Tracing Kung Foo Grip’s rise from entertaining rap cypher scene-stealers to their newest — and most accomplished — album, The New Flesh, is to witness the veritable growth arc of a duo of uber-talented MCs right before your very eyes. It’s like one of those fast motion scenes in a nature documentary: the caterpillar emerging triumphantly from its cocoon. Or something.

The New Flesh finds KFG making stylistic musical turns without losing its lyrical style which remains deeply embedded in the acrobatic. Once part of the new guard themselves, Kung Foo Grip now helps set the pace for the kiddos coming up behind them.