The Red Giants (Jermiside and Brickbeats) just released a new EP entitled The Shade, and Dick Dasterdly just happens to be my favorite cut from the project. You’ve got superior lyricism and flow from Jermiside and I am loving how Brickbeats utilized the guitar in the production. It’s subtlely fantastic.
It’s a Cincinnati/Atlanta connection when Jermiside and L-Marr that Star team up for the song/video, Ours. The song to me is pretty impactful when considering the surrounding world and what has taken from people at the hands of an election, the police, etc. This is a reclamation of what is owed to the masses. They can’t take it all away!
New project, God Bless The Child, dropping on December 2nd.
This is a great song off of Jermiside and Danny Diggs’ album, Quiet As Kept. In my mind, Bloodlines is a track that requires one to at one’s past so they can move forward in their future. A really introspective track from an artist that has a knack of making his listeners think.
Disclaimer: It is hard and challenging to pick 50 tracks from the thousands upon thousands that dropped this year. It is merely an attempt to list my favorite cuts of 2012. Click the links to listen to the song! I think it’s a great list. There were a lot of great songs crafted this year and I know I left off some good ones. I listened to 5,000+ tracks from 2012 alone this year, so as an artist, if you made this list you know you are on the forefront of my iTunes!
1. Said Before – Goldini Bagwell
2. Rhyme Of The Year – Nino Bless
4. Outlive, Outshine – Theo3
More than any year previous, I have toiled and contemplated this list. In particular, deciding on a pecking order proved to be most difficult but this is what I have come up with. Feel free to disagree. The list was assembled based upon the usual criteria of production, lyricism, flow, song arrangement, and the ever popular, but lost ingredient…CREATIVITY.
1. Tenacity x Fratello Beatz – ABnormal Deciding on the number one album of the year was really difficult but ABnormal kept on coming up in the discussion and I could not diminish it’s value. This album oozes creativity and is loaded with great tracks. Tenacity’s lyricism and songwriting ability prove to be impeccable, while Fratello Beatz creates the perfect soundscape. Review.
2. Stryfe x Marc Byrd – The Last Resorts Producer Marc Byrd really outdid himself on this album. The rock infused production made this album knock. Stryfe continues to make a name for himself with his sharp lyricism and witty wordplay. There are a grip of tracks that absolutely bang. The fact that I didn’t give this a full review was a big mistake. Awesome album.
3. Jermiside x Danny Diggs – Quiet As Kept Jermiside and Diggs personify smooth introspection with this release. It is simultaneously laid back and engaging. Review.
4. The Aztext – Four The Aztext keep a record of making great music and they consistently make these end of the year lists. Four is a remarkable album for it’s creative concepts and flavor. These guys just get it. And if you give this album a listen, you too may here it. Review.
5. Demigodz – KiLLmatic This is the one album on the list that made it for it’s pure ‘knockability’. When I first heard this album, I was blown away with Apathy’s production. I think it’s one of the best produced albums of the year. There are too many dope tracks on this album to ignore. Review.
6. One Dae – Daes & Times This was just released last month but I have given it enough listens to consider it one of this year’s best releases. One Dae has a lost of microphone charisma and the production on the album is vastly superior to a far number of albums released this year. Review.
7. Mayday – Believers Many people have a hard time categorizing (or pigeon holing) Mayday. Sometimes they wear that ominous tag of ‘alternative hip hop’. Bull shit. This album is hip hop heavy that is layered in soul and funk elements with a dash of rock. But it’s still hip hop to me and really good hip hop. I wore out the front half of this album it was so good (not to detract from the latter half).
8. Natti – Still Motion Here’s another album that I never gave it’s due. Natti’s Still Motion is comprised of some really good music. It is heavily produced by Deacon The Villain and KNO of Cunninlynguists and those guys know how to make albums. After I heard track #2, Another Galaxy, I was sold. Great album!
9. Swollen Members – Beautiful Death Machine Go ahead and remain incredulous, but this is the best Swollen Members’ album since Balance. And nobody can turn a phrase like Previal and Madchild. They are on their own shit. The production is on point and unlike many of their previous albums, there is a certain level of focus in the tracks and arrangement. There was no deviation. I appreciated that. Review.
10. Jus Daze – Walk Twice As Hard Jus Daze is the most introspective artist on the list. Walk Twice As Hard is a not only a musical journey, but also an extremely personal one. You can really appreciate the care that Daze took in creating the album. Review.
