In front of us the 3rd studio LP from Buffalo, New York emcee Heem. Catching my attention in 2020 after becoming of a protege of Benny the Butcher & signing to Black Soprano Family Records, he also made a few appearances on the label’s showcase EP prior to dropping his debut mixtape Long Story Short & a debut EP High Art. His debut album From the Cradle to the Game came in the spring of 2023 & with the 1-year anniversary of Bars & Noble next month, it’s understandable for him to make a sequel.
“187” is this eerie boom bap intro talking about his murderous tendencies making them think it’s all good until getting caught up with later whereas “Charlies” soulfully clears up the feeling of everyone else being unable to walk in his shoes. “1993” somberly lets everyone know exactly where he comes from prior to “For Gangsters Only” featuring Charles Hider shouting out all the G’s in their lives.
The title track maintains an overall hardcore hip hop vibe instrumentally to talk about doing it for his city while “Gangsta Pain” featuring Harrd Luck returns to the boom bap so they can break down the hurt that all the street dudes out in their parts go through. “The Streets” works in a vocal sample so he can talk about practicing what you preach just before “Retro Flow” produced by Cee Gee has to be my favorite cut on here all across the boards.
“Dog Eat Dog” featuring Illy Foo begins the final act of Bars & Noble 2 by talking about the way the world is while “Simon Says” admits to the entire B$F squad having no screws to their heads. “Gangsta Boogie” ruggedly asks if anyone out there who were never feeling him are finally doing so now & not really dancing on beats that much, but then “Guns & Butta” samples “You Can’t Stop the Rain” by Loose Ends to sell 20s for the 10.
Heem finds himself on a whole new level since he’s been reconstructing his path in the rap game for the past 11 months & with Long Story Short still sticking out as my personal favorite of his, I do enjoy the Bars & Noble more than I liked the predecessor almost a year ago already. He’s at his strongest, wisest & more well seasoned nearly half a decade into the game already although the features are cut below the original.
Score: 7/10
