Denzel Curry is a Florida born hip-hop artist who is perhaps best known as a former member of SpaceGhostPurp's Raider Klan. I first heard Curry after the release of his last project; Nostalgic 64, which was released back in 2013. On the LP, the emcee from Carol City was able to effortlessly blend trap elements into songs like Zone 3, Threatz, and Talk That Shit, and he was able to counter those tracks with more in-depth and unique approaches on tracks like Parents, Denny Cascade, and Dark & Violent.
The double EP 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms is Curry's first project since 2013, and one that again displays his ability to sway back and forth from rapping over rattling hi-hats and hard kick drums on earlier tracks, to using a more alternative rap style on the completely different production of the second half of the EP. Throughout the project, guest verses come from the likes of Mike Dece, Twelve'len, J.K the Reaper and others that any fan of Nostalgic 64 will be familiar with. However, despite a fairly large amount of features on the second part of the EP, it's Denzel Curry himself that is the star of every track.
At first listen, I was much more excited about hearing the second side of the EP, Planet Shrooms. Which is due to in large part to me not being a huge fan of the trap genre. While that's what I expected, it's not at all how I ended up feeling after the first couple of tracks. Opening with 32 Ave was certainly an interesting choice for Curry, as the beat doesn't really sound comparable to any other trap beat I've heard, as the typical hi-hat and drum combination is met with a funky synth and something that sounds almost like a xylophone in the background.
While the odd production on intro might give you the impression that the former Raider Klan member is fooling around on this project, the next few tracks will wipe those thoughts right out from your head. The second track, Chief Forever is an early introduction of what Curry is capable of on a trap beat, as lyrically he's as good if not better than the majority of the rappers in the trap scene. The beat progression in the second half of the song is interesting as well, as it leads very well into the next track Envy Me. On Envy Me, Curry once again does a great job, this time of mixing a catchy hook with lyrical onslaught on this drill beat.
At this point, the first three tracks give reason for the listener to expect a lot of the emcee for the remainder of the tape. It's the next track though, where Curry delivers what may be the most out there and aggressive track in his discography thus far with Ultimate. On Ultimate, Denzel is yelling at the listener in the way you'd hear a rapper like OG Maco, Meek Mill or Waka Floka Flame do. Despite not being the first rapper to ever take this approach to a trap song, Curry certainly brings a high-energy element to the track that keeps him from falling anywhere near a "generic" trap rapper.
The first half of the EP closes out with three more tracks which are still certainly trap influenced, but also manage to all differ from the previous tracks. The only track on the first half of the EP that I didn't love was Delusional Stone, which was by no means a bad song, but as a closer for what was a great set of songs, it's quite underwhelming.
With that, Curry transitions into a more alt rap style on the second half; Planet Shrooms. Beginning with the Past the Wudz Intro, we're given a more introspective rap style. Even with that being said, there's still no sign of shying away from brag lines and word play from Denzel. The second half contains only three tracks without features, and two of those come right away as Underwater and Captain Sea Fonk follow up the intro track. While both tracks are definitely well written with great production, they don't stand up to anything on the massive first half of the project.
The next track Bwoii is one that was released quite awhile back in preparation for the EP, and contains guest appearances from both Nell & J.K the Reaper. It makes for a solid track, but much like the three before it, it almost feels like a let down after the hard hitting first half. The following track Planet Shrooms, which also features J.K, does much of the same.
With Smoke 2049, we get what I believe to be one of the better tracks on the Planet Shrooms side, and that's followed up with the final track Void, another solid song with some more great production, which is really to be expected from Denzel Curry at this point. Leonardo Safari and Fortebowie lend themselves to the closing song, as the EP finally comes to a close after over 55 minutes of hard hitting hip-hop.
Releasing a double album, double EP, or double project of any sorts is always a big risk. In the case of 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms it certainly made for an interesting combination of songs, and shows that Denzel Curry has high exceptions of himself in the future. Despite the fact that the second half may have been a little underwhelming after hearing the seven songs from 32 Zel, the project still comes together as some of Curry's best work to date.
Rating: B
Favorite Tracks: Chief Forever, Envy Me, Ultimate, Lord Vader Kush II (The whole first half of the EP really)
Least Favorite Tracks: None
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