Singles, Albums, EPs, Mixtapes, and Videos that get the HHD thumbs up.
J-Live makes timeless hip hop. He was an innovator decades ago and still continues to flex innovation and talent. Here he shows off not only on the mic but on the production tip as well. Lose No Time is the first single off of the forthcoming album, Face Value. Surely to be all hip hop and no facade.
I’ve got to put you onto this new project from Skrewtape and producer Icerocks. It takes a special artist to drop $30 on a digital release, but I have a lot of faith in these guys. I didn’t listen to a snippet before I purchased. I knew what I was going to be getting. It’s the soulful uncut hip hop music that can do no wrong. On the track Chimney Fish, Icerocks laces that neck snapping rhythm, while Skrewtape delivers that gravelly flow in the cut like no one else can. Highly recommend you checking this album out: Shoebox Sonata.
We just featured the single from Mic Bles and Level 13 a few days ago and now we have the video to celebrate the release of Still No Halos, which is another banger from the duo. One thing I have come to know about Mic Bles is this artist is ROOOOOOOTED in hip hop. Everything he does on the mic is a true representation of being an emcee. And the the pairing with ethemadassassin is strong. One of my favorite tracks from this year with Level 13 lacing the banger and DJ Romes giving you those extra touches.
I missed out earlier this month when the single Walk With Me from Blame One and Preed One came out, and it’s time for some atonement because this song is so good. Blame One’s bars hit clearly and cleverly over some really smooth and soulful production from Preed and DJ TMB (a renowned turntabalist) puts the finishing touches on the song. This song is a beautiful presentation of what hip hop is capable of.
Automatic like an uzi going rapid fire / I struck / And now you know you suck / Like a pacifier
One of my favorite tracks off of M-Dot’s new album, Daze Of Greed. The Enemy Is Everywhere is some Vinny Idol produced vengeance for your ears, as M-Dot just unleashes some pent up aggression. Over the years, as an HHD favorite we’ve seen him mature as an artist and created great concepts and craft great songs, but sometimes, you just need to let the lion out of the cage. HIs pen comes out hot on this one people!
Double A.B. & Git Beats are taking a musical break from the busy world and letting it manifest with this laid back track from the album, Lungs Of Mahalia. Recliner is simply just a mellow vibe, when you want to let it slow down and the world pass by a little. Git Beats really makes this joint marinate with a jazzy piano vibe while Double A.B. lets his thoughts and comparisons fly.
This is a slam dunk banger for 2024 and I don’t think anyone has represented the DMV harder than these gents over the last few years. The production samples Mobb Deep, and Pete Twist delivers this sound that take you back into the streets of 1994, with Jay Royale and Born Unique just firing missle after missle. This joint is ferocious and can be found on Royale’s new project, The Bea Gaddy Soup Kitchen.
Snak The Ripper’s music has ALWAYS hit me hard. He is another artist that just connects with listeners. People FEEL this way and he extrapolates those feelings and puts into the context of a really dope and well executed musical piece. He has producers Jamie Kuse and C-Lance create almost a somber lullaby tone for him to speak on the reasons he doesn’t trust people. And if one of these bars didn’t hit you, you live a charmed life.
Stu Bangas and Tek (from Smif-N-Wessun) link up for this epically orchestrated joint Hour After Hour, to keep you motivated! And this song is a great melding of talents. LIke I said their is something ‘epic’ about this track. Stu Bangas gives us a very regal feeling with this this production, and Tek just asserts his hustle into every bar. He’s not taking any opportunity lying down!
This joint is off of Tek’s forthcoming EP, MVP: MotiVational Purposes.
Supreme Cerebral and Swab are linking up for a project called the Son Of Hannibal, and I am very excited for this one. I think the vicious flows of Cerebral make a great pairing with Swab’s production! You can hear it here with Big Twins linking up for the track, Grimy Life. That somber piano loop, those drums, and those grimy flows say it all! This is a highlight foe 2024.
Hip Hop Dependency 