In April of 2017, Baltimore emcee/producer/engineer Cubbiebear passed away after a battle with brain cancer. However, back in 2010, after being friends for a few years, DC emcee Seez Mics and Cubbiebear began working on an album together off and on over the next few years. Unfortunately, they never got on the same page to set aside a month or two to really focus and work on the album in earnest. After Cubbiebear’s diagnosis in August 2016, he made a push to start working on the album and they polished up a few demos before his health took a turn for the worse. Eventually, some time after Cubbiebear’s passing, DJ cam-one got Cubbiebear’s computer from his brother and set about the task of making sense of the files of the songs that Seez and Cubbie had been working on. After some time, they finally had everything in shape to where Seez could redo some vocals, they added some guest spots from Teddy Faley, Max Bent, and DJ Addikt, and then sent it over to ALXNDRBRWN for mixing and mastering. Seez picked the title, sent it to Strange Famous, and now we finally get Cubbiebear’s last project five years after his passing.

From the opening track, “All Friended Up,” you know you’re in for a good time. The beat just hits you with a ton of energy and a really atypical groove, and once the two emcees hop on the mic, you can just hear how much fun they are having trading verses and trying to outdo each other with some friendly competition. There is also room to get serious, such as the philosophical melancholy tone of “Don’t Look Down,” or the pointed political rhymes and aggressive beat on “Meat Eating Media.” Just two veteran hip hop artists and friends coming together to bring you the goods. After all the fun of the first seven tracks, though, the album comes to a close with the title track. Featuring the beautiful and haunting vocals of Barbara van der Vossen, Seez Mics gets to say goodbye to his friend and put that tribute down on record for all to hear and appreciate not just what a good musician he was, but what a good friend and person he was.

Even in Death is a great last effort from Cubbiebear, and a beautiful tribute from Seez Mics. Hopefully, not only will people enjoy this album for what it is, but they will be inspired to go back through Cubbiebear’s catalogue and get to know the artist if they haven’t before.