It’s a union of coasts when N.B.S. and Bishop Lamont tag team to tackle a world of temptations with the track, Vices, off of their new album, The Smokefest. What’s your vice?
Bekay – All for the Cash (Video)
I am breaking that rule again where I refuse to showcase freestyles over someone else’s beats. I just can’t simply ignore the fact that Bekay went in over this DJ Premier beat, so I was forced to break my rule or else commit a worse sin and not share this with you. You can find this track on J-Ronin’s Freestyle Files Vol. 2.
I am a big fan of Bekay’s work and I understand he is working on a new album, SURVIVORMAN. Got to keep checking back for that.
Esoteric & Stu Bangas – Steel Chairs (Video)
I am typically not a fan of montage/mashup videos but this one for Steel Chairs had me feeling a bit nostalgic. I grew up watching the likes of Arn and Oli Anderson and the Four Horsemen so this video took me back. I hadn’t thought about any of those names in a long while. And lets not forget to mention that the music from Esoteric and Stu Bangas is prime choice. Make sure you peep their new album, Machete Mode.
Single You Out: Sean Price & M-Phazes – Dump In The Gut
Sean Price linking with M-Phazes? Ain’t nothing wrong with that. Dump In The Gut intertwines Sean P’s signature flow and punchlines with Phazes’ blazing horns and snapping drums. However, this is just the prelude to their full length project dropping in just a couple of weeks. Land of the Crooks is dropping on December 17th. Nice surprise.
Single You Out: J.Nolan – Speed of Light
Here’s a little bit of perseverance and positivity set to a jazzy rhythm. J.Nolan collaborates with Polish producer, Tuelv for the track Speed Of Light which is part of his #DistinguishYourself music series (which I knew nothing about). But if each track is as delectable as this, I am going to have to post more of his material.
Single You Out: Jamall Bufford – Silencers (ft. Magestik Legend)
Jamall Bufford (aka Buff1) hits cruise control over the Slot-A produced track, Silencers. The track has a nice mix of synth and drums. I especially like the sharp cascading synth that occupies the verses. Bufford also has a knack for clever lyricism and flow that can change cadence at a moments notice. Definitely be on the lookout for his album, Victim Of A Modern Age.
D-Strong & Macapella – You Ain’t Fly (Video)
Some artists and I are just on the same wavelength and D-Strong is one of those emcees who puts to music some of the same thoughts that I have in my own mind. He sees what I see: A carbon copy industry where fans worship, as Strong puts it, the Golden Calf. And while the video portrayal may seem to be over the top it’s probably closer to the mark than we would all like to admit. D-Strong always brings you a dose of reality with that traditional boom bap back drop. Much respect. Check out the collaborative album, Sacrifice.
Bankai Fam – Move On (Video)
I simply missed this one in my inbox. I am not (or was not) up on the Bankai Fam sound but after listening to this track I am going to have start bearing a little witness around here. The team’s got a nice flavor over this Azaia track. The emcees each have distinct voices that play well off of one another. The emcee who drops the second sixteen has one of those gravelly flows that you just don’t hear all that frequently. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the Bankai Fam. I am going right over to Amazon to cop their new album, On My Side.
Reckonize Real – The Business (ft. Torae, M-Dot & Tribeca) (Music Video)
This video for The Business, is mad creative in addition to being a dope song. I mean, you can’t lose when you have Torae, M-Dot, and Tribeca represent but the quality of this video takes it next level. The cut itself is off of Reckonize Real’s new album, Dopamine, That album has a slew of bangers on it so I would not hesitate to pick that up.
Single You Out: SGT. Over – Better Than A Rapper (ft. Reks)
The Big Music LP hype machine is full in effect and that’s a good thing as we get yet another single from SGT. Over, this time featuring Reks. Better Than A Rapper is a shout out to all the 9 to 5ers, the overtimers, and the daily grinders. In essence, it’s giving respect to the average joe pulling his weight.
