His musical career began as a DJ and producer for the hip-hop group Cypress Hill, who rapped about life on the streets of Los Angeles in the 1990s and helped shape the West Coast soundtrack of that era. It seems clear that DJ Muggs has gradually outgrown the gangsta rap cosmos. Yet his latest album is the icing on the cake of his gangster retirement.
“Silver Cloud” is the name of his solo work, on which, for once, there are no rap lyrics from guests. Just beats and synths without any hip-hop ambitions. There are 17 tracks on the album. “Long Lizard” sounds like jazzy lo-fi beats, “Rockapelle” strings together piano chords and in between Muggs creates a bit of pointed sentimentality with titles like “Angel Dust”.
All in all, the album feels like a compilation of hotel lobby ambience and gentle lo-fi study beats that, while not mind-blowing, at least provide some relaxation for gangster rappers. DJ Muggs doesn’t seem to need to prove himself to anyone anymore, and maybe it’s just the trend to leave the hip-hop business with more esoteric, mellow productions – just like André 3000 did last year with his solo debut ‘New Blue Sun’.
Silver Cloud
