Detroit's Son

Guilty Simpson's third full length album, produced entirely by Quakers producer Katalyst. Detroit’s Son distils the essence of what made Ode To The Ghetto an underground classic. With the subject of life in the Motor City placed front and center, Guilty’s uncompromising rhymes fit seamlessly with Katalyst’s hard-hitting beats. The raps are every bit as gritty as on Ode or OJ, but there’s also a little light relief on tracks such as “Smoking,” probably about as close as Guilty will get to a summer anthem. This is the Detroit MC on his best form, rapping over beats perfectly tailored to his rough baritone. Guilty Simpson has always been skillful at combining hardcore rap with thought-provoking observations about the world around him, and it’s this talent that comes to the fore on Detroit’s Son.

The gruff Detroit rapper Guilty Simpson relies on monotone real talk that, when paired with the right blend of cinematic soul, resembles *4,5,6-*era Kool G Rap. On his latest album, produced by Katalyst, he sounds unsatisfied despite a robust discography, still pushing for a breakthrough.

A hardcore rapper with a no-nonsense style, Guilty Simpson found favor with left-field producers ever since the late J Dilla brought him to the Stones Throw label.