This is the best cut off of Gorilla Twins (Nems & Ill Bill) album. I love this beat from Stu Bangas and the way Nems and Bill narrate the ups and downs their lives and careers have taken. Any one who partakes in life can feel this track. Definitely check out this album if you have not already!
Craig G – Limelight (Video)
Really dope cut off of Craig G’s new project, The Fragile Ego, which just dropped today. There’s a lot to love this track. I love the the production with the flute and precise cuts, which goes hand-in-hand with emcees dope commentary about how so many crave and will do anything the limelight.
38 Spesh – The Showdown (Video)
38 Spesh is another artist that simply can do no wrong. He surprised us with his latest EP, 6 Shots, and this is a gem from the project. What I think makes Spesh remarkable is that is equal parts producer and emcee, and is remarkable at both. The mans has beats and bars in abundance and every project is something that needs recommendation.
M-Dot – Another Day (Video)
M-Dot has let us into his life as an artist through his music before, but this time you can visually see the endurance it takes to keep up with his kind of grind. It takes not only the talent, but the willingness to sacrifice the things that many of us take for granted, in order for success to be achieved.
And I’ve said it before, not many fuse talent and hustle like M-Dot has for many years. I’m also going to go as far and say this: So many talented artists have folded their tents for as long as I have been writing, but M-Dot is a testament to that necessary resiliency.
Daniel Son x Asun Eastwood x Futurewave x 36th Cypher – Portable Stoves (Video)
Whatever moniker these guys put out their music under, Futurewave, Asun Eastwood, and Daniel Son only drop gems. Ever since they got their sound out a few years ago, their names stay ringing. And we all keep close tabs on when they are going to drop their next projects. So now we have Bite The Bullet, a subsequent offering from last year’s joint, Physics Of Filth (which I still bump steadily). It’s potent material that hip hop fans are going to be sure to love.
Single You Out: Eastern Sunz – Welfare (ft. Rahim Thornhill)
Another dope album that I need to put you on to is this project from Portland’s Eastern Sunz, Fuel For A Fool’s Errand. It’s that intelligent and soulful hip hop, that not only incorporates boom bap flavor, but also great song making and that’s something that’s pretty rare in today’s day in age. So listen to Welfare, hear the soul…the funk…the cuts…and the lyricism and tell me it’s not remarkable hip hop. This album is phenomenal.
Single You Out: Theo3 – Nap Time
Theo3 is someone I have promoted for years and when we talked about artists who have been slept on, he is at the top of the list. This guy is an amazing talent. He makes the kind of music that I love. It’s boom bap and it’s intelligent. And on this track, Nap Time, you combine those things with some Biggie and Ghetto Boys samples, you’ve got something really amazing on your hands. Did I mention Theo3 produces this joint? All the more amazing.
Strong Minded is one of my favorite releases this year and you guys should hear it. After listening to this song…you will be craving the whole project.
Single You Out: Milano Constantine – Big Apple
Milano Constantine’s, Winston Wolf EP, has been out for over a month but I really don’t think it’s gotten the credit it so justly deserves. Constatine is a ‘professional’ spitter. I mean his rhyme game is incredibly polished and when he is presented with production that he receives here…you need to share the exquisite results so on the strength of this cut…check the project!
BP – Gunsmoke (ft. RJ Payne x E Class) (Video)
This song has a lot of bite behind it! This is my favorite track from BP’s latest EP, The Supreme Seven. This beat from BP knocks doors off hinges. I love the the keys being pushed here along with the snapping drums. And damn…RJ Payne and E Class annihilate the production. These are some insanely tough bars. Probably will be one of my favorite tracks from the year when it’s all said and done. I feel it that much.
Shabaam Sahdeeq x Nick Wiz – Thunderin (Video)
Dope song and video from legends Shabaam Sahdeeq and Nick Wiz off of their forthcoming collaborative EP, Cabin Fever. This joint truly knocks and should have any fan of hip hope eager to cop the project when it drops. The strong lyricism and flow over some cascading boom-bap has us yearning for more!
Hip Hop Dependency 