Realio Sparkzwell, Tone Spliff - Gunz From Italy
“Gunz From Italy” by Realio Sparkzwell, produced by Tone Spliff, is a raw and gritty hip-hop album that oozes with underground flavor. The album’s unique vibe is thanks in part, to the fact that all of its tracks are built around samples from Italian music, giving each song an intriguing old-world feel.
Realio Sparkzwell’s rhymes are sharp, intelligent, and infused with a keen street sensibility that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. He deftly weaves tales of his experiences growing up in Upstate New York, touching on topics like poverty and crime.
The title track “Gunz From Italy” is reminiscent of the classic mid 90’s. The hypnotic beat just catches you right off the bat and the cuts are incredible. You would think the song would be glorifying guns but if you pay attention to the lyrics, Realio is talking about the worldwide tragedy and hypocrisy of it all. Overall its a deep song that is quite mesmerizing and has great playback value.
One of the standout tracks on the album is “Dynasties,” on which Realio Sparkzwell takes listeners on a journey through the city, backed by a mafioso string melody. He showcases his lyrical dexterity on this track, delivering mordant one-liners alongside intricate rhymes.
Another highlight of “Gunz From Italy” is the track “Mambo,” which features the album’s only guest verse by Copywrite of mHZ. The two emcees spit verses over a recognizable Italian classic, showcasing their undeniable rhyme chemistry.
Tone Spliff’s production on the album is top-notch, with each beat feeling like an homage to the Italian music and culture which they both come. It’s clear that he and Realio Sparkzwell share a strong music-making synergy, with each track complementing the other.
Stream “Gunz From Italy” April 21st on BandCamp and all other major streaming platforms.
All songs written by Realio Sparkzwell (except track 10)
All songs produced & all scratches by Tone Spliff
Mixed & Mastered by:
Matt Wagner for MWX Audio
Sal at Red Brick Studios