“The Dirttape 3” Makes for a Grim Conclusion to J Reno’s Trilogy Arc Revolving Around the Tape Keeper (Mixtape Review)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada emcee/producer J Reno finishing The Dirttape trilogy with his 4th mixtape. Introducing himself over 2 decades ago off his debut tape Ground 0 as well as the full-length debut Unleashed & the sophomore effort The Lunatic’s Back, he would follow it up with 6 more albums preceding Crossworm signing him to Dirtcore Music: Lost in the Dark, Politikilla, Into the Fire, Welcome Home, Blood, Guts & Boom Bap and Me & My Demons. His debut for the Grand Rapids label The Dirttape & it’s sequel have both come out over the course of these past 5 months, building us up for this final chapter.
“Returned” hops over an eerily self-produced trap instrumental talking about becoming amongst the dead whereas “Outsider” shifts towards a symphonic boom bap vibe explaining that the industry can be cancerous when I don’t hear any lies. “They Want More” featuring Samson Samson finds the 2 aggressively talking about their coldblooded tendencies leading into “The Villain” combining rap metal & boom bap so he can get a bit more antagonistic.
Meanwhile on “Wreck Yo Self”, we have J Reno warning people that he’ll check anyone who disrespects him while “The Facade” not to be confused with the current JCW American Champion talks about fearing no wanksta over a west coast beat. “Stirring” by Misery Coast reunites the duo to talk about causing destruction together once this series is exhumed prior to “Dopamin” posing the question of what’s left once the rush fleets.
“Windows Down” talks about pulling up to cities blasting his system pulling inspiration from the west coast again while “Demons & Heathens” featuring the Even Heathens leans back into the horrorcore side of things. “Earn Some” discusses him grinding without taking a single day off & what to do if one wants respect while the final song “Enemynd” preceding the “Back to Dust” outro finishes The Dirttape saga talking about mental health, basically saying that your own mind can be your worst enemy sometimes.
The Dirttape 2 still had quality performances & beats from J Reno even if most of the features weren’t doing it for me personally, but The Dirttape 3 ends on a stronger note putting itself behind the one that started it all when 2026 began & raises anticipation of where he goes from here as a part of the Dirtcore roster. The guest list is more consistent than the predecessor back in March & he finishes the Tape Keeper arc hitting us with a primary boom bap sound.
Score: 8/10
