Repping for Connecticut, Danimal Lector has been bubbling up in the underground for a full decade now, working extensively with fellow Nutmeg Stater Chris Webby, among others. Previously known as Knowledge, he released two mixtapes under that name: The Haze and Deal or No Deal. Clearly influenced by early Slim Shady, he's got an extremely layered, highly lyrical style that freely combines bugged-out humor and over-the-top, theatrical violence. Since changing his name, he's released five more mixtapes, including Silence the Lames and Bars Attacks!. Now he gives his growing fanbase a proper debut album. Hookahs and Machetes sports plenty of catchy beats (many produced by Lector himself), chuckle-inducing wordplay, and guest appearances from the likes of Chino XL ("Finish Him"), Crooked I ("F*ck You"), and Chris Webby ("Stand Out"). Fans of Eminem, La Costra Nostra, Copywrite, and the Strange Music collective will find plenty to like here.