I could have featured any number of “official” singles or videos from projects, but I am taking the road less travelled to bring you one of the hardest hitting tracks of 2024. Vega7 The Ronin and Ferris Blusa released an EP a week or so ago called Both Hands Wash The Face which is altogether really fire. But this Kalos Beats joint, Oppenheimer, does indeed spell annihilation. This production is the definition of a head nodder. The piano keys, the drums, the bass line, and that vocal sample pull off the perfect platter. Vega7 and Blusa each drop impeccably intelligent and fire verses to complete the effect of the bomb drop. This is a sure shot winner for the year. Love it.
Single You Out: Shabaam Sahdeeq – So Glad (prod. by Tone Beatz)
Consistently dope. That’s the two words that come to mind when thinking of Shabaam Sahdeeq’s career. Over the past couple of decades plus he continues to deliver dope music, at his high standard, and at his own pace. And as the song says…we are “so glad” he continues to bless us with his authenticity and talent. Tone Beatz takes gives us the gospel as Sahdeeq takes us to church!
Single You Out: Mic Bles – Graffiti On The Wall
Mic Bles has a new joint out produced by J. Mooney, and it has a rather bluesy vibe incorporated into some good old fashioned boom-bap hip hop. Bles continues to deliver quality hip hop time and time again, this time showing you that as the same time the streets are talking, the writing is literally on the wall as well with a tribute to one of the fundamental pillars of hip hop…graffiti.
Poe Mack & Van Gunz – The Reset (Video)
Virginia has some talent people! And emcee Poe Mack and producer Van Gunz are among those gifted individuals. I am not sure where this track is off of, or if it’s a loosie but it stands alone as being dope. Van Gunz laces a beautiful production for Poe Mack to shed some pretty poignant and dope insight over.
Everywhere building opponents I can’t see yet / Try to quarterback the future without a deep threat
Blu – Wild Wild West (prod. by Evidence) (Video)
Well we have to acknowledge (like every other blog) that this might be the most anticipated project of 2024. Evidence and Blu unite to give us a taste of California with impending album, Los Angeles. And on the video single, Wild Wild West, we get a sampling of the beauty that is to behold. Man, Evidence crafts such a beautiful soundscape for Blu to paint those vivid tapestries that are his stories in LA. This is a win for everyone, and is definitely living up to the hype.
Natural Elements – YKTV (prod. by Charlemagne) (Video)
Am I biased? Probably. But Natural Elements to me embodies all that is good in hip hop. And this may be another favorite joint of mine from the trio. First and foremost, I am a traditionalist so hearing our emcees rock over some godly Charlemagne production just sounds like everyone is where they should be. It’s natural. The way Charlemagne carries this Andre wind instrumentation through the track is just beautiful. He was the original producer for the group back from the jump and I loved how seamless everything sounded. It’s that special polish that brings an extremely talented group of lyricists together. Love this joint.
Big Trip – Death Wish (Video)
The Umbrella has been doing big things in the last several years. But one of the lesser known quantities of the unit (at least for me) was Big Trip. Well, as they say, if you didn’t know then, you know now. Big Trip comes out guns blazing with this Jamil Honesty infused heat rock. This joint knocks, and Trip can see death around the corner.
New project, Honestly Filthy, is completely produced by Honesty, and he does a really amazing job behind the boards, and Trip really impresses. I can’t get enough of this release.
Starvin B – Bucky (Video)
Starvin B material is an auto post here on HHD. He has been from the jump. He’s always delivered high level lyricism but now it seems he is producing joints, and maybe he has been all this time but I can’t recall. Lyrically there is an intermingling of love for his dog, and just life references in general. But all in all this joint is dope as you would come to expect from Starvin.
Ty Farris – Villain With The Smile (Video)
Ty Farris is a name that we should be accustomed to seeing on Hip Hop Dependency. The talented Detroit representative, has a new album out, Enigma WIth An Attitude, and VIllain With A Smile is yet another dope single off of that project, produced by Brooks XY. This song has exemplary word play.
Killing shit, Jason Vorhees with your door keys / Rappers begging for features but they all got sore knees…
Single You Out: Skeezo – The Network (ft. Dro Pesci x D.R.E Clombian Raw)
Skeezo and Whip Beats are cooking again and bring you another grimy banger from their upcoming album, Bad Things Never Happen At A Good Time. Just more boom bap flavor to your face. Dro Pesci and D.R.E Colombian Raw join forces with Skeezo on the mic and deliver heavy hitting pen game.
Hip Hop Dependency 