ALBUM REVIEW: Jae Skeese ‘Ground Level’
Music and Sports Editor Will Lyons returns from a hiatus to review Drumwork rapper Jae Skeese’s sophomore album release Ground Level. After a stellar debut the anticipation is way beyond Ground Level from one of the most underrated spitters in the game.
Buffalo native and Drumwork artist Jae Skeese is back to shake up the game with his sophomore album ‘Ground Level’. Following a triumphant 2023 where Skeese had two of the best releases of the year with ‘Pain Provided Profit’ (collab with Conway the Machine) and ‘Abolished Uncertanties’ (Skeese’s debut album) Skeese tested the temperature with the ‘Testament of the Times’ mixtape continuing to set the standard that true Hip-Hop fans can appreciate. Fast forward to ‘Ground Level’ and one thing is apparent that Jae Skeese has now and next with a seemingly never ending arsenal of rhymes (especially sports and sneaker bars).
Standout Tracks
Situated w/ Sauce Walka & Big K.R.I.T — Skeese links up with Texas rapper Sauce Walka and one of the most underrated in Big K.R.I.T for Situated. The production hits hard and all three emcees understand the assignment getting you hype and talk that talk around getting paid. Three great verses with Sauce Walka leaving the earth on his verse.
“Kickin’ pimpin’, get reciprocated
Got her puttin’ ten toes in the pavement
I’m supposed to lose, can’t believe I made it
Lotta Buccaneers, that’s a Tom Brady
This the aftermath of bein’ shady
They was sleepin’ on me, now they all awakened
How you Muslim hangin’ with the bacon?
All this Instagrammin’ got these n***** fakin’…” — Sauce Walka on Situated
EKIN 4 — Jae Skeese is one of the best rappers on the planet when it comes to passion and knowledge of sneakers. The EKIN series is audio proof of this fact as he is now on part four of some of the greatest sneaker bars you will ever hear.
02 Yale Cups w/ Smoke DZA & Che Noir — DZA brings his trademark vocals and smooth flow to link with Skeese and the hardest female rapper out in Che Noir.
Honorable Mention
E4W w/ Billie Essco — This track gives you the feel that you can really teleport to where Skeese is from and feel him missing the homies locked behind bars and those that have been lost to the street. As Skeese says “4’s up if you came up on the stairs.” Also Billie Essco had a decent verse leaving a lasting impression.
Conclusion
Jae Skeese avoids the sophomore slump and drops a project that will be a favorite for hip-hop fans. Channeling his own unique sound and showing how he built his following and earned everything from the Ground Level. Jae Skeese earns a 9.5/10 on ‘Ground Level’ and continues to leave a lasting impression on the rap game.
