Black Magic is the newest project from Hieroglyphics alum Casual — and from the moment it opens with “The Doctrine,” you know he’s here to be bar-heavy and prove a point. Something he doesn’t need to do, but you can tell he really enjoys doing.
Casual has always been one of the fiercest MCs in the game, and this record backs up that claim easily: Oakland’s top MC for battle still holds the title. “Nobody,” the second track, is a personal favorite — a hypnotic, catchy hook over a groovy bassline that’s somehow both welcoming and intimidating. It lets you know he’s here to make sure the head-nodding has to stop long enough for you to catch all of his intricate metaphors and punchlines.
But the real standout is “Making of the Mad Rapper.” It plays like a sermon — or maybe a lecture, or a consulting course for new MCs on what to do and what not to do when trying to make it big as a musician in 2026. It’s the kind of track that only a veteran could write: equal parts warning and encouragement, delivered with the authority of someone who’s seen the game from every angle.
The whole album is riddled with knowledge, humor, creativity, and elevated boom bap beats. Most of the production is handled in-house by Casual himself, giving the project a cohesive feel that moves like a single statement rather than a collection of tracks. Contributions from DJ Daryl, A-Plus, Jamal Nueve, and Dead Perry add contrast without breaking the flow.
If there’s a knock, it’s that the mix could use a little work — sometimes the vocals don’t cut through the tracks like they should. But for those of us who grew up listening to bootleg tapes from the Wake Up Show, it actually adds character. It sounds like it came from somewhere real.
Verdict
One of the best albums of the year so far, and we’re not even halfway through. Buy the album — don’t just stream it. Let Casual know we’re waiting for the next one already.