Sy ShacklefordThough 9th Wonder and Buckshot released an album of the same name over twenty years ago, it was that very collaboration that popularized what would eventually become a regular occurrence in rap: The pairing of an emcee and a producer from entirely different rap cliques. Brooklyn emcee Wordsworth of Punch & Words once more teams up with Stu Bangas for thirteen tracks of some hip-hop lab work as a follow-up to their 2025 album “Two Kings”. Judging by this album’s cover and those of past releases, Stu Bangas must be cinephile. With “Chemistry”, he and Words are depicted in a “Breaking Bad”-inspired image. The fact that both men have come together for a second outing is proof-positive that there’s at least some amount of chemistry between them.
If Stu’s Instagram page is indicative on one thing, it’s that he’s constantly refining his production sound for a signature one consisting of gritty sampled instrumental loops, hard drums, and piercing vocal chops. Wordsworth is not without credentials of his own as an emcee with a tremendous pen-game and being a veteran freestyler. On the intro track, “The Realtor”, Stu brings some low-mood piano keys as Words brings real estate terminology to his verses, wryly describing the living conditions and buildings in under-resourced neighborhoods. “Strangers” features Sage Francis & Wrekonize and explores the concept of the unfamiliar and how to address it. The dreamlike “It Takes A Village” has Words proclaiming the purpose of his music while on “It Ain’t Over”, Words and Stu take a moody route for a cinematic third-person narrative about a gambler who gets too deep in debt.
On the title-track, Stu paints a canvas with sharp string samples and hard boom-bap drums. As for Words, he takes the role of a chemistry teacher and paints his rhymes with the subject’s terms. The guitar sample that’s chopped and looped on “The Only Sin” is tough AF and features Ruste Juxx, with the gist of the lyrics being that one never knows if they’ll fail or succeed unless they at least try. “Username” has somber piano keys and Wordsworth delivers some impressive multis embedded within his internal rhymes. The album’s first single is “Don’t Get In The Way”, with piano key samples and a very unsettling background noise as Words waxes about friends turning into foes, and how business is almost always the catalyst:
“One Chance” features Pearl Gates on the hook as Words encourages listeners to seize opportunities when presented with them. The lo-fi snares and record scratching (courtesy of DJ Jon Doe) on “Nominated” hosts a lyrical mixture of social commentary, braggadocious wit, and stream-of-consciousness. “I Was Raised” has the best beat on the album: The snares land cleanly, the deep bass piano keys go well with the ominous backdrop as guest rappers Apathy & Punchline give Words their own stories about being products of their environments. Masta Ace is featured on the second single, “People In My Neighborhood”, and tag-teams rhymes with Words about an urban tale that doesn’t end well:
“Get Ya Boy” is the final track and Words brings Midaz the Beast & Naps-N-Dreds in to round things out, and they tear Stu’s dense gritty beat apart. Individually, Stu Bangas and Wordsworth have respective bodies of work that stand tall. With “Chemistry”, they’ve proven once more that they mesh well for collaborative albums. One of the best aspects of the album is the choice of guest rappers. Most of them are familiar with Stu and not one of them surpassed Words on any track. In conclusion, “Chemistry” is for those with a predilection for uncompromised gritty production and consistent bars.