Today we have a special review as it’s a partnership with TooGood Entertainment. One of their prize incentives includes a write up by an award winning writer in Chicago: Melly Starz. This month’s winner was a tie at a rock themed open mic. We have with us Keno Boss with his ep ‘The Road to Riches’.

Thoughts on the EP

* OG’S INTRO prod by Chofo: The intro is a phone call with someone saying “I love you and talk to you later” and a beat to take us into the first song.

1. Married to the Game prod by JTK: Keno Boss starts this off by telling us how devoted he is to this. He explains how he’s loved the game more than he has any woman. The song is a love story but the protagonist is music instead of a partner. This is a great way to start the project.
2. Iso prod by Dillygotitbumpin: This track is a bit more fast paced compared to the first one. Instead of a love story this is the grittier side of the game. “I got too big for my bridges” is a stand out line for me. Aside from the grittiness of the game there are also references to living life lavish and the benefits that can come with being rich and famous.
3. Deserve It prod by JTK: The intro piano serve to show us that this is a heartfelt song. The style and delivery are similar to the track two. This is a story of perseverance from struggling to making it. The song also talks about how people aren’t there for you when you’re struggling but want to come around when you’re doing good and getting money. Keno Boss is confident when he says you can’t tell him he don’t deserve it.
4. No Justice, No Peace prod by Drumdummie: Keno Boss gets deep talking about the streets and notable cases that led to protests and uproar. He also discusses politics and the state of affairs. He adds in news report snippets to further drive the point home.
* POP’S INTERLUDE prod by Chofo: We have another phone call, fairly similar to the first one on the intro. Is this a trend or a deeper meaning?
5. Cold World prod by JTK: This track was a bit rough. There was a lot going on in the background making it difficult to focus on the lyrics. But essentially he’s talking about being a soldier and never folding. Sometimes having to do things you don’t want to whether to survive or as part of the game.
6. Love For You ft. Rylee Stewart prod by moneyxo x kugoinku: This is a broken hearted song. He discusses having love for someone even though they hurt him. “I can break your heart and still got love for you” has such a deep meaning. You can truly love someone but it doesn’t mean you’re compatible. Through his heartbreak Keno Boss has decided to move away from love entirely. Production was also very good on this track and Rylee Stewart’s vocals add extra depth to the song.
7. 2 AM in da Raq prod by pale1080: This story is about losing everything to the legal system and the streets. Now he’s back and living his lie without regrets. He also discusses how it’s challenging to let people in after everything he has been through.
8. Loyalty prod by Chofo: Keno finally opens up to someone and all he asks for is loyalty. He is still struggling throughout the song with who he can trust. He also tells various stories about being betrayed even though he was open to sharing his wealth with others. Sometimes he just falls back and stays to himself.
* MEEKA’S INTERLUDE prod by Chofo: Yet another phone call. I also believe it is the same beat used on each interlude.
9. Reminiscing prod by xY: This is about triumph regardless of all of the bullshit we have to deal with in the city. There’s a lot of unnecessary effects on this song. If he had toned it down i feel the message would get across more substantially.
10. Permanent Scars prod by Glockie Cheez x Zion Beats x producedbyrocky: He is asking a lot from his partner on this song. He wants to get to know her but he has a lot of scars he can’t show. While in one part he says he wants to shield her from it, in another section he asks if she will duck and cover and be there when his enemies come calling. Instead of showing his scars he wants to take her out to Nobu.
11. That’s Life ft Qveen Tatiii prod by HK: This track is a lot harder and angrier than some of the other ones. He also attempts to rap faster than he did previously on some parts and then his normal pace in other parts.
12. In the Studio ft Qveen Tatiii prod by LoLife: This is all about making love in the studio. His girl is a star and he can see her name in bright lights. The production on this is probably the best out of the entire project.

Final Thoughts

The EP is Keno Boss’s story of road to riches. He showcases different parts of his life, whether good or bad. He is trying to let you into his world through his music. I think he tells a story with each track although some themes come up multiple times. My biggest gripe with the project is all of the effects and layers they put on the songs. It takes away from the lyrics and delivery. I also feel there were too many voicemails on the project. One or two maybe but four didn’t add anything to the project.

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