BLAZE YA DEAD HOMIE: Graveyard Greats 2

Release year: 2023
Label: Majik Ninja Entertainment

Detroit horrorcore gangsta Blaze Ya Dead Homie was once described by someone – possibly Violent J of Insane Clown Posse – as the third member of rap duo Twiztid. Not a very far fetched remark, considering how heavily Blaze and Twiztid are intertwined. As soon as the latter started their label Majik Ninja Entertainment, Blaze joined; much of Blaze’s output has been produced by either or both members of Twiztid; and they feature on each other’s records frequently.

Perhaps Blaze was something of a protégé to Twiztid when he was starting out. Despite the long-standing association and continued co-operation between the two, artistically Blaze has long since come out from under Twiztid’s shadow and forged his own unique style. One which I, to be perfectly honest, much prefer over Twiztid’s. Where the latter have strayed into even nu metal territory, Blaze has always remained true to his rap roots.

Graveyard Greats 2 is not a new Blaze album, nor is it a greatest hits release, although you could be forgiven for making that assumption based on the name. No, like the original Graveyard Greats from 2019, this is a compilation of rare and previously unreleased tracks; a collection of various sundries, odds and ends, if you will. As such, its target audience is primarily existing Blaze fans.

Basically, the tracks on the album can be divided into two categories: alternate versions of previously released tracks, and unreleased stuff. Most of the tracks fall into the former category, offering interesting perspectives to tracks fans will probably be familiar with. Some of the best moments, however, are offered by the latter category.

The compilation takes us back to the very beginning of Blaze Ya Dead Homie as a solo artist: Never Enough (featuring Twiztid, of course) was originally intended for Blaze’s debut self-titled EP, but was eventually scrapped. An interesting blast from the past, to be sure, but not one of the gems on this album. The alternate (or “OG”) version of Str8 Outta Detroit on the other hand is: this version omits Violent J’s verse, but is still a very enjoyable track, which frequently references N.W.A’s classic Straight Outta Compton – as one can guess from the name.

The absolute top moment on the album is, however, album closer Giants, originally intended to be on a Lavel record. It has never been released until now; this atmospheric track almost justifies the existence of this compilation on its ownsome. And then there’s Fear Or Respect, an unreleased The Rydas solo record (The Rydas being MNE’s “incognito” gangsta rap super group – a sort of offshoot of Psychopathic Record’s Psychopathic Rydas); one of the most solid tracks on the album.

The very nature of this release means, as already asserted above, that this is fan service. On some of the tracks, the listener really needs to be able to appreciate the larger context of providing an alternative take on familiar tracks. On the other hand, some other tracks stand perfectly fine on their own feet. Take for example You Ain’t Thug: according to the liner notes, this is one of the earliest version of the track that ultimately became Dayz Of My Neighorhood (off 2004’s Colton Grundy: Tha Undying) – but this trademark Blaze style gangsta track is perfectly enjoyable as is, embryonic or not. As such, I would say you do need to be a Blaze fan to fully enjoy this release, but you don’t need to be a die hard.

In comparison to the first Graveyard Greats, I think this is easily the superior release. It may not contain any tracks set to become all-time Blaze favourites, but it’s both an interesting piece of “alternative Blaze history” and a release worth quite a few spins. And a nice stopgap release whilst waiting for a new Blaze Ya Dead Homie album. It’s already been three years since Cadaver – time for a new one, don’t you think?

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