IAMGAWD is one of my favorite emcees. I started copping his releases a couple of years ago when I randomly came across one of his videos at the time. His talent to pen lyrics and his flow continue to impress release after release. And you can hear how he represents the city of Chicago on the the title track to his new project, City xf Gawd.
Shottie & Lupara – Alkalines (Video)
Shottie has teamed up with the EXCEPTIONAL production collective known as Lupara for a new project called, Pulp Nonfiction, which is out now and I will soon be copping.
On the video single, Alkalines, Shottie talks about the necessity of taking a step back, “rehydrating”, and recalculating. Flu laces the track with a heavy bass line, keys, drums, and at the end a jazzy element which like the video, give this track that smoke filled room vibe.
Really dope.
Spit Gemz – The Final Word (Video)
Spit Gemz. The name is synonymous with a relentless and ruthless pen game. I’ve used the word ferocious a few times recently but that’s what Gemz is…a blend of intelligence, experience, talent, and ferocity. His verses give you no quarter, they pin your brain down, and don’t let up until the song is done. And here you have that example with the new single, The Final Word. Ciecmate laced the beat, and he does an amazing job matching the emcees intensity with the production.
I seemingly say this with every recent release from Gemz, but his new EP, Diamond Cut, could be his best. I love the production on each track. It’s definitely a must have in 2025. Don’t miss.
Shottie & Lupara – Yellow Cab (Video)
Shottie gets personal with his new single, Yellow Cab, and it’s an exceptionally moving autobiographical moment put to music. He narrates the story of his father and mother, detailing moments in their life. Sharing with you, the listener, that he gets his drive from his father. This is the power of music. It moves you. This joint hit me. Dope production comes courtesy of Hobgoblin.
Rap P – Queens Bklyn Coalition Random Acts Of Violence (Video)
Rap P delivers a video single I am really feeling. Queens Bklyn Coalition Random Acts Of Violence (long title I know) has some production I really feel form 64Muzik…and Rap P delivers on the bar work, creating something really dope. Definitely check it out.
John JiggS & ButterKnife Haircuts – Vladimir (Video)
I am catching up from last week and THIS is one of my favorite songs from John Jigg$ period and certainly my favorite from his new project with Butterknife Haircuts, Teflonious Monk. This joint is bullet proof and a half. This beat is dense and reverberates ear drums while Jigg$ knocks it out of the park. Plus…once again…the incomparable Tone Spliff blesses the cuts. This is one of the standouts this year.
Jus Daze – Queens (Video)
Jus Daze pays proper lyrical respect to the boro of Queens with his new single, cleverly lacing places and artists from his point of origin. Brutal Caesar crafts a soothing and mellow production, and Tone Spliff handles the cuts. So you have all the trappings of a dope song. New album from Daze is going to be hitting this summer, and everything I have heard is building the expectations for something excellent!
Reks & GREVE – Hardcore Reporters (ft. Big Shug x Ruste Juxx) (Video)
Reks and producer GREVE put out a really great EP last year, Universal Sound. And the track, Hardcore Reporters, featuring Big Shug and Ruste Juxx is surely a standout from that project. The production has that ominous, threatening, yet subtle sound, allowing the emcees the latitude to drop some fire sixteens.
Queen Herawin – Arrogant (ft. Poison Pen) (Video)
Queen Herawin just released her sophomore album, Awaken The Sleeping Giant, and the tracks I have heard are all really dope. Now, on the track, Arrogant, the production from Johnny Slash takes a dark turn which I love. Herawin and Poison Pen are feeling a little bit dangerous in their verses…and you can hear that confidence!
Definitely pick up this album!
Stu Bangas & Recognize Ali – Dope Peddling (ft. A-F-R-O x Verbal Kent) (Video)
More fire from the forthcoming Guerilla Dynasty 3 project by Stu Bangas and Recognize Ali. This time they link with the talents of Verbal Kent (who I hope brings more music soon!) and A-F-R-O. They are bringing that high level skill and intensity to this track!
Hip Hop Dependency 