Joell Ortiz knows a thing or two about forming high-profile groups. In the late 2000s, Slaughterhouse was born out of mid-2000s friction between Joe Budden and Royce 5’9.” They would go on to make amends, and invite two other under-valued MCs (Joell and Crooked I) to the fold. Since then, that four-man bond has climbed to the fertile peak of the music charts, and helped write  a new chapter for  Shady Records.

In 2016, Ortiz has been especially experimental. He teamed with veteran producer Domingo for That’s Hip Hop, an independent, skills-driven album. Once stalled in the major label system, Ortiz is prolific and polished in the indie world. Now, the Brooklyn, New Yorker links with veteran hit-maker Salaam Remi (The Fugees, Nas, Amy Winehouse) for No Panty. Also in the four-person outfit is Brooklyn-based (by way of Florida) Nitty Scott, MC—who has become a fast-riding independent MC, and another in Spanish Harlem’s Bodega BAMZ. These three New York MCs and onetime “Producer Of The Year” Grammy nominee hope to reveal a new sound for themselves in the mysterious, sneak attack No Panty.

Joell Ortiz & !llmind Talk Big But Back It Up…Again (Audio)

Thirteen songs deep, all produced by Salaam, this LP celebrates its Nuyorican heritage (and experience) of the three MCs. “Iceys On Deck” pays homage to Gang Starr’s “Words I Manifest.” Meanwhile, the “No Panty Anthem” taps into elements of Cheryl Lynn’s “Got To Be Real.” “Shots” cleverly pours from The Champs’ “Tequila” for a classic Pop-tinged, multi-lingual style that is unlike anything from these MCs.

“Mother’s Mark,” “Westside Highway Story,” and “Shots” stand out especially. Like No I.D. and Common’s Cocaine 80’s, this side project appears to be strictly about love of music and keeping an edge in the game.