Artist: Jermiside & Danny Diggs
Album: Quiet As Kept
Tracklisting:
1. How I Feel (ft. Destruments)
2. Book Of Rhymes (ft. Theory Hazit, K. Sparks, and DJ Mayhem)
3. Never
4. Bloodline
5. Life Lessons (ft. I-EL and DJ Mayhem)
6. The Depths
7. The Innocent
8. Thank You (ft. L-Marr the Star and Ill Poetic)
9. Victory Is Mine
10. Be Forever
11. Victory Is Mine (The Expert Remix)
12. Bloodline (Illustrate Remix)
Note:
When was the last time that you positively impacted by an album? Never? Months? Years? Well, I felt pretty damn good after I finished the first few listens of Jermiside and Danny Diggs’ new album, Quiet As Kept. Jermiside litters the album with introspection, insight, personality, and positivity. He blends a dose of real world pragmatism with an optimistic nature, while Danny Diggs keeps the music very organic and in more than one case…therapeutic.
Continue reading “Jermiside & Danny Diggs – Quiet As Kept (2013)”
Jermiside is a relate able artist. The lyricism is just something I can apply to my own life. I love that. It’s like reading a book where you identify with the lead character. This is really how the entire album rides. Danny Diggs gives you soothing rhythms while Jermiside drops gems. Does that sound worthwhile to you? If it does than Quiet As Kept is in your lane and will probably be the next album I review.
Jermiside drops the second single, Victory Is Mine, from his sophomore collaborative album with producer Danny Diggs, Quiet As Kept. Jermiside is my favorite emcee from the talented Lessondary Crew (I probably said the same thing about Spec Boogie a year or so ago, but whatever. It’s a tie). He has a very smooth style that is only amplified with the production of Danny Diggs. This song in particular is inspiring. You truly can’t keep a good man down.
Quiet As Kept will be released October 22nd
Disclaimer: It is hard and challenging to pick 50 tracks from the thousands upon thousands that dropped this year. It is merely an attempt to list my favorite cuts of 2012. Click the links to listen to the song! I think it’s a great list. There were a lot of great songs crafted this year and I know I left off some good ones. I listened to 5,000+ tracks from 2012 alone this year, so as an artist, if you made this list you know you are on the forefront of my iTunes!
1. Megatron Mindstate – Spit Gemz, Shaz Illyork, and DJ Brans brought the banger of the year early on in 2012. For me this track just set a standard that could not be surpassed. The beat was epic and the rhymes intermingled the streets with theology to provide a brief but concentrated delivery of dope.
2. Tragedy Text – RP from the Loyalty Digital game me the chills literally with this track about texting and driving and anyone who can provoke that type of response deserves to be acknowledged. One of the great conceptual songs in the last five years.
3. The Greatest Mother Ever – Rashid Hadee provides one of the great sarcastic songs of our lifetime with this joint.
4. Little Bunny Rabbit – Locksmith does angst so well. He raps with a chip on his shoulder and delivers devastation to and and all in his path, in part to his little buddy.
5. Lo Siento Amigo – Dub Sonata x Double AB brought a lot of flavor and context to this joint. Dub Sonata conjures a little latin boom bap and Double AB continues to be one of the best story telling emcees in the game, narrating a tale of romance, deception, and karma.
6. Local Artist – I could have honestly used any on the cuts off of The 17ths FREE EP. It’s a damn great EP and you can listen to it through and through. But this cut puts the listener in the shoes of your “local artist” and his life.
7. Under Their Radar, Over Their Heads – Illmaculate has always delivered dope bars but the production on this joint combined with the lyricism made this a sure shot for out Top 10.
8. Heaven – While this is not on any particular album, Mike Beatz provides an amazing banger for the fans and the visuals from the video give you that serial killer feel. I can’t wait to hear more from this man in 2013.
9. How Do I Survive – Emilio Lopez and Falside link up for another banger that just makes the listener get out of the seat and get amped.
10. Dirt In The Ground – Premrock’s reworking of Tom Waits music is impressive and this joint is the closing cut. It’s very innovative and poignant.
11. Rare Flow – Serge Severe and Jon Belz bring you that rare Portland air with this ‘rare flow’ over Terminill production.
12. J.O.Y. – Copywrite features Torae and Jason Rose for this outstandingly soulful song.
13. My Condolences – Snake Hollywood released this beast of a track towards the end of the year and it instantly bypassed 95% of the other tracks out there. Really dope rhymes.
14. Yesterday’s Gone – Swerve and Co$$ define soul in hip hop with this track. Just something to put you at ease.
15. 3AM – Journalist 103 is prone to drop a gem on em’ and this is one of my favorite tracks from his most recent album.
16. Burn It Down – Gotham Green and Quickiemart bring you a track to tear the club up. A 1940s club that is because this joint bumps with a nostalgic vibe. Very unique.
