Description
Styles P & Havoc – Wreckage Manner – Vinyl Record
Released on December 3, 2021, Wreckage Manner is a collaborative album between Styles P, one of the core members of The LOX, and Havoc, the legendary producer and rapper from Mobb Deep. This project brings together two of the most respected figures in New York’s hardcore hip-hop scene, delivering a raw, gritty, and uncompromising body of work that reflects their deep-rooted connection to the streets and their decades of experience in the game.
Wreckage Manner is steeped in the grim, atmospheric production that Havoc is known for, paired with the introspective and hard-hitting lyricism of Styles P. The album showcases their mutual respect for each other’s craft while maintaining the signature sounds that have defined their individual careers. For fans of classic New York hip-hop, Wreckage Manner is a masterclass in hardcore rap, featuring dark beats, streetwise narratives, and a no-nonsense approach to the art form.
Both Styles P and Havoc are synonymous with New York’s golden era of hardcore hip-hop. As a member of The LOX, Styles P made his mark in the late 1990s and early 2000s with gritty, streetwise lyricism and his signature gruff delivery. Havoc, on the other hand, rose to prominence as one half of the legendary duo Mobb Deep, producing iconic tracks such as “Shook Ones Pt. II” and “Survival of the Fittest” that defined the dark, grimy sound of New York’s Queensbridge rap scene.
Over the years, both artists have maintained their relevance, adapting to the changing landscape of hip-hop while staying true to their roots. The collaboration between Styles P and Havoc feels natural, as both artists have built careers on storytelling about the struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of life in the streets. Wreckage Manner represents a meeting of minds, with Styles P’s sharp lyricism matching Havoc’s moody, sinister beats.
The sound of Wreckage Manner is unmistakably rooted in the classic East Coast hip-hop tradition. Havoc’s production is as haunting and atmospheric as ever, featuring dark, brooding beats, sparse piano loops, and deep basslines that give the album a raw, underground feel. His production style, which helped shape the sound of 1990s New York rap, remains intact on Wreckage Manner, offering a nostalgic yet fresh take on hardcore hip-hop.
The production throughout Wreckage Manner is defined by its minimalist approach, with Havoc relying on eerie loops and atmospheric soundscapes to create a sense of tension. Tracks like “Move How We Wanna” and “Pay Me In Cash” have a slow, menacing feel, providing the perfect backdrop for Styles P’s aggressive delivery and street-centric narratives.
Havoc’s use of boom-bap drums and dark soul samples is evident on tracks like “Nightmares 2 Dreams”, where the gritty beats are paired with melancholic melodies, giving the song a haunting, reflective vibe. This production style harkens back to Mobb Deep’s glory days, with Havoc maintaining his knack for crafting beats that feel both raw and polished.
Lyrically, Wreckage Manner is a showcase of Styles P’s prowess as a storyteller and street poet. The album is filled with tales of survival, loyalty, and the harsh realities of street life, told through the lens of an artist who has seen it all. Styles P’s lyricism is gritty and introspective, balancing moments of reflection with assertive, battle-hardened rhymes.
Tracks like “Fame” and “Pay Me In Cash” explore the theme of survival in the face of adversity, with Styles P reflecting on the challenges of staying true to oneself while navigating the dangerous world of the streets. His lyrics offer a mix of street-hardened wisdom and raw emotion, as he speaks to both the highs and lows of a life shaped by the hustle.
Both Styles P and Havoc emphasize the importance of loyalty throughout the album. Songs like “Havoc & The Ghost” and “Shoutouts” highlight their shared respect for the code of the streets and the bonds forged through hardship. These themes of brotherhood and loyalty are central to the album’s narrative, with both artists reflecting on the importance of staying grounded and loyal in a world full of betrayal.
While much of the album is focused on gritty street narratives, there are also moments of introspection where Styles P reflects on his journey. In “Nightmares 2 Dreams,” for example, he contemplates the struggles he’s faced and how they’ve shaped his perspective on life, blending street realism with deeper, philosophical insights.
Notable Tracks
“Nightmares 2 Dreams”: One of the standout tracks on the album, “Nightmares 2 Dreams” features a haunting instrumental that pairs perfectly with Styles P’s reflective lyrics. The song touches on the theme of turning adversity into strength, with Styles delivering introspective bars about surviving life’s darkest moments and coming out stronger.
“Pay Me In Cash”: This track is a hard-hitting anthem of self-reliance and independence, with Styles P asserting the importance of getting what’s owed and staying true to oneself. Havoc’s production shines here, with its eerie, minimalistic beat complementing Styles P’s authoritative delivery.
“Move How We Wanna”: Featuring a menacing, bass-heavy beat, this song encapsulates the album’s themes of freedom and control. Styles P and Havoc trade verses about maintaining power and independence in a world full of challenges, with the song’s hook emphasizing the idea of moving on one’s own terms.
“Havoc & The Ghost”: As the title suggests, this track is a back-and-forth between Havoc and Styles P, showcasing their chemistry as both rappers and collaborators. The song has a classic New York sound, with gritty beats and hard-hitting lyrics that harken back to the golden age of East Coast hip-hop.
While Wreckage Manner is a product of the present, it is deeply rooted in the past, with both Styles P and Havoc drawing on their extensive histories in the rap game. There’s a palpable sense of nostalgia throughout the album, as both artists reflect on their journeys and the legacies they’ve built over the years.
At the same time, the album doesn’t feel dated—Havoc’s production has evolved, maintaining a timeless quality while adapting to the current soundscape. Styles P’s lyricism has also matured, with his rhymes showing a level of introspection and wisdom that comes from decades of experience. Together, the duo strikes a balance between honoring their roots and pushing their sound forward.
Wreckage Manner was met with positive reviews from fans and critics, especially those who appreciated the album’s nod to classic New York hip-hop. For fans of The LOX and Mobb Deep, the project felt like a return to the gritty, street-oriented rap that defined the 1990s and early 2000s. The album’s minimalist production, sharp lyricism, and no-frills approach earned praise for staying true to the artists’ core identities while delivering fresh content in today’s rap landscape.
Though Wreckage Manner didn’t dominate mainstream charts, it resonated deeply with fans of hardcore, lyrical hip-hop, further cementing Styles P and Havoc’s status as veterans who continue to carry the torch for New York’s underground scene.
Wreckage Manner is a strong collaboration between two of New York’s most respected figures in hip-hop, offering fans an album that stays true to the raw, unfiltered essence of East Coast rap. With Havoc’s haunting production and Styles P’s street-hardened lyricism, the album delivers a gritty, uncompromising take on the realities of life in the streets, loyalty, and survival.
For fans of classic New York hip-hop, Wreckage Manner is a must-listen, offering both nostalgia and a reminder that the hardcore, street-oriented sound is still alive and thriving. Styles P and Havoc have crafted an album that honors their past while continuing to push the genre forward, proving that their voices remain as vital as ever in the world of hip-hop.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Fuck Around
Move How We Wanna
Fiend For
Pay Me In Cash
21 Gun Salute
YO 2 QB
Havoc And The Ghost
Good As Gold
Hymn To Him
Nightmares 2 Dreams
