RUFFS

Kenny Mason - RUFFS
A highly underrated, overhated album by critics and listeners alike. Kenny Masons dive into a rap-rock style album was teased by songs such as Much Money (feat. Freddy Gibbs) on his second studio album, Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut. And while this song wasn’t received with open ears, I have come to gain an appreciation for this song knowing now what he was dipping his toes into. That being said, coming from a rock background himself, this stylistic choice isn’t necessarily new to him, and was always on the horizon for his rap career.

TRACK 1: ZOOMIES
Starting off very strong both production wise, and lyrically. Kenny Masons flow and lyricism coupled with a hard hitting guitar sample and 808s, it lives up to the lyric “real heat.”

TRACK 2: HALOS
Gorgeous sample, drums that I can’t imagine on any other kind of sample, it’s one of my favourites off the album. The beat switch up into a more modern drum sample on the same beautiful singing is so well integrated into the song with the lyrics “if I’m caged up with a lion that’s who y’all need to pray for,” it’s one of my top 3 from this EP.
TRACK 3: HALLOWEEN
One of the more easily hate-able tracks off the album, I think it’s short and sweet, really taking that grunge rock influence and putting it in full force. While the lyrics in the chorus aren’t necessarily my favourite, I can still appreciate the delivery of both his rapping and singing. 5/10
TRACK 4: DIP! (feat. DavidTheTragic)
This song was made specifically to listen to while high. Absolutely hard hitting in a less sober state, critically it’s a fun song, and on return to it I actually like it more than the first few times I initially listened to it. 6/10
TRACK 5: MINUTE FOREVER
If the delivery in HALLOWEEN was an example of grunge influence, then the chorus of this song IS grunge rock. The riff and synths samples are mesmerizing, and incomparable to any other song off this album. The lyrics carry weight to me as well.
TRACK 6: DOUBLE UP
Lacking as much of the influences Mason wears on his sleeve in the previous track, the lyricism and flow gets a chance to shine through the perfectly matched beat.
TRACK 7: RX (feat. Amindi)
The feature on this song is so well chosen, and she matches the tone of the song so well. Such a vibe song
TRACK 8: SPIN N FLIP (feat. Young Nudy)
Kenny Masons flow and delivery on this track are nuclear and blow his feature out of the water, which is unfortunate because had Young Nudy done better, this probably would’ve been my favourite song on the album. 6/10
TRACK 9: MAMA DON’T KNOW

TRACK 10: NOSEDIVE
Strong Chorus, super hype song, really underwhelming performance from Jean Dawson though. 5/10
TRACK 11: 333/ATOM
I absolutely love the chorus of 333, and the mood of ATOM. 7/10
TRACK 12: BOA
It’s the most mid song on this album. Another brilliant vocal performance, good flow and beat, but nothing that stands out. 5/10
TRACK 13: GIVENCHY
fast paced flow heavy song, strong 808s and a simple synth beat. I see this song as Kenny just showing off, and I’m all for it. 7/10
TRACK 14: BLACK HEART
Standout vocals compared to some of the singing on this album, I really like how it pairs up with the pace of the beat.
TRACK 15: SHELL
With a Beatles sample, you really have to impress on the song. And Kenny Mason does that, creating the best explicitly rap song on this album.
TRACK 16: WESTSIDE
This song is beautiful. Hands down my favourite vocal performance from any song of 2022, and it’s unfortunate how under the radar it went. The beat gives me Jocelyn Flores vibes but better, the lyrics of the chorus talking about how he felt after being shot, laying on the pavement, and his comments about the circular motion of events in what I perceive as the “westside.” A perfect send off to a gorgeous album.