Are Jamo Gang (Ras Kass x El Gant x J57) responsible for the best EP of 2018? I am going to say yes. These guys are monsters in their profession. Their self-titled EP is nothing but bangers and this track is just a piece of the pie. Plus you get visuals from Skrewtape. This is a win for hip hop fans of all ilks.
Curly Castro x Zilla Rocca – Billy Batts (Video)
This is my favorite track off of Curly Castro and Zilla Rocca’s Grift Company EP which dropped in April. Really glad they gave it the video treatment. The production for the track is absolute bananas and Castro and Rocca have a commanding presence on the mic along with excellent chemistry.
Def3 – El Fin Del Mundo (ft. Ramon Fernandez) (Video)
I have to tell you all that I love Def3’s 2017 album, Small World. It really is amazing music. It has such an easy vibe and the day this video dropped, I was actually listening to the album.
El Fin Del Mundo, if you can’t tell by the name, has a very latin flavor introduced by producer Late Night Radio. This joint is festive and like most of the album, features introspective lyricism from Def3. He is another artist that really can connect with listeners.
Check out this album!
Single You Out: Elucid x Dumhi – No Redemption
Elucid teams up with producer Dumhi for some jazzy boombap flavor. The music is interesting, intelligently written and delivered, and really just unique. I am really enjoying this cut, as it represents something sincere and refreshing.
If you are digging this, they just released a new project entitled No Edge Ups In Uganda, that I am bound to check out in it’s entirety.
Single You Out: Blak Flag – Rainy Nights
Enough already! Someone get me a Blak Flag x Sherm Larock album…stat!!! This is one hell of a combination any time they get together and make a record…they just don’t do it enough for my liking. These guys have the chemistry and skill to create an AWESOME if not CLASSIC album. The dark production and fire lyricism flow and voice make this a hell of a cut. I could listen to this all night.
M-Dot x DJ Nelson – Tedium (prod. by Zoom and Rectape) (Video)
Well what do you know…it’s another M-Dot sighting on a dope record. Fancy that. As redundant as I sound, if M-Dot is a part of your project, it’s going to be good.
On Tedium, M-Dot goes in over a Zoom & Rectape production discussing the issues and circumstances in our lives that cause us to teeter on the edge. Musically, this song has a lot going for it with snapping drums and ill scratched from DJ Nelson. Lyrically, you know M-Dot is going to do more than just hold it down…he excels over the rhythm.
This cut can be found on Zoom & Rectape’s album, Delivery.
Vic Shadez – Empty (Video)
Vic Shadez is a new name to HHD but he is exactly the type of artist we are trying to promote here. This song, Empty, is one that suggests how bland life would be without hip hop music. It’s got a tight beat with a nice little Supreme’s flip, and Shadez can rock a mic proper.
I am definitely going to check out his release, Uncontaminated.
Nelson Dialect x Must Volkoff – Storm Boy (Video)
This song is illy of the best kind! I am really loving the vibe. The production from Must Volkoff is almost like taking an auditory vacation. It lets the mind drift a little, while the lyrics from Nelson Dialect keep you guided on the journey. It’s just beautiful hip hop being made.
Really enjoying this so I am probably going to enjoy the album Magnetism when it drops on June 22nd.
Australia representing!!!
Single You Out: Klaus Layer – Force (ft. Artifacts x Blu)
German producer, Klaus Layer crafts a certain head knocker with this single, Force, featuring The Artifacts and Blu. It’s an interesting combination when these artists collaborate but it blends extremely well. Layer really hits those drums hard, and the track just has lots of flavor indeed.
This track will be featured on Layer’s upcoming project, Lost Track.
Single You Out: DBA – Million Dollar Slang Shit (ft. Recognize Ali x Born Unique)
Baltimore producer, DBA, puts together a beat that proves to be a stalker. It’s a little ominous, perhaps a little unsettling. It’s like listening to a horror movie score and not know what’s coming around the corner. Except in this case it’s the raw lyrics from Recognize Ali and Born Unique, which sound really good on a track together.
This cut will be surfacing on DBA’s project, Official Crate Music, which is do out a little later this year.
Enjoy!
Hip Hop Dependency 