If “Muerte” Truly is Struggle Mike’s Final LP, It Does It’s Job of Showcasing His Artists He’ll Start Focusing On (Album Review)
This is the 10th & possibly final studio LP from Buffalo, New York producer, curator, record executive & audio engineer Struggle Mike. Introducing himself at the end of 2019 off the strength of his full-length debut Great Escape followed by Next Up as well as Wall & Progress, he eventually kept his consistency going on Ties & Struggles until signing to Black Soprano Family Records as an artist after becoming an A&R of theirs. IYKYK, IYDK & Honor would all come out through the label & he’s back 24 months later for Muerte.
“Bandits” by Benny the Butcher, ItsHOLY & Moon after the “Bandidos” intro welcomes everyone to the land of the robbers over a boom bap beat to get things going whereas “Solid” by Party G the Humble works in some violins so he can talk about staying loyal. “La Commission” by Heist Da Profit, YaH-Ra & 448 Brad finds the trio linking up to get on their mafioso shit leading into “Brick James” by Fuego Base & Mark 4ord talking about the country feeling like it’s end days are nearing.
B.A.R.S. Murre & Speedie da Icon both appear on the primarily drumless “Good Boy” up until the final 45 seconds talking about well-behaved children becoming hustlers while “It’s a Lifestyle” by Jess Classic discusses the way he lives over a bare guitar loop. Eto joins B.A.R.S. Murre for “Hell”, spending a couple minutes bodying a flute instrumental from DJ Benoit just before “Anything Goes” by The Hoodies finds E-Class & Young Poppa talking about there being no restrictions.
“Get to the Money” by Heist da Profit, Joxiel & Smoke Bulga after the “Locked Up” interlude Boons 153rd kicks off the 2nd half of Muerte talking about making some paper over a decent trap beat prior to Gunny H discussing his “Deals with God” on top of a vocal sample & mixed with hi-hats. “Violins” by Lo Profile & Rick Hyde embraces an eerier boom bap sound talking about making people go to sleep when the strings cease while “Take a Risk” by B$F Tone 066, Mike Major & Miles A aim to step out their comfort zones.
After the “Smoke Break” by D Les comes through with a quick drumless freestyle, “What’s Real?” by O.T. the Real & 067Red talks about not knowing what’s legit until it falls in the cooking bag while “Old NY” by Ockz & Spiderdagod explains that they’ve always liked being underdogs. “Southside” by Balistic Man, Chop the Father & Speedie da Icon brings everyone together to hustle until daylight while “The End” by Conway the Machine & Lefty Gunplay excluding the “Just Like That” outro finishes with an outstanding east/west coast boom bap closer.
Confirming in a recent interview that he’s fulfilled all of his contractual obligations for Black Soprano Family, this new era of Struggle Mike’s career collides some of the underground’s biggest artists as well as those who’re a part of his Mike’s own Struggle Cartel collective & a few of Steve Lobel’s clients for what could potentially be the last time we might hear from musically due to some legal issues. When he comes back, he did say he plans to capitalize on his squad over at the Struggle Compound.
Score: 7/10
