Chantz Erolin “The Good Company” EP Review

When it comes to fresh blood in the Twin Cities hip hop scene, they don’t get much younger than Chantz Erolin. The 18 year old MC still gives shout outs to his high school (South High), spits verse about driving his dad’s minivan, and even looks young for his age. Despite all of this, the talented MC has already amassed a sizable amount of credibility from battling, winning poetry slams, and even holding his own at this past year’s Soundset festival. In preparation for his upcoming LP release, Erolin recently put out The Good Company EP, a selection of five tracks and a bonus remix. Overall the selection is pretty rock heavy for a hip hop album, with Erolin rhyming over various guitar-driven beats. It’s still pretty strong though—the alterna-rock beats on “Home” and “Hunger” aren’t really anything special but what really draws the listener in is Erolin’s steady rhythmic flow and surprising lyrical depth. The MC muses on everything from politics to family to the streets of Minneapolis and he does with a knowing sense of confidence that belies his years. The EP’s standout is its self-titled track, a reserved meditation on friendship backed by a stellar blues beat. Erloin is releasing the digital version of the EP through a “name your price” method, and if The Good Company is any indicator, he may be one of the local scene’s next breakout stars.

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