Highland Park, New Jersey-born producer Mr. Green, now based in New York City, has made a surprising transition from behind the boards to the center stage. For nearly two decades, he has been a cornerstone of the underground hip-hop scene, crafting soundscapes for heavyweights ranging from the Army of the Pharaohs to R.A. the Rugged Man and Westside Gunn. With a catalog defined by acclaimed beat tapes, his latest venture, F.U. S.M.D. (For U, Some Musical Distraction), marks a bold attempt to showcase his own vocal capabilities.

The EP opens with a soulful, vocal-driven intro before transitioning into “think about u,” a track that utilizes piano-heavy production to explore themes of romantic obsession. The project continues with “make money,” which leans into a repetitive, rhythmic structure centered on financial ambition. A notable moment arrives at the midpoint with “g thang,” a soulful reinterpretation that pays homage to the iconic opening verse of Snoop Dogg’s classic, “Nuthin’ But a G Thang.”

The second half of the project, led by “u known me for years,” finds Mr. Green embracing a boom-bap aesthetic to deliver an off-the-cuff freestyle addressing his career trajectory and the pressures of the industry. Following a brief skit, the EP concludes with “beautiful life,” a track that spends its final moments in a meditative, repetitive loop celebrating the nature of existence.

While the ambition to step into the role of a vocalist is commendable, the project ultimately lands in a space of average execution. Mr. Green successfully demonstrates artistic range by pulling from singer-songwriter, R&B, and hip-hop sensibilities; however, the songwriting often suffers from a lack of variation. While the production remains solid, the repetitive nature of the lyrics suggests that there is still room for growth in his new role as a frontman.

Score: 5/10