“The Don & Eye 3” Ends The Musalini & 9th Wonder’s Trilogy with an Improvement Above the Last Installment (Album Review)
New York emcee & Jamla Records signee The Musalini running it back with 9th Wonder for his 14th studio LP. Taking the underground by storm since 2018 after dropping his debut mixtape Musalini Season, he went on to release 3 full-lengths & another tape before signing to TCF Music Group. Since then, he’s made himself home by dropping a few EPs & Return of the Oro in the early part of this decade. In God We Trust produced by 38 Spesh, The Don & Eye alongside its sequel fully produced by 9th Wonder & Pure Izm produced by Khrysis have all quickly become his best material over the past 4 years. Mackaroni produced by Cookin’ Soul and Live & Let Fly produced by DJ Fresh were really enjoyable too, now looking to properly conclude The Don & Eye trilogy.
After the “Musalini’s Stroll” intro, “Lay Low” featuring Le$ links up for a funky opener talking about playing to win & likening themselves to Rick James without the coke whereas “2 Letters” instrumentally takes a more soulful synth-based approach suggesting one would do better if they knew better. “Shrimp Lo Mein” shifts towards a boom bap direction talking about the long nights making him who he is while “Can You Stand the Rain?” featuring Silent Snipers, Swank & Sweata poses that very question.
“Game Cold” takes the opulent boom bap route assuring his partner it’s all love while “Pocket Full” has a groovier approach talking about him & this woman who he quite a bit in common with. “Off the Books” gives off a more chilled out mood explaining he’s only here to win & the eagerness of showing those new around the operation leading into “Memories” combines elements of soul & boom bap talking about a woman he sees in his dreams.
Kicking off the 2nd half, we have Mu$ on “Salt Box” trying to bring balance to the game while “Pretty Lady” featuring Swank reunites the pair goes for a chipmunk soul direction promising their lovers they could be sitting right beside them in the Porsche rollin’ blunts if they really want to be. “Owe It All” takes some elements of jazz rap & soul talking about having to take some time outta his prime to live it up whole “Car Keys” featuring King Draft links up so they can discuss still standing in true fashion.
“Fast Life” flashily dedicates itself to the hustlers doing numbers while “Picture Me Rollin’” featuring Silent Snipers talks about leaving at sunrise like real pros. “Capital Grille” featuring Eli tha Don speaks of always staying at the top of the hill while “Live from Tokyo” talks about reporting directly from Japan’s capital. “Premium Plush” featuring Jaewon & Smoke DZA finds the trio jazzily explaining their preference for everything while “Time Travels” soulfully sends it off making his paper increase.
A huge reason I felt like The Don & Eye 2was weaker than it’s predecessor was because almost every track having a feature & although not every guest appearance The Don & Eye 3 does the same, I can still put this new chapter above the previous installment since I can appreciate The Musalini being given more room to rock it by himself than he did when he & 9th Wonder last got together in 2022 for what could likely become his finest 2026 solo effort.
Score: 7/10
