RJ Payne flexes his diversity as an artist through the variety of his projects. He just released his latest project, My Life Iz A Movie 2 and theme is certainly more autobiographical. He narrates his losses, his struggles, and his perseverance to get to where he is today. Definitely connecting the Rocky story to his own. The track is soulfully laced by PA Dre.
Rasheed Chappell – Mascots (Video)
Rasheed Chappell has a new project on his hands entitled, Sugar Bills. Mascots, is the most recent video single from that joint, and as you can hear, this hits hard. The beat from The Arcitype tells you from the jump that something wicked approaches. It’s got a very menacing flair to it, that I really feel, and love the Ed OG sample. And Chappell is a microphone professional who flips rhymes seemingly effortless over the beat. A union of dopeness here!
RIM x J BEERS One More Beer For DOOM (Video)
RIM is an artist who is on a dominant run. And this joint with J Beers, One More Beer For DOOM. The beat from Beers hits hard with the guitar and the way those drums snap in your eardrums. And since this is a lyric video you can read along with the wordplay of RIM, but it’s as sharp as you would expect. The way he connects the bars should serve as a lesson in the craft.
This joint is the bonus track on the collaborative project, Verse Ability. Worth the cop on the strength of it’s own.
Skanks The Rap Martyr – Make it Hot (Video)
Skanks dropped another video single from his project, Bulletproof Confidence. And as the rule of thumb goes, we are going push whatever music this artist releases. It’s guaranteed dope, and this joint it no different.
We get the U.G. produced head nodder in the form of Make It Hot. It’s uptempo and high energy, and there’s never been a beat that Skanks can’t rip. His pen game and flow are in an elite place.
Aesop Rock – Mindful Solutionism (Video)
Aesop Rock has another single on his hands, Mindful Solutionism, which he also produced. It’s a really dope vibe as he harnesses this very ‘digital’ production has his backdrop to narrate the course of invention through history and up to now. It’s also a little less abstract than some of his other works, which in this case lends itself to an easy yet intriguing listening experience. Enjoy!
Single You Out: Obnoxious – Powerful Forces (ft. Rakaa Iriscience)
New single from Obnoxious, featuring Rakaa Iriscience. Powerful Forces actually has a early Dilated Peoples or Swollen Members vibe with this production. Definitely got some high energy and really if I see Rakaa’s name attached to anything, I am going to check it. Severely underrated. But both emcees attack this track in a professional fashion.
Single You Out: Luke Sick x Wolfagram – Hell’s Melody
I stumbled across this release from emcee Luke Sick and producer Wolfagram. The album is called, Garshas-Lungs 237. I honestly have not listened to it all as of this moment but did cop it off of the strength of this…the first song off of the album…Hell’s Melody.
The beat on this from Wolfagram is sick (no pun intended…or maybe). It’s got that dark and ominous feel. And then when, the guitar licks come in on the break, wow…that’s some sure head nod effect there.
And Luke Sick, has this casual and conversational flow, but he definitely brings it lyrically to match the production vibe. Really enjoyed this all around.
Single You Out: Defcee x Messiah Musik – The Golem Brooklyn Theme Song
I am a huge of fan of Defcee. Though some will hate comparisons, I think of the first time I heard Aesop Rock’s Labor Days as to the first time I heard Defcee. He just has an uncanny way of juxtaposing words though not as abstract. It’s just incredibly clever writing and he has the voice and skill to back up that pen game.
Here, over some superlative production Messiah Musik, Defcee jumps into his Jewish culture referencing the creation of the Golem. I am no expert, but this a creation in Jewish folklore where a ‘being’ is created from clay for servitude. I read about this in the Umberto Eco book, The Prague Cemetery. But now that you know how nerdy I might be, listen to the illness demonstrated below.
This single is the lead off of an entire project in which Defcee reflects upon his Jewish heritage and experience in the United States. I can’t wait to hear it in its entirety.
DJ Muggs – Ready For War (ft. Meyhem Lauren)(Video)
Meyhem Lauren gets masked up for this video single from DJ Mugg’s album, Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley. Ready For War is definitely one of the hype tracks from the project from these now, what I would call, long time collaborators. Muggs rings alarms, and Lauren puts you on high alert with the pen game. This joint will definitely get you moving out of your chair.
Sauce Heist – R.I.P. Lord Superb (Video)
Sauce Heist and K-Sluggah dropping the video single for R.I.P. Lord Superb, from their recently released album, SaS. A somber banger from the duo, from a really good album. The piano loop with the bevy of sound, coupled with Heist’s realism, make this one a necessity for your eardrums.
Hip Hop Dependency 