Kev Brown and J Scienide proved they were “two peas in a pod” on 2019’s ‘Drum Machine Tape Cassette’ album. They epitomize the idea of grassroots HOP music. Beats and rhymes with no room for filler material. All songs are made with purpose but that purpose is not deep. The outcome of the music seems like practice while Kev Brown and J Scienide sound casual over the beats the two provide.

‘Stray From The Pack’ easily describes the music and it’s position to popular culture. There are no “trap beats” or 808’s that will slightly resemble the common trend in rap music for the past fifteen years. Kev Brown and J Scienide have figured out a way to make rap music sound as grimey and authentic as possible in a digital era of music. Thumping drums and a few heavy piano keys like on ‘Out The Safari’ and ‘Leave It To The Pros,’ catch the audiences ear early on this project. In fact the only time this album “tries” to get mellow is on ‘High Standards,’ and ‘Cutless Supreme’ which simply feels like moments to sit on the bench and rest.

This album to me is slightly better than their first effort because songs seem to stand out more. Kev Brown and J Scienide take turns on production, similar to how Madlib and Jay Dee a.k.a. J-Dilla did on 2003’s ‘Champion Sound.’ What also adds attraction to ‘Stray From The Pack’ is the precise cuts from D.J. Jon Doe. He provides the “period (and often exclamation) on the end” of songs like the ultra hype ‘Grand Prize Winners’ and ‘The Set Up.’

It’s really not a complicated decision to make with this album. One is either here for this type of HOP music or they or not. Albums like these are so necessary in a time where the sound of HOP music seems to be getting erased and reshaped to this hybrid form of a genre. Kev Brown and J Scienide remind listeners that it is “ok” to still make rap music even if it means “staying form the pack.” What did you think of the album?

Singles include:
‘Out The Safari’ & ‘Orange Julius Landover Mall’