Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats
II


3.5
great

Review

by durkl USER (12 Reviews)
September 3rd, 2026 | 17 replies


Release Date: 08/21/2026 | Tracklist

Review Summary: “Let’s just make the tightest shit possible”

In a recent video, Denzel recounts to Kenny the motivations behind his releases. At first he was a hungry young musician, eager to prove himself and make the most creative stuff possible. Then this spiraled into him being sad and mad and depressed and he turned that into music. Homesickness was a central theme on subsequent albums. With ii though, his motivations are a lot simpler: “let’s just make the tightest *** possible.” This intent is audible in every second of this fast-paced 24 minute album.

ii comes at you hard with the opener Gone Fishing. Kenny said he doesn’t know why this beat works and that’s audible. It’s a slanted, crooked type beat with a modern old school feel. This feel continues in the rest of the album. Live instruments and modern production are layered with retro samples and grooves. It’s clearly inspired by the greats of the genre. Crown especially stands out as a tribute. The album is bookended with high energy infectious tracks, but in between it dips in a welcome way, letting us breathe while still retaining enough momentum to keep the whole as tight as possible.

Curry is masterful again here. Delivering bars left and right, often switching up his flow, and leaving you wondering whether he ever breathes. Lyrically, Cold Night in Hell stands out especially. The themes are all old school too: bragging, f the haters, that sort of stuff. It’s the strength and main shortcoming of this album. It knows perfectly what it is and executes it well. At the same time what it is, is all right there on the surface.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
durkl
September 3rd 2026


75 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Short review for a short album. It's super fun though! At least check out the opener and closer

Lasssie
September 3rd 2026


4670 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Absolutely loved the last one so will def check this one out

botb
September 4th 2026


20280 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is the most I’ve ever liked Kenny’s production I think.

ShartHarder
Contributing Reviewer
September 5th 2026


1304 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

yeah this isnt GOAT level or whatever but is just a lot of fun. 2 of the best going.

trilo
September 5th 2026


7440 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

difference and gone fishing rule

ShartHarder
Contributing Reviewer
September 5th 2026


1304 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

both banger singles

JayEnder
September 5th 2026


23640 Comments


Last three songs on this go haaaaard

Difference especially that second verse is just damn. Zel is the man

WatchItExplode
September 7th 2026


10800 Comments


This was pretty darn slick... Solidly enjoyable

botb
September 7th 2026


20280 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah I think what makes this enjoyable is it ends really strong and doesn’t overstay its welcome

butt.
September 7th 2026


11805 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Honestly can’t believe the avg is this low, shit is damn near perfection. Love the old school prod, you can definitely hear lots of MF DOOM influence here

botb
September 7th 2026


20280 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

There’s been some seriously amazing hip hop albums released this year, I think that has a lot to do with it

ShartHarder
Contributing Reviewer
September 7th 2026


1304 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

has there really tho? i think the consensus is this is a pretty weak year for hip-hop if anything.



I liked the ASAP, Action Bronson, Scythe, By Storm albums but they weren't blowaway. Vince Staples, Baby Keem and J Cole were all OK. Earl / MIKE collab was a snooze. Genesis Owusu was great. Struggling to think of any other notable releases.

Lasssie
September 7th 2026


4670 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is chill and all and i like it but i miss the energy that Unlocked brought.

Cosmic and Diet goes so hard and are undeniable bangers

botb
September 7th 2026


20280 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Oh man are you serious?



Roc Marci, mick Jenkins, nickelus f dropped 2 AOTY contenders this year, Rome streetz dropped an AOTY contender for like the 5th consecutive year, Isaiah Rashad’s new one is unbelievable, fly anakin, tha god fahim dropped literally like 10 projects this year, that ransom/boldy was great, fuckin dalek dropped a new one, curren$y’s been super busy this year too, newest maxo kream is totally produced by Peggy that’s great, Mickey diamond and big ghost continuing their insane run, new rapsody is great… that’s just kind of like… some of them.

ShartHarder
Contributing Reviewer
September 7th 2026


1304 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

gonna have to cop that ive probably heard only of half those guys and probs not heard their stuff this year. maybe 'mainstream hip-hop' having a weak year would have been a more accurate statement

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
September 8th 2026


13213 Comments


Uhh excuse me, you’re forgetting that Drake dropped three albums this year



ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
September 8th 2026


13213 Comments


This is cool, quite enjoyed this one



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