It's August 21, 2025, 10:33:57 PM
Masta Killa Gives the World & Hip Hop At Large the “Balance” It Needs (Album Review) Brooklyn, New York emcee Masta Killa of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan dropping his 5th studio LP almost a decade after his last one. Becoming the final member to branch out on his own 21 years ago this weekend, No Said Date today remains the most underrated solo debut from any swordsmen with Made in Brooklyn & Selling My Soul becoming more moderately received. Loyalty is Royalty came in the fall of 2017 following numerous delays & is finding Balance ahead of the Wu’s upcoming farewell tour this summer.“Hip Hop Forever” is a boom bap intro that Easy Mo Bee laced talking about the culture we’ve all come to know & love living eternally due to it’s global connection whereas “Eagle Claw” featuring Cappadonna & Raekwon keeps it in the basement instrumentally seeing whose sword is the sharpest. “BK Harlem” was a dope homage to 2 of the 5 boroughs of their state regardless if I wasn’t too big on Head I.C.E.’s performance, but then “Building with the Abbott” featuring & produced by RZA takes it back to Prince Rakeem’s chipmunk soul roots speaking wisdom.As for “City”, we have Jamel Irief telling us that he’s still here doing it for what the late Guru of Gang Starr used to call “The Planet” over 3 decades ago while “Glad to Meet You” featuring Method Man & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg charmingly links up talking about catching rides instead of feelings. “It’s Been a Long Time” feels reminiscent of “Queen” off No Said Date with its romantic content leading into “Trumpets” featuring AZ, N.O.R.E. & Uncle Murda bringing some mafioso vibes.“King Custom” continues the 2nd leg of Balance with a weird reggae/hip hop crossover that feels off-the-cuff & Jamel slightly using a fake patois almost like Drake used to on Views almost a decade ago with the only exception of it not sounding commercialized thanks to PF Cuttin’ behind the boards. The closer “Again” featuring AB Money & Big Bub is even worse, giving me flashbacks of “Trap Phone” off of Ghostface Killah’s latest album Set the Tone (Guns & Roses).Arguably the swordsmen with the most refined flow of the entire Clan, the wise words Jamel offers with a diverse cast of MCs by his side further proves his sword is sharper than ever giving what the world & the musical universe desperately needs. The production is vintage New York hip hop at its finest & even if a couple features punch under their weight, Killa still consistently captures a wide spectrum of moods & content in a half hour.Score: 8/10
Masta Killa moves steady through Balance, gliding across beats that lean toward warm, classic New York loops with the occasional left turn. The standout “Eagle Claw” with Raekwon and Cappadonna keeps the groove tight and head-nodding, anchored in low-end grit and sharp-tongued sparring. “BK Harlem” flips the tempo up with a raw bassline and rattling snares, though Head I.C.E. doesn’t match the control Masta Killa holds over the mic. On “Building with the Abbott,” RZA’s soulful chipmunk loops frame a meditative back-and-forth, while “Glad to Meet You” slips into a lighter tone with Method Man and Snoop gliding through smooth, laid-back verses.There’s a sense of clarity throughout, even when the production dips into experiments like the reggae-laced “King Custom.” Masta Killa’s flow stays measured, never rushing the pocket, and when the lyrics lean into teaching or reflection—as on “City” or “It’s Been a Long Time”—he sharpens the pace without raising his voice. The album does wander toward the end; “Again” is a weak closer that undercuts the control of earlier tracks. Still, Balance mostly lives up to its name—loose in spots, strong in others, and delivered with the calm conviction that has kept Masta Killa’s voice relevant for decades.
Cd’s for pre order
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