Before I begin I just want to say that this write up is definitely a special one for me. Just Wise is an established veteran from Aurora, IL and is one half of the duo Highest Low. Just Wise invited me out to hear his album early this past week and it was great to hear directly from him about what this music means to him. Shoutout to Classick Studios. Just Wise is a talented lyricist who can catch your ear really quickly. Previously, Just Wise would rap over boom bap beats but on Delusions of Grandeur he decided to rap over trap beats. The entire project was produced by Matt Audio Dope and these two gel extremely well. Delusions of Grandeur finds Just Wise exploring a new frequency in both music and himself. From the very get go on “Dirt On My Name”, Just Wise raps about how people have tried to step over him but he just keeps persevering and spitting about how he is going to get his. Matt Audio Dope also plays his hand in this intro, he delivers with eight polished and infectious instrumentals throughout the entire project. At the listening party, Just Wise was explaining how he wanted to step away from boom bap and focus more on trap and “2 Wavy” is the perfect example. Just Wise wanted to rap over a New York drill beat and I would say he absolutely killed it. “Japan” is Highest Low reminding us just how talented and entertaining they are. Matt Audio Dope came through with a bubbly beat, Cruz and Just had fun with that one. My two favorite tracks would have to be both “Paranoid in Illinois (RIP MF DOOM)” and “Pain”. These tracks find Just Wise showing a different transparency as both were written at pivotal times in the past almost two years now. Suburban Kid McFly came through with a terrifc sounding feature on “Key To The City”. Just Wise also rapped one of my favorite hooks of the year on that track. I don’t want to give away everything from this project, I’ll tell y’all that it is eight delicately crafted tracks from a high chemistry duo. The body of work will have you coming back over and over again. It is special that we get solo projects from both members of Highest Low, I will link my write up for Cruz Ocho’s 94 Tape. Matt Audio Dope also released a project himself most recently called Gifts From…. Run up one of my favorite projects of the year Delusions of Grandeur and get in tune with Just Wise and Matt Audio Dope.
Connect with Just Wise, Matt Audio Dope, and more!
Delusions of Grandeur: https://linktr.ee/justwise
Gifts From...: https://linktr.ee/mattaudiodope
94 Tape: https://linktr.ee/cruzocho
Just Wise: https://www.instagram.com/justinisntcool_/
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