Boogieman Dela poses a bunch of ‘what ifs’ to his listeners over some bluesy hip hop production. This is some intelligent rhyme writing which is exposed by an excellent flow. I’ve heard Boogieman Dela a couple of times and walked away impressed with every listen. I hope to hear more new music soon.
Mr. Stroke & Dro Pesci – War Report (ft. Shabaam Sahdeeq) (Video)
I got another banger for you all today. This one comes from the combination of Mr. Stroke and Dro Pesci off of their Real In The Field album that dropped back in October of last year. The track features that hard NYC flavor, with a genuine NYC vet in the form of Shabaam Sahdeeq. I am going to have to check out this album some time. Definitely seems like my flavor!
Tug McRaw – The Call (ft. L Perfex) (Video)
Everyone duck! Shots fired! Damn this song from Tug McRaw is hot! It’s that rapid fire heat to make the winter a little more bearable. Y’all are going to love this joint. Trust! I can’t wait to hear some more music from the man.
Single You Out: Gripz – Oh No (prod. by Anno Domini)
I was hesitant about this track at first. I couldn’t tell initially if I liked this chorus or not. But it grows on you, especially when it is sandwiched between some really dope sixteens. I thought the first verse was pretty average, mixed with it’s sexual misogyny, but the last two verses are Grade A, making my decision to post this pretty easy. He definitely gives us a good mix of references including a shout out to Voldemort’s nose. Haha. Gripz’s Poetic Literature Vol. 3 is on it’s way.
Single You Out : Omniscient – Clear The Air
This music is a gift from Omniscient. The production from Locos Por Juana is pretty dope. I am feeling the percussion and the piano keys as they mellow out the track and let you really focus on the verbals.
Single You Out: Verbal Kent – Raponomics (prod. by Khrysis)
I am really glad to see Verbal Kent make moves in the last couple of years. This is a man who has been paying dues for a long time, and his recognition is long overdue. He’s got a very recognizable voice, so every time he hits the mic there’s no questioning the identity. His rhyme writing has also elevated throughout the years. This time he teams up with the legendary, Khrysis for the song, Rapanomics, which is the jump off for their album, Sound Of The Weapon, which drops on February 28th. Peep.
Single You Out: Macabeats x Cool FD – Pardon My French
This is the title track from Macabeats and Cool FD’s collaborative album dropping on January 20th. This joint definitely builds anticipation for the full project. Macabeats has a very crisp and smooth delivery and I love the sound Cool FD crafted within the scale of his production. This is definitely a good way to set off 2014.
Single You Out: Revalation – Death To All Fakes (ft. Senica Da Misfit & Don Streat) (prod. By DJ Brans)
This is a DJ Brans produced banger off of Revalation’s new project, Feature Presentation. The sound is live. DJ Brans always delivers on these tough tracks while Rev, joined by Senica Da Misfit and Don Streat, make sure to represent to the fullest. I have to say, I have never heard Senica Da Misfit previously, but his bars leave a lasting impression. I would be interested in hearing some more material.
Top 50 Songs (2013)
Disclaimer: It is hard and challenging to pick 50 tracks from the thousands upon thousands that dropped this year. It is merely an attempt to list my favorite cuts of 2012. Click the links to listen to the song! I think it’s a great list. There were a lot of great songs crafted this year and I know I left off some good ones. I listened to 5,000+ tracks from 2012 alone this year, so as an artist, if you made this list you know you are on the forefront of my iTunes!
1. Said Before – Goldini Bagwell
2. Rhyme Of The Year – Nino Bless
4. Outlive, Outshine – Theo3
Artist Of The Year: Nutso (2013)
It is an honor and a privilege to present to you the Hip Hop Dependency Artist Of The Year for 2013: Nutso (Twitter, Facebook, Website, YouTube). I have been a huge fan of Nutso for a long time but this was a banner year for him. He really went above and beyond what the rest of the pack is doing. There are A LOT of talented artists, but very few have the work ethic and the drive that Nutso does. In 2013, he released dope project after dope project and he has no intentions of stopping that pace in 2014.
It’s one thing to be dope. It’s entirely another thing to be relentless. Nutso is both. He is constantly creating with a slew of different producers and finding new avenues to push the envelope of his music. All the while he builds on the foundation that is New York Boom-Bap.
So without further ado, I bring you words from the man himself, as he graciously agreed to answer a few questions from HHD. Be sure to check his older projects along with his current ones, and prepare for the future!:
