Artist: OnlyOne
Album: Cult Classic 2
Tracklisting:
Note:
No. I haven’t listened to it all yet. I just saw it was available and immediately wanted to share it with you. The three singles that were released earlier and OnlyOne’s previous works alone merit that you download this FREE release. So stop hemming and hawing and get this one on are your hard drive immediately. I will do a more proper write up later, but for now just enjoy the music.
Is it possible that I didn’t see this before? Maybe it was the name Skanks that through me off and I didn’t even check it, but this time I notice that it’s the French beatsmith, Kyo Itachi doing the production. Those credentials will get you noticed around these parts. I am a huge Itachi fan. It also turns out that Skanks has some skills. He’s repping that true New York flavor that so many of his contemporaries have abandoned. He is getting set to drop his new album entitled, The Shinigami Flowfessional soon, so if you dug this video, check for his sounds.
Theo3 is a bad man on the microphone. He undeniably bodies this track. No survivors. He unloads bar after bar with great wordplay and metaphors, with one poignant stroke of genius that alludes to the 1980s comedy, Cheers. Lets see how many of you youngins pick up on that! There are a lot of great quotables on this song, and I for one can not wait to hear his EP, Enticement, dropping sometime this week.
Locl-MU12 once again drops a gem on us with the release of the single, Champion, featuring Skyzoo. Real McKoy laces a proper beat for Stryfe, Broadway Barrett, and Skyzoo to rock over. Everything sounds really good about this joint. That is a great indicator, because the collective is dropping it’s debut album, Labor Day on September 3rd.
This video single is coming off of Supastition’s The Black Board EP which dropped about six months ago. It is still one of the strongest releases this year. This track is particularly impressive with very ethereal production from The Dirty Art Club and a dope story line reminiscent of the movie, The Sixth Sense. Make sure you pick up this EP if you have not done so already.
Solo For Dolo is not a household name at this point but it should start to be garnering recognition. The man is super talented. He’s got great word play and show cases a more relaxed style over this slick Don Producci production. No word on what project this might surface on, but it’s here and available now, so that’s something.
Artist: Lord Willin x Swann
Album: Songs From The Battlefield EP
Tracklisting:
1. Emerging From The Shadows
2. Crush Crews
3. The Struggle
4. Hellbound Artists
5. Pavement Thoughts
6. The Butcher’s Hands (ft. 40 Dash 1 & Constantine The G)
7. Shark Attack
8. Across The Map
9. Bullet Tooth Tony
10. Malicious Intent (ft. Adlib)
11. Serious
12. Smashin Out (ft. NBS)
13. Sour 16
Note:
HHD is proud to premiere the new project from Lord Willin (Providence) and Swann (Toronto). I had heard some music from Lord Willin before and I liked his style, but I was not as familiar with Swann. When this project was presented to me with the opportunity to debut it today, I wanted to go about it cautiously. I wanted to give it a complete listen. I only want to promote material that I can back 100%. Well, needless to say (since you are reading this) Songs From The Battlefield has my whole-hearted endorsement. This is a project that knocks from beginning to end that features strong production and dope cameos. If you have enjoyed the boom-bap that I have posted here on the regular, undoubtedly, you are going to enjoy this. (Click the link above)
Artist: Freestyle Fam
Album: Unleashed
Tracklisting:
1. Bar Fights
2. We Ain’t Down
3. By Your Side
4. Beauty
5. This Ain’t No Party
6. I’ll Get There
7. Beauty 2
8. The High I’m On
9. 5am In Staten
10. Sketch Art
11. True Rap
Note:
This is not a full blown review but rather a strong recommendation for you to check this project out. Now, typically, I wouldn’t advocate a project like this. Freestyle Fam is for the most part rocking over instrumentals from the very accomplished AraabMuzik. I usually post original rhymes over original beats, but I am going to make an exception here. The rhyme skill here is so good, it just can not be ignored. I seriously believe Freestyle Fam is in the top five percent when it comes to writing end executing rhymes. What’s even more exciting is that they can write some of the hardest bars without cursing and with the Armor Of God intact. That’s right. They are Christian men who happen to rap…really, really well. But this isn’t your typical preachy “religious hip hop”. This is very different. It just has to be heard…so bear witness.
I have posted their video Bar Fights on here before, but I am going to embed it here again so you can feel it, and then I want you to DL this project (above) . You will not be disappointed.
Somebody attempted to promote this on my “About” page which is kind of irritating (c’mon, just email me) but I saw that Anno Domini did the production so I thought I would give it a listen. This is a really dope and powerful cut. Caesar really ran with this beat and concept. The lyrics involve the cyclical nature of violence in families. Sons and daughters learn behaviors from their parents and then incorporate it into their lives. Also, whoever directed this video was a real genius, I think this story and concept was brought completely to life by the camera work and transitions. Really good job. If you are digging this track and want to hear more from Caesar, he has a new mixtape out (which I can’t find a link to easily) While We Wait.
The name is a little long for my liking, but the music is good, so we will run with it. YBNS has a nice flow and a natural voice for ripping mics. The video is also very cinematic which enhances the music. I am encouraged by this effort to check out his latest album (which is also an acronym) M.E. (My Everything)
Hip Hop Dependency 