Sy ShacklefordI think I’ve lost track of the number of projects Buffalo emcee Ché Noir has released in the past two years. Given the caliber of rapper she is, the volume of her output seems less focused on oversaturating the market and more on a chance to sharpen her pen game (and, at times, that of her production) with each release. Though she’s been lauded for the skills she brings to the table, she has no need to be more certified than she already is. Hence the title of her latest project, “No Validation”. Produced entirely by The Other Guys (who did stellar work on Skyzoo’s Snowfall-inspired album), Ché doesn’t fail in using her knack for multis and wordplay to rap many styles: Introspective, autobiographical, battling, et. al.
“No Validation” begins with the airy “Incense Burning”. Atmospheric multi-tracked vocals brim in the backdrop as Ché feels herself in a way that’s amplified in the track’s sing-along coda. The album’s first single has production reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Jazz (We’ve Got)” as Ché waxes about having a clean conscience despite still being forced to deal with dirty laundry. “Smooth Jazz” absolutely bumps. It’s pure vintage east coast boom-bap with a woodwind sample looped in the background. My only beef with it is that it’s too short, an extra verse from Ché or guest rapper 38 Spesh would’ve been satisfying. But aside from my complaints and the stellar production, Ché’s bars below, and the music video immediately after that if you’re still not convinced, are killer:
“Went in debt from paying dues, I was cashing in lessons
This passive income ain’t come from being passive aggressive
Fix my life by breaking the bank, I was asking for blessings
Life’s a book, it’s all good till you hit Chapter 11”
“Moroccan Mint” is sonically soulful and goes good with its hard drum snares. She also enlists fellow Buffalo Jae Skeese for this track. It’s become customary on each project for Ché to drop a “food for thought” reference, and this track is no different: “My food for thought’s an acquired taste, come grab a plate / Recipe’s as good as a grandmother that passed away / Advice from elders I was asked to take? / But I take it with a grain of salt, it’s how I got my fashion taste”. With Skyzoo and Ransom, Ché holds her own over the smooth R&B backdrop of “KATASTWOF”. There’s something lush and hard-hitting on “Dollar Tree”, where Ché, Von Pea, and Skyzoo (in a second appearance) all make use of currency-related wordplay and the titular discount store to rhyme about simple pleasures despite being financially secure.
For the last two tracks, Ché first raps about breaking of comfort (or discomfort) zones on “Ego Trips” with cuts by DJ Eveready and boasting about being able to write her raps while doing handstands. For the second and final track, it’s the Smoke DZA-assisted “Susie”. The backdrop for this beat is cold and smoky, and DZA seems more in sync with it. Even at eight tracks, Che Butta Queen continues as one of hip-hop’s most consistent emcees and The Other Guys production is as varied as it is sonically plentiful.