Crimeapple & DJ Skizz’ New Album ”Breakfast in Hradec” is a More Lavish Follow-Up to “Wet Dirt” (Album Review)

This is the 9th full-length album from New Jersey emcee Crimeapple. Catching my interest in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with his Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, he profile began to grow after dropping the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt & the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo the next year. His output for the next couple years would be hit or miss until Cartagena picked up right where Medallo left off & Jaguar on Palisade 2 was alright too, but I was hyped for Breakfast in Hradec given that Wet Dirt is a top 5 Crime project for me.

“In Flight” is a luxurious opener talking about making rent off someone’s uncle whereas “Penthouse Suite” works in some creepy organ melodies declaring himself as the villain. “Scissorhands” throws in a crooning vocal sample to tackle concept of “it ain’t where I’m at, it’s where I’m going” leading into the soulful “40 Days, 40 Nights” talking about coming a long way.

Meanwhile on “The Count of Monte Cristo”, we have Crime delivering a classy song to his baby just before “Rezamos” instrumentally throws it back to the 80’s talking about praying for those who’d give a kidney to be in his shoes. The song “Wonder Years” incorporates a bass-guitar reflecting on how dirty he used to be while the penultimate track “La Lluvia” is a beautifully smooth ballad about how lovely life’s been lately. “Currency Exchange” ends the album on a boom bap note detailing him landing in JFK with more racks.

Coming away from Breakfast in Hradec, I happen to like it just as much if not more than Wet Dirt. Skizz’ production is a bit more varied compared to the predecessor being more rooted into boom bap & that matched with Crime’s wordplay is what makes it not only a big improvement over Jaguar on Palisade 2, but also one of the best albums of his career.

Score: 9/10