can’t sleep. Feel like n****s is creeping round the crib tryna catch me while I’m sleeping. One eye, I won’t lose a wink. Who’s that peeking through my -” we all know the classic Goodie Mob line. The first track sets the tone strong and does not let up till the end. On “Def Leppard” he raps. “Remove your chess piece, was all techniques, Bobby Fischer, picture perfect, a thousand words when I script the verses,” shouting out my bro 1000WORD$, the Polaroid Pope, the face of this page, and a true Hip-Hop historian. This gotta be the first Bobby Fischer bar I ever heard too. Mickey Diamond is playing chess not checkers, keep up. The sheer amount of bars this man can pack into a single verse is insane and is why “Sir Smoke A Lot” is my personal favorite joint off this project. Sadhu lets the beat take a backseat for the first minute while Mickey Diamond delivers a non-stop bar fest, continuing his shit talking scheme as the drums fade in and he raps “My verses belong in The Bible, King James, Book of Diamond.” Facts. I could write a book as long as the bible trying to break down every single bar in this album. Do your ears a favor and hear these bars yourself.
The most introspective cut on the project comes on the last track, the title track, “Death Threats.” He bleeds from his pen here over a somber guitar loop and a simple kick and snare from Sadhu as Mickey delves into his upbringing in the streets and reflects on his career. “Is your music really art or just some shit to buy?” he asks. Mickey Diamond has been doing this shit for a long time, longer than I have been alive, and he’s still releasing multiple fire projects every year. He’s been sharpening his blade for decades and it shows. Mickey Diamond, SadhuGold, and the rest of the artists on this page are out here breaking generational curses through their art and representing their culture. This shit goes way beyond rap. You can’t learn this in school. Sadhu provides the canvas and color palette, Mickey paints the portrait. So to answer his question, I can tell you for a fact, Mickey Diamond and SadhuGold are making art.
 |
|