It’s been three years since it’s predecessor was released in Sophisticated Thuggery, but at last Chief Tony and MeRCY link back up to bring their collaborative efforts together again with Sophisticated Thuggery 2. The follow up features 11 new songs to add to your music libraries with the previously released single “Extendos” leading the charge and setting up the anticipation for the release. The wait was well worth it as the album brings both artists’ lyricism to the fore front over production that suits them both very well.
“Do It Again” kicks off the sophistication and thuggery with Big Jerm behind the boards as all three creatives set the scene perfectly for the listener to know what is in store for the rest of the listen. ST2 reminds me of some 90’s vibes due to it’s gritty sounds that make you feel like you are in New York walking around with a boom box with no care in the world, it’s just you in tune with some sophisticated thuggery and a grin on your face. MeRCY backs the statement saying “We like to craft quality street music like the Lox, Mobb Deep and Griselda. Weโre from South Florida so people may overlook that as if we can only make a certain type of music. We were raised from the golden era of Hip Hop and entertainment”. The goal behind ST2 was to show a different side of their music and prove they can go bar for bar with the best of them, and the album proves just that.
When asked about the creative process behind the project MeRCY says “We would bounce ideas back and forth. Go through a plethora of beats. Itโs all chemistry that helped craft the project. The process was easy because we are fans of each otherโs music as well as establishing a great friendship over the years”. The cast of talent that also helped shape the album provided their insights and abilities to keep the sound flowing thoroughly from start to finish never skipping a beat, only adding fire to the flame that Chief & MeRCY already had lit. The album contains features from Rell Burgundy, ListenToSin, Jug The ILLest and Mitch Di Singa with beats provided by Juno, Homage’s Hidden Gems, f4nr Beats, Solidified, Bvtman, DJ Wayne Ski, Apathy and the previously mentioned Big Jerm.
Standouts from the set of sounds include “Do It Again”, “Extendos”, “Right Now”, “Sophistication” and “Helly Hanson Felons”. I’ll leave you with some of my favorite lines from the album below, so be sure to stream Sophisticated Thuggery 2 and find yourself lost in a blast from the past.
“We trying to make it global/extending the love for locals/you can tell by all my vocals my passion is something noble/had to go through hard times/been a long grind/but that polish shit was necessary till we all shined” – Chief Tony on “Right Now“.
“Every lesson is a blessing/got me praying every night/once lost in the dark had me stressing for some light/Mike rhyming is Mike Tyson never gave up on a fight”. – MeRCY on “Sophistication“
“They say Virgos can be so judgmental/maybe they right I don’t think everyone is special/Monday night Raw/shorty like to tongue wrestle/I’m known to get her wet/Katrina flood levels/dudes get mad then pop a blood vessel”. – MeRCY on “Helly Hanson Felons“
โNo jokers on deck but I find it funny/this here the wrist wear/I call it time is money/my fortune gorgeous/how can life be so ugly/when you up and they canโt rise above meโ. – MeRCY on โJadedโ
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Twitter: @MusicByMeRCY & @CHIEFTONe
Instagram: @musicbymercy & @gnrl_chief
