Here we have the 19th EP from Buffalo emcee & singer Elcamino. Blowing up in 2017 off his self-titled EP with Griselda Records, his profile increasingly grew after being followed up by Walking on Water mixtape in the summer of 2018 along with dropped 2 studio albums & a few EPs the year after that. They Spit on Jesus proved to be a well received Black Soprano Family Records debut becoming the first Camino project that I had covered since On the 3rd Day & that much like No Weapon Formed Against Me was an improvement over some of the material we’ve gotten from him in recent memory. 6 months after having Real Bad Man produce The Game is the Game followed by Ill Tone recently producing Built for Cuban Links named after Raekwon’s iconic solo debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… produced by RZA in addition to flexing his Millionaire status & Full Moon showing a heavy Future influence. 2 months later, he & 38 Spesh are back for Martyr’s Prayer III.
“Last Prayer” aggressively starts the Martyr’s Prayer trilogy chapter talking about everyone knowing the deal with him richer than a muhfucka whereas “Hustler Highway” reflects on being stuck in the streets all night as a way of getting by. “Animal Life” keeps it boom bap instrumentally to talk about rightfully earning his stripes staying on the grind his whole life while the drumless “Once in a While” seeing bitches acting like they know him & dudes acting like they homies.
Moving on from there, “Offend You” looks back on when he used to take the bus to get around town & now taking the Benz while “Mossberg Pump” aggressively talks about keeping the shotty on him standing on top of the hill staying in the hood. “Mobile Phone” featuring Benny the Butcher discusses making money feeling right to him while “JPay” talks about meeting him on the block with the AK over horns. “Shirley” soulfully shows off the long-ass sticks they carry & the closer “Babygirl” shows a romantic side to him.
Full Moon was easily the most daring EP that Elcamino has ever made & I appreciate him for taking the risks he did for it even though the music wasn’t for me personally, but Martyr’s Prayer III completes one of my favorite trilogies in his whole catalog with an entry that embodies everything that made it so memorable whether it be 38 Spesh’s consistent production reverting back to his signature sound as opposed to Full Moon’s trap-heavy direction & Camino himself giving better performances.
Score: 9/10