If you are tuned into the Milwaukee music scene at all, you probably know about HeyZeus and Lady Sabo. Not only have these two contributed to and made some of the best Milwaukee Hip Hop to come out of the city in recent years but they are also known for constantly promoting their peers and trying to push the Milwaukee music scene forward as a whole. In addition to all of the great music HeyZeus and Lady Sabo have made, they also are frequently putting on shows that highlight all of the musical talent that Milwaukee has to offer. If you are an aspiring musical artist from the Milwaukee area who wants to demonstrate your talent to a crowd, these two are the ones to hit up, as they will get you on a stage and help expose you to all of the music lovers around the city who love the concerts they put on. One thing I appreciate about these two is they are always willing to push boundaries with their music. They have made some of the most interesting music to come out of Milwaukee, as they put no limits on the sounds they create. Recently, HeyZeus and Sabo came together and made a really cool project called 9 that I needed to talk about and expose to anyone who has not heard it yet. HeyZeus has stated that the project sort of came about on a whim. One night, he and Sabo were hanging out and venting about problems in their life(money issues, relationship problems, etc). They decided to come together and make an album that exhibited the wicked nature of their mindsets during this time. The project is called 9 because the nine-track project is like an endcap to that messy section of their lives. The duo wanted to put an end to the hurt they had been going through and move forward positively, and this project is an embodiment of that. The release and rollout of 9 has been organic and traditional; instead of putting this project on streaming services, you actually have to hit one of them up and purchase the project yourself for a few bucks. Hopefully, this write-up will inspire you to go and buy 9, because I promise you it is worth it. With that being said, here is how I feel about HeyZeus and Lady Sabo’s 9. Please let me know in the comments below what you think of this one if you have heard it(or when you hear it), and also comment the names of any other up-and-coming artists you think I should check out.
HeyZeus and Lady Sabo get 9 going on a menacing and gritty note with the track ‘HOLY LADY.’ This song is simple and to the point, but still so heavy and intense. The melody for this one is very mean; it has an element to it that is dingy but also motivating. The bass that drives the beat for this track absolutely rattles, and it matches the energy of this instrumental perfectly. The track is full of creepy sound effects and vocal samples that add to the daunting feeling of ‘HOLY LADY’ overall. As cool as the instrumental is, the best thing about ‘HOLY LADY’ is the vocals. Both HeyZeus and Sabo rap with hard-hitting, addicting flows and their chemistry on the track is palpable. I really love how Lady Sabo slides onto the track after HeyZeus’ verse is through, as this transition is so clean and silky. ‘HOLY LADY’ is an excellent way to start this project; it immediately grabs me as a listener. ‘DEMONS’ is a track that slows things down and smooths things out. This track is not as intense as the first track, but it is equally as gripping. I really love the instrumental for this one. It has the kind of intricate and complex sound that makes me think of artists like Gunna or Lil Baby. The melody for this one sounds like it is being played on a mandolin. Its tone is melancholy and dim, but its mix is bright and clean. The beat for this track is deliberate and punchy. This beat has a harsher energy than the melody, creating a juxtaposition that makes ‘DEMONS’ so fresh. Like the first track, as cool as the instrumental is, my favorite thing about this track is the vocals. Sabo’s flow on this track is effortless and crisp, and HeyZeus’ sing-songy tone gives the song a lighter feeling which creates a nice juxtaposition with Sabo’s vocals. ‘DEMONS’ is a great track that shows a more mild side to HeyZeus and Sabo which I dig. ‘DOS’ is the hardest-hitting track of the project so far. Frankly, ‘DOS’ is a total banger. This is the kind of track that could get any club jumping because of its raucous energy. The melody for this track, which sounds like it is being provided by a violin, has a looming tone to it that is so anxious and energetic; it is complemented by various sound effects that add to its malevolent tone. The beat for this track is so intense. It has the kind of energy that makes me want to headbang and mosh at a concert of HeyZeus and Sabo’s because it just fills me with life when I hear it. HeyZeus and Sabo’s rap performances on this track are just as vigorous as the instrumental. Their quick, bold flows on ‘DOS’ take the track over the top and make it fun to listen to. ‘DOS’ is a track to add to any workout or party playlist, because it will get your blood pumping every time you hear it in the best way.
