For over 10 years, Kool Keith has been treating heads to his inimitable style and abstract wisdom. A man of many monikers, he's the Fletch of the rap game, boasting multiple personalities and a slew of alter egos. On his latest album he takes aim at fronters and phonies, lashing out against clichéd concepts, counterfeit rappers and double-crossing industry figures.

Produced by Keith and Kutmaster Kurt, the album features hardcore beats and strong keyboards; it's a rugged base for Keith's verbal pummeling of all things he considers wack. On "27 Shots" (RealAudio excerpt), he lets loose on cheesy radio rappers, with a firestorm of angry rhymes. "Shut up/ Listen to my shit cuz your cassette single is gay/ Writin' that bullshit I hear on the radio by these homo niggas everyday/ Butter-soft sissy shit/ I got the real tell it like it is pissy shit." "Lived in the Projects" (RealAudio excerpt) sports some ill dismemberment rhymes, including, "You's a wannabe thug nigga/ You ain't bug nigga/ I'll cut your bitch-ass up/ Leave your legs under the rug nigga."

Well known for his mastery of the skit, Keith delivers several short gems, most notably "Recoupment" (RealAudio excerpt), on which he plays a record label bigwig telling his artists to keep their day jobs. "Test Press" is an extra bonus, a hidden track calling out all the shady suits who've conspired against him.

Matthew is a wake-up call for anyone who's ever doubted Keith's skills, and a fierce call-to-arms against rampant retardation in the rap game. Chock full of standout verses and endlessly quotable rhymes, Kool Keith delivers yet again, further expanding his lyrical legacy.