In the rapidly expanding world of hip-hop blogging, rappers like Trife Da God are referred to as “weed carriers,” implying that they are merely part of the entourage, rewarded with guest spots as payment for their loyalty and subservience. However, Ghostface places Trife front and center on Put It On the Line, showing that his man is more than just a marijuana vessel.

Trife is at his strongest when accompanied by mentor Ghostface, and their chemistry on tracks like “Cocaine Trafficking” and “Fire” is reminiscent of Ghost’s duets with Raekwon back in the good old days. “Milk ‘Em” is the highlight of the album, with both MCs rapping at breakneck speed over one of the rawest, grittiest beats in recent memory. Surprisingly, the album doesn’t lose momentum when Ghost takes off Trife’s training wheels, as Da God holds his own on solo tracks “Hustle Hard,” the reggae-influenced “War,” and “Drugz,” a storytelling track that could seamlessly blend in with any Wu-Tang release.

The album struggles through some unoriginal, cliched songs like “Gangsta Shit” and “Game Time,” and more verses by Ghostface throughout the album couldn’t have hurt, but overall, Trife successfully removes himself from Ghost’s large shadow. While it is clear by Trife’s unrefined style that Ghostface is still holding his hand, in due time, Trife is sure to have his very own “weed carriers” begging for spots on his album.