‘EDEN’ may be the coolest song of the project so far, which is saying a lot. Similar to ‘DEMONS,’ the melody for this one is sweet and gloomy at the same time. It has a pleasant sound but is also somehow apprehensive. The beat for this track is especially awesome. In the first half of the track, it has a laid-back but tough Trap sound, and in the second half of the track, it takes on a harsh and grating Drill sound that amplifies the intensity of the track. Even though the melody for this one is constant throughout, the beat switch totally morphs its energy, making this track so engrossing. ‘EDEN’ may have the best vocal performances on the record. I especially love how Lady Sabo and HeyZeus go back and forth on ‘EDEN,’ as their flow as they alternate makes the track super complex. ‘EDEN’ is such a dope and unique track not only for its riveting instrumental but also for its exceptional vocals. ‘FLORIDA WATER’ is the most easy-going and groovy track of the album so far. This one has a relaxed feeling to it that makes me want to cruise the streets on a summer night with the windows down and a blunt lit up. Like ‘EDEN,’ the melody for ‘FLORIDA WATER’ is murky and gratifying simultaneously. Even though its tone is pretty grim, it is somehow still inviting. This track has a sludgy, equable beat that is awesomely methodical. I can’t help but bop my head and vibe along to this one when I listen to it. HeyZeus’s vocals on this one are pitched down, which provides an element to this song that makes it so fresh. The way his vocals contrast with the higher tone of Sabo is fascinating and entertaining. FLORIDA WATER’ is a chilled-out track that brings down the ferocity of the album and shows a slightly different side to HeyZeus and Sabo. ‘ONE WAY’ is the fastest and most vivacious song of the project to this point. This is a breezy bop that would get any dance floor jumping when it comes on. The melody for this one is pensive and sheeny; even though it has a pretty dark tone, it is still so animated and entertaining. ‘ONE WAY’ has a quick and energetic Pop-Trap beat that immediately gets me moving when it comes on. As I sit here listening to it, I can’t help but want to groove along to the beat. Honestly, this track just makes me want to party. HeyZeus and Sabo’s vocals on this track are just as dynamic as the instrumental. Their flows on ‘ONE WAY’ are perfect for its sound; their vocals take the super lively feeling of this track over the top. ‘ONE WAY’ has such a vibrant sound that would get any function extremely lit when it comes on.
After the uptempo and bouncy feeling of the last track, we get what may be the most calm song of the record in ‘DOTD.’ This track may be the most simple one on the album so far besides ‘HOLY LADY,’ and it has the same level of power in its simplicity as that track does. The melody on this one does fit the gloomy tone of the rest of the record, but it is the charming element of the track that makes it stand out. There is something so soothing about this guitar-driven melody; it has a tone that almost makes it feel nostalgic, which is so appealing. The beat for this one is pretty understated. Like the melody, it has a sound that almost(emphasis on almost) feels warm and enchanting. HeyZeus and Lady Sabo’s rap performances on this track are measured and delicate, which matches the energy of the instrumental perfectly. ‘DOTD’ is a track that shows yet another side to HeyZeus and Sabo that shows their complexity as musicians and people in general. ‘BLEEDING’ is probably the most intriguing song of the project so far. This song has a sound that is somehow warm but also cold. The melody for this track is so floaty and engaging. The synths that drive this melody are so dark, and they have a tone that feels inviting but also feels frigid. This melody carries a ton of emotion, making the track feel so heavy. Like the song before it, the beat for ‘BLEEDING’ is pretty low-key. The softer nature of this beat emphasizes the vocals and melody. Speaking of the vocals, HeyZeus and Sabo kill it on this track. Both of them sing-rap in a tone that is way different from anything else on this project; the dejected feeling in their vocals makes this song hit so hard and helps the listener feel the emotions they were feeling when they made this powerful track. ‘BLEEDING’ may be one of the more subdued tracks of the record, but it is also one that is so passionate and striking. HeyZeus and Lady Sabo close 9 out with ‘SLOW DOWN.’ This is wispy and hard-hitting at the same time. It has the melody of a super atmospheric and floaty Cloud Trap track, and the beat of a sludgy, tough underground Trap song. I love how the airy feeling of the melody heavily contrasts with the strength of the beat. The way this melody sits on this beat makes ‘SLOW DOWN’ captivating and hypnotic. The vocal performances from HeyZeus and Sabo are pretty mellow, which leans into the mesmerizing tone of the instrumental. Their vocals on this track make it all the more entrancing, as they really capture the essence of this instrumental in the way that they rap. ‘SLOW DOWN’ is a great song to wind this project down with, as it sends the listener off with a slightly hopeful feeling; this is definitely welcoming considering the heaviness of the rest of the project.
HeyZeus and Lady Sabo are two artists who always wear their hearts on their sleeves and are constantly thinking outside of the box. Over the years, they have made some of the best and most fascinating music to come out of Milwaukee. There are no limits to their artistry, and they are always trying to push the envelope for what Milwaukee Hip Hop is supposed to be. 9 is a dark, emotional project where HeyZeus and Sabo truly open themselves up sonically and lyrically. The instrumentals on this project were hard-hitting, diverse, and fresh. There is something for fans of so many different types of modern Hip Hop on this project. HeyZeus and Sabo’s vocal performances on 9 are just as great as the instrumental, and each of them shines in their own way throughout the album. 9 is a super dope project by two of Milwaukee’s most talented and unique artists, and it is an album I can not recommend enough to anyone who has not heard it yet.
EAST SIDE VIBES 