BVNGS Returns After 3 Years to Release Debut Album “Mary Mack” (Album Review)

BVNGS is a 32 year old MC from New York City who started out at the end of 2017 off her debut EP Not Available followed up by 7 Dutches & a Sweet Tea, Brown Girls & Bubble Coats, Lula & Only Crying Because I’m Drunk. She then caught the attention of amongst the underground’s most prolific artists in recent memory Flee Lord, who signed BVNGSY to Lord Mobb Music & put out her 6th EP Laquisha in the spring of 2021. Only 4 months later, I had the privilege of meeting her at a Catch 1 show in Los Angeles that Flee was headlining & was impressed by her set. BVNGS herself has since been building up anticipation for her upcoming full-length debut studio album by releasing 4 singles & after 3 years, the moment has arrived.

After the “Channel 7” intro, the first song “‘91 Varsity” is this psychedelic trap opener referring to herself as a boss & a shooter whereas “Jester” has an uncanny boom bap quality to the beat getting in her hardcore bag lyrically. “Stick Up” strips the drums completely promising nobody out there wants to go to war with her & after the interlude, “Get Yo Chain” mellowly taunts those she stole their ice from to come take it back from her.

“Saw” takes the laidback route instrumentally calling out all the pussies in the game while the title tracks works the kicks & snares back into the picture knowing one’s life is a lie if they’re able to survive or not. “Nights Like This” featuring AC Gudda nears the conclusion of Mary Mack going drumless warning that you’re gonna need security around them & “God Saves” officially rounds out the LP keeping the drums out showing a personal side to her.

She has quickly become one of my favorite Lord Mobb signings after being introduced to her a few years ago, but everything from the 6 EPs that BVNGS has already established herself through to Flee signing her to his label & the singles we’ve gotten from her since have all lead to this very moment & you’re certainly gonna hear more from her hereon out. The production pulls from boom bap, trap & drumless & the Big Apple much like LaQuisha further reveals herself as a threat in the underground.

Score: 7/10