stefanoneder 2024

Top 5 EPs (2024)

There was quite a few Extended Play releases in 2024. I identify those releases as less than 10 songs on the project, excluding intros, interludes, and outros. I give you my top five of 2024 and I encourage you to give them a listen, purchase, and spread the word on this exceptional music.

#1 Dan Johns- Resurgence

The number one EP of the year was easy for me. When Dan Johns released, Resurgence, I knew this was the one. It’s five self-produced tracks that showcase some of the best production and lyricism this year. Really impressive work. I would honestly rate each track 4.5 to 5 stars. It’s that impeccable. And to add to this blessing is Amen has a verse, that I would count as one of the best this year. Favorite Track: The Magnum

#2 – Spit Gemz – Eulogy For The Devil

The #2 EP this year goes to one of the realest to do it. Spit Gemz has a few EPs released in 2024, but my favorite is him rocking over some Nickel Plated production on Eulogy For The Devil. This project is just unabating and knocks hard. But you know what else makes this special? The knowledge and perspective that Gemz brings to the table track by track. One of the greatest compliments you can pay an artist is that he gave you food for thought. Favorite Track: The Way

#3 Ransom & Harry Fraud – Lavish Misery

Speaking of someone who makes you think, Ransom linked up with super producer, Harry Fraud for our #3 EP, Lavish Misery. Very few can turn a phrase like Ransom. But there is also so much more to his lyricism. There is a message. There is double entendre. There is so much nuance involved in his bars that a casual listener just can’t catch. So set 20 minutes aside for this beautifully orchestrated, Fraud produced release. Favorite Track: Immaculate Conception

#4 Mic Bles & Level 13 – Still No Halos

Sometimes you just need some straight hip hop. No frills. You need to be reminded about that authentic boom bap flavor. Mic Bles and Level 13 are here to be that reminder with the #4 EP of last year, Still No Halos. This is just hip hop in it’s purest form. It’s all about the boom bap beats, those precise scratches, and that ill lyricism. If you mix a few dope features in, this is the “no miss” recipe for this EP. Favorite Track: Raised On

#5 Premrock & Willie Green – Through Lines

And our last featured EP from 2024, is the union of talent between Premrock and Willie Green. Through Lines. Premrock is a poet extraordinaire that is unlike anyone you have heard and when combined with Willie Green’s weaving and turning productions, you have something unique and timeless. It’s two artists who each themselves dance to different drummers but when together, create the most special of rhythms. Let’s hope for more: Favorite Track: Love What You’ve Done With The Place

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Premrock & Willie Green – Imposter Syndrome

Premrock and Willie Green are musical genius. I have always enjoyed the music they create together. They compliment each other perfectly. Premrock’s pen game moves complicity with Willie Green’s score. And I really do feel he is “scoring” the lyrical landscape. What the two have is thoughtful chemistry and it’s so great to hear them work together.

I could have easily picked any of the six tracks from Through Lines to share with you but why not go with the lead track, Imposter Syndrome. Listen to the piano sample trail underneath impeccable poetry and those drum patterns leave their indelible mark.

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Premrock x Zilla Rocca x Mad Dukez – FaSho FaSho (Willie Green Remix)

Premrock

Fasho Fasho! Remix is a fun track to get the night on the town started correctly.  It features two members of the HHD A-Team, Premrock and Zilla Rocca along with Mad Dukez (who I am not sure if I have heard before).  Of course we have the ever creative Willie Green on the boards.  Is it wrong for me to think of the hip hop version of  A Night At The Roxbury when I hear this?  It probably is, but that would be a fun video to make.   Ladies beware!

stefanoneder Uncategorized

Artist Spotlight: PremRock

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I am pretty excited…no, let me rephrase, I am very excited to bring you some thoughts from one of the most creative emcees in the game, PremRock.

I have been listening to him for a couple of years now and in an ideal world, I would have connected with him at SXSW a couple of weeks ago.  But that was not in the cards.  Still, I wanted to pick his brain about, his art, his friends, and his perspective.  What I got in reply was well thought out introspection.

I encourage you to read the interview, check the video freestyle (it’s amazing) and make sure you cop all of his music.  If you love creativity in your hip hop, you are going to be an instant fan of PremRock.

