I missed big time on this. L*Roneous and the soulful hip hop group, 2bers dropped this video/song in late January as the lead single to their collaborative project, Utopian Blues. And as I was prepping my review of their project, I just happened to come across it. It’s a great song, backed by an exceptionally creative video. Enjoy and make sure you cop this EP!
TxE – This Town (Sallie Ford) (ft. Vursatyl) (Video)
Real hip hop flavor from the Portland crew TxE with a nice assist from Vursatyl. The beat by G_Force is incredibly innovative, giving this song maximum hip hop flavor. The black and white video also makes this song quite distinctive, adding a nostalgic tone. This track can be found off of the latest project VS PRTLND.
Shabaam Sahdeeq – Tranquilo (prod. by Harry Fraud) (Video)
A lot of tough bars being tossed around today, but perhaps no bars tougher than the ones Shabaam Sahdeeq spits for this Harry Fraud produced banger, Tranquilo. Sahdeeq continues to show and prove that he can spit with the best of them and if this wasn’t proof enough, you will find out on April 22nd when he releases Keepers Of The Lost Art.
Skanks – Only Time (ft. Gstats x Shatike) (Video)
Skanks is another aritst that seems only to bring the ‘realness’ with every artist submission. Gstats and Shatike each lace the cut with a tough sixteen (guest emcees very talented). Azaia provides the icing on the cake by lacing the team with a threatening banger. The Shinigami Flowfessional is destined for eardrum come March.
“…the only time you left your hood is when you took off your hoodie…“
Murdoc – Visitors (Video)
Murdoc has got some bars and sometimes he likes to show them off…like right here for the track, Visitors. The heavy production comes courtesy of Doc Miller. It makes me wonder if there’s a new project on the horizon. Keep your fingers crossed people.
Royal Illness – Mercenaries Creed b/w Shit Israel (ft. 13Five & Vegas Posada) (Video)
There aren’t too many appropriate places to rock the Baine mask, but if there is such a place, the video for Mercenaries Creed might be the spot. I caught Royal Illness checking out the blog and reached out to him on Twitter. As an artist he seems to have a solid foundation in hip hop history and definitely brings that to the table for his own music. He flips lines regarding politics and social commentary over some heavy beats that he himself created. These tracks are just a taste of Illness’ full length endeavor, Soundtrack To The War Vol. 2 which will drop on February 21st.
Cocaine Chris (2 Man Cypher) – Statistics (Video)
This video is older (from three months ago) than I would normally post. But I need a late pass on all the music The Fraternity has been putting out. This joint is from Cocaine Chris’ album, Cain & Glory, and is produced by none other than, Dope Antelope. This track is not only dope but it’s also a very poignant description of what’s going on in a lot of urban epicenters. The album, as a whole, is also very impressive.
I am not playing when I say that 2 Man Cypher/The Fraternity and Dope Antelope are at the forefront of keeping real hip hop alive and well. I have checked quite a few albums from the back catalog and they are all high quality. I can’t wait to hear more material from the camp.
N.B.S. – Walter Payton (Video)
Third video released from N.B.S.’ latest album, The Smokefest. The production on the track is handled by Scrilla Ventura so we can just check this track off as being ‘certifiable’. This is one of the best tracks off of the latest release, which I encourage you all to peep. It gets no realer.
MadKem – The Breeze (feat. K-Hill) (Video)
MadKem puts the visuals to a track from La Vie en Bleu. On the song, The Breeze, he links up with affiliate K-Hill for some added narration. This track is about ambition, persistence, and the pursuit of utilizing one’s abilities to the fullest extent. At least that’s how I see it.
Verbal Kent – Sammy Sosa [prod. Khrysis] (Video)
Verbal Kent has been tearing it down lately. I can’t wait to hear the album, Sound Of The Weapon, which is entirely produced by Khrysis. The album is dropping on February 18th (that feels too fay away).
