Jeff Chery - Black Starz

An emigrant to Brooklyn from his native Haiti, Pay$0z caused quite a stir in the underground when he released his first mixtape, Cheating on New York, last year.  Featuring a typical Brooklyn rhyme scheme over Dirty South production, the project showcased the emcee’s versatility, which is exactly what has helped set in motion his forthcoming debut album, Going Against the Grain.  On one of the album’s featured tracks, Pay$0z raps about barely being able to walk a yard without seeing some Black Starz.  Producer Freeze contributes a typical NYC beat, which will no doubt remind listeners of superproducer Just Blaze.  So, does Pay$0z measure up to BK’s biggest names?  To fully form your opinion, give Going Against The Grain a listen when it drops on December 21.