XLR8R

Former battle champ iCon the Mic King and producer Chum the Skrilla Guerilla took a sizeable risk in making a concept album relatively early in their recording careers. While they include skits and the whole nine yards, what's frustrating about the blaxploitation-inspired Mike & The Fatman is how iCon doesn't always remain in character. Instead, this MC often uses his badass, Shaft-esque alter-ego to create a slight extension of his already-animated self atop Chum's robust, cinematic beats. There's no doubt iCon's on the right path with his inventiveness-now he just has to refine it.