Representing the Mutant Academy collective, Big Kahuna OG and Unlucky Bastards collaborated on their much-anticipated album Flameboy Advance. This project has been in the works for over a year now where it allows new listeners into the newest iteration of the Kahunaverse. The promo for the project which was on Kahuna's Instagram involved an HBO-themed movie trailer that featured the likes of Styles P, who's on the album, giving his blessings towards Kahuna as he overcomes adversity his enemies throw at him. It's a detailed soundtrack that places you in the mindset of the Big Shark as he faces his greatest opposition yet with the Corporation. Fellow Mutant Academy member Graymatter led in the art direction for the cover art. He collaborated with Deadly Prey Gallery out in Ghana where the original painting for the Flameboy Advance cover was done on a 5x5 flour sack bag by legendary Ghanian artist Farkira.
The album itself is delivered like a film transitioning how Kahuna went in and out of the country handling conflict with the Corporation. Two videos dropped yesterday and today. The visual that dropped today Seance has a unique multimedia twist as the environment is in a miniature Skyview Drive-In movie theater as Kahuna is inside a miniature toy car similar to the one from Back To The Future watching a movie featuring Kahuna himself and some sharks. In Seance, Kahuna reflects on how he still leads in making moves on the streets, past relationships with ex-lovers, and how he handles his schemes. The way Kahuna tells his tales of conquering henchmen is nostalgic like the playoffs with the Knicks. There are even guest appearances from Unlucky in the video along with others. The album isn't short on guest appearances either as there are guest producers like Foisey and artists like Monday Night, Daniel Son, and more.
The other video that dropped yesterday was for Scales Tippin' which focuses on how Kahuna goes in a frenzy about how great he is at rapping and downplays all opposition.
The production of Unlucky is unmatched with his distorted electronic melodies on the likes of Plaid Leather featuring Henny L.O. or the beautiful slow strings over heavenly vocals on Seance. In the Youtube comments, you can see fans making duo names such as "OG Lucky" or "Big Bastards" as the visuals are getting their love. Flameboy Advance is definitely an action-packed heat-filled album as they continue to blaze a trail of schemes and continuing to expound a nostalgic sound filled with variety. You can purchase the album on Bandcamp for now as the album will be available on all streaming platforms in August along with a deluxe version of the project that will be available on vinyl.
Follow Big Kahuna OG and Unlucky Bastards on Instagram @bigkahunaog and @unluckybastards
Written by: Jay Guevara. @justinhisprime on all social media