Last week the collective Pro Era released their Scion AV collab EP The Shift. The 47 stoop kids have been on steady rise since their general Joey Bada$$ released his mixtape “1999” in 2012. Pro Era has been putting out music on a constant basis, they recently released their “The Secc$ Tape 2” and now in a span of a few months we have the pleasure to hear the group grow in quality and versatility. The Shift has a total of five songs and contains tracks with the Pro Era members: Joey Bada$$, CJ FLy Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, A La Sole, Dessy Hinds, Chuck Strangers, Powers Pleasant, Dirty Sanchez, Rokamouth, J.A.B and Jak The Rhymer.
The EP starts out with the track “Extortion” which features Kirk Knight and Dyemond Lewis; this track sets the tone for the whole project. It has an ASAP-like feel and a flow that is not very common with the Pro Era collective. Kirk and Dyemond hands down kill the song and do justice to the New York style. As they chant “who want war” you can hear their confidence ooze out the song signifying the collectives determination to step up to the top of the game. A middle track that really caught my attention was “On my life” which features Joey Bada$$ and Nyck Cautious. This track is purely excellent from the producing to the chorus to the lyrics. Kirk Knight sets up the production perfectly for Joey and Nyck to work their magic with their unique flow and lyrical minds. Justine Skye has a beautiful voice and sings the chorus and bridge for the Pro Era track. My favorite part of this song is the fact that we get to hear more from Nyck Cautious. Some maybe wondering if that was a typo and I really meant Joey Bada$$, but it’s not. Joey Bada$$ never fails to impress and grow from track to track, but it’s great to see the general come together with one of the most underrated members of the crew. Everything I have heard from Nyck Cautious through Pro Era has captivated me and I’m excited to hear the kid grow and hopefully jump up in the Pro Era rankings.
This short and sweet projected is finalized with the powerful track “Butterflies” which features seven members of the collective. The track has a smooth beat and flow that runs on for ten minutes or so. This track greatly reminds me of the track “Suspect” which was coincidently the final song on Joey Bada$$’s “1999” mixtape. Similar to the recently released track, “Suspect” has a slow and relaxing feel that features a hefty amount of the crew. Both tracks give the essence of a cypher and it’s exciting to see a close knit crew spitting rhymes and just having pure fun. “Suspect” runs for 11 minutes and 47 seconds which is almost exactly 1 minute longer than “Butterflies.” I wonder if this was done on purpose to show their respect to their former member Capital STEEZ. If the great King STEEZ was still with us today his verse would have been smack in the front of the track just as in “Suspect.”
Overall The Shift EP is really good and shows that Pro Era is growing rapidly in members and depth. The collective has been partnering with big companies like Ecko Unltd and now Scion AV. This goes to show that the crew is getting the recognition they deserve and that they are all about their business. Joey Bada$$ debut album B4.DA.$$ will be released later this year, but for now kick back and listen to collective’s latest project. LONG LIVE STEELO!
–@Sebastard92 7/10
