Released: January 26, 2024

Genre: Hip-hop

From: US

Label: Backwoodz Studioz

Why you should listen: New York rapper, producer and talented creative person Duncecap has come through with a dynamic, disorienting and introspective new album titled Pay or Dispute. Mostly self-produced, with additional beats from Quelle Chris and Headtrip, the album is a colourful and introspective body of work, as he navigates through every day issues, with relatable topics of city living, relationships and having to work a whole lot to make ends meet in an expensive city. The sombre beat on “Sick Day” gives Duncecap the perfect soundscape for him to bring his introspections about being sick and having to deal with it with pressures of the outside world. “Thanksgiving” is an introspective track about family, questioning family dynamics and whether he’s happy. “Inner Voice” produced by Quelle Chris and featuring Lord Kayso is about his own inner voice, with an animated delivery and funny lyricism throughout. “Dirty High” produced by Headtrip and featuring Fatboi Sharif has a disorienting beat and groove to it, with lyricism about heady drug trips, with abstract imagery that makes it a highlight for me. “Two $2 Bills” has a darker and more unassuming beat to it, as Duncecap’s lyrics are darker and reflective of the state of the his mind. “Seems Like a Long Time” has this soulful beat and with more introspections that are just poignant throughout. “Baby” is a short but punchy track with a reversed sample loop that is disorienting but incredible, while “Am I Cool Yet?” questions whether or not he is deemed cool based on a plethora of different traits and things he does. “Ambitious” featuring Shrapknel is a punchy track with both Curly Castro and PremRock adding their personalities and skills effortlessly over a great beat. “Boundaries” featuring Denmark Vessey and Googie is a vibrant closer, with incredible verses from all three emcees who spit effortlessly over this incredible ever-changing beat. Duncecap has really shone again with Pay or Dispute, an introspective, meandering body of work that further showcases his talents as an excellent writer and producer.

The album: