Mistah Belidge Returns to Save the Old School with 'Antipop'

In today's landscape it's pretty easy to cobble together a bunch of songs and release a project. But a well executed body of work with a consistent theme and a real message is rare. Almost non-existent for that matter. Though there's good news for traditionalists and lyrically-minded hip hop heads. Mistah Belidge has returned and he's back with a new project titled 'Antipop'. Entirely produced by Chron Jeremy, Antipop succeeds in bringing that old school sound back. I’ve been spinning it front to back all week so let's jump into a review.

Right from the start Mistah Belidge sets the tone. “These Tik Tok rappers are weak, they ain’t got no future/ fuck a million streams or views if legends don’t salute ya/“. On the projects opening track ‘For the Culture’ Belidge unapologetically takes aim at the new generation and the vultures watering down his chosen craft. Listeners can hear the disappointment in his tone, as he scolds those who are culpable.

Things get even more sinister with ‘Eye of the Storm’. Over a hard hitting piano loop, Belidge spits venomous bars. If ‘I wish a muthafucka would’ could be bottled up into a song, this would be it. Though only a minute and half long, Eye of the Storm is packed with punchlines. In a scathing warning to his enemies, Belidge spits “You sent an assassin for me so I hunted and killed him/ right in front of civilians/ I’m even sonning ya children/".

Mistah Belidge

Antipop really hits its stride with track 3 - aptly titled 'Cattle Prods'. Over a bouncy beat laced with delayed horns, Belidge stays true to his name with “I be wiling out like black thought on funkmaster flex/ I love sippin mezcal and smoking blunts after sex”. Bars aside, Cattle Prods showcases Belidges song making abilities. With a hard hitting chorus and plenty of punches, it has the makings of an Albertan anthem.

The EP gives listeners a chance to collect themselves with the brief Antipop interlude. When Belidge returns, the drums are still hitting but the lyrical content is slightly different. 'There's Somethin About Mary' sounds like a smoky sequel to ‘Light it Up’ off the Heavy Hitters Extra Innings project. Billed as the third single off Antipop, There's Somethin About Mary is both an ode to cannabis and a nod to the cult classic Cameron Diaz film from the 90s.

Moving on, track 6 Waitin’ is a standout. Belidge skillfully builds the sample into the hook, tactfully telling us about his hip hop dreams and sharing his Covid-era thoughts. His ability to write a catchy chorus that still holds lyrical weight shines through on this instant classic.

The EP comes to a close with ‘Full Effect’. This song has Chron Jeremy's fingerprints all over it. A smooth piano loop and accompanying drums contrast with Belidges snarls at the “pigs”. But it works - and it leaves listeners wanting more.

Overall, Antipop is a great effort by Mistah Belidge. Today’s current hip hop climate clearly irks him. How can it not? Lyrics are no longer valued like they once were. Beats are repetitive. Songs are recycled. Mistah Belidge stays true to his battle rap roots, delivering vicious bars and giving us the Antipop we all need in our lives. It has its share of lighter moments and darker notes, but keeps a consistent theme throughout. Though the project leaves us with a little to be desired. It only has 7 tracks - 6 without the interlude. But maybe - like the provocative cover - that was by design. Either way, fans of Belidge will be holding out hope that this is only a precursor of more projects in the pipeline. Essential Spins: Cattle Prods, Something About Mary, Waitin’

For the Record: 4/5

Antipop is available on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Listen to Antipop