Continue reading “Artist Spotlight: PremRock” →

stefanoneder Album, Album Reviews

PremRock – Mark’s Wild Years (2012)

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Aritst: PremRock

Album: Mark’s Wild Years

Source: Artist

Note:

Certain artists just push the thresholds as to what hip hop can do and speak about.  PremRock expounds upon many topics with his album, Mark’s Wild Years.  And it’s not just what he’s talking about, it’s how he’s talking about it.  The wordplay throughout this album is exceptional and the somber tones in PremRock’s voice offer up his thoughts with that much more potency.

Continue reading “PremRock – Mark’s Wild Years (2012)” →

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: PremRock and Willie Green – Radio Dial Remix (ft. Has Lo)

Here is the first single off of PremRock and Willie Green’s remix album entitled PremRock & Willie Green: Reassembled. The original album made my Top 10 Albums Of 2011 list and I am thinking the ‘rearranged’ version of the album has the same potential. The remix here is done by Blockhead.  This sounds a little more upbeat than the original version.  I could almost tell this was a Blockhead production without seeing the credits.  I really like this version. It’s a fun joint.  The remix album drops March12th.

stefanoneder Album Reviews

PremRock & Willie Green – Self-Titled (2011)

Artist: PremRock & Willie Green

Album: Self-Titled

Source: Artist

Tracklisting:

1. You Love My Intro (ft. DJ Addikt)
2. Diary Of A Dreamer
3. How’d You Get So Fresh (ft. DJ Addikt)
4. Had To Be Me (ft. C-Rayz Walz, Soul Khan, DJ Addikt)
5. The Sound
6. Move
7. Kill Your Idols
8. Jogger (ft. Open Mike Eagle)
9. Johnny Rotten (ft. DJ Addikt)
10. Radio Dial (ft. Has-Lo)
11. You Can’t Go Home Again

Note:

Yeah, I am feeling this album from PremRock and Willie Green.  My first impression from the album was how well produced it was.  There is such diversity in rhythm, sound, and tempo that the album always had my attention which was of course helped by the fact there was only eleven tracks on the effort (which I like).  The album also flowed very well for being so diverse.

Continue reading “PremRock & Willie Green – Self-Titled (2011)” →

stefanoneder Album

Jesse Abraham: Bars & NoBull

Artist: Jesse Abraham

Album: Bars & NoBull

Tracklist:

  1. Of Course (prod. by JA)
  2. Yoga (Video) (prod. by Spills)
  3. Just Gettin’ Going (prod. by KO Beatz)
  4. Who’s That (prod. by Trace Thomas)
  5. Little Bit Of Everything (prod. by KO Beatz)
  6. Got That Juice (ft. Albert Rhymestein) (prod.  by Willie Green)
  7. Digit (prod. by Panjabi MC)
  8. Don’t Taze Me (ft. Jeanette Berry) (prod. by Spills)
  9. Life Is A Free Throw (prod. by Trace Thomas)
  10. Word Of Mouth (ft. Premonition) (prod by Spills)
  11. Get To Know Me (prod. by Trace Thomas)
  12. Raucous Lawlessness (prod. by !llmind)
  13. Get Off Me (prod. by Trace Thomas)
  14. Ventura (prod. by JA)

 

Notes:

Jesse, who? Jesse Abraham? I still don’t know who we are talking about. But what I did find out after listening to, Bars & NoBull is that this emcee is different. And I mean different in a good way.

Fun. Zaney. Witty. Lyrical. Gifted. Those are all words I would use to describe Jesse Abraham after listening to this album. Fun hip hop finally finds it’s way to us via Mr. Abraham in 2010.  Admittedly I was a a bit unsure of this artist up to track three of this album, but he really started to grow on me.   His style is extremely unorthodox in terms of relating him to another style or trying to place him in the proverbial box.  He is somewhat similiar to Homeboy Sandman if for no other reason that they are unconventional in their rhyme patterns and cadence.

If you can appreciate an artist pushing the boundaries of hip hop, like clever and witty lines, and superb production, you will enjoy this release.  It took a minute for me to develop this appreciation but after all is said and done this will retain it’s replay value for years to come.

Shouts out to DJ Booth from whence this release came!