When people talk about German products, whether it’s cars or other precision-made items, they often highlight qualities like exceptional engineering, top-tier quality, and unwavering work ethic. The VW series, representing V Don and Willie the Kid, brings those same qualities into the world of music. Cleverly named after the iconic Volkswagen and the old German currency, Deutsche Mark, this series showcases high-end craftsmanship and artistry. V Don’s pristine production paired with Willie the Kid’s sharp lyricism makes each album a display of hip-hop at its finest: engineered with precision, crafted with care, and executed with excellence.

Deutsche Marks II: My Starting Point

I first discovered Deutsche Marks II when I came across its catchy artwork. The black and gold colors, the VW logo, and the German title immediately piqued my curiosity. The first track I listened to was “Mother of Pearls” featuring ETO. It felt like winning the lottery on your first try: unexpected and thrilling. The music video was just as impressive, bringing that East Coast grimey, dark alley rap vibe with Carhartt fits, a winter backdrop, ETO on the hook, and the duo’s seamless use of the same rhyming pattern in different ways. It was like watching Messi and Neymar during their prime at Barça.

The rest of the album was just as strong. Every beat served a purpose, with tracks like the haunting “Glass Shopping” perfectly capturing the feel of an East Coast winter.

“My views not for debate unless I value yours“ – Willie The Kid – Plume Wine

Deutsche Marks I: Back To Where It All Started

I was late to the series and started with Deutsche Marks II, but it made me eager to go back and explore the first album. That project is a no-skip, banger after banger. V Don’s top-notch beats and Willie the Kid’s lyrical bars made each track a standout. “Foreign Lands” featuring Mayhem Lauren was particularly memorable, blending drumless grooves with added percussion. Even without drums, it would have hit just as hard. Their smooth, eloquent flow felt like dining at a 5-star Michelin restaurant: exhilarating and refined. “Blue Notes” then shifted the mood, bringing you back to the harsh reality of winter and introspection. Capturing such a range of emotions is not easy in rap.

“The Love Kept Me Afloat, The Hate Kept Me On My Toes” – Willie The Kid – Blue Notes

Another standout track is “24 Hours” featuring Roc Marciano, where both artists shine over a drumless beat, painting vivid pictures with their verses. Like the rest of the project, this track set the bar high for the series, showcasing the artistry and depth that make Deutsche Marks I unforgettable.

The track “Black Sinatra” is another highlight, with Willie declaring, “Euros, Swiss Francs, Deutsche Marks, Dollars Bills..” This project embodies the strength and prestige of those currencies and nations, proving to be high-caliber in every way.

Deutsche Marks III: A Hat-Trick and Three-Pointer in One

At this point, I was already hooked on the series and hoping they would keep the tradition going to get us through the dark and cold winters. And they did. Out of nowhere, they announced the third installment. V Don’s beats kept evolving, and Willie the Kid’s pen just got sharper. A great example of this is the track “Heather Grey 2.” For those who don’t know, “Heather Grey” is the group made up of Willie the Kid, ETO, and V Don. They even have an album together, and yes, YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT. The dark piano and drums from V Don, paired with Willie the Kid’s haunting lyrics and ETO’s storytelling, combined with the abstract Volkswagen-inspired art, make you feel like you’re watching a movie for three solid minutes.

Deutsche Marks IV: The Finale

And last but not least, to close out 2024 on a high note, the duo announced and released the fourth installment of the series in October 2024. Usually, even with major artists, I start to feel tired and burned out after the second album because they’re just trying to ride the wave of their first two successes. But trust me when I say that the fourth installment is my favorite of the series. This one is truly a NO SKIP project, with both V Don and Willie the Kid delivering on an even higher level.

The intro, “EXXON,” is divine. The drumless loop lays out a perfect red carpet for Willie the Kid’s fancy and high-end flow, setting the tone for the album. This is confirmed on “BRIEFCASE RAP,” featuring Uncle Alchemist, who was fresh off a crazy run with the Gangrene project. He put the cherry on top with an incredible verse that elevated the track.

By the time I hit the third track, “Indecisive,” and then “SCAPEGOAT,” I knew this was something special. “SCAPEGOAT” is my favorite track of the album so far; the way Willie flows effortlessly over the beat is a masterclass for any rapper who tries to overdo it. At this point, it’s hard not to mention this duo as one of the greatest of all time. For weeks, I found myself playing this album during the day and KA’s The Thief and the Next to Jesus at night (which I’ll review in an upcoming post, stay tuned!).

I often hear people say that this new wave of rappers brought boom bap back. To me, they didn’t just bring it back; they gave it a new life. Over the past 7 years, this duo has aged like fine wine, consistently delivering on their promise. Starting with Deutsche Marks I in 2017, followed by Deutsche Marks II in 2020, they raised the bar further with Deutsche Marks III in 2022, and capped it off with Deutsche Marks IV in 2024. Each release reflects their growth, dedication, and commitment to keeping hip-hop alive and evolving. V Don and Willie the Kid have proven themselves to be more than just a duo. They’re a force that honors the roots while shaping the future.

I want to thank V Don and Willie for putting these masterpieces together. I was fortunate enough to get all the vinyls from the collection before they sold out. Do yourself a favor and dive into their work. You won’t regret it.

Show some love to V Don & Willie The Kid on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/vdonsoundz

https://www.instagram.com/thewilliethekid

Buy:

Deutsche Marks I on Bandcamp.com

Deutsche Marks II on Bandcamp.com

Deutsche Marks III Vinyl on Getondown.com

Deutsche Marks IV Vinyl on RRCMusic.co