Mach-Hommy
#RICHAXXHAITIAN
Self-Released
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For an artist who has released literally dozens of projects, Mach-Hommy remains a cipher. In an industry where the intimate details of a rapper’s personal history become an intrinsic part of their musical identity, the Newark, New Jersey-born emcee plays things very close to the vest. His newest full-length #RICHAXXHAITIAN is another high-quality release from the extremely private artist. It is also his most “accessible” album and a great entry point for new listeners.
There are very few, if any, rappers that have been as fiercely protective of their narrative as Mach-Hommy. He’s known for keeping his identity shrouded in secrecy. His “government name” is unknown to all but those closest to him. Whenever photographed, the lower half of his face is covered by a Haitian flag fashioned into a bandana.
He also rarely talks to journalists. You probably wouldn’t make it past two hands if you counted all the interviews that he’s done, even as his stature has grown. When Mach-Hommy does speak with members of the media, he proves himself erudite and insightful, but reveals little about his background. He’s spoken about his love of hunting, his experience raising livestock, his passion for documentary filmmaking, and his thoughts on recording a few songs. But he’s hardly an open book.
Mostly, Mach-Hommy likes to talk about Haiti, his family’s nation of origin, and a place where he’s lived as well. In particular, he likes to talk about his philanthropic efforts to help the nation, particularly a fund used to educate the country’s youth. In 2021, he recorded “$payforhaiti” with Canadian-Haitian producer/artist KAYTRANADA with the purpose of raising money for the cause.
The plight of Haiti informs #RICHAXXHAITIAN. The Republic has been in a near constant state of upheaval for decades, if not centuries. Currently, the country is in the midst of another crisis, as the nation’s central government has collapsed and criminal gangs operate with near impunity. The crisis hangs like a specter over #RICHAXXHAITIAN, with Mach-Hommy incorporating bits of newscasts throughout the album, describing the dire situation.
Mach-Hommy celebrates his Haitian heritage throughout #RICHAXXHAITIAN. He’s known for releasing music on or near Haitian Flag Day, and this project is no exception, dropping the day before the holiday. Mach-Hommy opens the album with “(…),”where he raps entirely in Haitian Kreyol. At other points, he speaks with some prominent countrymen, including noted O.G. Haitian Jack. The topic of convo centers on how citizens of Haiti can find their own solutions to fix the country and work to expel malicious outsiders and those that seek to exploit the country’s population.
Much of #RICHAXXHAITIAN’s production is handled by Sadhugold, a Philadelphia-based beat-architect who has worked with Mach-Hommy for years. It also features contributions by Conductor Williams, best known for his work with the Griselda camp (Mach-Hommy broke into the hip-hop world through his connections to Griselda), as well as contributions from such dynamic producers as Quelle Chris and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Mach-Hommy occasionally takes the production reigns as well, creating some of the best tracks on the album.
Listen to the Album:
On the mic, Mach-Hommy’s rhymes are packed with dense imagery, which he delivers in an esoteric manner. Hommy has said that his primary influence is Mobb Deep’s Prodigy, but the styles displayed here are at times reminiscent of MF DOOM or Edan. The complexity of his delivery and the barrage of abstract (and often Biblical) imagery can make following his verses overwhelming, but the poetry displayed and verbal dexterity involved is phenomenal.
The lyrical exhibitions are masterful from the outset. Mach-Hommy goes verse for verse with Long Island’s legendary Roc Marciano on the fittingly named “ANTONOMASIA,” a term employed to describe the use of a proper name to express a general idea. The pair describe occasional dalliances in criminal activity and assert their dominance in the field of grimy hip-hop. “POLITickle” surges with energy as it builds, as Mach-Hommy describes his efforts to succeed in a world in the throes of chaos and disaster.
Even though he is intensely private, Mach-Hommy has made a lot of connections throughout his career and enlists many of these artists to contribute to #RICHAXXHAITIAN. Georgia Anne Muldrow does an excellent job on production and vocals for “SONJE,” as Mach-Hommy weaves descriptions of his efforts to make a name for himself as an artist. He again teams with KAYTRANADA on the album’s title track. The GRAMMY-winning artist is best known for his dance music production, and here he hooks up a slick House-infused track, allowing Mach-Hommy to kick a rapid-fire rhyme flow as he basks in his opulence. The 03 Greedo auto-tuned hook isn’t my favorite thing about the album, but it fits the track well enough.
Mach-Hommy teams with fellow warrior Black Thought on the Quelle Chris produced “COPY COLD.” Reportedly, the track originates from the recording sessions for HBO (Haitian Body Odor) (2016), the solo project that put Mach-Hommy on the map. He re-records his verse on this revised version, reflecting on his growth as an artist over a jazzy piano sample. Black Thought is similarly dominant, ruminating on how the environs of Philadelphia and the hardship that his family faced during his youth helped shape him into one of the best in his field.
#RICHAXXHAITIAN features guest appearances by some familiar collaborators. Mach-Hommy teams up with Tha God Fahim, his frequent brother-in-arms, on “PADON.” Behind the boards, Sadhu Gold hooks up a slice of early 1990s Wu-Tang Clan influenced grittiness, as the pair describe the rougher side of their respective backgrounds. The brief and aggressive “EMPTY SPACES” features Hommy and Your Old Droog dropping some rugged emcee shit over a “drumless” Sadhugold track, who also blends a tense string sample with a thumping bass line. Atlanta’s Big Cheeko (Mach-Hommy served as the executive producer for his 2022 debut album, Block Barry White) appears on “SAME 24,” the pair’s dedication to the importance of the grind and rejection of wasting time getting wasted or chasing online clout.
Mach-Hommy gives listeners the briefest of peeks behind the curtain of his personal life on RICHAXXHAITIAN, addressing the drawbacks of his newfound celebrity. Mach conveys how uncomfortable he is with the new attention he’s earned on the self-produced “LON LON.” Over a slick flute sample, he explains how he works to not get caught up in the hype and grumbles how various vultures try to make money off of his name. The album-closing “HOLY ____” has a gospel feel, as he warns about the dangers of getting caught up in the trappings of would-be fame.
#RICHAXXHAITIAN should satisfy new Mach-Hommy fans, as well as those who have been following him for years. Even when he’s a bit more accessible, he never compromises his principles nor gives up control of how he shapes his narrative. His music is not for the passive listener, but he’s still currently one of the best emcees working today.
Notable Tracks: “ANTONOMASIA” | “COPY COLD” | “LON LON” | “SONJE”
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