Osiris King

Repeated listens to Osiris King's new album, Hostile Takeover, reveal that the production ultimately outshines the rapping. It's not that Osiris can't rap: He does just fine with what he's got, and both his cadence and his delivery are technically proficient. It's more that his rhymes seem flat, and the lyrics don't really offer much in the way of substance. As a result, the beats end up taking center stage, especially on tracks like "Fast Lane," which showcases standout production from Tom Davids, but where Osiris's voice and flow just aren't rugged enough to carry the tune. The strongest track on the album is "City Never Sleeps," with its funk samples and fast-driven drums. As a rhymer, Osiris definitely has sound skills, but his raps are not very compelling.