Willie Isz-Georgiavania
Lex Records
Rating: 4
Words by:Christian Cipollini

Willie Isz isn’t what or who you think it is.

It’s a partnership between rapper Khujo (Goodie Mobb) and producer/singer Jneiro Jarel. Georgiavania is a not-so-imaginary place where this duo wants to take hip-hop. As they see it, Georgiavania would be the 51st state, one filled with eclectic, yet symbiotic musical elements living in complete harmony across a broad soundscape. Part crunk, a little psychedelic, part cosmic pop, and one-hundred-percent progressive, the concept works well. Even the dedicated indie/underground connoisseur may be hard pressed to fully compare this to any one other release. But take note – these guys aren’t pretentious in their effort. Sure it has banger jams and a little bravado, but overall it simply seems as though Willie Isz created something hip-hop needed, or was destined to eventually evolve into. It forgoes dope-slinging braggadocio or gun dueling battle scar comparisons. (No hate to those segments of society but just a little calling out some of the ridiculous elements often found in rap.) On Georgiavania, the title track and “Blast Off” and are prime examples of unforgettable catchiness, while “The Grussle” twists an Irish jig into the mix for the most unique and oddly compatible exercise of outside-the-box creativity found in hip-hop… period. Best of all, their collaboration brings about a unified focus into sounds and styles that are equally entertaining as they are unusual by commercial standards.