I’ve honestly lost count of how many projects Buffalo emcee Ché Noir has dropped over the past couple of years. But unlike others flooding the market with music, her steady output feels less like oversaturation and more like a deliberate sharpening of both her pen and her production chops. She’s already earned her stripes, so there’s nothing left to prove—fitting, then, that her latest project is titled No Validation.
Produced entirely by The Other Guys—the same duo behind Skyzoo’s Snowfall-inspired album—No Validation shows Ché flexing her lyrical range once again. Whether she’s introspective, autobiographical, or in battle mode, her command of multisyllabic rhyme schemes and wordplay is sharp throughout. The album kicks off with “Incense Burning,” a track that floats on airy, layered vocals and ends in a smooth sing-along hook. It sets the tone: confident, reflective, and vibe-heavy. The lead single pulls from the sonic DNA of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Jazz (We’ve Got),” with Ché reflecting on staying grounded despite the messiness around her. “Smooth Jazz” is another standout—a classic East Coast boom-bap track built on a hypnotic woodwind loop. My only gripe? It’s too short. An extra verse from Ché or guest 38 Spesh would’ve made it even stronger. Still, the bars hit hard:
“Went in debt from paying dues, I was cashing in lessons
This passive income ain’t come from being passive aggressive
Fix my life by breaking the bank, I was asking for blessings
Life’s a book, it’s all good till you hit Chapter 11”
“Moroccan Mint” brings a soulful vibe layered with tough drum snares. Ché links up with fellow Buffalo rapper Jae Skeese, and as usual, drops a food-for-thought line that sticks:
“My food for thought’s an acquired taste, come grab a plate /
Recipe’s as good as a grandmother that passed away /
Advice from elders I was asked to take? /
But I take it with a grain of salt, it’s how I got my fashion taste.”
On “KATASTWOF,” Ché holds her own alongside heavyweights Skyzoo and Ransom over a buttery R&B-tinged beat. Then there’s “Dollar Tree,” where she joins Von Pea and Skyzoo again for a clever riff on currency and discount stores—using the metaphor to talk about appreciating simple pleasures even when you’ve got money in the bank. The project closes strong. “Ego Trips” finds Ché pushing past her comfort zone, boasting that she can write rhymes while doing handstands, while DJ Eveready supplies razor-sharp cuts. Finally, there’s “Susie,” featuring Smoke DZA. The production here is cold and hazy, and DZA feels perfectly at home in the pocket. At just eight tracks, No Validation is short but rich. Ché Noir proves yet again that she’s one of the most consistent voices in hip-hop right now. And with The Other Guys behind the boards, the production is as textured and versatile as her pen.
