Adonis x V Don - “This Thing of Ours” [review]

Adonis hails from Long Beach but sounds as if he got baptized in the Hudson rhythm. It’s not that you don’t hear that west coast in him because it’a loud and clear but sounds as if the west coast Souter is ready crush a few high rise buildings if you know what i mean.

“Still boi”
The album opener has Adonis dribbling words around a minimal V Don Loop. The first words uttered are as follows” son as i switch up the style niggas and Yates and hating and shit” which may be a reference to him using a flow similar to that Atlanta artist on some Hip Hop chameleon shit. A west coast artist with an east coast undertone utilizing a southern cadence to warn niggas of what’s to come because there’s still another 8 tracks. Don’t get to worried that Signature V Don sound is present for the entirety of the project just in case you thought Adonis might be beaugard his way into Trap territory.

“Bruce Wayne”
The production on this one is busier than the last and Adonis waste no time reciting “ wicked tales break down thangs on digi scales blind man shake now my lyrics in Braille” later spitting “probably a coincidence speed though the incident… what he take me a simpleton”. Hip Hops Bruce Wayne is darker than the comics and sales dope also, while flying around the beat where wit can take you places wings can’t.

“Revenant”
“Creep with the chrome to rearrange your chromosomes” yea i had to to rewind that one. Adonis seems to be born with some extra artery for rhyming with a level of persistence that’s unmatched. He emphasizes the words at the end of each bar which almost work as a road map around the track so that you don’t get lost in V Don’s hypnotic synths.

“Cloth Talk”
This song is what it says it is “cloth talk” some shit to let you know you can’t touch him. At this point it’s becoming apparent that all the other releases this month may be a distraction from “This Thing Of Ours” being the gold standard for June.

“Didn’t Mind”
V Don put the muzzle on his lyrical war Dog long enough to let the sample ride but once he’s unleashed it gets ugly. Attacking would be adversaries Adonis proclaims “the earth break up and swallow all of my foes you ain’t on your toes every weakness getting exposed”. At closing V Don let’s Tony Sopranodo do the talking as a lady ask “what line of work are you in?” He responds “waste management consultant” Ye somebody has to clean up after Adonis has made a mess of these niggas.

“Street Lites”
So far they’ve been killing shit and on this track they bring Tedy Andreas on board to be complicit in murder. “Your honey got a suck a dick bucket list on number one on it highly coveted”, disgusting, disrespectful, yet brilliant words from the guest. The sampled voice chopped courtesy of V Don has a ghostly feel making it a fitting choice for the artist to talk that talk.

“Reunion”(feat Eto)
Haunting chords escort Adonis intense Doom inspired bars. Eto just joined V Don a few months back to create the masterpiece “omertà” so who the fuck invited him to this reunion. As if E didn’t already do enough damage on his own offering he enters the tracking with threats “ i count to 10 by 6 you 8” simple yet menacing, he almost stole the show until A returned to remind him this time its for the two Dons.

“Part the sea”
This is Adonis celebrating his excellence.”niggas better part the sea when i walk through” it’s a arrogant way of sayin get the fuck out the way and I’d follow those instructions considering the level of skill he’s exhibited for the entirely of this project. Sonically this track stands out from with more drums present here than what we’ve heard elsewhere and Adonis sounds right at home. The sound is still sparse making it as menacing in feel as the rest.

“Strom”
The projects closer finds Adonis paranoid yet pompous. Don’s production sounds exactly like the name states a “storm” as Adonis seems somewhat introspective and heavy hearted from the ramifications of surviving the entirety of “This Thong of Ours” unscathed. “I don’t wanna sell another dime, i can’t believe the suicide is on my fucking mind” the last time i heard a emcee express thing kind of regret he was ready to die. The last words uttered are “I’m lost where do i start” so we know that the the hood Bruce Wayne survives.

Overall the project is flawless. Adonis seems to set the bar with his rapping and V Don continuously finds a way to match it with production over 9 tracks. Sequencing can make or break a project and this one flows perfectly and creates a clear narrative for listeners.

-Matthew Carroll