I’m mad conflicted over this release. Firstly, in hip hop circles Big Noyd is A Queensbridge OG, circa 1993 onwards and as you may know is tight with Mobb Depp. Secondly, it’s well documented that Queensbridge MCs are sometimes great storytellers with fictitious background stories. Thirdly, throw in a Koch Records release in the mix and a bunch of unknown beatmakers overseen by M.O.P’s Lil Fame. This is a combination that could go either way, and as an actual listening experience somehow manages to go both ways, go figure? In review Illustrious is a bunch of questionable, but really well-delivered street stories mixed up with slightly substandard production, occasionally rising into A-grade territory on cuts like ‘The Paper’ and ‘Heartless’. Ultimately, although I enjoyed listening to Illustrious, and won’t dispute Big Noyd’s ability to effortlessly drop classic quotable lines, I can’t help but feel the streets deserved more from this release.

Martyn Pepperell