RTJ3 is a grower for both the listeners and for Mike and El.
You can tell RTJ1 was assembled in a few months with some leftover beats from RAP Music and Cancer 4 Cure. You can tell RTJ2 was made a little over a year later. And from there, you can tell RTJ3 was made 2 years after RTJ2. RTJ hasn't really changed all that much between their three albums, but they've refined their sound, lyrics, chemistry and overall aesthetic with each new album.
My only negative is one of those dumb ironic negatives... I'm not sure how they can top this. El has already said RTJ4 will happen (he didn't say when), but there would be no shame in ending RTJ and leaving this trilogy behind. There is part of me that wants a break and for them to release some solo material again. But you hear Mike and El constantly mention how they've been at making music for nearly 2 decades each, and they've never been happier or in a better place creatively than they are right now working together as RTJ. There are several musical partnerships throughout history where the chemistry is obvious, but rarely do you see friendship on display in their music, interviews and shows like you do with Mike and El. If they want to release 28 more RTJ's, who the **** am I to say "no, do something different!"
My first listen didn't leave me blown away (outside of the surprise feature on the last track), but I definitely wanted to listen to it again. It finally clicked as a full album around listening #8 and it was well worth the wait.
5/5, no question.
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