Spit Gemz unleashes some fury from the vaults! And tell me it doesn’t sound like it should make it on a project! This joint is dope and has Gemz lyrical stamp all over it that stands the test of time showing you that forgotten joints on hard drives can be like lost audio treasure.
Single You Out: Serge Severe – One of One (ft. Cool Nutz & Ras Kass)
Serge Severe has been with us on HHD since our inception, and we stand by that talent all that many years later. And he has a strong one on his hands with this remix of One Of One, featuring Cool Nutz and Ras Kass, and produced by Trox. This is a bar bonanza right here! Really dope collaboration!
Single You Out: Benny Watts – No Hook
This is one of those tracks that you could be having a deep conversation with some people, and as soon as the music comes on, you have to tell everyone to shut the f-ck up. This joint is that THAT real. Benny Watts just released the album, Stovetop Chronicles, with producer Profound79 and the whole project delivers on production and that raw lyricism. But this joint turned made me pause. The delivery over this beat and that vocal sample needs to be spoken about. So preach it to the high heavens!
And I didn’t even realize…we got a video for this joint too! Enjoy it all!
Single You Out: Lateb & Kore – Love & Sin
Got a really dope song to share with you from Lateb & Kore’s new project simly entitled, &. Love & Sin is my favorite song from the short project. I really love the melodic nature in which they deliver this. This is a joint that I could easily here on the radio. It’s got so much replay value and definitely gets stuck in your head. Kore is known for his melodic choruses on M-Dot’s project, and I actually forgot Lateb had some singing chops as well. And lyrically they each dip into those lustful moments you encounter in your life. Devil on your shoulder type ish. It turns out to be a great pairing and I dare you to tell me different.
Single You Out: John Jigg$ – New Breed (prod. by DJ Mickey Knocks)
If you haven’t heard, the incomparable John Jigg$ has a new project out, By God’s Good Grace. I’ve always been a fan of the way Jigg$ can deliver on ANY beat, and apply any style and topic, but this is one of his best projects to date. Every time I thought I heard “the best track” the next one stole the show. There are some darker notes struck on the project which I have a propensity for, but as a body of work this is complete. Even the interludes are articulated well and give the project depth. In sharing with you I am singling out the DJ Mickey Knocks guitar infused rhythm because it’s a different energy and sets the bar.
Single You Out: One Be Lo & Bliqee The Anonymiss – A Tax
One Be Lo is an artist, producer, and professional emcee who has been honing his craft for almost three decades. His lyricism, poetry, and creativity are one of a kind. The way he approaches topics is fresh and keeps listeners on their toes. So when he decides to release something we all best pay attention. And here has a very poinant collaborative track from a forthcoming project featuring Bliqees The Anonymiss on the chorus giving a truly musical feel. A Tax addresses the conditions of the average person across the globe in respect to oppression and the imposed social condition.
This track means something!
Single You Out: Sayzee & Lupara – Stigmata (prod. by SB11)
Deinitely need to showcase this project from Sayzee and Lupara, Word On The Street Is God Wants You Dead. First…that is probably the illest album title to drop in recent memory. When you hear that…you expect something ill. And that’s exactly what you get. The project is 14 tracks deep and features the production skills of seven really dope producers collectively known as the Lupara. You get such distinct sounds and styles, with many tracks engaging in switch ups. But the one constant is, Sayzee flips on each of them with deft skill and lyricism. The quantity of quality hip hop you get on this album makes this a contender for those album of the year lists. It’s that good.
The single I decided to share with you all is the SB11 produced Stigmata. That initial beat had me five seconds into it and Sayzee just cooks on this one!
Single You Out: DJ Mirage – Lift Up (ft. M-Dot x Big Shug x Lil Fame)
My timing is less than impeccable, however my ears are still super sharp. And if you haven’t checked out DJ Mirage’s new album, Background Check, I feel like you need to get on that. There are so many great songs on that project, but perhaps none greater than the posse cut featuring M-Dot, Big Shug, and Lil Fame, Lift Up.
This beat from Mirage is insane. The piano loop with those haunting vocals yield the perfect sounds for energetic and professional lyricism.
Check out a segment of M-Dot’s bars:
I bided my time, put work in, was patient / Watched rap decline, it was hurt from inflation / Lift up when tired, I’m finding my purpose / And anytime I sunk below, I climbed to the surface/ It’s grown man struggle, I’ve turned to strength / The microphone’s therapeutic, I’ve learned to vent.
Single You Out: Myka 9 & Blu – Free
Here is something pretty amazing in the way of both music and news! Myka 9 and Blu are collaborating with some new music and bringing back a flair that really has been missing from hip hop particularly this year. First…about the union…Myka 9 helped to change the landscape of west coast hip hop in the 1990s as a member of Freestyle Fellowship. It was a sound unto itself and spawned many solo careers and inspired many to push innovation in hip hop. They, nor he, get enough credit for that inspiration. Blu, by comparison and contrast, took the torch and the mantle, when he set off on his journey with producer Exile for the album, Below The Heavens. And he has since continued and blazed new trails in hip hop…but not without inspiration from Myka 9. Now the two have a new collaborative project from the two dropping this year entitled, God Takes Care Of Babies & Fools. Free is the first offering from the project and features an uptempo, jazzy, bluesy, and soulful soundscape from NYC producer, Mono En Stereo. Listen to worlds and talents collide on this joint!
Single You Out: Rute Juxx & Skanks The Rap Martyr – MDB
Ruste Juxx and Skanks The Rap Martyr have joined forces to give you that neck snapping adrenaline rush over a banger from U.G. of the Cella Dwellas. The union of talent giving you heavy doses of that Brooklyn flavor! If I am not mistaken, this is just a precursur to a complete project from the three artists, which we eagerly await!
Hip Hop Dependency 