I first came across Lawrence Arnell on a V-Zilla single I posted not that long ago. And lately you hear that name buzzing, and for good reason. The man is really competent with the verbals. On the track, Rage Against The Machine he teams up with a showstopper in his own right, Fel Sweetenberg. Sweetenberg not only lends his voice but his talent behind the boards as well. The production gives the feel that you are in a old school Nintendo game where the emcees are on the hunt. Just a thought…
Single You Out: Royal Illness – Brazen Bulls (ft. Devine Carama, Sheisty Khrist & JK-47)
Royal Illness lives up to his name with this track. The man and his compatriots commit a regal killing over this banger from Infidel Beatz. Illness, Devine Carama, and Sheisty Khrist all deliver rhymes that really serve as war chants to get that adrenaline flowing. You should check Royal Illness’ new album, Soundtrack To The War Vol 2. I am well on my way!
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Single You Out: Don Streat – Pistol Grip (ft. Sullee J and Lord Baltimore DDS)
D.R.U.G.S. Beats laces this piano driven banger for the aforementioned emcees and your very own listening pleasure. A lot of energy vested in this track from all parties representing B’More to the fullest. I am not sure if this is connected with any other projects, but it stands on it’s own regardless.
Single You Out: Raf Almighty – Slumz (ft. Snook da Crook and Wyldbunch)
Man, this track has got me hype! DJ Brans productions tend to have that effect on me. This cut is an uptempo banger that will get the whole block started. It features Dirt Platoon, though this is technically a Raf Almighty solo track, and showcases another emcee that we’ve been featuring around this way, Wyldbunch. It’s almost like a piano player track from the wild west that’s given that 2014 hip hop flavor.
The track is the first single from Raf Almighty’s solo album, G.T.F.O.M.Y. which is set to drop on June 9th. Be on the look out!
Single You Out: ATOMS – Origami
Man, I was honored when a member of ATOMS approached me about listening to their new album, SANDS, and perhaps blessing the site with their music. I came up as a hip hop listener when Cryptic One, Alaska, and Windnbreeze first put their feet in the underground scene many years ago. They recently found commonality in making music again, and SANDS is that collective effort. This is my favorite song out of the lot. This production stirs up a lot of demons and the verses are all really potent. They really all discuss the circumstances that bind people in some pretty deep situations.
Single You Out: SLiQ – Crookd [ Prod. by Tr∆lex ]
Ok. The press release for this track and this artist was a little lacking. This is what I know: The artist is from Chesapeake, VA. That’s about it. Other than that I can tell you that SLiQ has a really nice flow and the beat with that bass line is intoxicating. This is one of the best introductions that I have received in 2014. This is the Twitter they send in the email. I have no idea if this is him or someone else associated with him. Dope regardless.
Single You Out: Serge Severe & Gen.Erik- Giant (feat. DJ Total Eclipse (X-Ecutioners)
A great DJ can make a great song phenomenal and that’s what happens here. Serge Severe is a superlative emcee and has made many a great song and this has to be considered one of the best. And the difference is DJ Total Eclipse. That kind of expert chopping is a difference maker. Gen. Erik is no slouch behind the boards either. Banging!
Single You Out: Jus Daze – New Yawk (prod by Stradivarius)
New Yawk is nothing to tamper with and very few rep it better than Jus Daze. Daze had been dropping a lot of introspective music lately, but here he pays homage to his city. And he does it with the flair and flow that only he possesses. Stradivarius digs down deep into the soul and extracts just a little bit for this really dope beat. Enjoy folks!
Single You Out: Godz Chyld – Heavens (prod. by Jordan River Banks)
Some serious business is put in on Godz Chyld’s new record, Heavens. I am not sure if he has put out any music previous to this record, but this joint reflects some legitimate mic prowess. That means he knows his way around a beat. Speaking of…I am familiar with Jordan River Banks production from his previous work with Ciph Barker (where has that guy been?) and he always drops some powerful back drops. This joint sounds like it dropped from skies…
If you are digging this check out their collaborative project, Forever.
