Another banger from one of the most consistent to do it, Daniel Son. River Dogs is dark in large part to Itrak’s murky production, but razor sharp with that lyricism. This song knocks and has your ears craving what’s next on deck. And you know it’s coming. The work.
Single You Out: Daniel Son x Michaelangelo – Short A Dime
Daniel Son is on a run (like a five year run) as he just dropped his full length solo, Bush Doctor, just a few weeks ago and now he links up with producer Michaelangelo for another project, 26th & Ocean, to keep the fans fiending. And he hasn’t lost a step in the least. Daniel Son sounds dope over any production but this really is a great fit.
Motivation music for cheffing over the stove
Casual & DEAD PERRY – Run For Cover (ft. Daniel Son, Celph Titled & J-Spliff) (Video)
Casual and Dead Perry released their album, The Art Of Reanimation, yesterday. And including this track, Run For Cover, every song has been flames. Like the other songs, I have heard and we have showcased, there is a certain darkness that comes along with listening to this album. There is also very much a horror core vibe with the visual. The track features, Celph Titled, J-Spliff, and Daniel Son on the chorus. All in all, it’s a little demented and a lot dope.
Top 5 EPs (2021)
This is the toughest arena to choose because this is the era of the quick hitter (which I like). Projects with 5-9 tracks seem to dominate the indie hip hop scene. And that’s how I am defining this category, 5 to 9 tracks constitutes extended play, anything more, you have an album, anything less, you have a maxi single. So let’s get it moving on this very competitive category. Here are my Top Five extended plays for 2021.
#5
Daniel Son x Slim One – Bloodlust
I am not sure how many people have heard this project as it hasn’t been released on major DSPs. So it may be a hidden jewel. Slim One has showcased amazing production talent time and again, and from the main attraction to the interludes he crafts some brilliant music. Likewise Daniel Son, has been a stalwart emcee for a few years now, bodying everything in sight. These two proved to be a formidable duo in 2021 and worth the extra effort to hear this joint.
#4
AM Early Morning & Nightstalker – LNEM III
AM Early Morning and Nightstalker put together a true vibe with their recent EP, L.N.E.M III. From the jump you get this smokey jazz club vibe injected with all the hip hop elements we come to love. I think the artists did an incredible job giving these tracks a dope consistency in sound throughout while keeping the listener engaged. It’s jazzy, it’s bluesy, and it can at times be sobering. But the bottom line is it’s unique and a sure shot listen for years to come.
#3
Spit Gemz – Pardon My Poetry
This is the shortest endeavor on this list, but Spit Gemz has a tendency to deliver alot of lyricism and talent in any given amount of time. And he delivers with such intensity you just can’t ignore him. He commands that attention. With joints like Shoot The Fair One and Maury’s Wigs he drops more gems here than most can in a full length album.
#2
Wounded Buffalo Beats – Wounded
This represents the sole, ‘production based’ EP on this list. And Wounded made it for good reason! This joint knocks from start to finish. It’s ridiculous in it’s quality of dope production, guest emcees, and quality bars. When all of the aforementioned are taken into account, you have one of the dopest projects in 2021. Favorite tracks? I think they are all five of five to be honest. Each as dope as the next. But The Victor by Ruste Juxx is truly insane.
#1
Ransom – Se7en
Ransom steals the show in the extended play category with his tribute to the seven deadly sins. By now everyone knows that his talent level is ridiculous. He has surpassed so many bars (literally) and as an artist he seemingly has no ceiling. And here he takes on each sin, and gives it depth and personality like no one else could. This project is my favorite as it is more tightly woven than any project this year. My favorite sins? Gluttony and Wrath.
Single You Out: Ives – On The Rise (ft. Ren Thomas & Daniel Son)
Dope single from Ives featuring the hitters, Ren Thomas and Daniel Son, with the highly respected and talented DJ Eclipse on the cuts. Talented artists are not taking “no” for an answe in their careers and on this song. Strong drums, resilient lyricism, and top choice cuts keep this collection of artists…On The Rise.
Lord Juco & Finn – Skeleton Key (ft. Daniel Son) (Video)
Lord Juco teams up with Daniel Son to rock over some mellow, yet jazzy production from FInn. Just all around dope flows and music.
Juco and Finn have a bigger project in the works so stay tuned for that.
Single You Out: Renji56 x Daniel Son – Black Magic
You know the deal! If you see Daniel Son on a track, best believe I am copping and this is no different. This is a collaborative joint with German producer, Renji56, and it’s really dope. The beat has a subdued simplicity but keeps the head nodding with the synth and drums. And Daniel Son NEVER fails to deliver the goods.
Used to sit around waiting for signs stressin’ / You gotta get up and get it…number one life lesson
Daniel Son x Cuns – No Prisoners (Video)
Daniel Son and Cuns linked up for a new EP, and this joint can be found in the line up. Daniel Son delivers a fire sixteen over this dope production that build from Karate Kid movie samples into controlled burn. These artists never disappoint, and they are not bound to start now. Check out the project, Dojo.
Daniel Son x Asun Eastwood x Futurewave x 36th Cypher – Portable Stoves (Video)
Whatever moniker these guys put out their music under, Futurewave, Asun Eastwood, and Daniel Son only drop gems. Ever since they got their sound out a few years ago, their names stay ringing. And we all keep close tabs on when they are going to drop their next projects. So now we have Bite The Bullet, a subsequent offering from last year’s joint, Physics Of Filth (which I still bump steadily). It’s potent material that hip hop fans are going to be sure to love.
Daniel Son x DJ Duke x DJ Low Cut – Long Season (Prod Dj Low Cut) (Video)
New collaborative project, Season 7, from Toronto based rhyme slinger, Daniel Son, and French producers DJ Duke and DJ Low Cut. And if you are familiar with just ONE of these artists, you know this project is going to knock. I am well versed in all three, and so copping the project was a no brainer.
Right now, there is few hotter than Daniel Son and he continues on his roll working in the sounds of the boom bap from Duke and Low Cut. So check the cut and the cinematics, then purchase the album!
Hip Hop Dependency 