Local Review: Icy Blue – Portraits of Imagination

Icy Blu
Portraits of Imagination

Self-Released
Street: 04.15
Icy Blu = Tech N9ne + Hopsin

Upon first listen of his Portrait of Imagination, it is blatantly clear how embedded gangsta rap is into Icy Blu’s being. Icy Blu has been writing rhymes since he was 8 years old, and with his most recent installment, that is well represented. Portraits of Imagination is a force of nature with fast and aggressive lyrics in “Blu & Hemis,” “It’s what we Do Feat. Hemis & Grizzlee Beats & Russell Rock” and the heavy beats of “We Killin’ It Feat. Sequence” and “No Turning Back.” The standout track overall has to be “Who’s That Feat. Atheist & Clawson”—with an attack of lyrics and a metal-inspired beat, this song is nothing to ignore. Portraits of Imagination is not an album to take lightly. –Connor Brady