Cartel Bo’s Solid Return to the Talented–And Crowded– Houston Scene

El Cartel is Houston representative Cartel Bo’s first full-fledged album release since returning home from a four-year federal prison bid. Before his incarceration, he was on a trajectory similar to that of fellow Houston alumni Maxo Kream and Sauce Walka; however, life circumstances threw a major hurdle in his rap aspirations. Now, with this latest project, the question remains: does Cartel Bo still have that momentum and hunger? While this project is far from a classic, there are enough solid moments to suggest the components for a strong run are still present.

The album starts off with a shot of adrenaline via the energetic track “This Is Where You Die.” Unlike the typically laid-back Texas flow, Bo immediately raises the heart rate, and whether planned or not, he injects a bit of comedy with a “Woody Woodpecker” moment on the opening song. The octane continues throughout the project, which is filled with booming bass, street tales, and some introspective and inspirational themes. While you won’t get any crazy lyrical prowess or complex flow switches, there is enough differentiation between the songs (and enough features) so that the album doesn’t stagnate. Though there are none of the usual DJ Screw-influenced slowing down or signature chopped moments, there is a distinct regional sound to the album. This helps the project feel authentic, though it may limit its appeal; this is definitely made for a distinct audience in mind.

As mentioned in the opening, Cartel Bo was in the running with Maxo Kream and Sauce Walka to be one of the next artists out of H-Town, so it’s no surprise that both artists show up for features (Sauce appears twice and Maxo Kream once), and both hold their own. Trae tha Truth also graces the project. While his verse was solid, the overuse of autotune on the feature track “Stay in School” detracted from the listening experience and somewhat ruined what would have otherwise been a decent song. Bo also manages to enlist the legendary Paul Wall and Lil Keke on the track “Bad MF” which feels like a throwback 2010’s track (without sounding dated) and Bo manages to hold his own amongst the legends to craft one of the better tracks of the project.

In closing, while El Cartel might not be the cup of tea for those looking for boom bap or a more mainstream sound, I think for fans of high-energy Texas hip-hop—or those simply looking for some authentic, trunk-rattling street music—this project is a solid entry. There is enough here to provide a solid foundation for Bo to build upon as he grows into his artistry.

Standout Tracks: “This Is Where You Die” “Bad MF” “Life After the Fedz” “Boss” “Texus”

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑(6.5/10)