TITLE: “X”, THE WORST MIXTAPE
ARTIST: pH-1
LABEL: H1GHR MUSIC
RELEASED: May 8, 2020
When it comes to Korean rappers, there are many I can call my favorites. pH-1 has the pleasure of being in my top of the top. There is something about his delivery, message, and all around brand that I am here for. He’s now released a mixtape, and I’m actually surprised I never reviewed a KHH release before but here we go.
PACKITUP! – Title Track
Fuck y’all fake asses! That is basically what this song is saying over a sick ass beat. I’m here for the flow and the club worthy beat. Not sure who hurt my baby and made him go super dark for this MV but I’m here for it as well. It has always been his mixture of English and Korean lyrics with a New York rapper flow that made me fall for him. This song isn’t short of any witty lyrics and really gets his message across.
MEET N GREET (feat. Kid Milli)
It’s cool for a trap flow and beat. I tend to like his boom bap flows better but the addition of Kid Milli actually does this songs favors. I’m not a big fan of Kid Milli but this song gets fire the moment his verse comes in.
OKAY (feat. Simon Dominic, MUSHVENOM)
DADDY! Enough of that, I like this one too. The beat isn’t vastly different from the one before it but the flow is tight and the hook is an ear worm. ‘Okay, okay okay okay’ And Simon… heart eyes.
BLAME MY CIRCLE (feat. JUSTHIS & Owen Ovadoz)
When it first started I wasn’t really feeling it. But it’s definitely a grower than a shower. By the time chorus hits, I’m bouncing to the beat and singing along. The features here are alright. Could have done without.
TELÉFONO (feat. HAON, Woodie Gochild, Jay Park & Sik-K)
Exactly what you expect from a H1GHR music song. Not as fun as Iffy or Water but decent. No reinventing the wheel here. But I will say both HAON and Woodie’s flows have grown.
FRONTIN
I really REALLY liked this more than I expected. The smooth Neo-Soul beat transported me back in time and a nice summer vibe song. Look at Harry being all romantic.
ANYMORE (feat. ASH ISLAND)
I admit, I am not familiar with ASH ISLAND like everyone else. I didn’t know what to expect and I’m still not sure. This is definitely a song that you can add to the sad playlist. The beat is something I didn’t really expect from Gray. I don’t hate nor love it.
I CAN TELL (feat. BRADYSTREET & Verbal Jint)
I don’t like it. Maybe it’s the autotune or the depressing beat. Just not my vibe at all.
MORAGO (feat. Blase & Coogie)
I’m obsessed with Coogie and when pH-1 and him collabed on the last album and I was living for Olaf. And my boys are back at it again! This song is fire. No clue what Morago means or what it is but it got me shaking my ass all up and down my hallway. Even Blase bringing the fire on his verse. Easily could have been the title track.
DRESSING ROOM
Another soul jam and I like it a lot. Kind of gives me the feelings that Christ did off his Island Kid EP but more mature. Even his little singing rap felt like a good mixture with the backing vocals on the track. Definitely one for the chill playlist
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t know how this is really a mixtape but whatever. It is a different side to pH-1 that we haven’t gotten. I like to call this the post-SMTM Harry. The 10 song “mixtape” is feature heavy but even without all the guests, pH-1’s lyrical skill is at the forefront. With the right producers and promotions, pH-1 is a force.
PRODUCTION : 4 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 4.5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 4 / 5
OVERALL : 4.5 / 5
Least Favorite Track(s): I CAN TELL
Favorite Track(s): PACKITUP!, MORAGO
Unbothered Unnies 