The third studio album from Pretoria-born MC A-Reece is presented as a sequel to Paradise, his 2016 debut. P2: THE BIG HEARTED BAD GUY synthesises his long, eventful journey from a wide-eyed talented teen entering the game to the cult hero he has since become. The MC has remained sharp in between albums by releasing acclaimed mixtapes, solo and collaborative EPs, as well as making show-stealing features. P2: THE BIG HEARTED BAD GUY poses the question: How does an album this long-awaited set itself apart and live up to expectations? There are discernible moments illustrating growth from the cynicism and wanton abandon of Paradise and From Me to You & Only You’s hubris. The combination indicates an artist who is finally comfortable in their own skin. However, A-Reece still beats his chest on songs such as “VING RHAMES” and “BRUCE WAYNE”. “I just knew I had to do something super wavey, catchy, cryptic yet simple to vibe to, with unique melodies,” he tells Apple Music of “BRUCE WAYNE”. “Some people call it controversy. I like to call it hip-hop at its best, as far as what the song’s about. I know you know and they know what or who I’m talking about. Let’s keep it real. I’m the leader now. That’s that.” About “VING RHAMES”, he says: “I just remember hearing the beat for the first time and I knew right off the bat I needed to come up with a super creative flow for it. I knew it’d be a challenge I was looking forward to because again, the beat was just so amazing, I had to do something on it. So I got in my ‘I’m not new to this, let me talk my shit and remind these new guys who they’re dealing with’ bag and got the job done.” The album has a restrained and calculated energy, apparent in the handling of A-list features (M.anifest, Sjava, Shekhinah) and regular collaborators (Jay Jody, Joey Fatts). And the calm manner in which he addresses sore topics (for example, on “BETTER NOW”) show that A-Reece’s maturity has recalibrated his idea of what paradise means.