Reviewed by DJ Slice @TheDJSlice

Brooklyn MC Saga delivers his first project From Out Of The Shadows EP. New York Hip-Hop has a huge influence on his sound. Saga desires to be free and has the same hopes for you.

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"Intro-spection" is the conventional mixtape introduction - clean scratches over boom bap drums with a movie quote here and there. I tip my hat to whoever's laying these cuts.

Saga starts off the second track "No Interruptions" by repeating a certain phrase: "I'm bringing it back". Saga's flow is very "Illmatic-esque". "You've been conditioned by your radio and television." He says that the 'culture of pop' is sickening. "Think Of You Now" starts off with more clean scratches. On this one, he's pointing out all the fucked up things we all may or may not witness in this world: police brutality, corruption, drug abuse, violence, etc. Saga doesn't believe the lies being fed to him and he doesn't want you to believe them either.

Saga has producer Marco Polo provide seven of the ten beats on this mixtape. Very 9th wonder sounding. Very J-Dilla. Saga produces the three remaining tracks, which basically carry the same sound. This MCs' mission is to elevate and move minds forward by utilizing the quintessential 90's east coast sound.

The fourth track features native New Yorker, Roc Marciano. The only feature on the tape. I'm a fan of Roc and I think Saga made a great move by putting him on the record. "City Streets" is a great song. "A complicated game with these rats, snakes, and vultures picking you clean. Dipping they hands in your pockets."

My favorite track on this record is the last one, "Outro-spection". The bass is super cool. Every bar is hard hitting and meaningful. Real rap. Saga dreams of social change. He's looking to inspire the listener and to unite people. A very honorable goal. "Life decisions and most of them hard. In the end who you gonna select? Money or God?"

If Nas your favorite rapper then you most likely will gravitate towards Saga. Do you consider yourself a conscious individual? Then this mixtape is for you. Believe in conspiracy theories? Bump this EP. In the words of Saga on his song "Make A Choice", it's time to wake up.

The title of this mixtape has two meanings, in my understanding. Firstly, this is Sagas' debut musical project and he's coming 'from the shadows' to showcase his talent. Second, the sound this rapper is going for is an ode to what most people would say is the 'golden era' of Hip-Hop. What I mean by that is Saga taking a certain sound 'from the shadows.'

Saga says on one of his songs, "It's the return of the lyricist". Has he not heard any artists or albums recently that have pleased his hunger for lyricism? What's he bringing back? Does mass media really control what we hear and see on a day to day basis? Or is the average person too lazy to scout authenticity in Hip-Hop? Does Saga want to be a part of the underground scene forever? What will Sagas' saga be? Take a listen to this project and let us know what you think!

Connect with Saga
www.saga718.com
Twitter.com/Saga718 | Instagram.com/saga718