17. Waiting In Vein – Mayhem drops one of the best storytelling joints this year. You will just have to listen to this one and follow along.
18. Problem Solver – Vinnie Paz brings in the legend, Scarface for this song off of his most recent album.
19. Futuristic – When is ‘The Wolves’ project going to drop because this collaborative deal between Shabaam Sahdeeq, Eddie B., and Harry Fraud is type ill.
20. Check My Resume – Substantial rocking over some Oddisee beats is the sure shot.
21. Don’t Hate – Of Mice and Musicians are trying to convince the listener they are doing it for their benefit…so don’t hate. Also, this is off of a great album so make sure you cop that!
22. Big Bro – Fatal Lucciauno dropped a real raw ass album and this song is the crem de la crem.
23. Sorry – Alias & Fakts One apologize for the vicious cycle on this joint but not their dope music.
24. Mr. Governor – The duo of Soul Khan and Akie Bermiss again deliver a dope song with this conscious cut.
25. Drowning Man – Cas Metah and Wonder Brown offer a Christian message in the form of dope hip hop rhythm accompanied by Copywrite and Elias.
26. Digi Box – C-Rayz Walz pays homage to the hip hop internet scene.
27. Rock To The Rhythm – Ruste Juxx and The Arcitype drop thisself explanatory joint but in the illest, and most high energy way possible.
28. Price & Shining Armor – When Sean Price and Ruste Juxx combine, it’s nothing but a win for everybody.
29. Unfukwitable – Red Eye and company rock over a DJ Bless beat making this the best posse cut of the year. Hands down.
30. Sushi – Ras Kass is my all-time favorite emcee and he shows and proves his place in history once again with this track.
31. Monte Carlo – King Mez and producer Commissioner Gordon once again combine for this audio masterpiece.
32. Jansport Strings – Skyzoo and the horns are a formidable combination.
33. Above The Sky – Apollo The Great is one of the best surprises this year to me. His album is immaculate and this track is one of my favorites.
34. Terminate On Site – CF drops another tough joint. Last year he brought ‘that fire’, and this year he ‘terminates on site’.
35. Humid Nights – JR&PH7 link up with The Kid Daytona for a soulful joint off their most recent project.
36. Success – The Audible Doctor and Chaundon showcase their verbals over the former’s tightest productions.
37. Walk With The Lions – When Swedish producer Pause Beats comes out with his album in 2013 you will recognize. A lot of talent on this track.
38. Knob Creek – JustMe, Marcus Wilkerson, and Sheisty Khrist give you a spiritual, soulful and bluesy vibe that this liste needed.
39. Rabbit Season – Craig G is an OG. He deosn’t care about end of the year accolades but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve them. He once again shows these youngsters how it is done…proper. Kids….go get your shine box!
40. the Last Great – This is the title track off of MaLLy & The Sundance Kid’s album from this year. It’s such a different sound and the two work great together.
41. Blame The Label – The Narcicyst asks you to take a leap of faith with him which is easy when he drops an infectious track like this!
42. Unlearn – Reks and Numonics kill the game with this track. These are two of my favorites in their selected fields. You can’t listen to this without stopping what you are doing and paying attention to the music,.
43. Appreciation – Speaking of ill combinations, Donnie Darko and DJ Bless continue their run with one of the best track this year. Darko has a lot of power in his voice and Bless in his beats.
44. Sandstorms – This list needed another ill posse cut and who better to deliver than Blacastan, Emilio Lopez, Outerspace, and V-Zilla? No One.
45. Holy Smokes – You don’t remember Mr. Complex do you? Well, I personally think he is one of the most interesting emcees in the game. A great talent with a great sense of humor.
46. People – Falside ain’t right for this as he asserts his force on this Juan Deuce track featuring Romen Rok. Real ill!
47. The First 48 – Apollo Brown and OC brought you one of the illest albums this year and this song typifies that release. Dope beats and rhymes.
48. You Know Who You Are – Oddisee is a unique talent with an old soul. A producer extraordinaire with great lyrical ability.
49. Balcony – Are you down with the Mission? The Black Opera. You are either with us or against us.
50. Time 2 Roll – The Red Giants are not only smooth but also extremely dope and don’t tell me Jermiside can’t flow. This is ill lyricism and ability!
The Red Giants new album, Supercharged, just dropped a week ago, and What Do I Do? is the latest single from the project. I missed posting it last week before the album came out and was reminded how good it was when I was listening to the album today. After one listen of the album, I have to say it’s one of the most musically dynamic projects this year. It has great pace and diversity along with that thing called talent to back it.
Hip Hop Dependency 