14 trapdoors Drop ‘Eileen’ Album + ‘Means To The End’ Video feat. Boldy James, Royce Da 5’9″, & Billie Essco

Emerging from a close-knit Buffalo rap scene, 14 trapdoors stand apart with their vibrant chemistry and substance-friendly lyricism. Showcasing their expert-level three-man weave over the course of 10 tracks, the trio comprised of Wza, Bendyface, and Short Moscato shares ‘Eileen’, their new album. Named after Bendyface’s grandmother who recently passed, ‘Eileen’ is a stark and pure project, emphasizing bar-for-bar lyricism and flows that toe-tag glistening instrumentals. The new album finds them sinking their teeth into exquisite beats from Camoflauge Monk (Westside Gunn, Tha God Fahim), whose sparkling, textured, and bleak soundscapes evoke a frosty evening in Western New York. Carving through Monk’s ice cold beats, the three emcees inhabit each instrumental with their brash demeanor and electric chemistry, occasionally highlighting punchlines with three-man chants. Featuring appearances from Benny The Butcher, Boldy James, Che’ Noir, Royce Da 5’9″, Smoke Dza, and more, ‘Eileen’ is available everywhere via The Media Music Inc.

The new album arrives alongside the group’s video for “Means To The End,” the tape’s incendiary closing track. Camo Monk provides a stark and dreary atmosphere, complete with upright bass and ringing vibraphones, allowing each emcee to expound upon what they would do if they had 24 hours to live: Boldy James would kiss his kids, Royce Da 5’9 would put out his blunt on Donald Trump’s toupee, etc. Directed by Liza “RED” Ostanina & Dre Howard, the video for “Means To The End” ably reflects our apocalyptic present, piecing together clips of protests from this summer, incidents of police brutality (including one that occurred in the trio’s hometown of Buffalo), and archival footage of past justice movements, intercut with joyous expressions of dance from marginalized individuals.

“Means To The End” is the latest standout single from ‘Eileen’, following the supremely laidback “Orion’s Belt” featuring Che Noir, the Benny The Butcher and Rick Hyde-featuring banger “I Did It All“, and the reverb-heavy “LOVE” featuring DNTWATCHTV & Medusa. Previously unheard highlights include the “Most Of The Time,” a lyrical exercise in 6/8 time that shows off the group’s in-sync personalities, and “Curbside Pickup,” the weeded-out opening track.