Raleigh, North Carolina emcee Mez celebrating his 34th birthday by releasing his 5th EP. Emerging in 2010 off his debut mixtape The Paraplegics, he continued to build a name for himself with the Khrysis-produced debut EP The King’s Khrysis as well as the full-length debut My Everlasting Zeal & the sophomore tape Long Live the King. Following a few feature placements on Dr. Dre’s 3rd & final album Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre, he released a trilogy of 2-track EPs called Data Plan & is returning by signing to Mass Appeal Records to put out Loading.
“Yeah Yeah” begins with a downtrodden sample & later these drums that hit you in the face like a ton of bricks talking about simply wanting a happy home whereas “Humma Time” featuring Childish Major takes the bassy trap route flexing that you can’t diss their drip & to get your own. “Call On” shifts gears into boom bap territory thanks to Tae Beast telling his significant other she’s still who he calls on just before the soulful “Hot Spot” featuring Isaiah Rashad talking about still being connected when they’re gone.
MAVI & SAINt JHN join Mez on the song “Bat Phone” brings back the kicks & snares mixed with a crooning sample explaining just how they got rich leading into “Devil is a Judge” keeping it boom bap pondering if Satan himself really is the judge or not. Finally, the closing track “Around the World” finishes Loading on a smoother note dedicating it to every southside all across the globe.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Loading will only lead to an upcoming sophomore LP especially after returning from a 4-year hiatus to land the Mass Appeal deal & I’m confident that it’ll be Mez’ strongest studio album to date, especially now you have Loading being nearly as good as The King’s Khrysis. He joins forces with both guests & producers that share his playful sense of soulful musicality & his dedication to the grind preluding something bigger coming down the pipe.
Score: 7/10