Hip-hop sequels are a risky move. Not in the dramatic, “the entire genre hangs in the balance” sense, but in the quieter, more familiar way that sequels in general tend to be risky. For every follow-up that expands the world and sharpens the idea, there’s another that mostly exists because the first one did reasonably well and someone, somewhere, decided that lightning probably strikes twice if you stand in the same place long enough.
Which makes Infamous Wizzardy 2 a fairly interesting case study.
Green Enkd Society; primarily composed of the duo of Grand Wizzard MC and Jay Will, return here not with a reinvention but with something closer to a continuation of the strange little universe they introduced on the first Infamous Wizzardy. Their sound sits between classic underground boom-bap and a slightly theatrical vibe: dusty drums, spooky loops, clever wordplay, and a “Wizzard” theme that ties the whole album together like a mix of street stories and mysterious lore.
Yeah, it sounds dramatic… and that’s the point. But the drama is deliberate.
The album opens with “PART TWO INTRODUCTION,” which does exactly what you would want a track called “Part Two Introduction” to do. Ominous keys float over crunchy drums as Grand Wizzard MC and Jay Will slide back into their roles with calm confidence, fully in control of the album’s vibe. The verses set the tone fast: tight bars, myth-like imagery, and a bigger-than-life persona that mixes competition with storytelling.
Then “CALISTHENICS (STICK UP)” kicks the energy up. It’s playful—turning workout terms into robbery metaphors—but the aggressive delivery keeps it serious. The dark, punchy beat gives them room to spit fast, packed lines.
That energy continues with “F THEM IF THEY DON’T F WITH US,” produced by Conductor Williams. This track is blunt and direct: loyalty is everything. If you’re in the circle, you’re in; if not… the title says it all. It’s raw and uncompromising, the kind of stance underground rap thrives on.
Tracks like “HAND OVER THE MONEY OR ELSE (H.O.T.M.O.E)” and “MONEY TEAM REPRESENT” dig into ambition and hustle. The verses are full of metaphors about persistence, power, and making moves in the game. The flows stay tight, and the beats are gritty enough to keep it grounded in classic hip-hop.
But the album isn’t just about bravado. “HALLOWEEN” gets darker, telling grim stories over eerie, almost horror-like production. It’s not a full-on soundtrack vibe, but the atmosphere matches the apocalyptic tone of the lyrics.
One of the album’s most striking moments arrives with “72’ DOLPHINS.” Unlike much of the record, the track drops the drums completely. The track leaves just a drifting, scenic instrumental that feels reflective and strangely nostalgic. With no drums pushing the beat, the verses come across more like spoken thoughts, mixing memories and nods to past eras into the album’s bigger story.
Loyalty takes center stage again on “WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS.” The duo digs into trust and betrayal, a theme hip-hop often touches on but rarely in this much detail. Each verse builds on the last, showing what it means to stay loyal while success changes the people around you.The production palette widens in the album’s later stretch. “GET OFF MY LAWN” brings a warm, soulful groove that contrasts with the album’s darker tracks, while “FLY SHIT EXTRAORDINAIRE” feels lighter and more luxurious. The beat floats, matching lyrics about travel and high-end living.
Then “1980’S DOPE” brings back a heavier vibe. The synth-driven track nods to the era in the title, reflecting on the history that shaped modern street culture. It’s not just nostalgia—there’s a subtle critique of the past too.
By now, the album’s focus is clear. Infamous Wizzardy 2 is all about bars. Grand Wizzard MC and Jay Will aren’t chasing trends or viral hooks—they’re focused on lyrics, imagery, and keeping a consistent vibe. The closing bonus tracks reinforce that idea. “THE ARTISTRY (BONUS)” slows things down, getting reflective over a soulful beat. It’s about life choices and long-term goals, almost like a quiet epilogue after the album’s heavier tracks.
“BOOMING AS USUAL (BONUS)” takes a weirder turn, pairing a chip-tune-inspired beat with the duo’s aggressive flows. Somehow, it works—the mix of playful music and serious delivery gives it a strange charm.
That’s what makes Infamous Wizzardy 2 stand out. It’s not trying to reinvent hip-hop or copy mainstream trends. It leans into what the duo does best: gritty beats, confident raps, and a Wizzard persona that’s part underground thinker, part comic-book antihero.
For anyone who loves detailed lyrics and cinematic beats, this album delivers. If the first Infamous Wizzardy started the legend, the sequel proves the Wizzard still has plenty of spells left.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
