When two of the grittiest pens in the Tri-State area finally decide to share a booth for an entire project, people usually expect fireworks. Or at least some very expensive-sounding drums. But what Dave East and Ransom did with The Final Call is something else entirely. It’s heavy. It’s somber. Honestly, it feels less like a victory lap and more like a high-level briefing from two guys who have seen way too much of the concrete.
Released on February 21, 2025, the timing wasn't some random marketing pivot. That date marks the anniversary of Malcolm X's assassination. Ransom has been vocal about this—he basically said the release was a direct tribute to the character of a man who died "homeless and without riches" but with his soul intact. That’s the energy of this whole album. It’s not about the jewelry or the club appearances. It’s about the cost of the life.
The Chemistry of Dave East & Ransom The Final Call
If you've followed these two, you know they’ve crossed paths before. We saw the sparks on tracks like "Everything for Sale" and the "Rolling Deep" series curated by the late DJ Kay Slay. But a full-length LP is a different beast. Sometimes these "supergroup" pairings feel like two separate artists mailing in verses from different time zones. Not here.
The interplay is seamless. On the opener, "AUDUBON BALLROOM," produced by MadeinTYO, they ditch the heavy percussion for a drumless, soul-sampled atmosphere. It forces you to actually listen. Dave East brings that Harlem smoothness—that "I just stepped out of a black SUV" vibe—while Ransom counters with the surgical, Jersey City grit that has made him an underground legend.
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A Tracklist Built on Substance
The guest list for The Final Call is short but absolutely lethal. You don’t just "get" a Jay Electronica feature; you summon it. On the title track, "THE FINAL CALL," Jay, East, and Ran create a trio that sounds like a secret society meeting. It’s dense. You’ll probably need to hit the back button three or four times just to catch the metaphors about spiritual warfare and street politics.
Then there’s "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY." Method Man shows up and, frankly, it’s a bit scary how good he still is. He hasn’t lost a step in thirty years. The track is soulful, but the lyrics are haunted. They talk about the "sad waiting" people do—waiting for you to pass away just so they can finally say you were "nice" with the pen. It’s a cynical look at the industry that feels very real coming from veterans.
Production and Atmospheric Choices
V Don and Prophecy handle a lot of the heavy lifting behind the boards. If you know V Don’s work, you know it’s cinematic. It sounds like a rainy night in a borough you shouldn't be in after midnight.
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- "MAYHEM" (featuring 22Gz) brings a slightly different energy, bridging the gap between the lyrical gods and the Brooklyn drill scene.
- "AL KABIR BEACH" with Abby Jasmine offers a moment of reflection on the bank deposits they’re seeing now versus the days of "making a way" out of nothing.
- "THE MOSQUE" leans back into that religious and soulful imagery that anchors the project.
There is a consistent thread of faith and "the doctrine" throughout the record. Tracks like "SOUL FOOD IN MECCA" and "EXOTIC PRAYER RUGS" (shoutout Jadin Alexander on the vocals) aren't just cool names. They represent a pivot. These guys are older. They're praying more. They’re thinking about legacy.
The "Fairwells" to the Street Life
The album closes with "FAIRWELLS," and if you haven't seen the video, you should. It’s them essentially saying goodbye to the habits and the environments that almost took them out. Ransom drops a bar about how a "long sentence will lead to a couple brief kites," referring to prison letters. It’s a sobering reminder that for every rap success story, there are a thousand guys sitting in a six-by-nine cell.
Dave East follows up with a verse about separating from the "rock" (the drug game) similar to how Jay-Z (Hova) thought. It’s an exit strategy set to music.
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Why The Final Call Hits Different
Most rap albums in 2026 are trying to find a TikTok hook. The Final Call doesn't care about your "For You" page. It’s a 10-track, 37-minute masterclass in East Coast lyricism. It’s short enough to keep you focused but dense enough to warrant a month of repeat listens.
Is it perfect? Some might say it’s too dark. If you’re looking for a summer anthem to play at a BBQ, this isn't it. This is "headphones on, walking through the city at 2 AM" music. It’s for the people who miss the era when the beat stayed out of the way of the bars.
The Final Call by Dave East and Ransom is a reminder that the "essence" of New York rap isn't dead; it just grew up. It’s more responsible now. It’s more reflective. But it’s just as dangerous.
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Listeners
If you're ready to dive into this collaboration, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Listen in Sequence: This isn't a "shuffle" album. The transition from the Audubon Ballroom (where Malcolm X was killed) to the final farewells is a narrative arc.
- Watch the Visuals: The video for "FAIRWELLS" adds a layer of reality to the lyrics. It shows the entourage, the streets, and the transition into a different "speed" of life.
- Check the Physicals: Next Records put out a limited CD and vinyl run with alternate artwork. If you’re a collector, the "Moon Phase Effect" vinyl is the one to hunt down.
- Explore the Production: If you like the sound of this, look up V Don’s work with 38 Spesh or Ransom’s previous tape Chaos Is My Ladder. It’ll give you the context for the "drumless" movement they're perfecting here.