New extended play and the fourth overall from Sandusky, Ohio emcee and producer Nezzy has arrived. Emerging within the underground scene in 2022 with his debut EPs Subject to Change and Pyramids, he quickly followed up with the full-length project Hippie Thug in the spring of 2023, followed by his third EP, New World Disorder. With previous efforts like Hall of Infamy and Worm Food having elevated his profile, Nezzy continues to build his legacy with the release of Blackbook.

The project opens with “R.A.P.,” a track that immediately establishes a boom-bap foundation, framing the artist as a hip-hop philosopher. This is followed by “Crooked Teeth,” which reports live from the birthplace of aviation. The EP maintains a gritty, dusty aesthetic throughout, particularly on “The Art of Vandalism,” which pays homage to the culture of graffiti writing. After a collaboration with Copywrite on “Not for Radio,” a defiant ode to their anti-commercial ethos, the EP concludes with the poignant outro “Wildstyle,” which serves as a heartfelt tribute to the late Tame One of The Artifacts.

While it was unexpected for Nezzy to drop another project so soon after The Infamous N.E.Z., Blackbook stands on the same pedestal as his best work. It is a raw, cutthroat love letter to the 90s hip-hop sound that remains so beloved by purists today.

Score: 8/10