Constant Deviants is the duo comprised of Baltimore emcee M.I. and New Jeruz producer DJ Cutt. They’ve been around for a minute, releasing a dope project Concrete Utopia that I rocked almost daily in high school, I checked for them especially because although they rep Baltimore and NJ now they originated from my city Brooklyn!! But I will admit after that I didn’t really hear too much from them although they continued to release music. They reemerged on my radar with their dope project Avant Garde last year. Today they released their new concept album Omerta.
If you grew up in Brooklyn or anywhere there was a concentrated mafia presence you might know what the code of omerta is. Omerta is the unspoken code of silence. Basically no one talks, no one snitches. For this album M.I. and DJ Cutt draw from their Italian and Russian heritages to take on the personas of Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano and Meyer Lansky, two of the most recognizable and notorious names in the crime syndicate, respectively. This is my take on the album. Album available now. Peep a preview of one of the standout tracks after the review! Check it out!
Track 1: GTFOH – Good opening track. I love the sample from one of my favorite movies. I was saying GTFOH all day! The production on this basically sets the tone for the entire album. With that laid back Jazzy feel it transports you to a time when Omerta was law.
Track 2: Newspaper Man – I’m really digging the samples on this and again this speaks to the dope production skills of DJ Cutt, the perfect backdrop to the smooth but rugged lyrics of M.I.
Track 3: Bada Bing – This track is great. It really is and it’s actually in my rotation, with an ill Jay-z sample BUT I think the production choice is wrong. Now bear with me! I know I explained the concept above but I needed this three tracks along and if you listen to this from beginning to end you will understand why I say this. Just on the overall flow of the album. That being said *In rotation
Track 4: So Underrated – The scratches on this track is phenomenal. Digging this!
Track 5: Plata O Plomo – This is one of my favorite tracks on the project. *In rotation
Track 6: I-95 – This is a dope track and I appreciate the energy pick-up midway. Smart placement choice.
Track 7: Make My Bones – This goes! I’m digging the notes of hilarity. Definitely *In rotation
Track 8: Sparks Steakhouse – Shots fired and steak. What can be better? Digging this!
Track 9: Delorean – A trip to the past indeed and I learned something new!! Might be one of my new fave “drug” tracks.
Track 10: Fuklinski- Another favorite from the album. This is a perfect example of placement. From a smooth track to a straight head banger *In rotation.
Track 11: Reign Storms -This is ill as fuck. Go listen. My favorite track off the project. *In rotation
Track 12: Untitled – I really like this track. It’s called Untitled but I think you will understand the REASON after you listen. Clever.
Track 13: We Up Tho – It just feels like authentic NY music. With a hype beat that leaves you with good vibes. Excellent closer.
Constant Deviants have impressed me once again. I was digging their previous project Avant Garde but they completely reinvented themselves and dropped a really solid project with Omerta. There were a few bumps as far as flowability (yes I make up words!) but as far as rewindability there are definitely lots of those moments which more than make up ffor it. M.I. has that grimy persona and voice that I love and DJ Cutt is a beast on production. I was really digging this album. Definitely Scy approved. Go cop that shit right now! You won’t be disappointed.
Overall: A-
