Right now the Harlem based Diplomats crew may be the hardest working click in the rap game. With either a mixtape or an album coming nearly every week from one of the random Byrdgang members its hard to keep up with the entire movement. In house A&R/Mr. Do-It-All DukeDaGod comes with the first official Dipset release of the ‘07 with JR Writer’s sophomore solo album in way less than a year. After three critical underground mixtapes which led up to the release of last summer’s History In The Making Writer decides to take it back to the streets in adopting his personal mixtape franchise for his latest solo attempt Writer’s Block 4. 

In house producers Spectacular and Heck successfully retool the NBA Tonight theme circa mid 90’s on the brief introductory track “Live From The Kitchen”. JR has an undeniable flow as mainly noted on “You Don’t Know Me” which ranks highest amongst the other early and solid attempts. Producer Anthony Giles uses a live Native American and a seducing wind instrument riff on another one of the album’s scattered high points “Switch It Up”. Hell Rell shows up on the track and inflicts his usual convincing personality well while Writer plays second fiddle as the host. Ray from Versatile Music Productions provides JR with a slow and clearly convincing sound plot on “What Set You Claim”.

 “Over Drive” turns out to be another example of what can happen to you when your guests’ feature eats your verse for lunch on your own track. Finally JR comes around and spits some of his sharpest lyrics throughout the entire effort on the harrowing “Back In The Lab”. For some reason JR doesn’t really sound like he’s actually freestyling on the Dramasetters produced “Freestyle”. Anyhow the end result is another sparkling moment for the young MC. Spectacular laces “Kill Em Everytime” with the album’s premier backdrop. A lazy barbaric fight scene soundscape makes for the perfect setting for JR to talk more of his poignant shit on. JR closes out the quick album with his only real introspective look on “I Gotta Make It”.

Writer’s Block 4 turns out to be a decent step from the mixtape game to the major market for JR’s franchise title. But over its short 45 minute time lapse it has its fair share of down falls. The most apparent flaw is Writer’s non-commanding annunciation. As noted on a few of the tracks JR is actually lapped by his guest features which is an absolute no-no in the dolo arena. With the above average production and a little more hair on his chest JR Writer could undoubtedly be another heavy hitter for Dipset. Only time will tell what will and won’t happen but one thing remains the same, it’s Dipset all day!

VERDICT – 13 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 2
CONSISTENCY: 4