I recently reviewed JUSTCALLMEDT’s new EP SABBATICAL II. When an artist steps away for a season, you never know if they’ll come back sharper or silent. In the case of JUSTCALLMEDT, This new project proves that time away from the mic can be the best kind of recalibration. The project sounds like someone who’s been studying the game, healing, and sharpening his sword all at once — and when he finally steps back to the mic, he’s got something real to say.
Authentic Hip Hop. No Gimmicks. No Filters.
From the very first track, STARGAZING, the tone is set. The beats are lush but grounded — that blend of soulful loops and confident drum patterns that give off early 2000s mixtape energy with modern polish. BATMAN RETURNS FREESTYLE brings pure confidence; DT slides through the pocket with lyrical precision, reminding listeners that penmanship still matters. This isn’t fast food rap — it’s a full-course meal for heads who grew up on bars, punchlines, and perspective.
Production and Features That Compliment the Vision
Every beat on SABBATICAL II feels intentional. There’s cohesion across the EP that shows growth in sonic direction — not just rapping over random beats, but crafting an atmosphere. When features come in, they enhance rather than distract. KEMVR and A-Dub White each add texture that fits the mood — voices that blend naturally with DT’s cadence, helping expand the project’s range without breaking its identity.
A Return Worth Waiting For
My personal favorite track is “RETROGRADE II.” There’s something powerful about hearing an artist talk transparently about his sabbatical from music — that period of pause where life gets real and the art starts to mean something again. On this record, DT owns his space. He talks about needing time away, recalibrating, and now returning stronger, wiser, and more focused. It’s mature, reflective, and motivational without losing that edge of hunger that makes hip hop authentic. You can hear the self-awareness in every bar — the sense of, “I’m back, but I’m different” or to quote him directly “I lost my way, but found my sound.”
Bars Over Buzz
While mainstream rap continues to chase trends, SABBATICAL II feels like a love letter to lyricism. JUSTCALLMEDT isn’t trying to out-clout anyone — he’s out-writing them. His delivery has weight, his metaphors hit with intent, and his wordplay stays sharp from start to finish. It’s that kind of pen that could still rap circles around half the industry — “bars that’ll rap others under a table,” as we like to say.
Final Thoughts
SABBATICAL II is a reminder that sometimes stepping away is part of the process. This isn’t a comeback — it’s a continuation, an evolution. The EP captures the essence of authentic hip hop: beats that knock, features that serve the vision, and lyrics that actually say something. JUSTCALLMEDT came back not to fit in, but to stand out — and with SABBATICAL II, he’s done just that.
You can stream SABBATICAL II at JUSTCALLMEDT’s Spotify artist profile page at the link below.
