If there’s anybody who can get the listener ready for war it’s Born Unique and Spit Gemz, backed by sounds and scratches from Pete Twist and DJ TMB, respectively. The strings and scratches lead the way as the emcees leave a wake of carnage along their sixteens. The song is a warning to those who lead a false narrative in their music. Body bags included in this one!
Single You Out: Serge Severe – That Product
Serge Severe is an artist that a decade ago used to hit me (and we would feature) EPs on a fairly consistent basis. Really talented emcee who made great music out of Portland at the time if I recollect. And then as life moves, priorities shift, I didn’t hear much over the last several years. But he just sent me his new SXLXMXN laced track, That Product, which really showcases that edge, energy, and talent I came to really appreciate all that many years and releases ago. Really great to hear from him again.
Single You Out: JR Swiftz x Jamil Honesty x Jay Royale – The Chipped Tooth Era
Just yesterday, I made it a Jay Royale listening experience…listening to four of his albums and walking away with a couple of thoughts 1) This guy is the embodiment of what Nas, Mobb Deep, and KGR were to hip hop in the 1990s. That pen game, flow, and ear for beats just takes me back to that era with a new level of lyricism. 2) Damn I wish I could get a Jamil Honesty and Royale collab album! Those two sound really nice on a a track together.
Well, today I must have manifested something, because while it is not an album, it IS a JR Swiftz laced heat rock that features both emcees. Again taking you back to the era where lyricism and a finely crafted beat mattered the most.
Single You Out: LR Blitzkrieg x Pumpkinhead x MOP – Valhalla
We’ve got a few emcees going to war to claim their Valhalla on this single. Ness Lee constructs a joint that’s pretty dynamic slipping from uptempo into a dark chorus and back again. But overall this is a high energy single that bring bars with some punch from LR Blitzkrieg, Pumpkinhead, and MOP. And you know MOP only comes with high octane energy. Really dope track.
Single You Out: Eyeree Beats – Master Seminar (Ft. Jay Royale, Snotty & Supreme Cerebral)
Again, not an “official” single but I really wanted to share and spotlight this track from Eyeree Beats project, .Wav Gawd. Master Seminar is another tough track this year with some serious hitters on the mic. Jay Royale, Snotty, and Supreme Cerebral, hop on some intoxicating production from Eyeree and leave those scorching sixteens. This joint is simply bulletproof and I hope you enjoy and cop the project.
Single You Out: Vega7 The Ronin & Ferris Blusa – Oppenheimer (prod. by Kalos Beats)
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.
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.
Single You Out: Grime Lords – Polo Duffle (ft. Supreme Cerebral)
It’s that hardbody hip hop coming from a couple of the heaviest hitters in the Virginia hip hop scene. Born Unique and Pete Twist have been honing their craft and bring you that raw for years as the Grime Lords. Hard hitting drums, and a piano riff lead the way for Unique and west coast powerhouse Supreme Cerebral to lick shots over. This is a tough track and I would expect nothing less.
Hip Hop Dependency 