DK is a relatively new producer from Halifax, dropping his debut album, Soul Expressions, just in 2019. He’s been working steady and collaborating since then, most recently dropping an EP last year with Justo the MC called This is Me. Now he’s right back with a new album featuring Backburner artist Ghettosocks on the mic, Listen to the Masters.

One listen to this album, and it’s easy to see why Ghettosocks would link up with someone like DK. These beats are classic East Coast sample-flipping boom bap goodness, the kind that Ghettosocks has been making and rhyming over for years. These two are just obviously on the same page as to what type of hip hop they want to make from the jump, which in turn just makes the album very easy to listen to. This is a time-tested and successful formula, and DK is smooth with the beats just like Ghettosocks in smooth on the mic. There is some great shit talking, and there is a wry sense of humor to the album, as seen on songs like “Smoove Regardless” or “John McEnroe,” where both DK and Ghettosocks get some nice references in that will make you crack a smile while listening to the music. They didn’t just keep all the fun for themselves, though, bringing in a plethora of guests to get in on the action and spice things up. We get the range from legends like CL Smooth and El Da Sensei to established underground artists like Skyzoo, O.C., and Moka Only, to fellow Backburner artists like Ambition and Timbuktu. With all that firepower, none bring it as hard as pHoenix pagliacci and LXVNDR, who trade verses with Ghettosocks on “Be a Mango,” where they bring in some great discussion around gender identity both within hip hop and in society at large. It’s one of those great songs where the beat is bumping and everybody has bars, but then you get this substance at the core of the song that elevates everything up a level. The only minor problem with the album is that there is one skit right in the middle which doesn’t quite work. It’s not terrible or offensive or long winded, but it also doesn’t really hit with the humor it’s going for, which lead me to skip it on repeat listens.

Listen to the Masters is a nice album from two Canadian artists in DK and Ghettosocks who have great chemistry together. Their beats and rhymes go together like peanut butter and jelly. When you add all of the great guest spots as well, you’ve got some classic hip hop to rock to this summer that is just full of swagger.