Singles, Albums, EPs, Mixtapes, and Videos that get the HHD thumbs up.
Little Vic is back, and flexing talent and lyrical dexterity on his single. This joint has that has a “spaced out” sound utilizing sound effects that one would suppose from the Raytheon Don. The tracks sparse approach gives Vic the floor to lay bar after bar without chorus, making your brain do a few back flips as he connects ideas and concepts everso cleverly.
Loyalty Electric…will we see it? I hope so. I can’t wait for another Little Vic project!
Spit Gemz. The name is synonymous with a relentless and ruthless pen game. I’ve used the word ferocious a few times recently but that’s what Gemz is…a blend of intelligence, experience, talent, and ferocity. His verses give you no quarter, they pin your brain down, and don’t let up until the song is done. And here you have that example with the new single, The Final Word. Ciecmate laced the beat, and he does an amazing job matching the emcees intensity with the production.
I seemingly say this with every recent release from Gemz, but his new EP, Diamond Cut, could be his best. I love the production on each track. It’s definitely a must have in 2025. Don’t miss.
Chuck N Lock are back for a new lyrical endeavor with their new Ca$hew laced single, Coriolis. The music is smooth, jazzy, and soothing. The lyricism is introspective and intricate. As artists they push boundaries of thought and language. I love hearing their insight come to life through music, and that my friends is the best way to describe the Chuck N Lock experience…personal insight through music.
The Blue Shell 2 album coming soon! Can’t wait!
Shottie gets personal with his new single, Yellow Cab, and it’s an exceptionally moving autobiographical moment put to music. He narrates the story of his father and mother, detailing moments in their life. Sharing with you, the listener, that he gets his drive from his father. This is the power of music. It moves you. This joint hit me. Dope production comes courtesy of Hobgoblin.
Rap P delivers a video single I am really feeling. Queens Bklyn Coalition Random Acts Of Violence (long title I know) has some production I really feel form 64Muzik…and Rap P delivers on the bar work, creating something really dope. Definitely check it out.
I am catching up from last week and THIS is one of my favorite songs from John Jigg$ period and certainly my favorite from his new project with Butterknife Haircuts, Teflonious Monk. This joint is bullet proof and a half. This beat is dense and reverberates ear drums while Jigg$ knocks it out of the park. Plus…once again…the incomparable Tone Spliff blesses the cuts. This is one of the standouts this year.
Jus Daze pays proper lyrical respect to the boro of Queens with his new single, cleverly lacing places and artists from his point of origin. Brutal Caesar crafts a soothing and mellow production, and Tone Spliff handles the cuts. So you have all the trappings of a dope song. New album from Daze is going to be hitting this summer, and everything I have heard is building the expectations for something excellent!
Reks and producer GREVE put out a really great EP last year, Universal Sound. And the track, Hardcore Reporters, featuring Big Shug and Ruste Juxx is surely a standout from that project. The production has that ominous, threatening, yet subtle sound, allowing the emcees the latitude to drop some fire sixteens.
Queen Herawin just released her sophomore album, Awaken The Sleeping Giant, and the tracks I have heard are all really dope. Now, on the track, Arrogant, the production from Johnny Slash takes a dark turn which I love. Herawin and Poison Pen are feeling a little bit dangerous in their verses…and you can hear that confidence!
Definitely pick up this album!
Supreme Cerebral is just getting started for 2025. After releasing the incredibly dope album with Swab, Son Of Hannibal, he is right back at it! On the joint, Devils Playground, he gets straight to it with the often featured talent of Born Unique, and over a heater from one of our favorite producers, Level 13.
Hip Hop Dependency 