Chicago hip-hop just got another crown jewel.
When emcee ILL GORDON links with production wizard UNCLE JONH III, the result is nothing short of surgical. Their new full-length project, Pens & Needles, is a precise, no-filler dose of gritty lyricism, airtight beats, and raw Chicago soul. This is more than just a collab album—it’s the sharpening of two seasoned blades that have been in each other’s orbit for years. Now, they finally land in full formation, ready to leave their mark with 11 tracks of pure hip-hop craftsmanship.
The album kicks in the door with “LIGHT FLEX”, a sinister symphony of chopped samples, live drum hits, and confident bar work that feels like walking into a cipher with steel-toed boots. From there, “YOU KNOW” slides in with a bass-heavy bounce, a slick, head-nodding ride where Gordo’s cadence rides the rhythm like a lowrider on Lakeshore Drive.
But it doesn’t stop there.
“OPEN MIC” featuring fellow Chicago vet Vic Spencer, is a lyrical gun show—a rapid-fire display of punchlines, flows, and raw mic skills. It’s a bar-fest built for the heads, reminding us that real spitters still exist. Meanwhile, “HIT THE SWITCH” plays like a true posse cut masterpiece, with Wish and Easy O’Hare jumping in with heavyweight verses. The energy here is electric and unrelenting, like a cipher recorded live on a West Side stoop.
“GOT RICH” slows things down but doubles the grit—a grimy street tale laced with reality and reflection, breaking down the paper chase in vivid detail. And then there’s the closer, “LAST BREATH”—a horn-drenched finale that sounds like it was made for a marching band with attitude. It’s triumphant, cinematic, and aggressive in the best way possible.
Throughout the album, Uncle JoNH III’s production is a masterclass in mood and movement—fusing live instrumentation with dusty sample chops and knocking drums. His beats aren’t just backdrops—they’re part of the storytelling. And ILL GORDON? He’s pen-sharp, no-nonsense, and consistent. Whether it’s flexing, storytelling, or ciphering, his delivery never wavers.
Pens & Needles is a reminder of what happens when a sharp emcee and a visionary producer go all in. This is a Chicago classic in the making—gritty, honest, skillful, and true to the craft.
Stream it now on all digital platforms. Follow the architects: @ILLGORDO & @UNCLE.JONH3
